White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, September 22, 2005

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Chief Wilson

Chief Brown

Chief Thacker

Chief Engmark

Lt. Hart

Kim Clawson

 

 

  1. Awards Banquet will be January 21, 2006 at Pauly’s Italian Restaurant.  Chief Thacker will schedule the room.  An internet survey will be placed on our employee’s website for everyone to vote on their food choices.

 

  1. Twenty six applications have gone out for the part time firefighter process as of this morning.  So far, no major issues have risen.  Info for Lieutenant’s process has been posted.  Chief Slauter had suggested to Chief Thacker that we bring in outside personnel to conduct the interviews.

 

  1. So far we have nine people interested in the Honor Guard.  Some equipment has already been received.  Flags still need to be ordered.  Chief Engmark suggested ordering flags for each of the stations.  Everyone agreed, as long as they look nice and are durable.  The Pacers have already contacted Kyle Brooks for a performance.

 

  1. Station 51 mold issues are being resolved.  No toxic problems were found.  Chief Thacker asked Chief Brown to forward a copy of the written report to him.

 

  1. Chief Cassin gave an update on the policy manual.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he would work with Lt. Hart on the discipline policy and make a presentation at the next senior staff meeting.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he realizes some discipline is suggestive.  He also stated that he is tired of discipline and feels that some things that are not being disciplined that should be.  He also feels he is conducting discipline that should never get to him in the first place.

 

  1. Chief Slauter talked about relocating the placement of our RIT packs to the engines instead of the rescue and ladder.  The total cost would be approximately $4,000.  Everyone agreed and training will be conducted at the appropriate time.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that all available positions would be filled with this current part time process.

 

  1. Chief Slauter stated that he and Chief Tibbetts are creating an SOG regarding staffing issues and mutual aid fill-ins.  These will be presented at the next senior staff meeting, at which time we will also consider if it is an SOG or a policy.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that we have been having several accidents and it is unclear why.  He emphasized that personnel need to be mindful of what they are doing and pay attention to detail.  Complacency is unacceptable.  Chief Thacker stated that one possible reason is because the drivers involved in these accidents have too much going on in their lives to concentrate on their driving.  He suggested that each shift examine their driving personnel and make sure they are performing as they should.  If they have too much going on, try to eliminate whatever possible.  He also stated that company officers should not be letting some of the things slide that they have been.  If a driver can’t drive, he should also not be sitting in the officer seat.  He is scheduling an EVOC class.

 

  1. Personnel issues:

Ø      Nick Smith has returned to college.  He has been granted a 60 day leave of absence, expiring October 31.

Ø      Certified letters were sent to Matt Myers, Rick Mullis & Trevor Wilson.  All have been returned, unclaimed.  These personnel have equipment belonging to us.  Chief Tibbetts stated that he will be sending letters to the Fire Chiefs of the agencies where they work.  Chiefs Thacker and Brown stated that we should have a deputy deliver a notice to their permanent residence, which Chief Brown can find.  They feel we should not handle this through their place of employment.

Ø      Jory Cox, Tony Slusher, Steve Coover, and Darryl Slevin have been deployed to the hurricane responses in Louisiana and Texas.  Chief Tibbetts stated that any further personnel who are called to respond may not be able to, due to staffing.

 

  1. Chief Thacker stated that training burns will be conducted next week.

 

  1. Lt. Hart gave EMS division updates:

Ø      We will be purchasing the E-series monitor.

Ø      Intermediate class is underway.  We are waiting on certification from the state that will allow Advanced EMTs to operate without a Paramedic on the scene.

Ø      We are still under the Marion County protocols.  The items that we requested (ie:  Epinephrine for Asthmatics, Epi-pens for the bike team, etc.) were all denied.