White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, January 5, 2006

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Chief Wilson

Chief Brown

Chief Thacker

Chief Engmark

Lt. Hart

Kim Clawson

 

 

 

Meeting called to order at 0809.

 

  1. Chief Slauter distributed the SOG for natural gas responses.

 

  1. Chief Slauter distributed a copy of a memo that he will be posting concerning TSU 53 non-emergency responses.   

 

  1. Chief Slauter suggested that the three Battalion Chiefs develop a standardized Battalion orientation program.  Everyone agreed.  Chief Slauter will try to get everyone working together on this.

 

  1. Chief Slauter brought a request forward from Lt. Cox regarding gray rubens.  He is concerned that if we are trying to minimize available clothing styles in order to look more uniform, adding another item will defeat that.  The gray rubens are the same price as the blue rubens that the firefighters purchase.  After discussion, it was agreed that the Chiefs would still be allowed to purchase and wear gray rubens while on duty.

 

  1. Chief Thacker announced that Pauly’s Restaurant closed before we could host our Awards Banquet.  After research, he has moved it to February 3rd at Primo’s South (I-65 & Keystone).  On duty crews will take staff cars and leave all apparatus on station.  Chief Thacker stated that a list of awards is needed from everyone by the next senior staff meeting (1/19).  If you have anyone you’d like to see invited, please submit their name and address to Kim by 1/10.

 

  1. Chief Thacker stated that the EVOC class will proceed as scheduled on 1/19 and  1/20.  The staff meeting will be moved to the Government Center.

 

  1. Chief Thacker discussed personnel changes.  He has met separately with Paul, Butch and Jim regarding the fire prevention position.  They agree with the need for the position but are cautious about taking the appropriate steps to get it implemented.

 

  1. Maria VanHart will be returning to work around February 1st, pending successful completion of medical exam and physical ability test.  Chief Wilson was instructed to oversee scheduling for the physical ability test but to make sure she has been released by the physician.

 

  1. Chief Thacker would like to see several changes at future District Board meetings:

-          Address board members by their title.

-          Room setup to include seating assignments.

-          Chief Tibbetts will be developing and publishing procedures for speaking at the meetings.

-          If you are working on a project, continue to maintain contact but keep Chief Tibbetts informed.

-          Fire Chief or Deputy Chief needs to meet with the Chairman at least every two weeks.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts announced that he is now a lobbyist for the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association.

 

  1. Lt. Hart stated that the smoking policy was addressed at the last union meeting.  He has had a request from Station 52 to move their designated smoking area to the antenna area because the area by the dumpster is within public view.  Everyone agreed but that if this rule is broken the designated area will be moved back to the dumpster area.

 

  1. Chief Thacker asked that consistency be used when enforcing policies.  This is a new year and we should all have a new attitude.  No more picking and choosing which policies to follow or who they will be applied to.

 

  1.   Chief Engmark will be working with Lt. Hart on vacation scheduling policies to begin 1/1/07.

 

  1. Chief Slauter asked that all three shifts be as consistent as possible.

 

  1. Job descriptions were discussed and amended accordingly. 

 

  1. No further new business.  Meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.