White River Township Fire Department

                                                Bi-Weekly Strategic Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, October 18, 2007

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Pell

Chief Brown

Chief Slauter

Capt. Arkins

 

Chief Cassin

Chief Thacker

Crystal Young

Capt. Settles

  

  1. Meeting called to order at 0805.
  2. Old Business
    1. Fire Prevention Officer

                                                              i.      Charlie Fraker has applied for the position.

1.      Chiefs Pell and Brown have both spoken to him and decided to give him a chance.

2.      The appointment will be officially announced once the board meets and the change has been made to the Safety Board Document.

                                                            ii.      Chief Pell will get with Chiefs Slauter and Wilson to work out the schedule on when to get him into the office.

                                                          iii.      Before Charlie’s position is open for bid:

1.      the decision on who will be hired will be made

2.      Eng. Combs and Eng. Meacham will be given the option of flopping back if it is possible.

                                                           iv.      There will be five people at St. 53 once St. 51 opens.

1.      No move will be made until Station 51 opens, allows for Eng. Meacham and the float position at St. 53 to be decided as to what will be needed.

2.      The position will not be bid until the senior staff brainstorms and the decision is made as to where a medic may be needed.

  1. New Business
    1. Fitness Policy – Chief Thacker

                                                              i.      The new policy encompasses tobacco cessation, mandatory physical fitness, etc.

                                                            ii.      Chief Thacker has drafted a policy bringing all items related to physical fitness under one topic.

1.      The EAP is under drug testing while the medical and physical is under another area.

2.      This draft puts everything under one topic.

a.      Work performance evaluation

b.      Tobacco cessation

c.      Wellness, etc.

                                                          iii.      Chief Thacker would like everyone to look at the policy over the next couple of weeks and bring any suggestions to the next BWS.

                                                           iv.      One recommendation is 30 min of organized fitness per 12hour shift.

1.      Chief Slauter asked if physical fitness is just treadmill and weight room or would difficult training be considered physical fitness.

a.      Chief Pell would like to leave it flexible.

b.      Chief Thacker also stated that that would be fine.

                                                             v.      The tobacco cessation program is also laid out in the policy.

1.      The directions for those attempting to quit are outlined.

                                                           vi.      In a couple of weeks the policy could be finalized and disbursed to everyone.

    1. Proposal for combo extrication tools on non-extrication engines – Capt Arkins

                                                              i.      Capt Arkins and Capt Hart have been talking about possible response times for extrication once the new station opens and crews have moved.  (Capt. Arkins handed out a proposal and outline of his concerns)

1.      Capt Arkins main concern is an entrapment on 37 and it being 15 minutes before the Rescue arrives.

2.      Capt Arkins would like the ability to:

a.      Pop a door if there is an entrapment or a vehicle stuck in the mud.

b.      Get something started until the Rescue arrives.

c.      Have a backup at 53 and 52 to decrease the severity, get to the injured and get them to the hospital as soon as possible.

                                                            ii.      Chief Cassin asked if we have the equipment.

1.      Capt Settles stated that there is a combo tool and mini pump on the Ladder.

a.      $4500 w/ pump and $400 for hose

b.      Training costs

c.      Tenuous agreement with Hix.  The relationship is at the tipping point, they may start charging but as long as we spread it out it will be okay.

d.      Capt Hart believes that extrication is a FF 1&2 skill set but Capt Settles disagrees.

e.      His concern is the skill maintenance of the entire department.  Extrication is not a door pop level.

                                                          iii.      Capt Settles stated that it has become a total side wall removal.

1.      This allows EMS to take care of patient by having easier access.

2.      Another factor is the minimum number of firefighters you need for a door pop.

3.      Doing a door pop would decrease response time but if mess with it too long or change form of the steel the frame could become less sturdy.  It changes the integrity of the vehicle.

4.      Looking back on the water treatment plant response there was a problem with the combo on the Ladder.

                                                           iv.      Chief Slauter asked Capt Settles what was going to happen with the set on the Ladder.

1.      The combo tool will go on the Rescue and be in the role that fits its purpose.

2.      It is just another tool in the tool box.  The tool is lighter and more agile.  It can be used over head and on sheet metal easily.

3.      Currently the department has two.  Two tools and one pump.  This tool also has cutting ability.

                                                             v.      There is no cribbing on E53, it is on L53.

