White River Township Fire Department

Senior Staff Meeting

September 4, 2003

 

Present:

[P]  Chief Tibbetts

[P] Chief  Cassin

[P]  Chief Brown

 

[P]  Chief Slauter

[P]  Chief Thacker

[ ]  Chief Young

 

[ ]  Kim Clawson

[ ]  Others:

 

 

  1. The budget appeal action plan has already been worked on in a separate meeting so no further action was necessary or taken.
  2. It was decided that our next step in the corporation dissolution project would be to contact Joe Pitcher through Tony Slusher and Darryl Slevin.  It was also suggested taking Joe out to lunch and explaining our situation in detail.  Depending on the outcome of this meeting, our next course of action will be decided.
  3. The TEMS proposal was discussed in detail.  After some research with PERF it was determined that PERF will not cover our full-time employees on a SWAT callout.  Because of this, it will be our official stance that we will not pursue this program any further.  Chief Tibbetts will meet with Sheriff McLaughlin to discuss our position.  He will also notify our current TEMS members.
  4. The 2003 fire loan was discussed at length.  The main topic of this conversation was future land locations and building sites.  Chief Brown is working with Greg Allen’s realtors on finding sites in our plan and will bring info to the next meeting.
  5. The new grievance procedure was approved by the senior staff and will now be forwarded to council for review and approval before being released as official policy.
  6. The web site now has a link on the employee page to our station location maps.  It can only be accessed by senior staff members and also has statistical data on it.
  7. There was a brief discussion regarding Lieutenants that are qualified to work as battalion chiefs.  Per Chief Tibbetts, there are no changes in our current lineup.  Bruce, Jim, and Joe are all cleared to work in the absence of their battalion chief.
  8. Carey spoke about the new equipment labels.  They will be reflective and will state simply the department’s name and not the apparatus number.  Apparatus will be distinguished by color-coded tape.  Each label will cost about 85 cents.  Ryan Cox is heading up this project and will work with Jeff Smith on a final equipment list for each apparatus (for check sheet purposes).
  9. Carey also stated that the command packets are now completed and will be placed in each staff vehicle.
  10. Joel stated upcoming training includes:  Curry Road live burns throughout October, Officer I and Officer II classes, Pediatric Pre-hospital Care on October 2nd and 3rd at HQ, a PHTLS class at Greenwood FD toward the end of October and a 12-lead ECG class on Tuesday nights throughout October.  Keep an eye on the bulletin boards for more information.
  11. There was great discussion regarding the upcoming medic class and its effects on our department.  The main issue involved the financial implications of 6 students all attending class at the same time.  After realizing that there is no budget for theses classes along with the large liability created this year with Lt Wilson’s overtime, the following conclusions were drawn:  Beginning January 1st, we will no longer be able to fund students to go to clinicals, classes, or other medic-school-required events. Students who are on duty though may be detailed to class provided that the absence does not create an undo hardship on the department (i.e. we remain at minimum staffing).

 

 

Meeting closed at:  9:48am

Notes by:  Scott Cassin, September 4, 2003