White River Township Fire Department

Bi-Weekly Strategic Meeting

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Present:	Chief Pell	Chief Brown	Chief Thacker	Captain Settles
	Chief Cassin	Chief Slauter	Crystal Young

1. Meeting called to order at 0810.

2. Old Business
1. SCBA Update

i. Chief Thacker stated that it is a health and safety issue.

1. The department has two air packs but we are not really able to test them. If we are really going to test them we need to do it but if we are not we need to send them back.

2. They are not the latest and greatest.

3. Everyone wants to start comparing.

ii. Timeline

1. There are new MSA and Scott packs.

2. DLGF – we were waiting to hear

3. There will be a meeting on the 12^th at 1:00 with Scott. We will get a pack to use and will also work on MSA for the same. That way we can compare like packs.

4. Certified Assessed Evaluation has not been received. Once it has around March 1^st we will hear 8-10 weeks later.

iii. Chief Slauter asked what we were going to do with salaries if they say 3% across the board cut.

1. DLGF cut will not be on the back of the employee – we are going to be working for 5 months without an approved budget.

a. In years past it was a rubber stamp.

b. It is a new climate – DLGF is unpredictable now.

c. This year should be okay but people are cautioning.

d. Trish Leminger is fighting new fights.

e. Steve Dyson said that things are tenuous. Each individual is not being looked at and he is not sure if they will put a freeze on everything.

f. Capt. Settles asked if we operated on a fiscal year instead of a calendar year wouldn’t that be better.

g. Chief Thacker stated that it doesn’t matter because of the delay.

iv. Chief Pell asked how long the quotes were good for.

1. Chief Slauter stated that none of them are good. They had the 2007 pricing and are no longer good.

2. Chief Pell asked Chief Slauter to get estimates for both.

3. If we go with Scott they will be behind the eight ball on the full replacement.

a. Marsh and Shoemaker are adamant that everyone needs their own regulator.

b. 120 masks and 44 bottles (at $800 each) would be needed and the regulators are $400 each.

v. Chief Slauter does not care what the department goes with but if people are adamant to change they will need to give up something.

1. If there is a flaw in the MSA packs we should change but we shouldn’t spend extra money for something different without a reason.

vi. MSA packs – 1999 they were upgraded and they are newer on E53.

1. Extend air 2003

2. The Pass devices have a design flaw.

a. They go off when the guys are doing jumping jacks.

3. We have reconditioned several of them.

a. Some have been changed out and guys are tired of them going off.

vii. The new MSA packs are much better.

1. The changed pass devices are passing the same tests as the Scott.

2. Capt. Settles likes the mask mounted regulator.

a. Currently it takes two hands to connect the MMR to the mask.

b. Scott is easy connecting.

3. Wayne has done live training with the specs to document.

a. Head to head comparison.

viii. Chief Pell asked about the new NFPA standards.

1. Chief Slauter stated that the pass device alert sounds from the rear.

2. The electronics have also gone through a more rigorous testing.

3. Alert for emergency status.

ix. Chief Pell asked about the AFG. He knows that we put in for the ambulances and were turned down but that we got the radio grant.

1. Chief Thacker asked that we don’t use Kim for the next one but to look into the woman that Fire Prevention used from Bloomington. She has a good track record (she has gotten all of them)

2. Everyone else is 6 for 7 but we are 2 for 7 and that percentage is not good.

3. Chief Pell would like for Chief Slauter to keep his finger on that. He would like to use the grant for the air packs.

a. Chief Thacker stated that the money is going into safety and operations.

i. Radios and “interoperability”

ii. Gear and SCBA – all money is going into these things.

4. Does Scott have the same software?

a. The software is slightly different.

b. They have Pack tracker so if a FF goes down the hand held gets a more active sound.

c. MSA does not push wireless tracking.

5. Chief Slauter suggested the guy out of IL.

x. Chief Thacker would like to get the packs in and on the apparatus.

1. Chief Slauter will get a committee together for an evaluation sheet and get an unbiased comparison.

3. New Business
1. Part-time hiring

i. Greg Maxwell – resigned his shift.