1.      The concern is that once E53 is alone at St 53 and they respond to a PI.  It takes them a couple of min to get there then they decide to call R51 there is at least another 5 minutes for them to get there. That is a lot of time for an entrapment to wait for action.

a.      During that time the Engine could remove trim, grass, tend to patient care and prepare for the scene for the Rescue.

2.       If the Rescue is out where would help come from?  It would be either 91 or from downtown Bargersville.

a.      It has only happened once, Station 52 did not have a combo tool and they took care of it with Station 92.

                                                           vi.      Chief Slauter stated that he is not sure what next step is.  What does the board want us to do?

1.      Capt Settles stated that what we need is what we have.  If the department re-tools the Rescue the department could get another 5-10 years out of it.

2.      The Engine and Rescue will both respond on an extrication.

3.      Chief Slauter asked if there are still questions related to Station 51.

a.      E51 will take all runs.

b.      The Rescue will sit, used as a squad concept

c.      They will have the ability to do an extrication with the Engine and the Ladder if they are off station and unable to get to the Rescue.

d.      The Rescue and Engine go if any extrication like a task force.

e.      Both vehicles are set up for extrication and will respond on every entrapment run.

f.        The call will be for Engine/Rescue/Battalion 5 and the closest Engine.

4.      E51 – cutter, spreader, and combo

5.      R51 – Spreader, cutter, 40” spreader, cribbing, chains, rams and manual hydraulic equipment.

                                                         vii.      Capt Arkins asked if E53 could get some cribbing and aluminum blankets and the training to get stuff done before R51 arrives so when they show up they can start cutting.

                                                       viii.      Many people do not know that both E51 and R51 will be responding.

1.      Capt Arkins would like some training from Capt Settles as to what to do before they get there.

2.      R51 will respond to a PI on 37.  The Rescue box has not changed.

                                                           ix.      The Battalions are all on the same page.

1.      They will explain the whole concept to their shifts.

2.      Combining resources will keep the department from behind the 8-ball.

3.      The department will be more multi-functional

a.      The Rescue is needed for more serious incident.

b.      Both crews should not be off station.

                                                             x.      Capt Settles is okay with setting up training with cribbing, glass removal, etc. to prepare for the Rescue arrival.

                                                           xi.      Chief Slauter stated that the combo tool is not enough.

1.      10 min of failure, 10 years to get over.

2.      52 is okay with 92 around the corner

3.      53 is the concern, 37 causes worry.

4.      If engine is on EMS run the Rescue is still available.

5.      Chief Pell stated that we have to work within the resources we have.

6.      Chief Slauter stated that if the engine and ladder are somewhere else, esp. out of the district or training, entrapment runs are low frequency runs.

7.      Chief Thacker also stated that each station now has their own training rooms so they will be able to do most training on station now.  He would also like to find a way to get a feed to all stations.

                                                         xii.      The need is to train 52 & 53 to work with the extrication team in case the engine and ladder are on another run.

1.      One run out of 10 where only one truck can respond.

                                                       xiii.      Capt Settles is not in favor of hydraulics equipment on the engine.

1.      He is okay with some cribbing, pry bar and glass removal tools for E53.

2.      You have to determine how long to mess with a door pop until it is no longer a door pop.

3.      You can manipulate the integrity of the material.  Now it is a whole side removal.

4.      The argument is legitimate with five guys as opposed to three.  It would be easier to train a smaller group of guys at a higher level than half the department at a lower level.

                                                       xiv.      The option is to leave the Rescue responding with any accident on 37 to help with the concern of extrication at Station 53.

                                                         xv.      Capt Settles is willing to do training program for Engine Companies to get things going at the incident and ready for the Rescue to extricate the second they get there.

1.      He will sit down with Capt Arkins and Hart to discuss possible training and equipment that may be needed on the Engines.

                                                       xvi.      Chief Slauter agrees with Capt Settles suggestions.

1.      WRTFD is a one event department and until the department is able to increase staff, etc. we have to work with what we have.

                                                     xvii.      Capt Settles believes the case is valid but most of the concern was based on the idea that many did not know E51 and R51 will re responding together.

1.      The concerns of Capt Hart and Arkins are not being ignored but addressed in another way.

2.      R51 will be put on response for 37

3.      There will be some education and training

4.      Additional equipment will be placed on the engines to prepare for the extrication process.

                                                   xviii.      The consensus was also to keep the Company Officers from being the only medic, they should be incident command.

