White River Township Fire Department

            Senior Staff Meeting

           

            Thursday, February 19, 2004

 

 

                       

Present:       .

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Chief Brown

Chief Thacker

Chief Young

Kim Clawson

 

 

  1. Scott addressed issues that the corporation board has with the possibility of moving all part-time employees over to the District side.

CONS

    1. Same training/uniform as full-time?
    2. Grievance procedure?
    3. Attitude of career personnel thinking they are better than the part time personnel.
    4. Possibility of losing several employees.

PROS

a.       Everyone working for same entity.

b.      Disciplinary procedures would be streamlined.

c.       More say in hiring instead of hiring someone’s friend.

d.      One physical agility test.

e.       All employees being held accountable.

·        We are waiting on a return call from Tricia, regarding what our next step is in this process. 

·        It was agreed that money is not a heavy motivator.

·        We need to figure out a way to hire good people who will stay here.

 

  1. Master keys and usage.

-  You should go with them and open the door, not just give them your keys.

-  Incident last Friday.

-  If it is ever determined who did it, they will be terminated.

 

  1. 2004 FEMA Grant.

-  Work with another agency weighs heavily.

-  Possibly radios.

-  Include CAD System.

-  Work with as many other Johnson County departments as possible.

-  Carey will call Joe Pitcher and see what the status is of the digital radios.

-  Kim will check on costs of a professional grant writer.

 

  1. Kim has been cleared to work ½ days as she feels able to.  Please be patient as she gets back into her routine.  She should be cleared to full duty sometime during the 2nd week of March.

 

  1. Training is being done outside of regular training days.  That’s great!  However, some simple topics can be covered on station without gathering all three stations together.  Response times are suffering.  In depth trainings, such as ice rescue, etc. should be done with all stations present.

 

  1. SCBA out of service at station 52 on B-shift.  No officer knew about it until the next day.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he didn’t check the daily log that day and he takes responsibility for it. 

 

  1. Off duty responses.  The next day’s battalion chief takes over as the in service battalion chief and goes to the firehouse for fill in coverage.  They should not automatically report to the scene.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he will be responding on everything.  If there is a fire, and there is an investigator there, do not call Chief Brown.  Only call him when the investigator cannot handle it by himself.  If an investigator is needed, please call asap.  They cannot do an adequate job when the fire is already out.

 

  1. Application packets for hiring process should be ready today or tomorrow.  They go out Monday.  Apps must be picked up by the applicant.

 

  1. Chief Thacker is meeting with Chuck Valentine to discuss the Bluff Road house.  We are receiving 30 FDIC passes, full conference with the exception of HOT days.  Chuck needs logistics volunteers.  See Joel if interested.

 

  1. Mike Vanderploeg has offered a letter of resignation.  The Chiefs agree that this letter will be rejected.  He cessation of employment will stand as a termination.

 

  1. Firefighters would like to begin wearing polo shirts in the nicer weather.  This will require a policy change.  Chief Tibbetts stated that this must be department wide.  All Chiefs in favor of the change, provided that everyone on duty must be dressed the same.

 

  1. Protective clothing inspection form distributed for discussion.  These should be completed by the company officers and returned to Chief Young by the first week of March.

 

  1. Random drug and alcohol testing discussion led by Chief Young.  Each test is relatively inexpensive.  While it is not felt that we currently have a problem within the department, it is agreed that we need to be proactive, especially with the growth of the department.  Chief Thacker suggested that we also implement an EAP.  Chief Cassin is concerned that Chief Young already has too much going on.  Chief Young stated that he has a meeting this afternoon with Public Safety Medical Services and would simply like permission to discuss this with them at that meeting and see how much of this they can do there.

 

  1. Devonshire is beginning leasing March 1st.  Please become familiar with the configuration of this complex.