ADOPTED Minutes
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, November 20, 2003, 7 p.m., in the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Cloyce Anders presided as Facilitator and called the meeting to order.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The following members were present: Mr. Cloyce Anders, Chief Paul Dunwell, Mr. Jeff Frazier, Chief Scottie Harris, Commissioner Phil Jeffreys, Mr. Billy Myrick, Captain David Price, Chief Ron Roof and Chief Tom Vaughn.
Members absent were: Chief Mike Chambers, Chief Rodney Privette, Chief A.C. Rich, Mr. Buddy Scarboro and Ms. Ann Suggs.
Upcoming appointment changes to the Fire Commission were announced. The following changes have been recommended to the Wake County Board of Commissioners:
- New Representative of Firefighters' Association
- New West Region Primary Representative
- New North Region Primary and Alternate Representative
- New Citizen Representative
Cloyce Anders thanked Chief Ron Roof and Captain David Price for their service on the Fire Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Mr. Billy Myrick, seconded by Captain David Price, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the September 25, 2003, regular meeting.
Upon motion of Chief Roof, seconded by Captain David Price, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the October 9, 2003, Special Called Meeting.
Budget/Fire Tax Financial Report
Mr. Ben Canada, Wake County's new Budget and Management analyst for Public Safety, was introduced. Mr. Ben Canada provided a brief report on the status of the fire tax fund. Mr. Canada then began discussion of small capital process and reviewed forms. Mr. Canada then reviewed workplan for FY 05 budget request process and asked the Fire Commission to support the framework and process.
Chief Tom Vaughn motioned to adopt the general framework and budget request process for FY 05, seconded by Mr. Billy Myrick. The Fire Commission unanimously approved the motion.
Homeland Security Grant Funds
Mr. Martin Chriscoe was recognized to provide an update on Homeland Security grant funds. Mr. Chriscoe introduced Mr. Brian McFeaters. Mr. McFeaters gave a presentation on the process for Homeland Security grant funds. Chief Vaughn requested additional information on the purchase of gator vehicles.
Unfinished Business
Station Location/Apparatus Replacement
Ray Echevarria provided an update on the Fire/EMS Capital Facility and Equipment Study. Committee has reviewed second draft of report. Need to plan for Special Called meeting prior to next regular meeting.
HEERY Report – CIP Prioritization
Mr. Myrick provided an update on the HEERY implementation plan development. Mr. Myrick indicated importance of providing comments back on the HEERY drawings.
COMPENSATION STUDY
Captain David Price provided an update on the compensation study implementation. The committee continues to address questions on how to implement the study in the various departments.
NCDOT Traffic Preemption Request
Raymond Echevarria provided an update on traffic preemption request. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has approved Wake County's traffic preemption request. Fire Commission asked to gather cost information and bring back to next meeting.
New Business
Training Committee for Fire Chief and Fire Officer Training Classes
Fire Commission discussed formation of training committee for fire chief and fire officer training classes as approved with the compensation study plan. Raymond Echevarria will send out an e-mail asking for volunteers to serve on the committee. Committee will meet and report back to Fire Commission.
Fire Department Funding for Second Half of FY 2004
Raymond Echevarria advised Fire Commission the Board of Commissioners has approved releasing funds to fire departments for second half of FY 2004.
800-MHz/CAD user group
Cloyce Anders recommended formation of a user group to serve as a liaison to the County on CAD issues and 800-MHz radio system issues. Recommended one representative from each region. Representatives are:
- Chief Frank Woods – East Region
- Chief Ron Roof – North Region
- Chief Paul Dunwell – South Region
- Chief Mark Haraway – West Region
The committee will provide updates to the Fire Commission.
Committee Reports
Service Level Committee
No report at this time.
Budget Committee
Ben Canada provided Budget Committee report during budget report.
Other Business
Chief Scottie Harris discussed departments receiving grant funds for 800-MHz radios. If a fire department receives a grant for 800-MHz radios, then the funds originally budgeted for that department's radio equipment will remain in the radio project to purchase additional portables for other fire departments.
Public Comments
Commissioner Phil Jeffreys stated that the fire departments in Wake County have done a good job and will continue to do a good job.
Chief Sidney Perry asked the Fire Commission to consider alternating times for regular meetings. Consider alternating evening and late afternoon meetings.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2004, at 7 p.m.