1.      Concerning the District Board

a.      Chief Thacker wondered how the board should be contacted concerning R51.

b.      Chief Slauter is worried about the perception of spending on a new Rescue.

c.      Chief Pell will meet with them as to what they see as a plan for the department before the retreat so when the staff sits down to plan we know what direction to move in.

                                                                                                                                      i.      He also stated that he is not comfortable at this time asking for $600,000 vehicle.

                                                                                                                                    ii.      He is looking at it as a city and that there are still competing departments.

                                                                                                                                  iii.      Ambulance issue is the biggest issue.

d.      Chief Pell stated that if money wasn’t an issue he would get what everyone wanted but everyone is looking at budgets right now.

                                                                                                                                      i.      He will not ask for a $600,000 vehicle right now.

                                                                                                                                    ii.      He will get with the board and get their ground rules.

e.      Chief Cassin believes we need to go to the board with what we need, have something in mind.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Chief Slauter and Capt Settles believe we should come up with three options to present.

f.        Chief Pell believes that the department needs to continue Special Ops and we need the equipment and trucks to do it.  The board wants us to look for efficiencies.

                                                                                                                                      i.      His approach with the board will be, the more resources you can get me the better the service will be to the community.  They need to set a level of service but will not let the board tell him how to run the department.

1.      Chief Thacker believes that they were trying to tell him how to run the department by the one hour discussion on what rank to make someone.

2.      Captain Settles stated that Special Ops is most of the way there.

a.      The money has already been spent

b.      Training has been completed and equipment has been purchased.  At this point it is just maintenance.

c.      There will be some disposable goods but most of the equipment will last.

3.      Chief Pell stated that he will speak to each member of the board to see what the elephant in the room is and have them lay is out before the retreat so when the senior staff meets everyone will know what direction to go.

4.      Capt Settles stated that we could do more with less and asked if we could have more help with professional grant writing.

a.      Chief Pell wants to do as much with grants as we can.  He would like to fund as much as we can through grants and get more resources.

b.      Should the department assign someone to look for grants?

                                                                                                                                      i.      Tug is a good resource and believes WR and Greenwood is the place to get things done so he would be glad to help.

                                                       xix.      Capt Settles will get with Capt Hart and Arkins to see what they need and get a training program together.

                                                         xx.      Chief Pell will send out the news through the grapevine

                                                       xxi.      The Battalions are getting together with the shifts to inform them of the plan with the Rescue.

    1. Hiring Process Update

                                                              i.      There were 10 applicants and all have interviewed with Chief Pell.

                                                            ii.      Chief Pell and Thacker will get together with the interview information and get a name to take to the board so everything is set up.

                                                          iii.      Having more medics in the ranks would help in running the scene.

1.      With Settles and Slusher at Station 51 they run the risk of dealing with extrication and medic options.

2.      Cynthia and Derek Norcross are currently in medic school.

                                                           iv.      Chief Pell believes that we need medics to keep the department going.

1.      Do the new applicants chosen need to be medics or in school.

2.      Everyone agrees that the department needs to look at the whole package, who would stick around so we don’t get stuck on the short term.

    1. Other Business

                                                              i.      January 10th & 11th is the Senior Staff Retreat.

                                                            ii.      January 26th will be the employee recognition dinner at Pipers.

                                                          iii.      Chief Pell will get with Capt Hart to discuss the Fitness Policy with the union representation.

                                                           iv.      Chief Brown Updates

1.      Concerning the property for station 4, the week before Fire Prevention he spoke to the person in charge of the St. Francis building projects.  He stated that the facility will be a Sports Medicine Facility and Outpatient Surgery.

a.      They would like to get police, fire and the schools involved.

b.      He was upset that they were being used to not sell WR the property or to get a higher price for the property.

c.      Chief Brown has sent out feelers again at Mt. Pleasant.

d.      The guy from St. Francis would like a fire station there.

e.      Either way it sounds like St Francis will sell us some property or Mt. Pleasant may be able to cut out an acre and a half for us.

2.      The Knox Box at the Hearth is done.

a.      Coover sent out an e-mail concerning the electric locks.  Mainly for the residences, put the key in take it out then put it back in to release the thumb lock.  Everything else just put in and take out.

b.      There will be a drill on Thursday the first.

c.      Chief Slauter will man an engine and Greenwood will also cover.  E54 will cover 51’s and E92 will cover 52’s.

d.      Chief Brown will also like for Chief Cassin to take notes on the event.

  1. Meeting called at 0955.