Thursday, July 21, 2005
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, July 21, 2005, 7 p.m., in the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Raymond Echevarria presided as chair and called the meeting to order.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The following members were present: Ms. Sue-Lynn Hinson, Mr. Billy Myrick, Chief Tom Vaughan, Mr. Mike Fletcher, Chief Mark Haraway and Mr. Dewey Poole.
Members absent were: Chief Paul Dunwell, Chief Tony Mauldin, Senator Vernon Malone, Chief Rodney Privette, Ms. Ann Suggs, Chief Mike Cooper, Chief Chris Wilson, Chief Scott McCollum, Mr. Lucius Jones, and Commissioner Harold Webb.
Raymond Echevarria recognized Representative Linda Coleman of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Chief Tom Vaughn gave an invocation.
The Fire Commission viewed a presentation from the Eastern Wake Fire/Rescue Department on Firefighter Todd Blanchard’s memorial service.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Mr. Dewey Poole, seconded by Mr. Billy Myrick, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the May 5, 2005, regular meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire Service Long-Range Business Plan update
Fire Apparatus Update – Aerial and Laptop/Printer Recommendation
Chief Tom Vaughn provided an update from the fire apparatus committee. Chief Vaughn motioned for the Fire Commission to recommend purchase of a laptop and printer for the Apparatus Committee to use in tracking the vehicle information. Upon second by Mr. Billy Myrick, the motion carried unanimously.
Chief Vaughn then turned over the update to Chief Roof. Chief Roof offered an update and a recommendation to replace the Wendell Fire Department’s aerial apparatus via a piggyback purchase off the City of Raleigh’s recent bid, at a cost not to exceed $600,000. Mr. Dewey Poole motioned to accept the recommendation. Upon a second by Mr. Billy Myrick, the motion passed unanimously,
Facility Update
Mr. Billy Myrick provided an update from the Facility Committee. Mr. Myrick introduced Project Manager Don Jackowski of Wake County Facilities Design and Construction. Don Jackowski updated the Fire Commission on Phase I and Phase II of the HEERY project.
Staffing Update
Mr. Dewey Poole provided an update from the Staffing Committee. Dewey Poole introduced Mr. Cloyce Anders of VFIS to provide a presentation on benefits for volunteer firefighters.
FY 06 Budget Update
Budget and Management Analyst Ben Canada provided a summary of the FY 06 department appropriation by budget component, an update on fire tax revenue, and an update on the CIP model and model assumptions.
ALPHANUMERIC PAGER SURVEY
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission no action has been taken on the alphanumeric pager purchase, waiting for a budget committee meeting.
No action requested.
Fire Commission Rules of Procedure
Raymond Echevarria reviewed updates to the Rules of Procedure. Chief Tom Vaughn motioned to approve Rules of Procedure with removal of section III.D.2. Mr. Dewey Poole seconded the motion. Ms. Sue-Lynn Hinson informed the Fire Commission that the Wake County Firefighters’ Association alternate representative was not addressed in the Rules of Procedure. Chief Vaughn accepted an amendment to his motion to include revising the Rules to include the Association’s alternate. Mr. Poole accepted the amendment for his second. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol
Wake County’s Medical Director Dr. Brent Myers informed the Fire Commission of the proposal to update Wake County’s Emergency Medical Dispatch protocol. Upon motion of Chief Haraway, seconded by Mr. Dewey Poole, the Fire Commission voted unanimously to support implementation of the proposal.
Medical First Response Guidelines – Service Level Goals
Dr. Brent Myers informed the Fire Commission that the current medical first responder guidelines do not include a minimum number of responders consistent with service level goals approved by the Fire Commission. Upon motion of Chief Tom Vaughn, seconded by Mr. Dewey Poole, the Fire Commission unanimously voted to support medical first responder guidelines of a minimum of 2 responders, optimum of 4, on all first-duty medical first responder calls.
Revised Open Burning Rules
Raymond Echevarria distributed a revised proposal for an open burning ordinance. After discussing the proposal, Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that a question and answer session will be scheduled with an Assistant County Attorney.
No action taken.
ICS/NIMS
Public Safety Director John Rukavina informed the Fire Commission of ICS/NIMS adoption requirements and provided a letter sent to Wake Technical Community College regarding ICS/NIMS training. John Rukavina proposed an implementation model of cross-disciplinary training at executive fire officer level, more discipline specific and more department specific training for lower levels of the organization, and line level training within each organization. Upon motion of Chief Haraway, seconded by Chief Tom Vaughn, the Fire Commission voted unanimously to support the recommendation to move forward with ICS/NIMS training consisting of cross-disciplinary training at the fire executive level, more discipline specific and department specific training moving down through the ranks, and encourage cross-disciplinary training for departments in lower levels whenever possible, and train-the-trainer approach.
FY 06 Fire Commission Workplan
Raymond Echevarria distributed a draft FY 06 workplan for the Fire Commission.
Small Vehicle Replacements – Road Tax Cost
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission of an issue related to paying road tax on replacement fire vehicles. Mr. Billy Myrick informed the Fire Commission that paying road tax was not part of the original proposal for $3,500 per vehicle. Mr. Myrick motioned for the apparatus committee to review the road tax and the previous motion and bring back a recommendation at the next meeting. After a second by Mr. Dewey Poole, the motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Turnout Gear Committee
The turnout gear committee will meet on July 25, 2005, at Bay Leaf Fire Station #3.
CHAIR REPORT
No report.
FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES DIRECTOR REPORT
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that an e-mail was sent out regarding Board of Commissioner action on the Stony Hill Fire Department UGST situation and that work is being done to reinstate the “10-8” status button.
OTHER BUSINESS
Public Comments
Western Wake Fire Department informed the Fire Commission that the department is moving to the EMT level. Western Wake also informed the Fire Commission that Western Wake needs additional alphanumeric pagers and paving repair at Western Wake Station #1.
Chief Haraway informed the Fire Commission of the Western region’s need for additional alphanumeric pagers.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2005.