White River Township Fire Protection District

Senior Staff Meeting Minutes                                                                                                           May 16, 2001

 

 

Present:                Chief Tibbetts                                       Lieutenant Thacker

                                Battalion Chief Cassin                         Lieutenant Settles

                                Division Chief Brown                          Kim Clawson

 

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Meeting called to order at 1300 hours.

 

  1. The budget is still tight.  We have recently transferred over $31,000 into the cumulative fund from our regular operating budget.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts addressed a recent run response that took several minutes for the crews to mark enroute.  The run, #421, was to Shady Brook Heights on May 10 in the early hours of the morning.  The dispatch time was 0109 and the arrival time was 0124.  Chief Thacker inquired as to why this was not brought to him personally as the Battalion Chief on duty that night, before it was brought before a full senior staff meeting.  Chief Tibbetts stated that it was because no disciplinary action was taken and he wanted to know what had happened.  Chief Thacker stated that he has already taken care of this situation and that those who were on duty that night are crystal clear that a delayed response is not to happen again.  He also stated that there were some extenuating circumstances that night such as errors in dispatch and the engine not starting.  Chief Tibbetts stated that regardless of the situation, personnel should not have to be awakened twice to be told to go on a run.  He also stated that he will be issuing an order, effective immediately, all career personnel who are on duty are to be the first out responders, regardless of the run type (mutual aid, etc.).  Chief Thacker strongly disagreed with this decision.

 

  1. The FPDB recently approved the purchase of ropes and a super ram.

 

  1. Kim gave an update on the status of the FEMA Fire Grant process.

 

  1. May 15th was the last day for applications for the Chiefs hiring process.  We have received 16 applications total.  The committee consisting of Eric Brown, Chuck Shufflebarger, Bill Patterson and Scott Alexander will be meeting soon to begin the review process and scheduling formal interviews.  Eric stated that he expects the committee to be ready to make an appointment on or around August 1.

 

  1. Eric gave an update on station 53.  Loose electrical and door hardware items, as well as the entire septic system, are the only items remaining that are keeping us from occupancy.  We are expecting to move the offices around the last week of May and the crews will begin work there on June 1.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he did not feel it was a good idea to wait until Fire Prevention week to hold the open house and dedication ceremony.  Chief Brown stated that his reasons for wanting to do that were A) we are already having an open house anyway, B) will give us time to move in and work out any ‘bugs’ and C) would like for the new engine to be there.  Scheduling of the ceremony was tabled until we have a better feel for when we will be in the building and when the new engine will be in.

 

  1. Anyone having any suggestions regarding station 51 or station 52 building renovations should submit them in writing to the appropriate station Lieutenant (Alford for 51, Skipper for 52).

 

  1. After much discussion, the dispatch protocol was accepted with a few minor revisions.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that the computer / online crew duty schedule is complete and he will be training Lt. Wilson on it soon.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that he is anticipating the next Fire Loan (2002) to include the following items:

1 Engine - $ 300,000

1 Tactical - $ 300,000  (Will include a cascade system and a light tower.)

2  Staff - $ 60,000 (Chief & Ops Chief)

1 Pick Up Truck - $ 30,000

1 Fire Prevention / Rehab full size van - $ 35,000

Station 51 & 52 major renovations

 

  1. Kim suggested that once the Chiefs vacancy is filled permanently we begin work on new health benefits for the district employees.  She stated that in the past she has handled this on her own but, now that there are more people these decisions affect, would feel better this year if there was a committee established to do this.   Also, if you have not yet received your lab work results and would like them, let her know.

 

  1. Kim will be placing an order for business cards and misc. forms which will show the new address and fax numbers.

 

  1. Kim stated that work will begin around August for the 2002 Awards Banquet.  Begin thinking of any changes that you would like made, make a list of them and we will talk about them during a July or August senior staff meeting.

 

  1. Kim stated that she and Chief Cassin are working on a computerized version of the comp time book for district personnel to use.  She also requested that no one pre-record the hours they are scheduled to work as circumstances change and shifts are called off.  She has no way to track it at this time.  So please only record what you have already worked.

 

  1. Tanker 53 will begin ALS service June 1st when the new station is opened.  Engine 51 will be dropping it’s ALS status but the Rescue will stay ALS.

 

  1. Eric stated that since the Strawberry Festival is the same week as the final portion of the World Police and Fire Games he suggested that we get our staffing locked in as early as possible.