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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-99 · Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Advisory Board of the City and Township of St. Joseph met in regular session on Wednesday, May 5, 1999 at 8:00 p,m, in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. Members Present: St. Joseph Township Representative Joe Bechtold; City of St. Joseph Representative Bob Loso; Fire Chief Dave Theisen; St. Wendel Township Representative Richard Schleper; Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Steve Schirber, Tom Lowell Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of February 10, 1999 as presented; seconded by Bechtold and passed unanimously by those present. Financial Statement: Weyrens presented the 1 st Quarter Financial Statement for the St. Joseph Fire Fund. After reviewing the statement Bechtold made a motion to accept the 1 st Quarter Financial Statement as presented; seconded by Loso, Ayes: Theisen, Bechtold, Loso Nays: None Motion Carried 3:0:0 Old Business Theisen reported on the following Old Business: 0 The seven firefighters enrolled in Fire Fighter II Training have all successfully completed the · training. 0 The Fire Department is in receipt of the I.S.G, Motion Device 0 The window which was cracked in the dispatch area as been repaired at a cost of $ 120.00. New Business Grants Received: Theisen reported that the Fire Department received the following grants: 1, Burlington Northern Sante Fe -- $ 1,000,00, Iris Helmet Fund. 2. Steams Cooperative Electric -- $ 500.00, Iris Helmet Fund Tanker: Theisen stated the Fire Department is in receipt of the new tanker truck. The truck committee is not happy with the color of the tanker and has discussed the problem with the salesperson. While the salesperson has agreed to pay for a portion of the repainting, the manufacturer does not recommend repainting the truck. The Board agreed to not pursue the repainting of the Fire Truck, but encouraged the Truck Committee to meet with company representatives to see if they would adjust the final price for the tanker due to the color not meeting our satisfaction. Theisen discussed the need to install tow hooks on the new tanker. The hooks that are provided are insufficient as they are not attached to the frame of the truck. The Board agreed to discuss this matter at the next meeting. Further, if the truck is not ready for service it should not be part of the active fleet. Computer Software: Tom Lowell approached the Board regarding Firehouse Software, Lowell stated the Department is required to record drill and fire time, Currently all the record keeping is manual and must be transferred to state reporting forms, Firehouse Software is a computerized tracking program for · fire departments. The program manipulates the data to complete the State Reporting Forms which can then be transmitted to the State, The State is requesting that all information be transmitted electronically. ~ Theisen stated the total cost of the software is $ 3,185.00. At this time only $ 500,00 has been budgeted for software, Loso made a motion authorizing the purchase of the Firehouse Software as requested and to transfer $ 3,000 from the Iris Helmet Fund to fund the purchase and installation. Bechtold seconded the motion. Ayes: Theisen, Bechtold, Loso Nays: None Motion Carried 3:0:0 1972 Tanker: Theisen questioned the Board if the Department can keep the 1972 tanker as the new tanker is larger and cannot be manipulated in certain areas. Further, if the Tanker is sold as surplus property, the City will not receive much for the truck. Theisen stated that only cost of keeping the truck would be maintenance and insurance, Bechtold stated it was his understanding the Fire Department needed to purchase the new tanker as the existing tanker was costly to maintain. Bechtold further questioned what determines which tanker is used for a fire call. Theisen stated that both trucks would respond to a fire call. The additional water supply will be useful in fighting fires. In addition, the ability to carry more water may decrease the ISO rating. The Board generally agreed to keep the 1972 Tanker until the cost of repairs out weights the benefit to the Fire District. Further, any major repairs must receive prior approval of the Board. Safe House Storage: Theisen reported the Central Minnesota Builders Association is building a Safe House for the Central MN Mutual Aid Association (CMMAA), The Safe House is a training device to educate children what to do in the event of a fire. CMMAA will own and operate the Safe House and provide insurance through annual dues. At this time the CMMAA is looking for a place to store the . House. Theisen questioned if the Safe House could be stored at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall in the empty bay. Loso stated he does not support storing the Safe House. Bechtold expressed concern that if the Fire Hall is used for storage the Department will lose the ability to maneuver equipment. Further it was his understanding the additional bay was constructed for the future, He does not want to be in a position where the Fire Facility is at capacity and looking for expansion, Bechtold also questioned how big the Fire Department wants to be. Theisen stated that the CMMAA has discussed rotating the storage among Departments that have space. Also, the Fire Department has not yet discussed this matter and it is anticipated that they will vote on the matter at an upcoming meeting. Bechtold made a motion to store the Safe House for a one-year temporary term; seconded by Theisen. Ayes: Bechtold, Theisen Nays: None, Motion Carried 2: 1:0 Membership: Theisen reported the following individuals have been appointed as firefighters: Wayne Revering - Previously served on the New Munich Fire Department and has completed necessary fire training. Revering lives in Clinton Village. Paul Philips - Lives on 95th Avenue Kirk Kreckleberg: Lives in St. Wendel Township. Miscellaneous Items . Firefighter Incident: Theisen reported that the Fire Department had a firefighter respond to a fire call when he appeared to be intoxicated, The matter has been discussed with the individual who admitted that - he had been drinking prior to responding to an emergency call, Theisen stated that the situation was reviewed by the Investigating Committee who recommended a strong letter of reprimand. Board Members discussed the liability of such an incident and the stated City and Township will not tolerate such behavior. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the Board requested that the firefighter involved be required to submit to an alcohol/chemical dependency evaluation, The evaluation will be paid by the Fire District. Further, the City Attorney should be contacted as to the procedure that needs to be followed, Firefighter Qualifications: Theisen reported that the Bylaws of the Fire Department require that all new firefighters complete the necessary training to be State Certified, Certification requires completion of First Responder training and Firefighter 1. At this time one of the new members has not completed the Firefighter I training. The individual has taken the test but has not received a passing score. Theisen is informing the Board that the individual may challenge the requirement. Maintenance/Cleaning - Fire Hall: Theisen stated that he contacted a cleaning service to receive quotes on cleaning the fire hall, The Fire Hall is beginning to show signs of wear and needs to have extensive cleaning (i,e.: walls, windows, floors), Theisen stated that he could hire a cleaning company to clean the facility for $ 15,00 per hour. As an alternative, Theisen stated that he and Mary routinely check the Fire Hall and would be willing to clean the Fire Hall as needed for $ 10,00 per hour, Bechtold made a motion to hire Dave and Mary Theisen for routine cleaning at $ 10,00 per hour and to receive competitive quotes for the annual cleaning; seconded by Loso, Ayes: Theisen, Bechtold, Loso . Nays: None Motion Carried 3:0:0 Adiourn: Bechtold made a motion to adjourn at 10:00 p.m,; seconded by Loso, Ayes: Theisen, Bechtold, Loso Nays: None Motion Carried 3:0:0 0 ~y ~y~ Judy Weyrens Deputy Clerk .