White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, August 31, 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. Chief Brown wanted to know if the map book could be loaded on the laptop.
    1. Chief Slauter wanted to wait until GPS comes out, that way the department will no get dependant on the map book.
    2. Once the pictrometry is available Chief Tibbetts said that each department will have their own layer that can be personalized for each individual department.

 

  1. Division updates
    1. Chief Thacker

                                                              i.      Physicals should be completed by the end of September.  HazMat physicals are also completed.

                                                            ii.      He has contacted Schoolcraft concerning the Marsh building.  The building will be available for ventilation and sprinkler training next week and the week after.

                                                          iii.      Leadership Training will be moved to the 17th to the 20th.

                                                           iv.      Maple Grove is still available for the shifts for training.  If the shift is going to train, contact Bargersville Fire Department prior to inform them of the plans.

    1. Chief Brown

                                                              i.      Materials for Fire Prevention Week are being ordered.

                                                            ii.      Engines from the district the school is located in will be visiting the schools.  Chief Slauter would like Chief Brown to consult with the Battalions that are on duty, a different Engine may be used due to the construction on Smith Valley.

                                                          iii.      Chief Engmark and Slauter are still reviewing the SOG Chief Brown disbursed during the last meeting.  Bring any remarks or changes to the next meeting.

    1. Chief Slauter

                                                              i.      The C-shift float spot will go to Charlie Fraker.

                                                            ii.      To this point there have been no problems with the changes made to work around the construction on Smith Valley.

                                                          iii.      Since Captain Arkins has been on vacation the accreditation process has been put on the back burner.  Things are progressing though, some new business have preplans completed.

    1. Chief Engmark

                                                              i.      The Honor Guard SOG changes have been made and copies have been handed out.  Review the revised copy to be okayed during next meeting.

    1. Chief Cassin

                                                              i.       A software update was loaded and has temporarily brought down the Firehouse web server.  There are errors between the two systems that are attributed to the toolbar.  Firehouse has suggested two different fixes, (1) use the web server only, or (2) move the toolbar across the top of the screen on both systems.  The second will most likely be the most practical choice.

                                                            ii.      Training rollout for the laptops will begin September 11th.  At that point, the laptops will be placed in the apparatus in which they belong.

                                                          iii.      New Station 51 update – The building is progressing, framing on the building will be started soon.  The block for the stair well and bay walls has been completed.  Back fill and gravel will also be done soon.

                                                           iv.      Station 52 addition – The addition is almost complete.  The lot will be paved when the addition is finished.

    1. Chief Tibbetts

                                                              i.      The discussion with Greenwood concerning dispatch is on hold until 94 is finished.

                                                            ii.      The county council did not pass the budget along with Bargersville.  Bargersville is the main reason.  They have increased their budget considerably so the council has some questions.  Since one did not pass the others did not pass.  The council did have a problem with the tax rate along with some minor questions but will likely pass.

                                                          iii.      The Circuit Breaker Legislation – Limiting property tax to two percent of assessed value.  The legislation will also increase the homestead credit from 25 to 45.  This legislation could affect us within a couple of years.

                                                           iv.      Personnel issues – Vanhart, Deford, and Doyle have resigned.  Roy has requested and received a 90 day extension on his leave.  Carlson has returned from leave.

 

  1. New Business
    1. Cadets Blue and Mangus are ready to move up to reserve.  Chief Thacker will have them run through agility.  They are to sign up in the book for six months so as to work different shifts and stations allowing the department to evaluate them before assigning them to a specific shift.
    2. Recognition Dinner – Chief Thacker has suggested Hickory Stick.  They have an L-shaped banquet room that will seat at least 200.  Suggestion will be welcome if anyone else has any ideas as to where the department could hold this dinner.  The proposed date would be Jan. 27th which would be C-shift.  Chief Thacker will check on prices at Hickory Stick.  Ideas for gifts for everyone to take home are welcome.

 

  1. September 11th
    1. Class B uniforms are appropriate.  The Honor Guard will wear appropriate attire.
    2. Chief Engmark will make sure the event will be announced to the community.
    3. Chief Tibbetts believes everyone killed that day should be honored.  That a small reading remembering fire, EMS, and police along with those at the Pentagon, twin towers and hijacked planes should be read instead of reading all the names.
    4. Specific invitations should be given to local politicians, council members, local fire departments, military representatives, and the district board.

 

  1. Circuit Breaker Legislation
    1. A workshop on the legislation is being held on October 6th in the Union Hall from 9:00 until 4:00.

                                                              i.      The discussion pertaining to tax funding for the department will be in the morning and as many who can attend this workshop should.

                                                            ii.      This meeting will discuss the changes under House Bill 1001 to assessed value and the homestead credit.  The timeline for implementation and impact will be discussed.

 

  1. Meeting called at 0905.