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


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List of minutes

SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #2 2005 BUDGET GOAL SETTING MINUTES OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING September 21, 2004

The September 21, 2004 Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the San Juan County FPD #2 for 2005 budget goal setting was called to order by Chairman Harvey Olsan at 7:30 P.M. at the Headquarters station. The Special meeting was also attended by Commissioners Phalan and Duke, Chief Mike Harris, EMS Division Chief Garth Eimers and members of the department. The working and 2005 budget planning meeting was for general discussion and goal setting. Proper notice was posted and given.

Introduction by Chief Harris

Chief Harris provided general goals for 2005 assuming that the Fire Division will maintain the status quo pending the reports and recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee. A copy of the goals are attached and incorporated by reference.

Issues:

  1. Personnel: Emphasis on ALS contract/call-back system & lowering the response times; facilitating use of volunteers for reception and Board of Commissioner meeting secretarial responsibilities.

  2. Facilities: Upgrade stations

  3. Equipment: Improvement of radio communication; O2 tank replacement;

Much of future budget planning will be based upon strategic planning committee findings and recommendations, ie equipment needs; facilities planning;

Introduction by EMS Chief Eimers

Chief Eimers discussed his EMS Division assumptions for the 2005 budget, a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference.

These assumptions include:

  1. Level of service;

  2. Medical care on island;

  3. Equipment, replacement and maintenance

  4. Medical Control

  5. Staffing, medical care by local physicians

  6. Training, procedures and protocols, including public offerings of CPR, AED, First Aid

Strategic Planning should address issues including:

  1. Charges for EMS calls and/or transport

  2. Level of training for WMD/Emergency activities

There was general discussion of funding expectations from the County Council for EMS training purposes. Whether two-way radios for EMS personnel was a priority and would facilitate volunteer safety, prompt cancellation of responses to facilitate Paramedic availability for other call, prompt notice of patient status reports. There is a probability of Homeland Security grants monies being available. Chief Eimers suggested that our current EMT volunteer staffing is sufficient for current needs, however, there will be several slots available at Lopez Fire District EMT class for Orcas personnel.

Chief Eimers noted that both county-wide and state-wide studies are underway including issues of technology, communication dead-zones, resources, mapping. Those studies should facilitate planning.

Commissioner Phalan was advised that the rural grant information he provided to Chief Eimers was not applicable to rural fire districts.

Captain Bowden noted that incentives for cross-training of fire and EMS volunteers might be implemented. He suggested that it would help eliminate a redundancy of resources. Captain Dimich supported the purchase of additional 2-way radios only if sufficient training is implemented.

Rick Anda urged that the long range capital and facilities budgets be planned for and monies not used in annual budget be put into the reserve budget. The district will need the full revenue amount allotted annually. The current bond will expire in 2014. It was suggested that it would be helpful for budget planning to have an additional columns for 2003 actual expenditures and 2004 projected expenditures (or through September, 2004).

It was recommended that priority be given to the ALS contract. The district must remain flexible unless we know the dollars involved before budgeting for facilities and equipment.

It was not anticipated that the training needs for EMS or Fire would increase in 2005.

Overview of EMS Strategic Planning Meeting:

Commissioner Phalan provided a copy of the initial minutes form the first meeting of the EMS Strategic Planning Committee meeting, a copy of which is attached. The Commissioners approved the addition of Mike Stolmeier as a member of this committee. He sought the consensus of the Commissioners for including in their evaluation the issue of off-island transport. After discussion it was concluded that a sub-committee tasked with looking at the issues was reasonable since it was also a priority of the focus group.

The Commissioners also determined that at some point during the strategic planning committee meetings it would be beneficial to have the various committees meet jointly with other committees and all the commissioners.

Announcements:

The proposed September 28th budget planning meeting will not be held. 2005 Budget Planning Meeting - October 4, 2004 at 7:30 PM at the Deer Harbor Community Center

Adjournment:

There being no further business a motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Phalan that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 P.M. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.

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