Thursday, May 4, 2006
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, May 4, 2006, 7 p.m., in the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Ms. Suggs called the meeting to order.
The following members were present: Mr. Dewey Poole, Chief Tom Vaughan, Chief Mark Haraway, Ms. Ann Suggs, Senator Vernon Malone, Chief Scott McCollum, Mr. Billy Myrick, Mr. Michael Fletcher, Mr. Rob McGraw, Chief Rodney Privette, Mr. Lucius Jones, Chief Mike Cooper, and Chief Tony Mauldin
Members absent were: Ms. Sue-Lynn Hinson, Commissioner Harold Webb, and Chief Chris Wilson.
Mr. Billy Myrick gave an invocation.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ray Echevarria requested the agenda be revised to consider adoption of March 16, 2006, and April 13, 2006, minutes.
Chief McCollum made a motion to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Mr. Poole. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Fire Commission considered the minutes of the March 16, 2006, and April 13, 2006, meetings. The Chair asked the Fire Commission if there are any changes needed. Hearing none, the Chair declared the minutes approved as published.
REGULAR agenda
EQUIPMENT INVENTORY
Mr. Brian McFeaters of Wake County Emergency Management provided an inventory list of Emergency Management resources and provided an overview of the warehouse and its contents.
Mr. McFeaters provided a brief overview of the Wake County’s shelter operations. Shelter operations are conducted jointly between Emergency Management and Wake County Human Services. Distribution of the “POD”s (containers with shelter supplies) was discussed.
The Fire Commission requested staff to investigate a proposal to provide a POD equipped with cots, blankets, etc. in each region. Staff will bring a proposal back at the next meeting.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Mr. McFeaters provided an overview of Homeland Security Grants in Wake County. He explained how funds have been distributed through the Domestic Preparedness Task Force. Eligible equipment, training, exercises, and planning activities (for Homeland Security Grants) were outlined.
APPARATUS COMMITTEE
Chief Roof presented the apparatus committee report. The committee recommends the replacement of one of Eastern Wake Fire/Rescue’s pumper/tankers. This 1993 pumper is in need of repair; however, repair costs exceed the truck’s value. The committee desires to move the replacement of the vehicle up to the FY06 apparatus replacement cycle. Chief Cooper made a motion to approve the committee recommendation, seconded by Chief Vaughan. The motion carried unanimously.
The committee recommended that, effective May 1, 2006, fire apparatus must be purchased through the County contract to be eligible for funding, including proportional funding for municipalities. Chief Vaughan made a motion to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Jones. The motion passed unanimously.
FY 07 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION
Ben Canada provided a presentation on the FY 07 Budget Recommendation on behalf of the budget committee and staff. The presentation outlined this year’s budget process, revenue estimates, fire department requests, and recommendations.
Chief Vaughan made a motion to accept the committee recommendation. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Department representatives were given the opportunity to appeal items within the recommendation.
Chief Roof spoke regarding part-time compensation increases. Chief Roof expressed his disagreement with the recommendation to hold part-time merit increases for the FY 07 fiscal year. He requested that the Fire Commission reinstate the funding for the part-time compensation increases. Committee members explained the budget committee’s basis for the recommendation to withhold the part-time compensation increases. Chief Cooper made a motion to amend the recommended budget to provide $55,000 for part-time compensation increases from the air bottle appropriation. Mr. McGraw seconded the motion. The motion failed 4-for, 6-against.
Chief Cooper spoke regarding funding for the Durham Highway Fire Department. He spoke regarding the status of Durham Highway Station #2 and the fact that this station is still in operation. Chief Cooper requested that $45,000 for part-time salaries be provided in the budget. Discussion followed. No action was taken on this request.
Mr. Fletcher questioned the use of funds towards the Feed the Firefighters project. Clarification was made that up to $10,000 is budgeted for the project.
Being no other appeals, the Commission voted on the motion and it passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
CHAIR REPORT
No report.
FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES DIRECTOR REPORT
Ray Echevarria announced the turnout gear committee would be meeting on May 25, 2006.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 20, 2006.