White River Township Fire Department

Staff Meeting Minutes

March 27 & 28, 2001

 

Present During Tuesday’s Meeting:  Mike Tibbetts, Eric Brown, Carey Slauter, Casey Arkins, Nick Alford, Joe Marsh, Brian Reynolds, Chris Kindred, Jim Taulman and Kim Clawson.

 

Present During Wednesday’s Meeting:  Mike Tibbetts, Scott Cassin, Jeff Smith, Jason Tibbetts, Jeff Wilson, Jory Cox, Bryan Arkins, Bruce Alexander, Mike Shoemaker, Tony Rizzi, and Kim Clawson.

 

IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND, REMEMBER TO CONTACT YOUR LIEUTENANT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING ANYTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED.

 

  1. No major changes will be made until the fire chief’s vacancy is filled permanently.

 

  1. The budget is tight.  No overtime will be allowed unless absolutely necessary.  If you’re already on a regular 24hr shift, don’t take someone’s open hours…trade time with them!

 

  1. Personnel updates -

Rod Shambarger – 3 month leave

Dave Kelley – 6 month leave

Mike Schilling – reserve to compensated, unit #33, under Chief Tibbetts

CJ Fulkerson – cadet to reserve, unit #181, under Lt. Alford

 

  1. We are currently waiting for Taulman Excavating to begin work on the station 51 sewer.

 

  1. Brick work has been completed at station 52. 

 

  1. Station 53 update:

-         The building is now heated.

-         Water should be turned on this week.

-         Paul Kite is working on the sewer/septic issue.

-         Painting will be done this Friday.

-         Carpet will be done next Tuesday.

-         Front apron will be extended another 15’ at Prince Alexander’s cost.

-         Asphalt will be done after the sewer/septic is done.

-         Prince Alexander is still claiming that the building will be completely finished by April 11th.

-         Chief Tibbetts asked for patience while the new schedule is worked on.

 

  1. We have been losing a lot of equipment on fires lately.  It is the responsibility of the person using that tool to make sure it gets returned to its proper place.  It is the responsibility of the officer of that truck to make sure all his equipment is returned.  Please do not ‘swap’ equipment with another agency because it’s handy and close by.  Take the time to find your own equipment and put everything back where it needs to go.

 

  1. Engine 53 update.  Chassis and cab are done.  Waiting on final work on the box and then it will be assembled.  We are now looking at August to take delivery.

 

 

  1. Mutual Aid discussion.

Perry Township – Grass 51 and Tanker 52 will now automatically respond

when Perry has a field fire.  Chief Tibbetts is still working on obtaining a dual response agreement with them.  When the grass rig and tanker respond to PTFD, each will have only one person on it.  When you determine who is to go, do not send the only medic.  PTFD knows we are sending equipment only, not manpower.

                        Bargersville – Chief Tibbetts has a meeting scheduled next week in which

he hopes to improve relations between our two departments.

Greenwood – Chief Tibbetts has a meeting March 29th in which he hopes

to improve relations between our two departments as well as obtain a mutual aid and dual response agreement.

**Also, when we are called to assist another agency, show them the same respect that you demand from them.

 

  1.  Grooming policy is not being enforced.  Hair must be off the collar (male or female), mustaches must stay trimmed, no goatees, clean shaven, White River FD apparel only, no offensive body odor, clean clothes, etc.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts has spoken with the volunteer corporation board regarding their pay rate.  They have now determined that they will not be able to fund the originally announced $9.00 per hour for medics.  Therefore, they are anticipating a .50 across the board raise, and raising the Driver/Operator to .95 per hour.  With the Driver/Operator, in order to receive that raise, you will need to have the state certification, as well as be cleared to drive ALL White River Township FD apparatus.  There will not be a raise given this year based on the evaluation.  All this is tentatively going into effect on May 1.  Watch for a possible memo coming out from Scott Alexander who is the president of that board.

 

  1. Lt. Alford requested that grass cutting be moved to a less busy day, instead of Mondays as it currently is scheduled. 

 

  1. It has been noticed recently that on duty crews are taking apparatus, fully staffed, to the grocery store and parking in the fire lane.  Remember, the policy states that a)  apparatus will not park in the fire lanes, unless when on a run and b) at least one firefighter will remain with the apparatus at all times, unless on a run.  Instead of all five people going on a grocery shopping trip, one person should go in their own vehicle.

 

  1. Lt. Marsh reminded everyone to please enter broken equipment in the computer.

 

  1. Plans are underway to see if Greenwood Fire Department will allow us the use of their SCBA testing equipment.

 

  1. Reserve orientation is April 2 at 6pm.

 

  1. Jim Taulman stated that the cutter is being repeatedly abused and dropped.  Personnel spent most of last weekend cleaning up and repairing this piece of equipment.  Although they are made for heavy use, the fittings are not designed to take abuse.

 

  1. Reminder to everyone that if you have a problem with another individual on the department, to try to resolve it between yourselves first.  If that doesn’t work, then follow the chain of command.  NO EXCEPTIONS!