Information for visitors to the San Juan Islands Real Estate in the San Juan Islands Businesses providing services in the San Juan Islands Items created in the San Juan Islands Classified ads Art, artists and galleries in the San Juan Islands News and information about the San Juan Islands list of news stories sports in San Juan Island letters to the editor Guide to photos obits, tax rates, weather, fire activity logs Sheriff's log for San Juan County Community news items Links to other sites Events in the San Juan Islands San Juan Islander home page

SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #2 (ORCAS ISLAND)

Related pages

List of stories about Orcas Island Fire Department

District No. 2 Information

San Juan Fire District No. 2
PO Box 217
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.2331
Fax: 360.376.4463 FAX

COMMISSIONERS

John Erly
term expires
December 2003

Harvey Olsan
term expires
December 2005

Bob Phalan
term expires
December 2007

Tell a friend about this page

Enter their
e-mail address:

Minutes of June 11, 2002 Commissioners meeting

The June 11, 2002 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the San Juan County FPD #2 was called to order by Chairman John Erly at 7:30 P.M. at the Headquarters Station located at 45 Lavender Lane. The meeting was attended by Commissioners Phalan and Olsan, Chief Bennett, Safety Officer Mark Van Maren, Battalion Chiefs Madan and Brackett, and paramedics Jim Prades and Dave Zoeller.

MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Prades that the minutes of the Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on May 14, 2002 and the Special meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on May 23, 2002 be approved as read. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve the 2002 general fund vouchers 19937-20005 in the amount of $109,176.12. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve Capital Projects invoices 02-0106 through 02-0116 for the Headquarters building project in the amount of $10,201.63. The motion was voted upon and approved.

A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve Apparatus Fund invoice 02-0010 in the amount of $33.35. The motion was voted upon and approved.

A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve the 2002 revenue vouchers 20004-20012 in the amount of $27,678.30. The motion was voted upon and approved.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  1. Barbara Bedell wrote thanking the district EMS personnel for their help and support during the recent loss of her husband, R. Bruce Bedell and donating $3500 for the purchase of a ventilator for Aid-22 and $500 for initial training for public defibrillation as well as a Sony television for educational purposes.

  2. 5/20/02 letter from Pete Spiller of the WA Fire Commissioners Association regarding the district health care program for employees. He noted there was a 150% loss during the 1st quarter of this year and that these exceptionally higher costs will have a major impact on future fire district premiums.

CHIEF and EMS SUPERVISOR REPORTS:

The Chief's monthly report was read by Chief Bennett. The EMS Division Chief report was read EMS Division Chief, Garth Eimers. Copies of the reports are attached and incorporated by reference.

Chief Bennett noted that while there was discussion of a Fire Starter Program at the county level which would provide intervention for young people with these problems , there does not yet exist the extensive community support system for an ongoing program.

Chief Bennett commented that owners of the Deer Harbor Station property do not wish to sell the property to us at this time, however the lease of the property to our district has been extended for one year.

The DNR training for the Red Card Wildland Fire Program will be ongoing. The DNR may then hire the local personnel trained which is a direct benefit to them as well as our Fire District. Six firefighters received their Red Cards after completion of the last training.

A letter of appreciation was signed by Chief Bennett and Commission Chairman John Erly expressing the appreciation of the district for the excellent contributions of David Zoeller as interim EMS Division Chief.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Station 21 Building Project: Final inspection by the county is expected on June 12th. An issue with public works exists regarding the asphalt level between the county road and driveway. Exterior painting and landscaping has been completed. A final punch list will be developed provided to the contractor.

  2. Status Report: Sale of "Old Station 21" The sale of the station is expected to close on June 13th. Chief Bennett noted that there was a septic tank failure at the station. He has spoken to 4 vendors, the lowest of which would charge $5000. With the approval of the Commissioners and after discussion with the buyer he would like approval to offer a $5000 credit to the buyer to be applied to a new septic installation.

    A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Erly to approve provision of a $5000 credit to the buyer toward a new septic system. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

  3. EMS Division Chief selection: Garth Eimers was selected by the Commissioners as the new EMS Division Chief and began his position on June 1, 2002.

  4. Fire District Open House/Dedication: Julie Remington has finalized plans for the Open House/Dedication on June 15 commencing at 1:30 P.M. Invitations have been sent, an announcement place in the newspaper and bulletins placed in the community. There will be a series of short speeches followed by the band, tours of the station and refreshments.

  5. Commissioner stipend for District Service: Chief Bennett has spoken with the WA Fire Commissioners Association regarding payment of stipend to Commissioners for travel days for district related events or training. The Commissioners Association is reviewing the matter with the State Auditor. The issue has been tabled until the July meeting of the Board.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Employee Disability Insurance: Chief Bennett and David Zoeller presented data on the costs for the long and short term disability policy which six employees are currently paying for themselves through the Paramedic Union. It was noted no long term disability plan is currently available through the county and the short term disability plan cost exceeds the costs for the combined plan offered through the Paramedic Union. The paramedics would like these costs to be considered as part of the benefits plan for district employees. The Commissioners agreed to table the discussion until the July meeting of the Board.

  2. Policy 44 re: Reimbursement for Wildland Firefighter Boots: A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to approve the reimbursement policy for Wildland Firefighter Boots. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

  3. Policy 42 re: Meeting Room: A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to approve the Meeting Room Policy with the addition of a sign-up list including a checklist to be completed after the use of the facility. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

  4. Resolution 2002-4 and Policy 43 re: Newborn Infant Transfer: A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to adopt Resolution 2202-4 with attached Policy 43 establishing policy and procedures to implement the Newborn Infant Transfer/ESSB5236. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously. In-service to qualify personnel who may accept an infant will be required as well as formulation of the materials to comply with the law including information on adoption options, counseling, appropriate medical and emotional aftercare services, domestic violence, and legal rights.

  5. Station Equipment Needs: Chief Bennett noted there are additional items not budgeted. but needed for the new facility. He requested that the Commissioners direct him to either delay these purchase or reconfigure budget to purchase these items this calendar year.

The items include:

  1. floor buffer

  2. vacuum

  3. (4) additional telephone sets

  4. irrigation for landscaping (estimate of whole price for the fixtures was $1465 not including a back-flow valve in the amount of $300-400.)
    The Chief was authorized to proceed with these purchases.

    EXECUTIVE SESSION:
    An executive session was held pursuant to RCW 42.30.140 dealing with the paramedic contract negotiations. The session began at 8:50 P.M. and resumed at 9:05 P.M.. No decisions were made.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    July 9, 2002 7:30 P.M. Meeting of the Board of Commissioners

    ADJOURNMENT:
    A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Erly that the meeting be adjourned at 9:10 P.M

    COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

    Name:
    E-mail address:  
    Message:
    Please post my comments on San Juan Islander:
    YES
    NO