1. 51 A-Shift opening – Chief Slauter has gotten one reply for that position from his shift.

ii. Greg Moore – leaving his shift spot. (c-shift)

1. He will be doing a Kelly schedule so he will be picking up shifts on his day off.

iii. Keep the openings posted for a couple of shifts and see who would like to pick up a shift. Chief Thacker will check with Chief Engmark to make sure he is covering his shift okay for a couple more weeks.

1. Chief Thacker would like to bring in two or three at once – much easier.

2. Book sign-up list is at 20 people. How many is too many?

a. Is anyone on the chopping block?

i. Eddie called and assured he will be in soon (personal issues)

ii. Mangus needs to go.

iii. Troy Franks is questionable

b. Chief Pell would like for those who may be on the bubble to at least write a letter for a leave or make their intent known.

c. At this point C-shift days and nights are hotly contested.

iv. Chief Thacker has a good list of part-time guys and a couple of cadets who have passed EMT, Firefighter I & II. (Pelley & another)

1. Cadets only have to do the physical agility and the interview. (no written test)

2. We are doing better than 50%; Blue and Dietz have done really well.

3. There is a solid list of young guys with good attitudes.

a. He is also receiving e-mails and calls from several guys who want to work for WR.

v. Chief Pell would like for Chief Slauter to keep an eye on hours.

1. He does not want to string along someone who does not work a lot and keep hiring more people.

2. He does want to work with them and give them a chance.

3. Ron Neibel will be taking a leave of absence during recruit class for Bloomington.

2. Rescue 51

i. Chief Pell would like to submit a game plan at the next district board meeting.

ii. The department needs to get numbers on the project and plan a presentation.

1. Chief Slauter wants to evaluate the equipment that comes off of the truck and decide where it will go.

a. The mass casualty will stay.

b. Shelter and tent will stay.

c. One compartment will be lost to the air station.

iii. Chief Pell asked if there will be equipment that may not be needed.

1. Chief Slauter would like to put the rehab equipment on a used van for the auxiliary. That way they would not have to wait for a driver to show up.

iv. Captain Settles would like to have the TSU at station 51 so he can take a look at it and work on it.

1. The only problem is where to put it overnight.

v. Hydraulic reels and pump need to be put on the TSU.

1. Bowden should be able to do it.

vi. Captain Settles is not sure; one month may be too soon. He may need two.

1. Chief Slauter believes the biggest problem is what to do with the stuff that comes off the truck.

2. Chief Slauter and Captain Settles with like to take their time and do the project correctly.

3. Chief Slauter is not sure he can get a firm cost estimate in a month.

a. The project should not be more than $50,000 to retrofit the TSU.

vii. Chief Thacker asked about the engine 51 retrofit. Chief Slauter believes it was approximately $12,000.

1. Zephyr brackets and trays were the largest cost. He is not sure if the hydraulic pump was included.

2. The cab is good so most of the cost will be paid to Bowden.

a. He can take the brackets out of the Rescue and put in some shelving.

viii. Capt. Settles believes that if the department goes all the way and do the project completely right is should cost $15-20,000.

ix. The projected salvage of R51is approximately $75,000. We got $49,999 for the last engine.

x. Chief Pell – How do the trailers fit?

1. The special ops trailer is not big enough. All of the equipment will not fit on the vehicle either.

a. The best option would be to buy a goose neck trailer.

b. Get rid of the special events trailer and use the special ops trailer for special events.

2. Does the board intend on getting rid of Station 51.

a. If they don’t why not store things there?

b. Chief Pell stated that if the one guy re-submits his bid the will recommend to the board to sell the property.

c. The department did not budget for 4 facilities and old 51 will cost $16,000 a year.

3. Capt. Settles also suggested that a beer truck with big compartments and retro-fitted would be an option.

a. Guys don’t like the trailers but the goose neck is easier to hook up and drive.

b. If we keep the station the ops and special events trailers could be stored there.

c. There will also be an empty bay if the TSU is no longer parked at 53.

d. Chief Pell stated that a beer truck would be a last option.

i. WR will need to keep the utility trucks.

ii. This option also adds another vehicle for PM’s and heavy vehicle issues.

e. It would be most efficient to keep the trailers and dump a vehicle.

f. The goose neck trailer is a much better option.

i. The dually is rated to pull that type of trailer which would give WR two vehicles to pull them.

ii. The legal or not legal is no longer a question.

