Minutes of Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority Meeting

May 16, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with The Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: Board Members Present: Clark, Husby, Adams, Hazen, Crego, and Morris.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Clark reported on a meeting held with TriCounty, 911, Eaton County Dispatch, Deb Adams, Steve Fabiano, John Clark, and Dave Morris to discuss emergency dispatch. The resolution of the meeting was that 911 calls the shots, and that they will dispatch the ambulance closest to the scene of an accident or other emergency. Eagle, who is contracting with Grand Ledge, would have Grand Ledge ambulance as first to respond and Watertown is contracted with Mercy so Mercy would be summoned first.

2. A letter of May 2006 from Fabiano requesting automatic mutual aid from Grand Ledge and Delta was addressed. Mr. Fyvie from Clinton County dispatch told Clark that he thought LGRFA could have a problem because the correspondence directs central dispatch to notify Delta Township and Grand Ledge. Clark and Fabiano have agreed that other departments should be included, so the closest department to the incident with the proper equipment would aid LGRFA. Husby responded that she had recent questions from Watertown residents and was asked if there was a fire in the northeast corner, if DeWitt would respond. Husby had told them yes, but wanted to clarify. Fabiano stated that there is a signed mutual aid agreement, which is a response when asked for. If there were more departments in the county were involved in automatic mutual aid, it would be more helpful to 911. Mr. Fyvie has tried to get chiefs in other departments to go along with this. Crego stated that he went to the Dewitt area fire board meeting because some people were discussing the house fire on Howe Rd. When the call went through on 911, the fire fighters heard it and went to their station to wait for a call, which didn’t come until later. When they arrived, Delta and Grand Ledge were already there. Crego stated that the people at the meeting were a little hostile about it. Fabiano stated that Delta and Grand Ledge were sent automatically because it is set up that way. They probably got to the fire and then called for DeWitt Township and the City of DeWitt.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Motion by Crego, seconded by Hazen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Adams, seconded by Morris to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2007 as presented. Motion passed.

APPPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Adams, seconded by Crego to approve the bills that were submitted through May 11, 2007. Motion passed.

REPORTS:

Chief’s Report

1. Fabiano commented that they responded to 37 calls in April, including 27 medical calls, 6 vehicle accidents and 10 fire calls. 29 runs were for Eagle Twp. and 22 were for Watertown Twp.

2. The rescue truck is back in service, with everything working fine. The final cost was $900.00, not $1900.00 thanks to John Clark.

3. Fabiano showed the sign samples from Signs By Lenny. Hazen had asked about getting bigger signs on the fire trucks. The larger signs would cost $1000.00 for all 4 trucks. It was requested that the website not be on the signs. Motion by Morris, seconded by Hazen to have Fabiano proceed with implementing the signs on the trucks. Motion passed. Motion amended by Hazen, seconded by Husby to remove the website from the signage. Motion passed.

4. Fabiano stated that there was extrication training at LGRFA, including the whole department. There is a Mass Casualty Incident training coming up next month at the National Guard Armory depicting a multiple helicopter crash. There will be multiple agencies attending.

Chair’s Report

1. Financial Review-Clark commented that they are right where they should

be, with all of the insurances paid in full.

2. Update on traffic light-Clark has spoken with Tim from the Road Commission. The Road Commission has the plans and specifications done for the stop light, and sent it out for bids. It will probably be done around the first two weeks of June. The Road Commission is looking for grant money on this. Watertown Trustee Weitzel asked about Flying J getting involved to which Clark responded that they have declined.

3. Update on rank structure-Clark stated that Fabiano and he will finalize promotions and rank to present a report at the next meeting.

4. Update on medical reimbursements-The new insurance has a $500.00 limit on immunizations. There is a case with an employee and their newborn with the immunizations costing between $600 - $700.00. The limit has been exceeded, so BCBS will not honor it. Clark and the agent spoke and the agent volunteered to pay the difference as it was unknown that the coverage was different from the previous plan. The prior insurance covered all immunizations, and LGRFA specified that the new policy be similar to the old one; this $500.00 limit clause was overlooked. In the union contract, LGRFA is to provide this coverage, so it has to be paid for. LGRFA will pay the immunization costs.

5. Bookkeeping RFP-a recommendation will be presented at the next meeting.

Budget Committee Report-Clark stated the goal is to meet 3-4 times during the year to review the budget and recommend line item transfers. The Budget Committee is recommending that there be three line item transfers per the transfer sheet. Motion by Morris and seconded by Hazen to proceed with the transfers as recommended. Motion passed.

Personnel Committee-Hazen doesn’t think it is fair to eliminate the sentence in the Chief’s contract that says “all unused time to be paid upon separation.” She thinks they should leave 120 hours, 3 days vacation, 3 days personal, and 12 hours as is, because that is the same as is in the union contract. Hazen will take this back to the personnel committee.

PENDING BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion/action on budget line item amendments – Completed.

2. Discussion/Action on new firefighter-Fabiano recommends promoting Firefighter/EMT Specialist Doug Carr to position of full time paramedic/firefighter with a stipulation. He is in paramedic school with clinical time to do as well as take the National Registry test. He has been with the department since January, 2003, in fire service for 13 years, has firefighter 1 and 2, Hazmat operations, and lives on Howe Rd. in Danby Township. Fabiano feels that Doug is very dedicated and motivated. It will not be a stepping stone for him, as he has turned down offers at other departments to stay with LGRFA. There is a lot of support from the department for Doug Carr. Motion by Crego and seconded by Morris to hire Doug Carr as the fourth full time firefighter under the condition that he passes the National Registry test and meets all of the requirements within the next 90 days. Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Weitzel asked who makes the dispatching decision. Clark responded that it is 911 or Central Dispatch which are the same.

Weitzel commented that when Skerritt was on LGRFA, Clark commented that he would not vote on non-agenda items, and under Chief’s report there was a spending motion.

Patti Schaefer stated that the audit is in progress, with a draft expected by May 24^th.

Husby commented that Watertown is holding a Memorial Day Parade with line up about 10:00 a.m. the 26^th at the Township Hall.

Husby has been to two seminars recently on record retention and record keeping. The State of Michigan has stepped up instructions and directions on how records should be kept because the archives are loaded and they want everyone to retain permanent records on site. There are new state documents on record storing, etc. She is asking the Watertown public safety committee to create a disaster plan and has asked Steve to participate and will forward information to him.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Morris, seconded by Hazen to adjourn the

meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

______________________ ________________________________

Date Approved Jean Husby, Secretary