Thursday, March 17, 2005
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, March 17, 2005, 7 p.m., in the EMS Training Classroom located at lower level of the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Raymond L. Echevarria presided as facilitator and called the meeting to order.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The following members were present: Chief Mike Chambers, Chief Paul Dunwell, Fire Marshal Raymond Echevarria, Ms. Sue-Lynn Hinson, Chief Tony Mauldin, Mr. Vernon Malone, Mr. Billy Myrick, Public Safety Director John Rukavina, Ms. Ann Suggs, Chief Mike Cooper, Commissioner Harold Webb, Chief Tom Vaughan
Members absent were: Chief Rodney Privette, Chief Chris Wilson, Chief Scott McCollum, Mr. Lucius Jones
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Ms. Ann Suggs, seconded by Commissioner Harold Webb, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the January 27, 2005 (marked as “revised”), regular meeting.
Unfinished business
Fire service long-range business plan update
Fire Apparatus Update
Chief Tom Vaughan provided an update from the apparatus committee. All pumper/tankers, brush trucks, administrative vehicles and tankers have been ordered or will be ordered by end of next week. Next meeting of committee will be on March 28, 2005, at Rolesville FD at 10 a.m.
Discussion followed regarding the funding of lightbars, warning equipment, and vehicle lettering on administrative-type vehicles and brush trucks. Mr. Myrick made a motion to fund this type warning equipment, vehicle lettering, and radio removal/installation out of the capital funding program up to an amount not to exceed $3,500, seconded by Ms. Suggs. The motion passed seven for, two against. Chief Cooper emphasized that replacement criteria be objective and be applied consistently among different departments.
Facility Update
Mr. Dewey Poole provided an update from the facility committee. Mr. Poole informed the Fire Commission that the County Manager was continuing to meet with the Town of Cary and City of Raleigh to discuss the possibility of these municipalities' providing fire protection in unincorporated areas.
Mr. Poole requested that this committee and the facility committee tasked with managing the Heery facility improvements, chaired by Mr. Myrick, be merged into a single committee. Being that there was no objection by the Commission, the facilitator authorized the merging of these committees.
Staffing Update
Mr. Dewey Poole provided an update from the staffing committee. He and Chief Mark Haraway presented a draft report on staffing recommendations collected from surveying Fire Chiefs and developed by the committee. The committee requested that the Fire Commission identify staffing as its priority and authorize the committee to start work towards plan development. Chief Vaughan made a motion to accept the report as presented, to identify staffing as the number one priority of the Fire Commission, and to refer this report to the affected committees for developing a long term plan for addressing staffing issues. The motion was seconded by Ms. Suggs, and passed unanimously.
Mr. Poole requested that this committee and the existing service level committee be merged into a single committee. Being that there was no objection by the Commission, the facilitator authorized the merging of these committees.
OPEN BURNING
Mr. Echevarria provided an update on proposed open burning regulations. The Fire Commission’s recommendations had been passed along to the County Commissioners. The direction given by the County Commissioners is to develop open burning regulations that can authorize the enforcement of open burning regulations without the use of required permits. Staff will be working with the County Attorney to develop a new proposal and will be presented to the Fire Commission at a later date.
No action requested.
ALPHANUMERIC PAGER SURVEY
Mr. Echevarria distributed the results of the alphanumeric pager survey requested at the last meeting. The survey outlined which departments needed additional pagers, how many they needed, and the purpose for which they needed them.
No action requested.
New Business
FY 06 Budget Process
Budget and Management Analyst Ben Canada provided a presentation on the FY 06 budget process, including revenue estimates, an overview of base requests, and the next steps. Discussion followed.
A report of fire tax district collections was distributed.
No action requested.
FIRE STATION #1 RENOVATION FUNDING REQUEST – BAY LEAF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Roof presented a request of funding for renovation of Bay Leaf Fire Department Station #1. Mark Forestieri, of Wake County Facilities Design & Construction, presented on the feasibility study as authorized by the Fire Commission. Stewart Cooper Newell Architects presented a proposed architectural design. Discussion followed.
Mr. Myrick made a motion that this request be deferred to the Facility Committee for consideration. The motion was seconded by Chief Vaughan and passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
Turnout Gear Committee
Ricky Dorsey presented a report from the turnout gear committee. The report included proposed turnout gear specifications and distribution process.
Chief Cooper made a motion to approve the specifications. The motion was seconded by Chief Mauldin and the motion passed unanimously.
Other Business
Sue-Lynn Hinson was introduced as the newest member of the Fire Commission as the new president of the Wake County Firefighter’s Association, filling the position vacated by Chief Scottie Harris.
She requested that the Fire Commission recommend to the County Commissioners that an alternate be appointed to serve in her absence. This alternate would be designated by the president of the Wake County Firefighter’s Association.
Ms. Suggs made a motion to approve this request. The motion was seconded by Chief Mauldin and was passed unanimously.
Public Comments
There were no public comments to the Fire Commission.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 7 p.m.