White River Township Fire Department

                                                Bi-Weekly Strategic Meeting

           

                                                Thursday, January 24, 2008

 

 

                       

Present:

Chief Pell

Chief Brown

 

 

 

Chief Cassin

Chief Slauter

Crystal Young

 

  

  1. Meeting called to order at 0805.

 

  1. Old Business
    1. Turnout gear replacement (Lt. Cox and Jason Bailey)

                                                              i.      Lt. Cox looked into the lease to purchase program.  More in interest would be paid than what it would be worth to go with the program.

1.      He would like to purchase the gear the same but has come up with a plan for replacement instead of the process that is currently being utilized.

2.      He considered the requests from the last meeting and created a handout describing the plan, pricing and items being replaced and when.

                                                            ii.      The handout lists the plan, number of positions needing turnout gear.  Current department specs and pricing along with the percent increase over the next seven years.  A summary of costs is listed at the bottom of the handout for the years recommended for replacement.

1.      All the shift guys received new gear in 2004 so by 2009 they will be ready for new gear and the ’04 gear will be their back-ups.

2.      2014 – Total department replacement. (10 years for the first black gear)

                                                          iii.      $40,000 in Capital Equipment Plan for yearly replacements.

1.      2009 - $159,201 ($165,000) budget for extras.

1.      2014 - $341,000 – total replacement.

                                                           iv.      The Cum Fund is meant to be self sustaining.

1.      The fund will go negative in a few years but in ’08 $40,000 won’t be spent on gear and $69,000 misc. that mostly won’t be spent.

2.      Once the plan is put into place all the budgetary issues can be dealt with.

                                                             v.      Lt. Cox – glad to put a plan into place.  It will give him the chance to keep up with NFPA requirements and update any issues before the next purchase.

                                                           vi.      Chief Pell wanted to know if it is truly a negative to spread out the purchase.

1.      Lt. Cox – it becomes a nightmare to keep track and there are many differences in the types of gear that exist. (example: drag strap)

a.      He would like to get everyone on the same page.

b.      Turnover also makes it hard to plan yearly replacement.

                                                         vii.      Chief Pell stated that the full purchase slated in 2014 is to big a hit and would like to spread that out a little.

1.      Possible to purchase boots and helmets a year in advance.

2.      Chief Slauter recommended purchasing half in 2013 and the other half in 2014.

3.      Chief Pell is not opposed to the full replacement but by spreading it out over a couple of budget periods would be okay.

4.      Lt. Cox stated that he could purchase first half in October 2013 and the second half in January 2014.

a.      He could start in June and July getting everything together and placing the order for a half payment in December 2013 and half in early 2014.  That way if it is planned early enough the department would get the 2013 prices for items purchased in early 2014.

b.      Chief Pell is not comfortable with spending 335,000 for fire gear.  He believes the half-and-half plan will work.

c.      Lt. Cox stated that he priced out for purchase at everything.  Some guys wear are their own helmets and boots so he will not spend the entire budget.

5.      Chief Pell asked if the drag strap is the biggest issue right now.  He doesn't see any major issues in the future

a.      Lt. Cox commented that with the current plan and spreading out of the purchase, the problem of gear with different specs for several different guys is the main issue.

b.      Chief Slauter sees the only problem with purchasing every five years may be doing without a great feature for couple of years.  The benefit is when the purchase is for everyone, everyone has the same features and specs.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Lt. Cox also believes that with this plan everyone is on the same page and makes gear easier to keep track of.

                                                       viii.      Chief Slauter and Lt. Cox also believed that it is best not to pick and choose but if you follow one NFPA standard the department should keep that standard throughout.

                                                           ix.      Chief Pell likes the idea to split up over a couple of months, but covering a couple different year budgets.

1.      Chief Cassin stated that only go to the board we can explain why they should remember previous arguments.

2.      The risk is when you span two years not getting the okay during the second year.

3.      Lt. Cox has provided the means to properly maintain the gear.

                                                             x.      Chief Cassin asked Lt. Cox to work out the figures as to what is actually needed.

1.      2012 - helmets and boots

2.      2013 - first half of gear purchase (end of the year)

3.      2014 - the second half of gear purchase (beginning of the year)

                                                           xi.      Helmets, gloves, and boots are also on a 10-year rotation.

                                                         xii.      Lt. Cox will work out the figures and get them to Chief Cassin so he can work them into the budget numbers.

                                                       xiii.      Lt. Cox asked if captains on down was the correct cut off.  Chief Slauter stated that every year, battalion chief on up are relied upon less and less.  He believes that is the correct cut off.

1.      Chief Pell stated that we have the budget over and above the purchase price

2.      Chief Slauter also stated that in case of a catastrophic event the department's insurance should kick in.

3.      Lt. Cox asked there was potential growth he was not counting on.

a.      Chief Pell brought up the ambulance.  He doesn't know at this time if they will be merit or civilian, but there will be six on the ambulance.

b.      Chief Slauter asked if the department is planning on station for before 2014.  Chief Pell does not believe so at this time.

c.      Chief Cassin stated that our current setup cannot support new staff except for the ambulance service.

4.      Chief Slauter suggested planning on six sets of turnout gear then the department can go down from their if only EMS gear is needed.

                                                       xiv.      Chief Pell asked if the gear should be put in the 2009 budget or if it will be placed in the ambulance budget.

1.      Chief Cassin believes it should be put in the ambulance budget.

2.      Lt. Cox asked when the ambulance will be put in place.  Chief Pell stated midyear 2009 or early 2010.

                                                         xv.      Chief Pell asked Lt. Cox for the picture of the firefighter in turnout gear for the presentation to the board.  He

                                                       xvi.      Chief Cassin asked Lt. Cox to get specific plan as to the numbers for all the changes in turnout gear purchase.

1.      Lt. Cox reiterated the plan is to get specs in July have the turnout gear on order by November pay in December for half then pay the other half in January.

2.      Chief Cassin stated for budgetary purposes he needs specific numbers.

                                                     xvii.      The staff will go over specific numbers in April and May when the 2009 budget is discussed.  The board was given warning in 2004 that these are NFPA standards and they should be prepared.

    1. Awards banquet

                                                              i.      135 RSVP (150 were called to Pipers)

                                                            ii.      Chief Slauter spoke to John at Aviano’s who will run a tab and he will go by and pay for it.

                                                          iii.      Chief Cassin plans are arriving early to set everything up and make sure it is working.

                                                           iv.      Review of the program outline

 

  1. New Business
    1. chief Pell

                                                              i.      The County mutual aid agreement was signed.

                                                            ii.      For the radio upgrade a memo of understanding was signed to get the equipment.

                                                          iii.      Region five - inoperability plan (UASI)

1.      John Asher is the rep on the 911 board.  He has dropped off.

2.      It is currently open to everyone.  If UASI pays for the CAD system, Johnson County should be able to piggyback off that.

                                                           iv.      Should discipline be made public

1.      Brooks was worried about the driving incident.

2.      Chief Pell will not make it public; the decision was made with facts and fairly.  Everyone shouldn't be worried, as long as they are doing what they are supposed to.

a.      It is the responsibility of the firefighter to keep up on training (driving, pulling hose or any other issue).

 

  1. Meeting called at 0940.