White River Township Fire Department

                                                Bi-Weekly Strategic Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, July 12, 2007

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Cassin

Chief Brown

 

 

 

Chief Thacker

Chief Slauter

Crystal Young

 

  

  1. Meeting called to order at 0808.
  2. Old Business
    1. None
  3. New Business
    1. Station 51 Staffing Upon Opening – Chief Slauter

                                                              i.      Minimum staffing is currently 15 not counting the Battalion.

1.      Station 52 should always be a minimum of three but possible four.

2.      Station 51 should be at least six.

3.      Station 53 is Chief Slauter’s main concern.  The station will be by itself with the TSU, Grass and all the trailers.

a.      Minimum staffing should be five.  Three on the Engine and two left for any other vehicle that may be needed.

                                                            ii.      Chiefs Cassin and Thacker believes five is necessary at Station 53 which leaves 10 left for stations 51 and 52.  The best combination agreed upon is seven at Station 51 and three at Station 52.

                                                          iii.       The Engine and Rescue would go if called out of district.  At this point everyone who attended the extrication class is at Station 51.  Engine 52 is busy but there are several close by to assist.

                                                           iv.      New geo-zones are done and we will be more active in Perry Twp.  They will be relying less on Decatur because they are moving a station and access will not be as good.

                                                             v.      Chief Thacker asked how often the department down to 15.  At this time we are at 15 more often because of summer and several people on vacation.

                                                           vi.      Everyone is okay with Station 51/ 7 min., Station 52/ 3 min., and Station 53/ 5 min.

    1. Changes to turnout gear specification – Lt. Cox

                                                              i.      Lt. Cox stated that he has spoken to Total Fire and is waiting on a response to the lease to purchase plan.

                                                            ii.      The turnout gear is purchased through the Capital Equipment Plan but he is getting behind on orders to be placed per year because of new hires and upkeep.  On average he is able to replace 10 sets of gear per year.

                                                          iii.      One idea to cut down on the cost of the gear is to remove the name off the back of the coat and the badge # off the arm.

1.      Cost is $90-100 every time a name needs to be changed.

2.      Originally if was for the career but the decision was if any of them had it they all had it.

3.      Largest problem is wait time; the last new hires are still waiting for the coats to come in.

4.      To do the patches in home the department would need to purchase a machine for $6000 plus the cost of the thread and material.  The closest person to do the patches would be in Noblesville.

5.      Chief Thacker believes the name on the back of the coat is important and Chief Cassin agrees.  He stated that the cost isn’t the issue but the turnaround time.

a.      Iron-on would be cheaper but the adhesive is difficult to get off.

b.      Chief Cassin stated that the department needs to stick with the name but maybe we should change the WRTFD patch to an iron-on since that will not change ($150 cost).  The biggest issue with that would be the air pack rubbing but if it fits correctly that should not be an issue.

                                                           iv.      The collar will change from a 4” to 3”.  Most guys are not wearing it.

                                                             v.      The hand warmer pockets are being removed because they are not big enough.

                                                           vi.      Air shield flaps will have a rolled edge for easier opening with gloves.

                                                         vii.      The suspender connection no longer contains metal.  They now connect with a PVC section and material with Velcro so it will not bend or break.

                                                       viii.      The pants have a new knee that bends two ways instead of one.

                                                           ix.      The entire set with the name and deluxe drag strap are $1900.

1.      Name cost is $25.

2.      Deluxe drag strap cost is $85.

a.      D hook, easier to reset and has a positive closure.

                                                             x.      There is a lease to purchase program but they kept stressing that we had to get our own financial institution.

1.      Chief Slauter stressed to them that the department was not getting a loan that the money will already be budgeted but they did not understand.

2.      There will be yearly payments over next five years.

3.      This way the department will replace all turnout gear as a whole, pay over five years and the department will then own them.  Everyone in the department will then have updated gear.

4.      Everyone would have this gear as their primary gear for five years, then five years as back-up then out of service.

                                                           xi.      104 sets will be needed at current levels.  This will keep the payment at approximately $40,000.

1.      Chief Cassin stated that the biggest issue is to get that fund increased to that amount but there are misc. amounts that can be moved and it is doable.

2.      Also the basic yearly increase is 3%

3.      Lt. Cox stated that the department could buy the exact amount needed then buy any more out of the budget.

4.      Chief Slauter asked if we get funding to hire 12 more guys wouldn’t that affect everything.

5.      Chief Thacker asked if the $1900 was based on buying in bulk, can there be a discount on that price.

a.      Chief Slauter stated that the department would almost pay list price because of the lease program and being able to pay in payments.

6.      Chief Cassin stated that the department should get what we need then if someone comes in and we have to buy them new gear we can get it from the General Fund.

7.      Chief Slauter stated that the older brown gear should be given to C-9 instead of another department because he doesn’t believe they should be used in line-of-duty.

a.      Lt. Cox agrees and believes if the department does not give them to C-9 then they should be destroyed.  All of it is well worn.

b.      The department should have them sign a statement to release WRTFD from responsibility for the gear.

8.      Lt. Cox stated that as long as we have a PO to them by January the 2007 price will be locked in.

9.      Chief Cassin stated that one payment near the end of the year would work best but any payment would be okay.

10. Chief Thacker suggested that Lt. Cox ask if we are paying cash up front if there would be a discount.

11. Lt. Cox will give Total Fire Chief Cassin’s name as the contact person for the contract.

    1. Uniform shorts policy review – Chief Cassin

                                                              i.      The current policy states that no shorts are to be worn during office hours except mesh shorts worn during physical fitness programs.

