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Minutes of Fire Chiefs Meeting - 05-02-07

Activity:   Fire Chiefs’ Meeting
 
Date:       May 2, 2007
 
Organizations Represented:       
Public Safety Administration
Department 1/Rocky Mount Fire
Company 3/Ferrum Fire
Company 5/Callaway Fire
Company 6/Snow Creek Fire
Company 7/Boones Mill Fire 
 Company 9/Burnt Chimney Fire
Company 10/Scruggs Fire
Company 14/Henry Fire
 
Organizations Not Represented:     
Company 4/Glade Hill Fire
Company 8/Fork Mountain Fire
Company 11/Smith Mountain Lake Fire
Company 12/Hardy Fire
Company 13/Cool Branch Fire
 
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Please find below a summary of the topics that were discussed and relevant information regarding those topics. If you have any questions, please contact your Rescue Captain or Fire Chief for details.
 
  • The meeting was moderated by Public Safety Director, Daryl Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for their attendance.
 
  • Director Hatcher advised everyone to make sure that all members comply with safety issues whenever the agency is handling a call for assistance. Proper gear and all other safety control apparatus must be used. Failure to use the proper safety gear which results in an accident may mean that the insurance carrier will not cover the insurance claim. Make sure that all safety concerns are addressed and each member strictly adheres to them.
 
  • Billy Ferguson advised that calls are received daily inquiring about our Standard Operating Guidelines. Each agency should have a copy of the SOGs. The SOGs are also available on the Public Safety web site. If you agency needs a copy of the SOGs contact Billy in Public Safety and arrangements will be made to get one to your agency.
 
·         Billy Ferguson advised that the Franklin County Board of Supervisors has agreed to allow billing for false alarms. There was an ordinance adopted in the 1990’s which allowed residential or commercial buildings that exceeded the maximum of 2 alarms per year be charged for any alarms received after the maximum number at a rate of $75.00 per billable alarm.. The billing process has not been utilized for several years but the procedures are in place to start again. Tracking and billing went into effect as of January 1, 2007. The Public Safety administrative offices will handle tracking and invoicing any billable alarms and then any revenue which is collected as a result of alarm billing will be returned to the budget of the department who answered the alarm call. At this time, two billable alarms have been invoiced and paid for. For more information regarding alarm billing, contact Billy Ferguson.
 
  • Billy Ferguson reminded everyone of the upgrade of the Firehouse Software. One of the features of the new software is that anywhere you have internet access you can have connectivity with the Firehouse program. The Information Technology department of Franklin County is assisting Billy with the installation of the software and hardware at the agencies. Billy also indicated that with the addition of the new wireless system any department that could participate in the same phone system that the administrative offices are using at this time. The new system is a voice over internet protocol and it works in conjunction with the internet system. Any department that would like more information on this system, contact Billy.
 
  • Billy also presented the following points of interest:
 
ü  The County has begun work on the Toms Knob Radio tower. This will improve communications in the Snow Creek area of the County. The radio tower will not be functional for a few months but work has started.
ü  Billy also reminded everyone that the County has a SOG regarding stand-by fees for different events needing an ambulance or fire truck. A copy of the SOG is on the website or you can contact the administrative office for a copy of the SOG.
ü  Billy indicated that the 2007/2008 fiscal budget had been approved by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors.
 
  • Bennie Russell gave everyone information concerning Bridgewater Pointe high rise. For more information about the high rise project and what impact it construction could have on your department, contact Bennie.
 
  • Bennie presented information about a number of locations that are starting to use Knox Boxes for emergency services personnel to have access to a key to these gated areas. A Knox Box is a universal key box used for this purpose. More information will be given on accessing and using a Knox Box in the coming months.
 
  • Mike Pruitt, Training and Retention and Recruitment Coordinator, indicated that NIMS 300 is now required for all Chiefs and Captains. Mike will schedule this 16 hour class in the next few months to coincide with the Chiefs’ and Captains’ meetings. Contact Mike for more information.
 
  • Mike indicated that the county had received a grant to build a burn training building which should start immediately. At this time, it will probably be built in the Ferrum area.
 
Meeting adjourned.