White River Township Fire Department

                                                Bi-Weekly Strategic Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, November 29, 2007

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Pell

Chief Brown

Chief Slauter

 

 

Chief Cassin

Chief Thacker

Crystal Young

 

  

  1. Meeting called to order at 0805.

 

  1. Old Business
    1. Station 51 Update (Old Station 51 maintenance and property sale)

                                                              i.      Chief Pell asked how the move to the new station was going.

1.      Chief Slauter stated that there had been an alerting system issue but that had been fixed.

2.      The electricians have been working in the bay until well past midnight.

3.      There was a roof leak found after the rain on Monday.  The source was found around a pipe in the roof.

a.      Chief Cassin has contacted Steelcorp and they will be working on that.

b.      Ceiling tiles will need to be replaced.

                                                            ii.      Chief Pell asked if the county had come back for their final inspection.

1.      Chief Brown stated that the penalty would have to be paid before that would occur.

                                                          iii.      Chief Pell would like to run a rotation to the old station to make sure everything is okay and no issues have come up that would need to be dealt with.

1.      Chief Slauter stated that the Battalions pass by the building everyday and who ever is on duty would stop and check the building.

a.      He also wanted to know if the department should get a roll up dumpster and start tossing what needs to go out of that building.

b.      Chief Pell is not sure at this point but does want the building to be as presentable as possible for the sale.

2.      Chief Slauter asked if the water leak was still an issue.  Chief Pell stated that it has been fixed and it was a Bargersville Utilities issue.

                                                           iv.      Chief Brown asked if Chief Pell wanted an estimated timeline.

1.      Chief Pell would like a timeline and also brought up the barn.

a.      Chief Thacker stated that New Whiteland and Bargersville both stated an interest in it.  He thought it would be best to let New Whiteland come and get it if they can they have fewer funds to work with than Bargersville.

b.      Chief Pell told Chief Thacker to give them a call and see what they would want to do.

                                                             v.      Chief Thacker stated that several of the guys asked if they could do drills.

1.      He will state in the newsletter that there will be no training in the building that the department wants to sell the building the way it stands.

                                                           vi.      Chief Pell will let the board know during the December meeting that the department intends on putting the building on the market by the January meeting.

                                                         vii.      Chief Pell asked Chief Slauter if setup is complete in the new station.

1.      Chief Slauter stated that there were a couple of items left to take care of but should not take long to accomplish.

2.      Chief Pell would like him to make a schedule for clean up over all three shifts.

a.      Chief Slauter stated that they are at a point to start the clean up and could use 53 also.  Clean-up could be made a department project instead of just 51.

                                                       viii.      Chief Brown stated that he could have the building listed by the first or second week of January.

1.      Chief Thacker asked how much the department would list the property for.

a.      The Broker stated $200,000 while the firms stated $167,000.

b.      Chief Brown told the guy that was interested in the property $200,000 and he was okay with that figure.

                                                           ix.      Battalions will do a daily walk through.

                                                             x.      All utilities will be left on for know.  Once the building is cleaned up and as they become unnecessary they will be shut off.

                                                           xi.      Chief Thacker asked if anything could be donated out of the building.

1.      Chief Slauter stated that the beds could be donated but the chairs were all broken.  There may also be one refrigerator left.

    1. Fitness policy

                                                              i.      Chief Pell gave the policy to the union and Capt. Hart has gotten back to him and had no changes or anything to add.

                                                            ii.      EAP Program – Some literature needs to be put together and put out for the guys.

1.      Chief Thacker put a drug policy together a while back, gave it to Trish and she has had is ever since.

a.      The policy was a combination between Warren and Brownsburg.

b.      It contained language that Brian Bosma previously used hoping there wouldn’t be an issue with that.

2.      Chief Thacker has had some people come to him for counseling and the department has put that together.

a.      At this point the department has never done random drug testing.

b.      The EAP representative needs to be someone that everyone could trust.

