White River Township Fire Department

                                                Senior Staff Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, November 9, 2006

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Tibbetts

Chief Brown

Capt. Hart

 

Chief Cassin

Chief Thacker

Capt. Arkins

 

Chief Slauter

Chief Engmark

Capt. Settles

 

Chief Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Meeting called to order at 0805.

 

  1. Trailer Towing Issue
    1. The department needs to get the F550 in service as soon as possible.  There was a trench rescue yesterday that the department was unable to respond to with the trench trailer being OOS.  Chief Slauter would like to know when the department takes possession of the truck and the trench trailer could be put back in service.
    2. Chief Thacker stated that the trailer is needed for the trench training next week and would like for the trailer to be taken to the house off of Demaree Rd. and left on site during the training class.  The trailer can be locked and is insured.  He will also contact the sheriffs department to drive by and check on the trailer throughout the week.  Chief Tibbetts is okay with the trailer being left on site so it would not need to be transported back and forth.  The trailer needs to be marked out of service if it is left on site because it would be too difficult for a crew to retrieve it if needed.  The crews will be instructed not to get the trench trailer next week.

 

  1. Smoking Cessation – Thacker
    1. At this point no one is interested in the procedure.  Capt. Settles stated that Mike Rude has had a couple of setbacks at this point.

 

  1. Staff Uniforms
    1. A sample shirt has been purchased but has not been embroidered or brought in for evaluation.

 

  1. New Business
    1. Chief Slauter has had some problems with Steve Preston.  He will most likely no longer be a Battalion Chief at the beginning of the year.  If any more issues arise let Chief Slauter know.
    2. Splitting up C-shift – Chief Thacker & Chief Slauter

                                                              i.      Chief Tibbetts stated that they would first need to ask for voluntary moves such as the trades between Meacham and Wiegle.

                                                            ii.      Chief Slauter and Chief Wilson have talked to some of their shifts and no one shows interest in trading.  Chief Slauter said that he would take Tony and Chief Wilson said he would take Bryant.  Chief Slauter’s lowest officer is Scholl, cannot move Cox out of 51unless he is no longer Quartermaster and cannot move Casey Arkins.

                                                          iii.      Wilson is not comfortable about Brooks or B. Arkins on the Tactical Rescue.  Tim Smith has given up his spot to Saucier and he and Settles are working well together.  It is possible that B. Arkins becomes the float, Tim would drive truck.  Chief Thacker states that Tim should get the position before Fraker.  No one is sure if Meacham is going to make a full recovery.

                                                           iv.      The first step will be to talk to B. Arkins and Fraker on C-shift and find out if they are willing to move, this will eliminate many other moves.

                                                             v.      Chief Wilson wondered if Fraker is being influenced.  Chief Engmark believes that Bryant and Arkins have worked through many of their issues.

                                                           vi.      Chief Thacker stated that Dave Scholl be asked if he would go to the engine where Tony is now.  Chief Slauter will try to contact them later today.  The issue with Bryant and Arkins will be watched closely and if something festers it will be taken care of right off the bat.

                                                         vii.      Chief Tibbetts stated that they are all on thin ice and on probation that needs to be reiterated to them.

                                                       viii.      Chief Brown asked if either one of them had part-time jobs that may interfere.  Currently both do, Tony will be done in December and Dave is in sales so that should not interfere.

                                                           ix.      Chief Slauter discussed the problem Scholl has with Chief Tibbetts.  Chief Slauter believes it is a training issue; his crew did not have confidence in him.  His engineer is smarter than he is and it intimidates him that Jory has better control.

    1. NIMS ICS proposal has been completed by Chief Wilson.  He has given it to Chief Slauter who is currently looking at it and will bring it to the next meeting.
    2. Uniform issue for Battalion Chiefs

                                                              i.      Chiefs Slauter, Wilson and Engmark have been discussing their uniforms and would like to wear blue shirts instead of white.  Lt. Cox said it would be easier.  Their main purpose for this is their duties involve several different activities.  Working in the bay and training with the crews make it difficult for them to keep clean when wearing white.  Also when responding to calls it is easier when they look like everyone else.  When they stand out from the rest of the crew they could be distracted by witness and family members while they are trying to do their job.

                                                            ii.      Chief Tibbetts may be okay as long as the uniforms are the same.  Chief Slauter believes this will be more uniform, currently the battalion chiefs have the most freedom of clothing.  They could be wearing anything from a blue t-shirt with chief officer on it to wearing a badge.

                                                          iii.      The main concern is on Fridays when they need to have the look of knowing what is going on.  Five years from now when they are not doing as much work in the field it would be easier to wear the badge.  Chief Wilson states that a white button up shirt is not appropriate for medic or mutual aid runs.