4. Capt. Settles knows what the department has and the weight.

a. Maybe the department should get rid of both trailers and get a new dual axle trailer that is larger. The special events trailer could be set up with an EMS station and carry a Gator.

i. Capt. Settles stated that we could probable get one on a grant. He asked at what point are we willing to match funds.

ii. Chief Pell stated that if it is more than $5000 it has to be taken to the board. If it is a benefit to the community he will not have a problem taking it to them.

1. They were willing to go up to 20% on fire grants to get the ambulances.

iii. Chief Pell stated that it is a no brainer on items we were planning on buying anyway.

1. It is cost vs. benefit. Is the community getting enough benefit from the services that are being added?

2. Upgrade to the Gator. The replacement of the golf cart is in the budget for this year anyway. Capt. Settles believes we could try for a Papa Johns grant for $5000.

5. Chief Pell asked if the trailers should be put in the presentation and if they were would it take longer to put together.

a. All information should be gathered by March 1^st.

b. If we know the board is going to agree to the retro-fit we should include the other items and they will more likely agree to the entire plan than if each individual item was brought to them one at a time.

6. Chief Pell asked Chief Slauter and Capt. Settles to:

a. Get trailer estimates

b. Salvage numbers for the rescue

c. Retro-fit costs

d. Equipment list – which items will go to the new truck and which items need to be re-assigned.

7. Chief Slauter stated that the big ticket items will be the easiest the rest will take a little time.

a. Chief Pell stated that if it cost less than $5000 we can piece meal everything together.

b. Capt. Settles stated that the biggest cost will be the poly boxes and hardy cases.

8. Chief Pell would like to give the board as much of the picture as we can, he does not want to nickel and dime the board.

a. He wants the project done correctly and wants to take the time needed.

b. Other departments will become involved once there is a list of items that need to be put somewhere else.

9. Chief Slauter suggested leaving the fill station here.

xi. Combs asked if he could purchase a radio for Tom Horde.

1. Once we dispose of the extra vehicle the department will have extra radios so he told Combs to give him on of the extras.

xii. Everyone agrees that the amount of money saved could be put in our back pocket.

3. Material left from training barn

i. Jason Mooney wants the hose for Green

ii. Cadets helmets – Chief Thacker will go to 51’s and look at the items they salvaged and decide what to do with them.

iii. Plymo-vent issue has not been decided.

iv. Wait on what to do with the barn.

1. Bargersville, Whiteland

2. Decide on what can be pulled out

a. Some new props can be built

3. If we do not sell the building we can still do training for the next year or so.

v. Capt. Settles also stated that he has gotten some training grants but they are for regional classes but were approx worth $20,000.

4. Green Safety Vests – Bailey is looking into purchasing some new vests.

i. He will have some to look at soon (Orange with yellow stripe, heavy duty for $30)

ii. Consolidate with NIMS vest (get ones with Velcro back)

1. Chief Slauter would rather them be bought with specific title already attached.

2. Look at different colors for positions so they will be able to be spotted easier.

5. Rescue Awareness training

i. Chief Thacker is looking at doing it once a month and bring everyone through.

1. The tests are in place (instructor packages and material for 20 should be accessible)

2. He plans on offering them on evenings and weekends.

a. Dale, Wilson, Witham, Cox, Settles, and Thacker could teach.

ii. Chief Thacker has put out a questionnaire of what and when classes to be offered here.

1. He has money to Cert. type classes.

iii. Chief Pell asked what response he received on the employee evaluation responses.

1. The majority of the 6 or 7 is to do it throughout the year.

6. The next meeting is the same time as the Maxwell training.

i. Some monthly training is also the same time as the senior staff meetings.

ii. Senior staff could meet in the afternoon.

iii. Chief Thacker will re-schedule some dates.

iv. Re-iterate that it is required.

1. The department will handle it on a case by case basis.

2. If miss one day of the week long class it can be made up with Chief Thacker.

3. They will come up with something that is fair.

7. Computer issue at 52

i. Other options are being explored

ii. It takes 3xs as long to put in the Battalion log at 51.

4. Meeting called at 0953.