HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 03.25.2002 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MARCH 25, 2002 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Members Present: Lauren Van Roekel, Ken Olson, Dan Dart, Ambulance Director
Jan Faught, Police Chief Rick Musson and Fire Chief Terry Ruff
Others Present: Bill Brennan, Dan Mears
February 25, 2002 minutes reviewed. No changes were noted;
Fire Department
Terry noted that the department has met with Fire Districts 5,7 & 8 to discuss their three-
year annual agreements. All three districts are on the last year of their contracts. Terry
also mentioned that contracts for the Airport and the Yellowstone Boys and Gifts Ranch
are in the mail. Mutual aide agreements with Cenex, Park City and Billings have been
finalized.
Ambulance
Jan mentioned that we have not received a response back from Wheeled Coach or Ford
Motor Company regarding the equipment charges incurred by the city to repair excessive
sway problems with Care 1.
Jan researched and shared Emergency Services Committee Minutes that indicated the
committee voted to send to the City Council an increase in rates for services rendered
outside of City Limits. In a lengthy discussion, Jan mentioned that she has been looking
into an opportunity to set up ambulance districts. She mentioned that ambulance billing
is currently per call and ambulance district billing may take on a new look. Ken asked if
we had heard anything from Whitefish as to their ambulance district. Jan indicated that
we have not heard back from them, but she was actively pursuing their districting
information that came about when the 2001 Montana State Legislature passed legislation
to allow ambulance districts. Dan said that we should wait in approaching the City
Council with a resolution (outside of city limits billing) on ambulance billing until it is
determined if ambulance districts will change billing structure. The committee agreed
that this would be the best course of action.
Per the Hepatitis (Hep Ta Vac) immunizations that city employees received
approximately six years ago, Jan told the committee that until Hepatitis is introduced into
an individual's system, it appears as if the immunization was not successful. When
Hepatitis is introduced, the effects of the immunization begin to work. The Hep Ta Vac
immunization series need to be administered every 10 years.
Ambulance Continued
Ken asked Jan if she could obtain a written statement from Occupational Health in
regards to the immunizations appearing once Hepatitis appears. Jan agreed to do so.
Jan told the committee that TB immunizations needed to take place every year at a cost of
$20 per immunization. Tetanus shots had to occur only after an incident warranted the
shot to be given. Discussion followed as to the liability of the city to protect police,
ambulance and fire department personnel. Jan was going to speak to Matt Erekson about
this issue.
Community CPR/First Aid: Jay Martin is going to become an observer and then will be
able to train instructors.
Police
Laurel failed to obtain federal financial support recently awarded by the federal
government for SRO Programs.
Rick said that the city will be working with the DEA Drag Task Force in conducting drag
busts in Laurel. The joint venture, mn under the auspice ofa HIDTA Grant (High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) will allow Laurel to benefit financially through the sale
of drug bust forfeitures and seizures. As an example, if Laurel had participated in this
program previously, the city would have captured $70,000 annually for the past four
years. Funds gained from this program will be earmarked to obtain/upgrade police
equipment.
Laurel will be receiving two Mobile Data Transponders (allows agencies to better
communicate with each other) from a federal grant that was awarded to the Yellowstone
County Sheriff's Office. Rick said that we are grateful that the county included Laurel in
their grant process.
Rick indicated that the junk vehicle program, intended to keep vagrant vehicles off of the
street, is running smoothly and that the department will continue to sticker/and or tow
vehicles.
Ken asked the committee why the 9 p.m. siren continues to sound. Curfew for youth is at
11 p.m. so the 9 p.m. siren does not apply to curfew. The siren would continue to blow
for fire calls and periodic testing. Dan asked department heads to discuss the option of
doing away with the 9 p.m. siren to determine beyond tradition, what are the benefits of
continuing to sound the siren.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Dart