3.      Chief Thacker has spoken to Trish concerning the drug policy and she stated that she is still looking at it.  He would like to have the policy before contracting with someone.

a.      This is part of the wellness and fitness issue.

b.      It would be good if the department could get literature from Bob Smith or if someone is local.

c.      Chief Pell would like to get the literature out so no one in the department is contacted.  If that person is in desperate need of help they will contact the department and let us know.

d.      Chief Thacker stated that Chief Tibbetts would help out with the first couple of sessions then it would be up to that person.

4.      Chief Pell would like to send out a memo to let the department know that Chief Thacker is the contact.

5.      The Drug and Alcohol test is normal across the board.  The level is 0.02.

a.      If someone smells of alcohol it is an issue.

                                                          iii.      For the 30 minute workout, training counts.

1.      Chief Pell is not going to police this policy but he does not want it abused either.

2.      He would like to put a form together the keep track of fitness activity but wants it to work on the honor system.

                                                           iv.      Staff people would need to do (3) 30 minute workouts per week.

1.      Chief Thacker has received requests for fitness tools such as medicine balls and other small equipment.

                                                             v.      Chief Pell would like to put wording in for limits on the smoking cessation program.

                                                           vi.      Chief Slauter asked if he would allow the guys to use training money to join a health club.

1.      Chief Pell stated that he would be hard pressed to say okay due to the equipment the department already has.

2.      Chief Thacker stated that membership is free at the Gathering Place and they have everything but a pool.

                                                         vii.      The policy will take effect January 1st.

 

  1. New Business
    1. Gas America

                                                              i.      Chief Pell looked at all the suppliers when he was at Warren and Gas America gave them the best deal.

1.      He has contacted them again and they are willing to give WR the same deal.

2.      They will sell at $0.06 over wholesale.  That would be a savings of 25-30 cents per gallon.

                                                            ii.      Chief Pell will be meeting with Nick this afternoon.

1.      He will provide some projected savings per year.

                                                          iii.      The only issue that Chief Slauter sees is the training issue with the company officers in getting fuel at the appropriate times.

                                                           iv.      Chief Brown asked if Chief Pell had contacted Speedway.

1.      Chief Pell had contacted them before and when they quoted for Warren they wouldn’t do anything.

2.      Chief Slauter believes WR needs to keep another option open.

a.      He believes we should keep the credit account open in case of an emergency.  The Battalions could keep hold of that card.

                                                             v.      Chief Pell would also like to keep a piece of apparatus on station at all times if possible.

1.      Chief Slauter stated that it is difficult to do at Station 52.

2.      Chief Pell understands but stated that if the medic is gone on a run they should try to stay on station until the medic returns.

                                                           vi.      Chief Thacker asked if keeping fuel tanks on station is feasible.

1.      Chief Pell believed originally it was out of the question but is not sure why.

2.      Chief Slauter stated that it was an issue of security.

3.      Chief Cassin and Chief Tibbetts originally shot down the idea.  They looked at it as a nuisance. 

4.      Chief Pell agrees that it probably is a nuisance and understood the position.

5.      Another option would be to have a 100 gallon tank and small pump put in the dually.  (cost should be under $1000)

6.      Chief Pell stated that WR is going to try to go with Gas America and see how it works out before taking the next step.

    1. 2009 Budget/Strategic planning

                                                              i.      Chief Pell wants to take a broad sweeping look at the budget and get an idea of what we want.  Once that is done he will meet with the board one on one and get an idea of how to move forward.

                                                            ii.      Fire Prevention – Chief Brown

1.      Everything is fine with the edition of the part-time guy.

2.      The only other issue is having an extra pool car with the extra part-time person.

3.      Chief Pell stated that he will look at the whole budget and see where we could be more efficient and self-fund other projects.

a.      It could be taken care of with the creative use of another vehicle (dually/pool car)

4.      Chief Brown stated that with the current budget he can maintain.

                                                          iii.      Training – Chief Thacker (Hand out)

1.      Web based EMS Training – goes to EMS director and would keep everyone from having to come to St. 53 except for Audit & Review.

