Thursday, March 20, 2003

Adopted May 15, 2003

(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)

A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, March 20, 2003, 7:00 PM in the EMS Training Classroom located at lower level of the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Raymond Echevarria presided as Facilitator and called the meeting to order.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The following members were present: Chief Tony Chiotakis, Commissioner Phil Jeffreys, Chief Paul Dunwell, Chief Tony Mauldin, Mr. Billy Myrick, Mr. Dewey Poole, Chief Rodney Privette, Chief Ron Roof, and Chief Tom Vaughn.

Members absent were: Mr. Cloyce Anders, Mr. Jeff Frazier, Ms. Cathy Lohr, Captain David Price, Chief A.C. Rich, Mr. Buddy Scarboro, and Ms. Ann Suggs.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon motion of Chief Roof, seconded by Dewey Poole, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of January 16, 2003.

Budget & Financial Report

Budget & Management Director Raymond Boutwell provided a financial report on the fire protection service tax district. Distributed handout.

Budget & Management Director Raymond Boutwell provided an update of the Budget Committee. Upon motion of Chief Vaughn, seconded by Billy Myrick, unanimously voted to accept budget committee recommendation and for budget committee to work with Budget & Management Director Raymond Boutwell to refine the budget process.

COMPENSATION STUDY

Catherine Clark provided a report on the Fire Service Compensation Study. Upon motion of Chief Vaughn, seconded by Chief Choitakis, unanimously voted to receive report and schedule a special called meeting of the Fire Commission to further discuss study.

Station Location / Apparatus Replacement

Ray Echevarria provided an update on station location and apparatus replacement. No action required.

HEERY Report – CIP Prioritization

Mr. Myrick provided an update on the HEERY implementation plan development. No action required.

Traffic Light Control

Ray Echevarria provided an update on traffic light control. Letter of request has been forwarded to NC Department of Transportation.

Volunteer participation in Local Government Federal Credit Union

Dewey Poole provided information regarding volunteer firefighters' ability to join the NC Local Government Federal Credit Union. Informational packets were provided to fire departments.

Review of open burning in unincorporated Wake County

Raymond Echevarria provided information on Board of Commissioners direction to pursue permitting and increased oversight of open burning in unincoporated Wake County. Upon motion of Chief Roof, seconded by Dewey Poole, unanimously voted to ask Fire/Rescue staff to prepare a draft ordinance regarding open burning and bring back for review.

Review of Fire/Rescue division budget request items

Ray Echevarria provided overview of FY 04 expansion items requested by Fire/Rescue Division.

Committee Reports

Service Level Committee

Dewey Poole provided update on Service Level Committee. Distributed copies of committee meeting minutes and presented recommendation for Fire Commission to support Wake County pursuing staffing study add-on to existing Fire/EMS Capital Facility and Equipment Study agreement with TriData.

Upon motion of Chief Chiotakis, seconded by Chief Mauldin, unanimously voted to support Wake County pursuing staffing study add-on with understanding that Budget Office confirms funds are available.

Other Business

Public Safety Director John Director informed Fire Commission that County staff has preliminary information indicating that county firefighters may be able to be exempted from ambulance billing. County staff is waiting for additional information.

Public Safety Director John Rukavina informed Fire Commission on status of FIRE Act Grants. Upon motion of Chief Vaughn, seconded by Chief Chiotakis, unanimously voted to encourage all Wake County fire departments to apply for FIRE Act Grants for 800 MHZ radios.

Public Comments

As no one was requested to give public comment, the public comment was declared closed.

Adjournment

The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2003, 7 PM, at the EMS Training Classroom, lower level of the Wake County Commons Building.