SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #2
MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
July 8, 2003
The July 8, 2003 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 Eastsound Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Commissioners Olsan, and Phalan, Chief Gary Bennett, and EMS Division Chief Eimers.
MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan that the following minutes be approved as read. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
6/10/03- Regular Board Meeting
6/25/03- Special Board Meeting- Executive session only- personnel issue under
RCW 42.30.110 (8)
FINANCIAL REPORTS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to approve the 2003 General Fund vouchers 20993-21075 in the amount of $82,761.41. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously. Commissioner Olsan noted that the medical reimbursement to volunteers included in these vouchers totaled approximately $7,781.
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve the Revenue Fund vouchers 21075-21080 in the amount of $1,192.12. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE:
There was no correspondence.
CHIEF AND EMS SUPERVISOR REPORTS
The monthly reports by EMS Division Chief Eimers and District Chief Bennett were read. Copies of the reports are attached and incorporated by reference.
Chief Bennett noted that during the leave of absence of the Captain at Station 25 that station's volunteers would drill with Station 23.
The Chief thanked the volunteers who patrolled during the downtown Eastsound fireworks which improved safety at the waterfront park. The volunteers also participated in traffic control.
The Commissioners and Chief commented on the success of the dance held by the volunteer organization on July 5th. The Chief noted there were approximately 320 tickets sold, the crowd was well behaved no negative incidents and some young people stayed after the festivities to clean up.
Of the four fires over the weekend, three were fireworks related. There were also several false alarms and calls for smoke investigation.
Chief Bennett noted that Pierrette Guimond and Leith Templin have spent a number of hours weeding the station grounds. Pierrette is arranging a volunteer group to do monthly weeding.
EMS Division Chief Garth Eimers noted there was no car seat activity in June.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was public approval of the success of the Volunteer dance.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. AED Status: All the AED's have been issued. One family of three volunteers have only 2 AED's which they share. Two outside agencies have made AED purchases and we have received one letter of intent. He will continue to accept orders through July.
2. Strategic Planning Proposals: See attached recommendation by Chief Bennett following his check of the references. He noted that while the Emergency Services Consulting Inc. ("ESC,Inc.") was the more expensive of the two proposals, they could complete the process in 90 days and had excellent references. The item was not budgeted but he was hopeful that the funds could be found in the budget without a budget adjustment.
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to issue a contract for ESC, Inc. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
3. Rosario Water and Sewer: Station 23: Chief Bennett submitted a memorandum which is attached and incorporated by reference. The Chief has conferred with the District's attorney and noted that we are responsible for the water charges. Rosario has offered to donate the $7100 in sewer charges if we pay the back monthly water charges of $2783.60 and future monthly base charge of $29.75 plus usage and surcharge of $22.00 until February 2007. He suggested that the Commissioners should consider the future potential use of Station 23 as a residential station in making their decision. The station could be adapted for that use. That area is in need of more volunteers and the potential residential; component might help resolve the staffing problem.
Commissioner Phalan opposed the offer by Rosario since we rarely use water at that station and the cost is so high compared with Eastsound Water. The Commissioners requested that the Chief get substantial proof of whom at Rosario Utilities, LLC is authorized legally to negotiate. His discussions have been with Tom Juliano, manager of Rosario Resort and Chris Vierthaler employed by Rosario Utilities.
The issue will be tabled until the August meeting of the Board.
4. Department of Licensing background checks: Chief Bennett reported that the majority of the authorizations have been executed by the volunteers and were sent to our Insurance carrier for processing.
5. Duplication of Agency Tasks: Chief Bennett spoke with both the Fire Marshal and the Sheriff, neither of whom supports paying for the training of an additional Arson Investigator. The Chief expects to receive letters to that effect shortly. He noted, however, there is an inter-local agreement dated 12/20/95 with the County for provision each party to provide… " a qualified representative to a body to be known as the San Juan County Fie Investigation Task Force" See Paragraph II, 1 of the Investigation Task Force Inter-local Agreement. Chief Bennett noted that the Fire Marshal was one of the parties to execute the agreement, that the Agreement is voluntary, that Lopez did not supply an arson investigator and that the situation has changed since 1995 with the hiring of Rick Galer as the full time County Fire Marshal.
