BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF AUGUST 1, 2013 MEETING
PINE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Reed. Chief Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Royal, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, BREMSS, Blount EMS, AMED and Law Enforcement were also represented. 9·1·1 Board Supervisor Neal Brooks and Board Member Bob Sanford were present.
GUESTS – Chairman Reed thanked Chief Head and Pine Mtn Fire Department for hosting the meeting and Betty Cadden with AMED for providing the meal. John acknowledged that Terry Helms and wife, Brenda, were back in attendance. Terry is recovering from injuries sustained on his farm. John also recognized the new Fire Chief at Oneonta, Chief Arthur Willis. Chief Willis said he is glad to be in Oneonta and looks forward to working with everyone for many years.
Chairman Reed asked for the approval of the minutes of the July meeting. Motion by Chief Wade, seconded by Chief Payne, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Glass, seconded by Chief Head, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Reed appointed a Nominating Committee for the purpose of electing Officers for next year. This Committee consists of Joey Lay, Locust Fork; Clay Jones, West Blount; and Jerry Robertson, Summit. This Committee will report back to the Association in September with a proposed slate of Officers. John discussed several Line-of-Duty deaths that have occurred across the country lately. He urged everyone to be aware of situations on your scene, to block travel lanes with an apparatus, and in general, be scene conscious.
EMA – Director Max Armstrong discussed the NIMSCAST report and its current situation. There are issues with how FEMA accumulates the reported information due to differences in computer systems. FEMA is currently trying to develop a method of collecting your NIMS training information. Max suggested that each department continue to collect and tabulate your NIMS training information and when a new system is developed, Blount EMA will pass that system on to the departments so that information can be compiled.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Supervisor Neal Brooks handed out run reports. The bids for the new 911 Center were higher than expected but the Board is looking at financing options so that construction can be started. Also, the Board is studying communication gaps within the County and is planning measures to fill those gaps. Very few departments have reported communication issues so please check those areas where mobile communications are weak and report to Neal or Max.
TRAINING – John thanked Tim Frye, Jr for the work he has put in on developing the new Blount County Fire & EMS Association website. Tim highlighted several training opportunities which were listed on the Training Report email sent earlier. There will be Wildland Firefighting training through Forestry possibly through the Fire College later this fall. John Head urged everyone to review the email he sent out concerning assistance that the Alabama Fire College can provide to volunteer departments. ICS 300 will start in September for 5 nights. 9/24, 9/26, 10/1, 10/8, & 10/10. Prerequisites are IS100, 200, 700 & 800. All classes will begin at 1800 in the Blount EOC. Register with EMA.
FIRE PREVENTION – Joe Ray Daily announced there was a change in the Fair leadership for this year. Joan Epps with the City of Oneonta, formerly with the Agri-Business Center, along with Ms. Kelly Doty from the County Revenue Commission will manage the Fair. Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus has donated the use of a fire truck for static display at the Fair for all week. Commissioner Dean Calvert will purchase a 10x20 tent for use in the booth. Joe Ray suggested encouraging Fair visitors to improve their house number locations and visibility so that emergency responders can easily find them during a call. He also recommended making a video tape of the upcoming Live Burn Trailer training to highlight what is involved in fire training to those interested. Smokey Bear and Sparky will also be present. Handout materials that were ordered have been received.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms reported that not much has changed on the local scene for Forestry. Terry thanked the Association for the financial support shown to him and his family and asked that you still keep them in your prayers.
SPECIAL OPS – No report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – New Director of Nursing will join STV-Blount mid-August. She will be introduced at the September meeting.
BREMSS – The SMECC meeting resulted in some potential changes to the protocols for the Air Transport providers. This is creating questions from some. The next work session will be August 27 with the regular meeting to follow later that afternoon. The BREMSS backboard policy is in progress of being finalized. Announcements will be coming to all County fire association groups and other partners. The EMT class at Holly Springs was a success with 100% pass rate.
Blount EMS – If you need us, you know where we are. They will be conducting a Difficult Airway class at their office on Monday, August 5.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – SGT Investigator Fred Cochran thanked Murphree Valley and Snead departments for their assistance at the recent Wilson Chapel incident. If you have any questions, please let the BCSO know. John thanked Fred and the BCSO for being interested in attending fire meetings as that is not the case in other counties served by BREMSS.
CORONER – Coroner Mark Vaughn could not attend but notified John that he is requesting a vehicle through the County Commission to serve as a transport vehicle for his department’s use. This will decrease the wait time for fire departments caused by delays in funeral home transport arriving at the scene.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – Max reported that the Executive Director for the Blount/Winston/Cullman Red Cross office is no longer there and a search for his replacement is underway. This should not affect Blount County as the local Red Cross response is almost 100% volunteer.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
§ Still need to complete financial reviews and document such to the EMA office.
§ Truck inspections need to be completed.
§ The Friends of the Locust Fork River have been working on wording and sign locations ideas. Grants and County Commission financial assistance is still an option to cover expenses. Individual departments may also be asked to help.
§ Max is trying to compile private and public access points for river access so it can be documented in 911 maps. That may require specific information from each department concerning your coverage areas. He will be in contact with you to collect that info.
NEW BUSINESS:
§ Chief Hill with Holly Springs reported they are looking at a group purchase of run reporting software to assist them with keeping up with run reports. If other departments are interested in this also, please let him know. They also have some additional new dive equipment available for sale.
§ If you are a BLS department, John has some old style PCRs available. Additional packs of ALS PCR forms are at 911 and EMA. 6th Edition Protocol Manuals are also available.
The next meeting will be September 5, 2013 at STV-Blount. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by STV-Blount
________________________
John Reed, Chairman