(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, January 27, 2005, 7:00 PM 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. This meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2005, and was postponed due to inclement weather.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The following members were present: Chief Mike Chambers, Chief Paul Dunwell, Chief Scottie Harris, Chief Tony Mauldin, Senator Vernon Malone, Ms. Ann Suggs, Chief Mike Cooper, Chief Scott McCollum, Mr. Lucius Jones, Commissioner Harold Webb, and Chief Tom Vaughn.
Members absent were: Mr. Billy Myrick, Chief Rodney Privette, and Chief Chris Wilson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Ms. Ann Suggs, seconded by Chief Mike Cooper, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the November 18, 2004, regular meeting.
Unfinished business
Fire service long range business plan update
Budget/Financial Policy Update – Fund Balance
Mr. Ben Canada presented the draft fund balance policy. Upon motion of Chief Tom Vaughn, seconded by Ms. Ann Suggs, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the fund balance policy.
Fire Apparatus Update
Chief Tom Vaughn provided an update from the apparatus committee. Pierce Manufacturing submitted the lowest, responsive bid for pumper-tankers, and KME submitted the lowest, responsive bid for tankers. Chief Vaughn also indicated the committee was finalizing the brush truck replacement plan.
Facility Update
Chief Scottie Harris provided an update from the facility committee. Chief Harris informed the Fire Commission that County Manager has began meeting with the Town of Cary to discuss the possibility of the municipality providing fire protection in unincorporated areas.
Staffing Update
Mr. Dewey Poole informed the Fire Commission that the staffing committee has began meeting. He also informed the Fire Commission that one of the committee's goals is to increase volunteerism.
Presentation of Draft Long Range Business Plan Document
Budget and Management Analyst Ben Canada presented the Long Range Business Plan document. Upon motion of Chief Scottie Harris, seconded by Chief Mike Cooper, the Fire Commission voted unanimously to support the Long Range Business Plan. The Long Range Business Plan will be presented to the Wake County Board of Commissioners with the Fire Commission's unanimous support.
Medical first responder update
Ricky Dorsey provided an update on the Medical First Responder committee. The committee continues to meet and is finalizing a recommendation.
No action requested.
New business
FY 06 Budget Process
Budget and Management Analyst Ben Canada provided a presentation on the FY 06 budget process.
No action requested.
Stony Hill Fire Department – Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Removal and Site Remediation
Mr. Wayne Woodlief, Board of Director President for the Stony Hill Fire Department, informed the Fire Commission of Stony Hill Fire Department's situation. Mr. Woodlief informed the Fire Commission of Stony Hill's request for funding.
Senator Vernon Malone motioned for the Fire Commission to formally inform the Board of Commissioners of the situation and ask them to direct County staff on how to proceed. After a second by Chief Tom Vaughn, the motion carried unanimously.
Chief Cooper motioned to request the Budget Office to work with Stony Hill on their fund balance. After a second by Ms. Ann Suggs, the motion carried unanimously.
Fire Commission Representative to EMS Peer Review Committee
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission of the need to recommend a replacement for Chief Scottie Harris.
Upon motion of Mr. Lucius Jones, seconded by Chief Tom Vaughn, the Fire Commission unanimously voted Chief Jim Bona as the Fire Commission's representative to the EMS Peer Review Committee.
Fire Commission Representative to 800 MHZ/CAD Operations Group
Public Safety Director John Rukavina informed the Fire Commission of the 800 MHZ/CAD Operations Group. The Operations Group has a membership position for a Fire Commission representative.
Upon motion of Ms. Ann Suggs, seconded by Mr. Lucius Jones, the Fire Commission unanimously voted Chief Scott McCollum as the Fire Commission's representative.
Funding for Additional Alpha Pager Requests
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that several fire departments have requested additional alphanumeric pagers.
Upon motion of Chief Tom Vaughn, seconded by Mr. Lucius Jones, the Fire Commission unanimously voted for County staff to survey departments to see how many more are needed and to bring the quantity back to the Fire Commission in March.
Funding for Training Center Improvements
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission of the request for two training center improvements.
Upon motion of Chief Tom Vaughn, seconded by Ms. Ann Suggs, the Fire Commission unanimously voted to recommend using $9,600 to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the Wake County Fire/Rescue Training Center.
The Fire Commission did not take any action on the request for additional funding to support purchase of a mobile breathing air compressor.
Calendar Year 2005 Meeting Schedule
Raymond Echevarria distributed the calendar year 2005 meeting schedule.
Turnout Gear Committee
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that we will reconvene the turnout gear committee to draft a turnout gear purchase plan.
Review of Fire/Rescue Division 2005 Business Plan
Raymond Echevarria provided a copy of the Fire/Rescue Division 2005 Business Plan.
Committee Reports
contract committee
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that the contract committee continues its work on reviewing the fire protection contract.
Other Business
Chief Scottie Harris asked about quickest unit response inside the City of Raleigh. Chief Harris motioned for the Fire Commission to send a letter to the City of Raleigh requesting a timeline of when the quickest unit response will be implemented inside the City of Raleigh. Upon second by Mr. Lucius Jones, motioned carried unanimously. Chief Cooper requested and Fire Commission members clarified that the Fire Commission is in support of quickest appropriate unit response.
Chief Mauldin informed the Fire Commission that the Wake County Firefighters' Association has appointed a nominating committee for three open positions. The nominating committee is soliciting names of interested persons for the vacancies.
Chief Scottie Harris provided departing comments and offered his appreciation for serving on the Fire Commission.
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, March 17, 2005, at 7:00 PM.