NEWBERRY COUNTY
BOARD OF RURAL FIRE CONTROL
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Rural Fire Control was held at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, September 9, 2003 in the Emergency Operations Center of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
The following members were present: John Pollard, Andy Ackerman, Carol Thomas, Donald Wicker, Bobby Pollard, Todd Griffith, Lewis Lee, Brian Fulmer, Tony Johnson and Bob Snelgrove.
Also present Ranger Bruce Ballentine and George Wedaman (Station-Pomaria).
Chairman John Pollard called the meeting to order.
The Minutes of the September 9, 2003 meeting were reviewed.
Member B. Pollard wanted it stated in the Minutes the he voted against the recommendations for placement of pumpers in the September monthly meeting.
Vice-Chairman Ackerman then made a motion to accept minutes as presented. Member Lee seconded and the motion was approved.
Bruce Ballentine wanted all the National State Forestry Surveys to be turned in to Public Safety.
Assistant Chief George Wedaman stated that Station 4 (Pomaria) is having problems with the Peak sub-station. He advised that they are not following the guideline properly in establishing a sub-station. Problems such as not having 10 member requirements, naming there own Chiefs and Asst-Chiefs, changing the building plans. Member Griffith also pointed out that the start up check that they receive was made out to the Town of Peak and not to Station 4 (Pomaria).
Member Lee made a motion for Chairman Pollard to send a letter to County Council about the guidelines that the Peak sub-station are not following. Member Griffith seconded. The motion passed with all in favor.
The Agenda was adopted as presented.
Chairman read letter from Newberry County Sheriff’s Office in ref to the problems they are having with the equipment in their Commutations Department.
Chairman also read a letter form the State Firemen’s Association in ref to the information sheet for Centennial Publication. If any member wants information printed in the publication they need to fill out information sheets as soon as possible.
Chairman advised he met with Burgess Fire in reference to water trucks. They have signed off on final drawings; the trucks should be ready by the latter part of February or around the first part of March 2004. Chairman also stated that Burgess Fire will no longer be in business; but they will be responsible for our trucks. Chairman wanted to know if the Board wanted Burgess Fire to provide the warranty or Central State Fire Apparatus.
Chairman read a letter from Bill Heard Chevrolet reference to the 6 pumpers from Crimson Fire. He state the trucks will be delayed due to modifications to chassis. The first truck will be delivered in November and the others will come in December. Chairman wanted to know if the Board wanted the 1st truck delivered in November or wait till all are finished in December.
Member Griffith made a motion for the 1st truck be delivered in November and waited till the others are finished in December. Member Lee seconded with all in favor except Vice Chairman Ackerman. The motion was open for discussion. Vice-Chairman Ackerman thinks the Board should wait until December to receive all the trucks so they could be tested a one time. Member B. Pollard wanted to know what station would receive the new truck. He was advised that it would be Station 6 (Little Mountain) truck.
The motion passed.
Chairman read memo from Sheriff Foster in reference to Homeland Security Grant stating that they have received money from this grant. Part of the money is to be used to purchase portable communications for fire and rescue. There is probably just enough money to purchase one per station. Sheriff Foster needed to know what the BRFC wanted to do. They had three options:
1. Purchase fire only VHF walkie-talkies.
2. Purchase law enforcement UHF walkie-talkies for each station.
3. Purchase dual channel UHF/VHF walkie-talkies for each station, if available.
Vice-Chairman Ackerman made a motion to purchase the dual channel UHF/VHF walkie-talkie and it goes to the Chief of each station, and the seconded choice is to purchase the VHF walkie-talkie. Member B. Pollard seconded the motion with all in favor. The motion passed.
ISO: The ISO Committee reported that they needed information from the ISO list to be returned.
Building and Maintenance: Station 11 (St. Philips) is up and functioning.
Communications: Nothing to report.
Training Ground: The Industrial Park is not a good location for a new training ground location. Another location is Cockrell Drive where the Newberry Gun Club has property that can be leased. Member Lee was unsure is this was a good lactation because of the old landfill.
A motion was made, seconded and passed to go to Executive Session for consideration of personnel matters.
Applications for membership were discussed.
Member Wicker moved and Member Griffith seconded a motion to withdraw from Executive Session. The motion passed.
Chairman Pollard said that he had no further comments.
Member Thomas-Station 3 (Whitmire) stated they have a portable burn house and anyone could borrow it if they wanted to.
Member Wicker-Station 6 (Little Mountain) stated that siren and the air conditioning needed hooking up.
Member Johnson-Station 10 (Chappells) stated the siren was fixed at their station.
Regular Board meeting: Tuesday, November 11, 2003.
Lewis Lee made a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Pollard declared the meeting adjourned.
_______________________________
Zenda McClurkin, Recorder
________________________________
Larry O. Koon, Secretary