January 14, 2003

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Rural Fire Control was held at 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday January 14, 2003 in the Emergency Operations Center of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.

The following members were present: John Pollard, Andy Ackerman, Larry Koon, Donald Wicker, Bobby Pollard, Todd Griffith, Lewis Lee, Brian Fulmer, Tony Johnson and Bob Snelgrove.

Also present were: Councilman John Dawkins, Johnny Cumalander, Rodney Bedenbaugh and Aubrey Horne.

OPENING OF MEETING

Chairman Pollard called the meeting to order.

The Minutes of the December 10, 2002 meeting were reviewed. Member Lee made a motion to accept minutes as presented. Member Griffith seconded and the motion was approved.

PERSONAL APPERENCES AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Debbie Thomas and Teresa Halfacre of the American Red Cross passed out some literature and discussed assisting the Fire Service and victims of fires. They also gave out some telephone numbers to call when they are needed but it was decided to go through dispatch when Red Cross Assistance is needed.

ADDITION, DELETIONS AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA

The Agenda was then adopted with the addition of comments from Councilmen John Dawkins.

BUSINESS MEETING

Old Business:

Chairman Pollard reported on Engine 60. It is still not repaired. He presented a sheet outlining things that were recommended by Slagle to complete repairs. The cost is now around $16, 000. A motion was made by Member Ackerman and seconded by Member Lee that Item2-Tank level sender-and item 3-Relief valve-be repaired by Slagle and the truck be returned to us. The motion was passed.

There was then some discussion by Member Johnson about Dry Hydrants. Chairman Pollard told him that he would check on repairs to one.

New Business:

Member Koon made a motion to allow the dual use of pagers and radios for emergency workers with memberships in the Fire Service and Rescue Service. Member Lee seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Member Wicker wanted to know how to get the Little Mountain Tower moved and he was told to get some price quotes for the next budget.

Member Snelgrove pointed that the F.D. Wilson Company was having too man false alarm calls. We discussed it and planed to check to see if there was any ordinance on the number of calls.

It was asked how to get Class E driver license for new drivers. We decided that we would have to meet DMV requirements and it would be proper to go to the location necessary to obtain the license.

Councilman Dawkins was then asked about gas credit cards for the vehicles. He reported that Council was looking into it.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ISO: The ISO Committee reported that they were gathering information for an ISO inspection. Member Fulmer reported that he was still working on ID cards.

Building and Maintenance: No report.

Truck and Equipment: Member Wicker reported that some changes on the disc for Pumper Bids had to be made and they would be ready. The Tanker Bids have been compiled but they need to be typed. As soon as this is done Chairman Pollard will call a special meeting to consider bids.

Communications: The Communications committee asked for input, as how we should sigh on in vehicles. Were we to use Mobile numbers or Engine, Pumper or Tanker? A motion was made by Member Koon and seconded by Member Griffith to use Engine number, Tanker number or Truck number. The motion passed.

Training Ground: No report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made to go to Executive Session by Member Wicker, seconded by Member Griffith for consideration of personnel matters. The motion passed.

Applications for membership were discussed.

Member Griffith moved and Member Snelgrove seconded a motion to withdraw fro Executive Session. The motion passed.

Continuing Old Business: After returning to regular session a motion was made by Member Griffith and seconded by Member Snelgrove to accept as a new member William Brandon Kern of Station 11. The motion passed.

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Chairman Pollard thanked all for the cooperation during the past year.

COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Member Griffith passed some information on obtaining grants and said he would help any station wanting to apply for a grant.

Member Koon displayed and discussed the Fire Service Area Map.

Member Snelgrove said that Tanker 111 needs an electronic siren. He was instructed to go ahead an obtain one.

Member Lee said that he needed some 1-½ inch and 2-½ inch hose couplings. Chairman Pollard told him that there were some at Friendly Station. Member Lee also pointed out that the Board had adopted information for the ID Tags and that any tags made should stick with the adopted information.

Member Wicker introduced Johnny Cumalander as the new Chief at Little Mountain. Member Wicker is not serving as Assistant Chief. Member Wicker then asked that Little Mountain Fire Dept. be allowed to use a truck that they had as a service truck. They have removed one tanker from service. Member Wicker made a motion and Member Lee seconded it that this be allowed. The motion passed.

Member Johnson asked that he had some new members that would like to receive training at Old Town Fire Department. He was told that would be OK.

OTHER MATTERS

Chief Horne of St Phillips Fire Dept. was told to provide an estimate of work needed at St. Phillips Station to the Building Committee for next budget.

FUTURE MEETINGS

Regular Board meeting: Tuesday, February 11, 2003.

VOTE FOR ADJOURNMENT

The vote for adjournment was unanimous.

ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Pollard declared the meeting adjourned.

Larry O. Koon,

Secretary