White River Township Fire Protection District
	Regular Staff Meeting
	January 23, 2003  ~  1000 hours
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Present:    Chief Tibbetts
                Deputy Chief Cassin
                Fire Marshal Brown
                Battalion Chiefs Slauter, Thacker and Young 
                Lieutenants Arkins, Alexander, Engmark, Settles, Skipper, and Wilson
                Lieutenant Candidates Hart, Smith, and Alford
                Administrative Assistant Kim Clawson

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1. Scott stated that staff meetings will now be open to career officers only and that it is the responsibility of the career officers to properly distribute information throughout their shifts.  He will also be re-implementing the newsletter which will be distributed with the payroll immediately following each regular staff meeting.  Staff meetings are being conducted every 4 weeks and Senior Staff meetings are being conducted every 2 weeks – both on Thursdays.

Scott said he anticipates emailing agendas to everyone a few days before the actual meeting so that everyone knows what will be discussed.  If you have anything for an agenda, please see him at least one week prior to that meeting.

2. Medic 51 is now the primary response vehicle when Morgan County calls for ALS assistance, regardless if they request transporting or non-transporting.  If Medic 51 is unavailable, dispatch will contact Battalion 5 for further instructions.

3. House officer responsibilities are building maintenance, supplies, and serving on committees pertaining to his station.  House officers are NOT responsible for operational issues.

Station 51:  Settles
Station 52:  Alexander
Station 53:  Skipper (will soon be Arkins) 

4. Chief Tibbetts reminded everyone that the crews need to stay in their own district as much as possible and to organize their days so that miscellaneous errand running and meal details are scheduled when they go out in the district for trainings or inspections.  We are seeing excessive mileage and “wear & tear” on the vehicles. 

5. Joe Settles advised that during recent training, two ice rescue suits were found to leak.  He will be submitting a proposal to Chief Tibbetts to purchase two suits including appropriate accessories. 

6. Joe stated that several chain saws have been having mechanical problems and wondered why this seems to be an on-going occurrence.  Carey stated that only one maintenance request for a saw has been entered in FireHouse.  Kevin reported that we currently have 2 saws in for repair.  Jeff Wilson reported that they are being left dirty after they are used during trainings.  Kevin stated that he will look into changing repair shops to see if the turnaround time can be decreased.  Jim Engmark suggested contacting Al Wright at Greenwood Fire Department for sharpening services.

7. Effective immediately, all shift trades must be completed within the 28 day pay cycle.

8. Scott stated that the department email should be in service in the next 2-3 weeks.

9. Chief Tibbetts will be meeting with Lieutenants Engmark, Alexander, and Arkins regarding changes that will be coming to station 52.

10. Scott stated that the new patch has been ordered and the design will be unveiled at the Awards Banquet.

11. Reminder that apparatus radios need to be kept on the trucks that they are assigned to. 

-  Clearcoms will be issued to the officers and some of the 24 hour personnel, as well as spares on the apparatus. 

-  The special events radio should be taken to fire watch duty – not the radio off of a truck. 

12.   A grant will be pursued to get Heart Start AEDs on the battalion vehicles.

13.   Bruce stated that he will need to replace Zoll batteries this year.  Two of those have failed and three are additional.  This will put those batteries on a three year replacement schedule.

14. Bruce also stated that the station 51 12 lead EKG is having software problems.  He will be sending it out for repair and we will be receiving a “loaner”.

15. Bruce stated that he wants a those paramedics being precepted to be stationed at station 52.  He stated that there is no reason to take two pieces of apparatus out of service just to get that paramedic a run.  Carey stated that he will do whatever it takes to get someone cleared to work as a paramedic as soon as possible and will create the schedule as he feels best suits the department.  Carey also stated that it is a Battalion Chiefs call as to who responds when there is a paramedic needing precepted.  Bruce stated that he doesn’t agree with this policy.

16. Carey requested a bank charger at station 53 (the other two stations each have one already).  Bruce said it would cost $6,000.  Instead, station 51 and station 53 batteries will be switched as needed.  Joe Settles volunteered to oversee this.

It was suggested that we try to receive state EMS grant funds for this as well.  Bruce stated that he did not feel it would be possible for a purchase of this type.

17. Discussion on promoting Jeremy Lee from reserve to compensated.  Nick stated that he did not feel Jeremy had enough experience yet, but has been working hard and picking up extra hours to get it.  This is tabled until the next regular staff.

18. Jim Engmark thanked Jeff Smith for recent extensive compartment work he completed on Engine 52.

19. Kevin Skipper reported that Stoops will be out today to work on Engine 52’s ladder rack.

20. Joel stated that we recently conducted some excellent trainings at the SR135 house.  Good job to all!

21. Don asked all officers to look over the fire gear of all their personnel.  Due to the recent trainings we need to check for rips and burns.  Anything needing repaired, please let him know ASAP!

22. Chief Tibbetts stated that he suspended Greg Maxwell for tardiness.  This is effective 30 days and he is not to “hang out” on station.