Thursday, November 15, 2007
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, November 15, 2007, 7 p.m., in the Wake County EMS Training Facility, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Ms. Ann Suggs called the meeting to order.
The following members were present: Ms. Ann Suggs, Mr. Billy Myrick, Chief Tom Vaughan, Chief Mike Cooper, Mr. Lucius Jones, Mr. Bill Gatewood, Chief Tony Mauldin, Chief Rodney Privette, and Chief Scott McCollum.
Members absent were: Chief Mark Haraway, Chief Cecil Parker, Mr. Michael Fletcher, Mr. Wayne Sherrod, Chief Chris Wilson, Commissioner Paul Coble, and Senator Vernon Malone.
Mr. Myrick gave an invocation.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Mr. Gatewood. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Being no changes to the minutes of September 20, 2007, those minutes stood approved as presented.
REGULAR AGENDA
County interest in new or substantially-renovated fire stations
John Rukavina presented a report on the County’s interest in owning new or substantially renovated fire stations. Mr. Rukavina provided a history of ownership of fire stations constructed by the County, specifically Fuquay-Varina Fire Station #3 (Willow Springs fire station) and Stony Hill Fire Station #1. Cheryl Spivey, representing the Finance Department of Wake County, and Wake County Attorney Scott Warren provided additional information. Ms. Spivey explained that the County can obtain the lowest financing rates provided the County owns the property. She explained to obtain the best deal for the Bay Leaf project, Wake County would need to own the building and either own the land or have a lease covering the duration of the mortgage. Mr. Warren explained that the County’s current policy is that the County own property it constructs and there is no compelling reason to change this policy.
The Fire Commission had much discussion about the definition of a substantially renovated building and whether property ownership was necessary for the County to own a building.
After discussion, Chief Vaughan made a motion to endorse the findings of the County Attorney and the Finance Department and that when a new building or expenditure of more than 50% of the value of the building is spent, that Wake County own the building and land. Mr. Myrick seconded the motion. After much discussion, Chief Vaughan withdrew the motion so that legal staff could return at the January meeting with a proposal.
Staffing committee recommendation
Chief Roof presented the Staffing Committee’s recommended Staffing Improvement Plan. The presentation included the Committee’s long range staffing plan based on the Committee’s findings and conclusions and coordination with the budget committee. The plan provides four people at each fire station over a three-year period. The Committee evaluated several alternative plans to allocate new positions over the three-year period. The Staffing Committee recommended the Fire Commission adopt the three-year plan for four firefighters per department first year and include the staffing recommendations in Long Range Business Plan.
Discussion followed regarding differences between this recommendation and the alternate plan to provide 3 firefighters per station the first year.
Chief Cooper made a motion to accept the staffing committee’s recommendation as presented. Chief McCollum seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 5–yes and 1- no.
Facility committee
Chief Brinson presented the Facility Committee’s report on Heery projects, prototype station design, and dormitory study. The committee requested the Fire Commission give approval to the dormitory construction project. A report was given on progress of the Southeastern Wake County Fire Station. Chief Brinson also informed the Fire Commission of the Facility Committee strategic plan that outlines future fire station needs based on population projections. In addition to the Southeastern Wake County fire station, the Committee recommends land acquisition for a fire station in the Wendell Falls area prior to 2015. The Committee also identified stations to be evaluated for possible closure. These stations are to be evaluated for potential closures at the rate of one evaluation per year over the next several years. The stations identified for evaluation are Bay Leaf Station 3, Falls, Wake-New Hope 1, Western Wake 1, and Eastern Wake 2. Much discussion followed on the ranking of fire stations to be evaluated. The Fire Commission asked the Facility Committee to develop criteria for adding fire stations to the list for closure evaluation. Chief Brinson also reported on a request for fire station renovation and repair from Hopkins Fire Department.
Chief Brinson informed the Fire Commission on the results of building and septic system evaluations at Bay Leaf Fire Station #1. A Wake County building inspector has determined there are no immediate life safety hazards at the fire station. Additionally, an inspection of the septic system by Wake County Environmental Services concluded the septic system has not failed but also cannot be expanded for additional staff.
Chief McCollum made a motion, seconded by Chief Mauldin, to accept the recommendation to approve the Dormitory Project. The motion passed unanimously.
CAD/800 mhz committee recommendation-standardized radio identification system
Chief McCollum presented a report from the CAD/800 MHZ Committee on a standardized radio identification system. Chief McCollum reported the Committee identified several issues including the use of different identification systems, lack of consistency among departments, duplication of unit numbers/names, confusion with other agencies, lack of expandability, and confusion associated with County-provided station numbers. The committee provided several recommendations, including working towards establishing a countywide system that includes all fire departments and has room for future growth. The Committee recommended the Fire Commission support Wake Forest’s request to renumber the department’s apparatus.
John Rukavina asked, on behalf of the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communication Center, that any action regarding Wake Forest be tabled until the January meeting to allow them to further explore the issue.
Chief McCollum made a motion that Wake Forest work with the ECC to resolve any issues and implement as these parties agreed. Chief Cooper seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Cary Fire Department contract for cary suburban fire district
Ray Echevarria presented a draft list of items to be included in the contract to be negotiated with Cary Fire Department for serving the Cary Suburban Fire District. The list of items were explained and discussed.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Fire/Rescue Services Director report
Ray reported that Wayne Sherrod informed him that the Wake County Firefighter’s Association has elected a new president, Bryan Lane, from Bay Leaf Fire Department. Ray advised that he would be processing the request to the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners to have Mr. Lane appointed to the Commission.
Chair report
Ms. Suggs asked that the Fire Commission’s attendance policy be reviewed. Ray reviewed the current policy for attendance, as set forth by the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Suggs asked that members with low attendance be contacted.
Other business
None.
Public comments
Dewey Poole explained that as a result of Eastern Wake 2’s addition to the possible facility closure list, he met with Chief Gupton to explain why this action was taken. Mr. Poole distributed the criteria for evaluating fire station closure.
Chief Privette asked for clarification regarding EMS renumbering. Jon Olson informed the Fire Commission of the EMS renumbering system.
Much discussion followed regarding emergency response units having the same radio identification numbers.
Ann requested that Ray research reassembling Fire Commission notebooks for members.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, January 17, 2008.