Thursday, May 5, 2005

(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)

A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, May 5, 2005, 7 p.m. in the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Ann Suggs presided as chair and called the meeting to order.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The following members were present: Chief Paul Dunwell, 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, Chief Chris Wilson, Chief Scott McCollum and Mr. Lucius Jones.

Members absent were: Chief Rodney Privette

Chair Ann Suggs introduced Dewey Poole as a new member of the Fire Commission.

Public Safety Director John Rukavina introduced Mr. Skip Kirkwood, new Wake County Emergency Medical Services Director.

Mr. Billy Myrick gave an invocation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon motion of Mr. Lucius Jones, seconded by Mr. Billy Myrick, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the March 17, 2005, regular meeting.

 

Unfinished Business

FY 06 Budget Recommendation

Budget and Management Analyst Ben Canada provided a presentation on the Staff and Budget Committee’s recommended FY 06 fire tax district budget. Ben Canada presented the base budget recommendation. Mr. Dewey Poole provided an overview of the staffing committee’s review and ranking of staffing expansion requests.

Chief Tom Vaughn motioned for the Fire Commission to accept the recommendation and support the budget to the Board of Commissioners. Upon second by Mr. Billy Myrick, the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Fire service long-range business plan update

Fire Apparatus Update

Chief Tom Vaughn provided an update from the fire apparatus committee. The Pierce representative reports that the first pumper/tankers are expected in September. The KME representatives reported that the first tankers are expected in August. Small vehicles and brush trucks are coming in periodically.

Facility Update

Mr. Billy Myrick provided an update from the Facility Committee. Mr. Myrick reported that Don Jackowski is meeting with all departments to review Phase II HEERY work. The Facility Committee is reviewing future phases of HEERY.

Garner EMS Extrication Funding

Public Safety Director John Rukavina informed the Fire Commission of extrication funding issues in the Garner EMS service area.

Staffing Update

Mr. Dewey Poole provided an update from the Staffing Committee. Dewey Poole and Chief Haraway have been gathering information on volunteer benefits.

ALPHANUMERIC PAGER SURVEY

Raymond 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. The information will be presented to the budget committee for review and consideration.

No action requested.

New Business

EMS Chiefs’ Recommendation – Commendation Bar for Recognition of Cardiac Arrest Saves

Wake County’s Medical Director Dr. Brent Myers informed the Fire Commission of the EMS chiefs’ recommendation for a commendation bar to honor cardiac arrest saves. Upon motion of Chief Tony Mauldin and second by Dewey Poole, the Fire Commission unanimously voted to support the EMS Chiefs’ efforts to recognize those with cardiac saves and encourage departments to allow their members to wear the ribbons.

Fire Commission Rules of Procedure

Fire/Rescue Director Raymond Echevarria provided a draft of revised rules of procedure for review prior to the next meeting.

Election of Vice Chair

Upon motion of Mr. Billy Myrick and second by Mr. Dewey Poole, the Fire Commission unanimously elected Mr. Lucius Jones as vice chair.

Committee Reports

 

Turnout Gear Committee

Fire/Rescue Director Raymond Echevarria provided an update on the turnout gear committee. The committee has completed turnout gear specifications and submitted recommendations to the budget committee for funding replacement of turnout gear rated as poor in the turnout gear survey.

 

Other Business

Public Comments

Chief A.C. Rich offered comments to the Fire Commission on the work of the various committees.

Ben Canada stated that the Fire Commission committees have done an excellent job of making tough decisions to develop a fiscally responsible budget recommendation.

Mr. Billy Myrick thanked members of the budget committee for their hard work.

Adjournment

The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, 2005.