White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, June 22, 2006

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Chief Wilson

Chief Brown

Chief Thacker

Chief Engmark

Capt. Hart

Capt. Arkins
Capt. Settles

 

 

  1. Meeting called to order at 0805.

 

  1. Pool Vehicle Policy Amendments
    1. Average cost of gas per gallon has gone up from $1.65 in 2004 to $2.75 in 2006.  This is a major increase in funds for gas.
    2. The pool vehicles are permitted to travel in Johnson County and surrounding counties only.  Permission may be granted in special cases by the Fire Chief only.
    3. Chief Thacker questioned if there was an alcohol policy for the pool cars similar to the policy for the take home vehicles.  Chief Brown believes there is a policy covering alcohol and illegal drugs for any department vehicle.

 

  1. Customer Satisfaction Survey – Chief Thacker
    1. Scott Tichenor has drawn up a five question survey to be given to people at a dispatched address or the victim of an auto accident.
    2. Chiefs’ Thacker and Wilson have used this in Brownsburg and it has worked well for them.  Brownsburg has gotten good response.
    3. The survey could be handed to the victim at the scene or could be sent to the address at a later time with a return enveloped included.  This would be given to someone from every run where a death did not occur.
    4. Chief Tibbetts inquired if the media should be notified upon the implementation of the survey.
    5. Scott Tichenor should be the one to implement the project.
    6. Chief Cassin wants to make sure that statistical information is kept to make sure usable information is taken from the survey.

 

  1. Shift Training Officer – Chief Thacker
    1. The main goal would be to have a non-officer conduct training to evening shift part-time help from an outline or teaching material supplied by Chief Thacker.  They may also be used in off duty training. 
    2. The department would reduce stress on company officers and battalion chiefs by using non-officers and will hopefully get the ranks involved.  A full-time firefighter is preferred for the position.
    3. Chief Cassin said the position could go into effect in October because the stipend would not be paid until the first check in January 2007 when funds have been made available for the position.

 

  1. NIMS Training – Chief Thacker
    1. Some firefighters have not done any level of training.  He believes some may have some training and have not yet notified him.
    2. Chief Tibbetts wants a list of those who have not started any training so he can contact them.  Chief Thacker said that Mr. Sutton is concerned about the level of training throughout the county.

 

  1. Physical Fitness – Chief Thacker
    1. Wondering if the department should have one person per shift to do some type of physical fitness program.  That person would look at the equipment the department currently has, lay out the training rooms correctly and do research on new equipment.  This person may do training in instructing physical fitness.
    2. Chief Cassin also believes it would be a good idea to have someone conduct preventative maintenance on the fitness equipment.  This job may be left to the house captains while someone else would take care of the actual physical fitness.
    3. A suggestion to expand the training room in Station 53 was made, especially if the department will be using the building for a few more years.
    4. Chief Thacker is going to send out an e-mail to see who would be interested in doing the training.

 

  1. Accreditation – Chief Slauter
    1. Preplanning is done and as soon as Firehouse is up and running it will be accessible.
    2. Response guidelines for Fire, EMS, and Special Operations are next to be laid out.  The department needs to breakout response time for each apparatus along with the time a call comes into dispatch then dispatch to turnout.
    3. Pictures of each complex with suite numbers along with each business are needed.  Could be listed under complex name.  Only complexes over 15,000 sq. ft., hazmat concerns and critical structures are needed.
    4. Only one paper copy of all the preplans will be made and it will be kept in the TSU.
    5. Chief Engmark asked what the process on updates and new buildings would be.  Chief Slauter would like for the department to do the updates once a year, this way it will get the guys inside the buildings getting them familiar with them.

 

  1. ISO Evaluation – Chief Slauter and Chief Brown
    1. Chief Slauter believes that ISO is antiquated and is curious why we would spend money on things the department does not need or would not use such as nozzles.
    2. Chief Brown says it is a points system and his goal is to get a two or three.  The nozzles and other items needed would increase the points earned but the department would get a big boost for the Ladder, reserve pumper and increase in hydrants.  Dispatch is going to be the largest hit in points.  Hiring two more dispatchers would be the only fix for that.
    3. A total cost in equipment needing to be purchases against amount of points gained should be evaluated.

 

  1. Audit of District will begin on Monday and will cover the years 2002 thru 2005.  Chief Cassin’s only concern is for 2002.
  2. Quartermaster access.  Casey needs access to the closet to do maintenance, blow out pipes and change filter.  If he were to contact Chief Brown any time he would need to have access to the room he would be happy to let him in.

 

  1. Employee updates
    1. Andrew Roy is on extended leave.
    2. Boone will fill in on his day shift.
    3. Sean Harvey, a new hire, is going to be starting on the B-shift at Station 51.
    4. Tim Smith has a medial meniscus tear and will need surgery.  He is having a surgery consult next week and expected recovery time is about six weeks.  More will be known after the consult.

 

  1. Chief Slauter said the contract with Crimson has been signed and a pre-build meeting is scheduled for July 17th.
  2. Chief Engmark handed out an SOG that Kyle Brooks has drawn up about the Honor Guard.  The hand out will be reviewed and discussed the next Senior Staff Meeting.

 

  1. A PI with Bargersville earlier this week has left a couple of firefighters with blood soaked extrication gloves.  Can the firefighters be reimbursed for the gloves?  A reimbursement can be issued but the amount cannot exceed the amount of the department issued item.

 

  1. FYI – Chief Brown has removed all possibilities of accidental activation of the alarm at Devonshire.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts and Chief Brown are trying to secure land on the North side of the district.  Chief Tibbetts talked to Mr. Dodson.  The plot of land was originally priced at $600,000; it has dropped to $400,000.  Mr. Kite wanted the department to check on land availability on the west side of SR 37.  This is not a feasible alternative.  Mr. Dodson sent an e-mail to Mr. Shufflebarger explaining the price drop and free sewer and water at the first location.  This topic will be brought up at the next FPDB Meeting.

 

  1. There is still discussion on the old Station 51.  Several ideas should be considered and discussed with the FPDB.

 

  1. Chief Thacker is still searching for property to conduct training.  He has considered contacting Bargersville and possibly sharing a training center just south of the district.

 

  1. Chief White from Bargersville contacted Chief Tibbetts and thanked him and Chief Engmark for the districts assistance in a couple of calls earlier this week.

 

  1. Meeting called at 0950.