2.      Quarterly off-site.

3.      Monthly Company Officer Development Training

4.      Chief Pell stated that he would like to look at Spec. Ops during the big retreat.

a.      He stated that it is currently difficult to explain, he would like to hear justifications to ease his reservations.

                                                                                                                                      i.      There were 12 tactical runs last year

                                                                                                                                    ii.      The worry is the areas of construction now in the district.

                                                                                                                                  iii.      Currently there is no team on the South side.

b.      Chief Slauter stated that it would be easier if there were other departments in the area to depend on.

c.      Chief Thacker stated that if WR could get with Greenwood and at some point Bargersville we could develop a team so it would not strip all from one department.

d.      When looking at the collapse issue, everyone can drive around and see that no one uses boxes in construction.  With confined spaces, AT&T is doing a lot of work in the district.

e.      Chief Pell is not closed to the idea but would like to see it at a regional level.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Chief Slauter said that Capt. Settles is not opposed to that.

                                                                                                                                    ii.      On a trench run you have to have a back up team – IFD will call us or Fishers.

                                                                                                                                  iii.      Can not count on one agency to provide everything.

1.      WR could change the broad way of thinking for the heavy rescue and other issues if we look at it as a regional approach.

2.      Chief Slauter stated regional means WR and Greenwood.

5.      Fire Training Center would be shared with Greenwood but not ruled by Greenwood.

                                                           iv.      Operations – Chief Slauter

1.      Establish an EMS Staff person (Capt. or Division Chief)

2.      Looking at a TSU and Rescue swap – the Rescue has more compartment space.

a.      Hope is to downsize and get rid of trailers.

b.      Referb the TSU to become the Rescue by reconfiguring the whole box to put the equipment on that truck.

c.      A small light tower would need to be added to the Rescue.

3.      Add two transport positions: medic and EMT

4.      Purchase of an Ambulance and feasibility.

a.      He believes we have been given direction by the board to go ahead.

b.      Chief Thacker asked if WR would buy used Ambulances.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Chief Slauter responded one new and one used.

                                                                                                                                    ii.      The next question would be how to work with Rural Metro or other private companies.

5.      Everything else is okay – only EMS and Spec. Ops issues.

    1. Other Business

                                                              i.      Chief Pell has met with Battalion Chiefs on how to handle leave time.

1.      Schedule purpose 21 – The schedule is full at 19 – 4 on all apparatus, Battalion, and 2 on TSU.

a.      The TSU will become part of the Box Alarm and will get out more often.  This gives the shifts more flexibility.

b.      Chief Engmark will get the policy written up.

2.      Chief Pell sees adding three people per shift to run the ambulance.

a.      Guys on the TSU will move to the back up ambulance when it is needed.

b.      With the EMS Manager the department will have the flexibility it needs.

3.      Chief Pell is moving forward with the property but the ambulance service is more important at this time.

a.      Chief Slauter believes our truck will be very busy.

b.      There will also be several issues to work out with Rural Metro.

4.      Chief Pell will get with some of the board members between now and the retreat.

                                                            ii.      Chief Pell met with some of the board members concerning the insurance issue.

1.      He wanted to make sure the board had all the info they needed.

2.      He also wants to prepare the department for what the board is thinking.

3.      He hopes they take a budgetary approach but he is not sure that is how they are looking at it.

a.      The ’08 budget for insurance is less than the ’07 budget was.

b.      This year the budget is very close.

4.      Near the end of the meeting with them Chief Pell stated to them that they could set this up to be a management nightmare by having us cut benefits up front.

a.      He asked them to first see where we could become more efficient then ask for cuts if need be.

 

  1. Meeting called at 0945.