Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 08.21.2000Emergency Services Committee 8-21-00 Committee Members: Smokey Staudinger Lauren VanReekel Jack Gabrian Ambulanee Director Jan Faught Charlie Pratt Dan Dart Pat Kimmet Others: Detective Mike Zuhowski Terry Ruff Smokey Slaudinger called the meeting to order and explained that Ken Olson and Fire Chief Jim Stevens are a~end~g a fire meeting at this time. Smokey asked Ter~ Ruff to fill in for Jim and repo~ on the Laurel Volunteer Fire Depertmeut. Smokey also stated that the Fire report would be first so Terry could attend the rest of the fire meeting. Fire: Ten3, Ruff stated that the Depattment of Natural Resources contacted the Fire Deparlmeut two weeks ago in order to put the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department on the list to help fight the fires in western Montana Last Thursday, they were put on the sub list for this and were called on Friday. Four firemen and one bummr mack were needed. On Saturday, they anived in Missoula and on Snnday, they were given their assJ~meat. Other Fire Departments attending at this time were Billings, Belfry, and Roundup. There are three fires on all the sides of the area. It is the job of the four Fire Departments to solely protect the 150 structures in this area. They will have to stay for 14 days. Terry further stated that it was decided to take the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department's newest bum~er mack for two reasons, ( 1 ) this ttuck holds 1,000 gallons of water, (2) the newness of tho truck would insure no mechanical problems. The track broke down in Belgrade and had to be towed to Missoula. They are currently checking to see ff the lmck is still under wananty. A special meeting was called tonight by the Fire Department in order to reinstate some of the retired firemen~ These retirees will be used only fur local and daytime call~ A second list of volunteers is already started. Terry stated that when the four-man crew is sent back after their fourteen days, a second crew will be sent up to Missoula and this would keep going on until the fire is exhausted. Cenex has offered the use of a pumpex to the Laurel Fire Department Pat Kimmet slated that this pumper is usable as long as there is water for it. Smokey stated that it is very nice of Cortex to offer their help in this way. Pat Kimmet stated that Cortex is glad to be able to help. Terry repmtod that Darrell McGillan asked the Fire Department to think about sending another mack with firemen to Missoula. He was told that the Laurel Volunteer Fire DqmUnent would not jeopardize the Oty of Laurel. Mike Zuliowski stated that the Budget and Finance Committee authorized the purchase of another radio for the Fire Departmem. This should be in sometime this week along with 25 more pagers. This system should be up and running sometime next week. Mike stated that the cost of repairing the old pagers was about $300.00 and the cost of buying new pagers was about $595.00. Since some of the old pagers date hack to 1983, it was decided to replace the old ones. Ambulance: Director Jan Fanght reported that the computer is in and set up. A grant was received for this computer and the requirement to receive that money is to report on the statistics of all ambulance calls received. This Medic Program Grant provides funding to all rural all:as in Montana. The Laurel Volunteer Ambulance Deparane~ is waiting for the Police Department to get the bugs worked out of their system so they can network with the Ambulance Department A database will be set up at lids time. Dan Dart asked who would be potting in the TI line and if this is part of the imemet site, Jan stated that she was not sure about the intemet but slated that the county is putting in the TI line. She is not sure of their net access company. She is waiting to have the Police Deparlment come out for this. Dan offered his help if needed. Jan also reported that Dr. Bennett from the Yellowstone Pathology Institute couldn't be a director since the inatimte's mannnee does not cover what is needed for this. They are currently checking with a Dr. Parker from St. Vincent's Emeegency Room. Until a director is located, they will keep looking, Jan stated that A.A.D,'s could be kept in the rigs as long as they are actively pursuing a director, Jan invited all to tour the facility after this meeting Jan further stated that the Laurel Volunteer Ambulance Department has been doubling up on calls with A.M.R. became more than one call has been coming in at the same time. With summer, a lot of the lime, only one attendant is on call at a time. It is at these times that A.M.R. takes the calls. Jan slated that Cenex dropped off two turnout jackets two weeks ago. Police: Detective Mike Zuhowski reported that next week a training officer in Billings would set up a test to see ff thc two Laurel rookies are ready to go to the academy. If they are ready, they will have thirteen weeks of training at the academy from September 3~ to the third week of December. The flrsl thing that the rookies will do, even before they unpack, is to take a physicul. Mike said that he is not worried about the rookies passing the physical. While the rookies are at the academy, the Police Department will be short by two officers. Jack Gabrian asked how this woold affect the shit~. Mike staled that there would be two officers to a shi/~ with all day shifts covered. Three officers will be en duty daring the ulght shffi and three officers will be on duty during the day shift, Mike ~porled that Chief Rick Musson and Larry Tanglen of the Laurel Outlook would be attending the Cfimestoppers Convention. Mike stated that the Animal Comxol Officer job has been cut down from 35 hours to 20 houm per week due to budget cots, As soon as the budget is finali?ed, a schedule will be set up and should be finalized next week. Chatlie Pnatt asked ff the regular officers would be responsible for aulmal calls during the off time of the Animal Control Officer. Mike said yes. Mike tuported that he and Chief Masson are in the process of writing up the new policies and rewriting the old policies as well. This is a tLme-laking process but it should be complete by the lust of the New Year. The radio system had a glitch in the ambulance radio but has been fixed and the fire radios should be in sometime tiffs week, Smokey asked ff there has been any trouble with the new diagonal parking He also stated that he has heard a lot of positive comments about this new parking Mike said that there have been no problems with the Smokey asked if the old ambulance was ready for use. Mike slated that the Police Department was paiuted on the ambulance and it is almost ready for use as a command post during events and for evidence collection. All that needs to be done is to get it stocked. This will be used during the Sunflower Jamboree on September 9~. Mike stated flint it bas a power pack that will have to be plugged in. A place will have to be found this winter since cords cannot be nm from out of the front of the building. If an outlet was located on the outside of the buildiug, it could be plugged in from there. Smokey Slaudinger reported that COP Construction dug out a canal in thc Yellowstone River. This canal was dug 150 feet long and 7 feet wide in order to get water running. This canal should 10c stffiicient to get through the wiraer. The only concern is ff the watcfflow gets too tow and freezes. Jack Gabfian made a motion to adjourn the meeting seconded by Lauren VanRoekel, and all present voted in favor of the motion. The next meeting will be held September 25, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kim Wombolt