                                                            ii.      Chief Cassin has spoken to Capt. Hart on the topic and they would like to see a specified uniform short.

                                                          iii.      Lt. Cox stated that the BDU EMS short.  He issues duty pants for EMS runs.

1.      Would they be able to wear EMS shorts on EMS calls?

2.      Warren and Plainfield allow shorts on EMS runs.  OSHA?

3.      Chief Cassin sees no difference between short sleeve shirts and shorts, the only issue would be open skin.

                                                           iv.      If those on duty were to wear shorts they will need to look professional.  They will need to wear white socks and shoes.

1.      Is there a problem allowing the BDU short and not the BDU pant?

a.      State that the BDU shorts are the only (best) option.  The BDU shorts look nice while the pants do not.

                                                             v.      Any one wanting shorts will have to order them through the Quartermaster.

                                                           vi.      There will be specified uniforms for public education events or what will be allowed to be worn with the shorts.

                                                         vii.      The department also needs to streamline the t-shirts.

1.      Lt. Cox would like to downsize the inventory.  He would like to standardize everything.

a.      No medic shirts.

b.      He will stick with the officer and firefighter shirts only.

    1. Goals and Objectives for Accreditation – Chief Slauter

                                                              i.      Everyone needs to have objectives for each goal for the retreat.

1.      Come up with some ideas then bring them up during the mid-year retreat.

                                                            ii.      Chief Cassin stated that if they were to meet every six months the mid-year retreat would be the best time to bring up goals and objectives for the next year.

                                                          iii.      Chief Slauter will give some examples of other departments.  They have approximately ten goals – some long term some short term.

                                                           iv.      The date should be set for August so the new fire chief will be able to attend.

                                                             v.      Chief Thacker suggested the meeting place should be at the library or a church.

                                                           vi.      Everyone agreed on the 16th for the Retreat.  (8-5)

                                                         vii.      Capt. Hart (union representation), Chief Wilson, Chief Engmark, and Crystal should attend.

1.      Also need to get a board member to attend.

                                                       viii.      Divisional Goals along with Organizational.

1.      If we are to have divisional goals should there be a specific time set up for the divisional heads to come in for a discussion.

                                                           ix.      Property tax could greatly effect what the department wants.

                                                             x.      The Mid-Year Retreat is set for August 16th and Chief Thacker will contact the library.

    1. Misc. New Business

                                                              i.      Chief Slauter

1.      He has contacted Square One and they are three weeks behind so the new engine will not be completed for a couple more weeks.

2.      Capt. Arkins is mounting equipment

3.      Driver training will be conducted on the new engine soon.

4.      Lt. Hurrle is scheduling time to take the engine in and have the computer mounted.

5.      The radio for the engine is available it just needs to be connected.

6.      All shifts are set, the opening that has been left it the C-Shift float.

a.      Lt. Tichenor will be starting his c-shift on August 7th when he returns from leave.

                                                            ii.      Chief Thacker

1.      Part-time spots

a.      There are four people on the list.  All of them interviewed well and scored above the minimum.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Set up another chief interview to decide if any of the four are okay.

b.      Another process to set up a new list should be started.

c.      There are plenty of sign up people but there are not enough to fill shift spots.

2.      Full-time process

a.      Chief Thacker sent out a letter for CPAT reminder – there are two test times they can hit.

b.      Chief Slauter stated that we need to seriously need to look at hiring medics.

                                                                                                                                      i.      A & B shifts are hurting for medics.  Is it time to move Mike?

                                                                                                                                    ii.      Three insiders applying for FT and one outsider are paramedics and they should test well.

                                                                                                                                  iii.      B-shift has only one medic, A shift has a couple of PT medics along with one FT medic and C shift has several FT and PT medics

                                                                                                                                   iv.      Chief Slauter is not comfortable relying on PT medics and that the department needs more FT medics.

c.      Perry is making plans to move Wishard in, where do we want paramedics?  This is a discussion for the retreat.

d.      Chief Cassin stated that we need to place more emphasis on medics during the PT process but that it is harder to get the experienced PT guys.

                                                          iii.      Training at Maple Grove

1.      Chief Slauter would like to do some MCI system Test.  He does not want to make it crazy but he does want to test the system.

2.      Chief Brown stated that the FD access code should work in the key pad.

3.      Chief Thacker stated that there will be flash over training on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and hopes that more of the PT guys will be able to help and attend.  He stated that there will be two companies there at a time.

                                                           iv.      Chief Cassin asked what happens when the radio system goes down.

1.      We could still operate off Meca.

2.      The department would be in the same boat as Marion County.

3.      Could use the talk around with in a two mile range.

4.      Chief Cassin asked about HAM radio operators.

a.      The group is looking to put a repeater in the north end of the county and would like to use the Station 51 site.

b.      They are part of the Johnson County response plan and could be used as a back-up communication for the Fire Department.

c.      Lt. Tichenor wrote the SOG and the Johnson County strategic plan is part of the plan.

d.      The repeater is self-sufficient and the department would only need to get power to it.  They would take care of the up keep and a contract could be written that we could remove it if need be.

                                                             v.      Chief Cassin will write up the policy for EMS shorts and send it to the chiefs before sending to everyone else to make sure everyone is on the same page.

  1. Meeting called at 1008.