                                                           iv.      Chief Tibbetts stated that Chief Cassin was the one pushing the shirt and badge and does not want to make the decision without him present.  Chief Tibbetts does not have a problem with it but will wait until Chief Cassin returns.

    1. Spanish language – Chief Engmark

                                                              i.      He is still working on finding a Spanish class.  Chief Thacker looked in on classes for firefighters and found that they do exist.

                                                            ii.      There is a possibility of setting up a class to be held one evening a week so those who may want to attend could.

    1. Chief Brown

                                                              i.      He has discussed the after hours burn permits with the battalions and with Jackie.  Jackie keeps the permits in the accounts payable file cabinet, second drawer down.  Make sure to fill out the form, note any comments, if it is the same day make sure to check the site.  Make sure to take exact change because there will not be cash to make change.

                                                            ii.      He also inquired about random drug testing.

1.      Chief Thacker has discussed it with Tricia Leminger and she is currently checking the policy.  This along with the sexual harassment training is on hold waiting on her.

2.      All tests are anonymous done through a third party.  The results are only discussed if it returns positive.

3.      Someone from the department who is ethical and can keep information confidential should be the liaison between the tester and the department.  It should be someone who is not staff and not out to get someone.

4.      Capt. Settles inquired about what the test is checking for.  Someone Chief Thacker knows stated that the person with the positive result meets with the chosen representative and they discuss why something would show up.

5.      If the test comes up positive the test is run again.  Also if someone discloses they have a problem before they take the test they will be required to accept assistance.

6.      Chief Tibbetts stated that IPD used a group in Bloomington who chose random #’s then took those #’s and chose a few from those randomly.  Chief Thacker stated that the #’s go into an excel program that chooses random #’s.

7.      Capt. Hart was asked if the union would have a problem with the testing and he replied no.

8.      There is a policy in the manual that was written by Brian and Tricia.

9.      Capt. Settles asked if you would have to go somewhere or do they come to you if you have been chosen.  Chief Thacker stated that they will come on site.

10. The policy states that 25% of the department be tested a year.  Since the testing will be done once a quarter that is approximately 6-7 guys.

                                                          iii.      Since Rowland has now started prevention will be using 556 five days a week.  This pool car will be set up for prevention, if it is used overnight Chief Brown would like for it to be returned by 7:00.  This should only be a problem if 555 is out of service.

    1. Awards Banquet – Chief Thacker

                                                              i.      He has sent out an e-mail about the banquet.

                                                            ii.      The EMT and Paramedic award is submitted by the Battalion chiefs and he will need that by November 27 which is two months before the banquet.

                                                          iii.      The next senior staff meeting is on Thanksgiving, this one is cancelled.  The next meeting will be December 7.

                                                           iv.      The Detail Policy was written but Joe picked up on a wording snafu which is in the process of being taken care of.

                                                             v.      Quantitative Fit Tester is in.  The software is on the training laptop and one person from each shift will be trained to do the testing.  Hurrle, Green, C. Arkins and Wiegle are the possible trainees.  We will be able to do ours and the Millennium masks.  The whole process is done in five min.  The test results are saved under the badge # and printed out and put in medical file.

                                                           vi.      Still deciding on retreat.  New dates have been suggested, January 12 & 13 (C&A).  Chief Cassin has not replied to these dates and Chief Engmark is leaving for El Salvador sometime that weekend.

    1. Capt. Settles

                                                              i.      Indiana Fire Chiefs received $900,000 in grants a year ago.  $100,000 was set aside for training; the plan is to use it for Tech Awareness training for the District.  IFSI is online for free.

                                                            ii.      Region 5 is resource rich; our chance of getting the money is not likely.

                                                          iii.      Collapse Class is next week.  The guys should have contacted their battalions for fill-ins on their shifts.  It will begin at 8:30 Monday morning.  He told those attending to bring an APR or dust mask in addition to other equipment.

                                                           iv.      Capt. Settles will be going to Grissom on Saturday for technical Rescue training with Clay, Fishers, Noblesville, and Carmel.

    1. Chief Tibbetts

                                                              i.      Read in the paper that a firefighter was awarded 2.7 million because dog food was put in his spaghetti.  Several were fired over the prank.

                                                            ii.      Wayne and Lawrence have new Democrat Trustees.  The consolidation of IFD and townships will most likely occur soon.

                                                          iii.      Capt. Settles inquired if the department is expecting any fall out with Marks being elected Trustee.

1.      Marks has commented that he may sell the Gov’t Center.  A possible buyer would be Center Grove to use as an Administrative Office.

2.      As long as he keeps his nose out of our business there should not be any problems.

3.      Capt. Settles inquired on whether he would be receptive to an EMS tax.  Chief Thacker’s response was that he does not understand so no one knows his position.

4.      Can he be used for revenue because if consolidation comes down Rural Metro will be gone?

 

  1. Meeting called at 0912.