White River Township Fire Department

Senior Staff Meeting

May 29, 2003

 

Present:

[P]  Chief Tibbetts

[P] Chief  Cassin

[P]  Chief Brown

 

[P]  Chief Slauter

[ ]  Chief Thacker

[P]  Chief Young

 

[P]  Kim Clawson

[ ]  Others:

 

 

  1. Discussion on recent poor lawn maintenance at station 53.  Chief Tibbetts will follow up and get a confirmed schedule from Ed Carlson as well as getting proof of insurance from him.

 

  1. Discussion on bids received for lawn care (weed control) at station 53.  It was agreed that we should contract with Greenwoods’ Finest, based on the information provided in their bid.  Chief Tibbetts advised Chief Cassin to present this to Paul Kite before signing the contract.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that because Ed Carlson is mowing all three stations, there should be no excuse for stations looking dirty.  The new Saturday crew duty will be outside station/grounds maintenance issues.

 

  1. Discussion on recent problems with our water softener.  After discussion, it was agreed that a single tank should be sufficient for our needs.  Again, Chief Tibbetts advised Chief Cassin to present this to Paul Kite before signing the contract.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts commended everyone on a very productive strategic planning session held yesterday.

 

  1. Chief Young suggested that we review our run statistics and see if we would qualify for our own dedicated ambulance. 

 

  1. Chief Young stated that Public Safety Medical would be here on June 9th to do all lab work for the 2003 physicals.

 

  1. Chief Young gave an update on a recent Marion County Safety Officers meeting he attended.
    1. IFD, Pike and Washington are revising their RIT and mayday responses and creating a mayday box response.

                                                               i.      Chief Young suggested that we review our SOG regarding this.

                                                             ii.      Chief Young also stated that our mutual aid could potentially increase because of this change in box alarms.

    1. Marion County department are updating their SCBAs to include heads up displays and RIT fittings.
    2. OSHA is now stating that hearing loss is a reportable injury.
    3. Marion County had 470 on duty injuries in 2002.
    4. National Fire Academy’s Advanced Safety Operations course will be offered at Wayne Township Fire Department sometime in January ’04.  See Chief Young for more information.
    5. IFD recently reported the collapse of a raised cab on one of their American LaFrance engines.  Luckily no one was under it when it happened.  They have since created a secondary device that will support the cab in case of this type of failure.  This device must be in place now any time they have someone under the cab.  IFD is reviewing this incident, as is ALF.

                                                               i.      Chief Young suggested that we immediately review our SOG for apparatus maintenance and determine if any changes need to be made to improve safety of our personnel while working under the cabs.

    1. Marion County personnel were impressed with our new accountability tag system and are considering changing theirs to something similar.
    2. OSHA has a new standard out which dictates the use of reflective material on a highway.  Chief Young will research this further and look into our options.  In the mean time, turnout gear is a must.