The matter was deferred to the August meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
6. Volunteer Physicals: The NFPA Standard 1582 recommends regular physicals, based upon age and establishes standards for the physical.. Commissioner Phalan noted that both the Friday Harbor Fire District and San Juan Fire District #3 already provide the physicals. There was initial resistance by some of the volunteers. Chief Bennett suggested that all new volunteers be required to follow the directive on this issue. He suggested that we select the doctor, determine what the examination consists of and the frequency.
Chief Bennett noted there would be substantial cost to implementation and there is no mandate at this time. The key language would be a policy that is prudent and responsible. It would have to be determined if a different standard would be set for EMT's. Most state districts do not have a stand alone EMS Division. The "Standard" would require an annual EKG for those 40 and older.
EMS Division Chief Eimers commented that the Fire Standard is specific with emphasis on cardiac and respiratory health. The Orcas Medical Clinic would do the physicals for $235. The San Juan Island charges for the physical are $190. Implications include:
a. Scheduling of tests prior to meeting with doctor
b. Some volunteers may want a different physician to do the exam
c. EMT's do not require as stringent a physical, though we currently require an initial respiratory test for them
He recommends beginning any new policy regarding physicals with all new volunteers. He also noted that the physician's report to our district would state "fit" or "not fit"-with no other substantial detail.
Chief Bennett noted that due to the age of our volunteers the costs for firefighters alone would be over $12,000 annually. He suggested that the physicals would probably be mandated by our insurance carrier within 2-3 years. He is in favor of the policy, but the specifics would need to be worked out. He would begin by providing physicals for all new recruits and phase in other volunteers.
Commissioner Olsan suggested that the option of bringing in physicians to do the exams might be an alternative to lowering costs.
This item should be addressed with other budgetary considerations.
7. Medical Control for EMS Division: Garth Eimers summarized the current status which includes a contract with Island Hospital for the provision of on-line medical control with physicians available 24/7 (except under limited conditions) to see patients. With insufficient physicians to provide on-island contract it would most likely affect those patients who require a local physician's service to determine their disposition. It would not greatly impact those emergencies which require transport nor those that do not require a physician's evaluation. According to Chief Eimers the medical control function can be back filled by emergency room doctors at the hospital. There is one 24 hour "hole" in the schedule this week. Coverage is ordinarily done by the current doctors and locums. Island Hospital has been recruiting for a full time physician which will relieve the scheduling problems.
Note:
Commissioner Phalan noted he was mistaken regarding the benefits of the Administrative Assistant. The position has pro-rated benefits for sick leave (6.4 per month), holidays (6.4 hours) and vacation (19 days at 6.4 hours per day)(corrected by Board Secretary). Medical and Dental coverage is paid in full by the district.
Mr. Phalan requested that Max provide information for each meeting on her activities which could be incorporated in the Chief's report.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Wildland Fire Inter-local Agreement with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Chief Bennett reported that the agreement is not a mandate but on an "if available" basis.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Erly to approve the Wildland Fire Inter-local Agreement with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
2. Class B Foam: Chief Bennett reported that the District does not have enough foam on hand to control a fire at the Orcas Fuel Dock. The additional cost will be approximately $2700 which was not budgeted. The foam does have a shelf life. The Commissioner's concurred with the purchase and that item will be reflected in line item 522-20-31.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Paramedic Mike Damoth asked whether the district deducts from its payment on the Medical Control Contract for "holes". EMS Chief Eimers noted that the contract allows for emergency situations with no reduction in fees paid.
In response to a question from Pierrette Guimond, Chief Bennett noted that he prefers to stay within budget and is always hesitant to request a budget amendment.
Clyde Duke noted that the implementation of increasing mandates and requirements pose significant financial costs to the Fire District as well as private businesses. He endorsed the idea of the physicals.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The August meeting of the Fire District Board of Commissioners was re-scheduled from August 12 to Thursday August 7th at 5:30 P.M.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
An executive session was called at 8:40 P.M. for discussion about the paramedic contract issue pursuant to RCW 42.30.140 (4). It was expected to last 15 minutes. The regular meeting resumed at 8:45 P.M. Chairman Erly noted that no decisions had been made during the session.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
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