White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, March 10, 2005

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Chief Wilson

Chief Brown

Chief Thacker

Chief Engmark

Kim Clawson

 

 

  1. Communications issues:

-         Up to Battalion Chiefs to notify dispatch to send a “working incident” page. 

-         Radio committee is in favor of separate fire dispatch center.  Committee consists of Chief Dhondt, Chief Tibbetts and Tony Napier.  Chief Tibbetts feels that the police agencies will probably resist this issue.

 

  1. Chief Thacker proposed changing the meeting schedule back to every two weeks, instead of the current monthly schedule.  Chief Slauter feels that we should also be looking more globally, discussing issues that affect the fire department on a larger scale, such as ISO versus accreditation.  Chief Thacker also suggested “divisional updates” every two weeks.  These meetings will also be used to review and update policies.  Chief Tibbetts asked everyone to review the first two policies before the next meeting and come prepared to discuss them.  Everyone agreed that the meetings should be moved to every two weeks.

 

  1. Chief Slauter reported that Captain Arkins has requested an assistant to help with maintenance responsibilities as Headquarters.  He suggested asking Lt. Funkhouser to do this.  Everyone agreed.

 

  1. Chief Thacker gave update on hiring processes.

PART TIME

-         Reserve process went well. 

-         Three individuals currently working.  One of the four hired misunderstood that it was EVERY B-shift and has already resigned.

-         Mike Winterhalter is the next person on the list and is coming in next week for orientation.

-         Chief Slauter will leave Brad Jewell’s shift position open here for one month.  After that, we will need to fill it if he doesn’t return.

-         Trevor Wilson needs to give up his C-shift night position.

FULL TIME

-         Twenty in the process and we are hiring two.

-         CPAT is the next step.

-         Anticipated start date is July 1st.

 

  1. Lt. Hart will be assigned the project of researching the feasibility of moving Medic 52 to another station.

 

  1. Chiefs Cassin leaving 3/24 – 4/6, returning 4/7, for Australia.  His Nextel will still be working.  Chief Tibbetts off 3/23 for at least one week for surgery.  Chief Thacker will be in charge.  Chief Engmark will be out 3/26 through 4/1. 

 

  1. Critique of Library Park Apartment fire occurring last Sunday.  Chief Tibbetts thanked everyone for a job well done.  Apparatus placement and feedback from interior crews needs to be improved.  Battalion Chiefs will work on these items with their personnel.  Chief Thacker suggested doing a PIA after every incident, regardless of how it goes.

 

  1. Chief Thacker announced that FDIC is coming up soon and he may have another house that we can use for structural collapse.  He may need help with staffing.  If you know of anyone interested, please contact him.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts asked that we be courteous when dealing with the media.