HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 07.29.2002 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
JULY 29, 2002 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Members Present: Charlie Pratt, Lauren Van Roekel, Ken Olson, Dan Dart,
Ambulance Director Faught, Fire Chief Ruff and Police Chief Musson
Minutes oflune 25, 2002 stand as approved.
Police Department
Rick commented that, as there was a public meeting regarding the emergency siren, he
wanted the committee to note a few items in regard to the siren. Rick mentioned that the
dispatcher at the Police Department must manually push a button to sound the 9 p.m.
siren. This means that the 9 p.m. siren may actually be early or late as the dispatcher may
be busy with other duties right at 9 p.m. He said, however, that the siren procedure is
good training for dispatchers, as it allows for routine and awareness.
Rick also commented that other cities sound their siren at noon or at 6 p.m. and suggested
that might be an alternate procedure that would have less impact to residents in the
immediate vicinity.
During discussion about two new candidates for the Police Reserves, Ken noted that
Laurel did not offer reserves much in the way of incentives to be a reserve. Rick agreed,
saying that reserves are paid $10.00 per month (paid every 6 months = $60.00), and the
pay structure does little to offset the price of dress shirts, paints, boots and gun. Rick
further noted that the Yellowstone County SheriffDepartment helps their reserves buy
their dress clothing. Further compounding the issue of reserve retention is that reserves
can make $15-$20/hour pulling guard duty at refineries. We have lost reserves to this
duty.
Rick said that the Mobile Data Terminals have arrived, and he will bring one in for the
committee to review. The MDT's were received through a bid submitted by Yellowstone
County Sheriff Chuck Maxwell. The MDT's will allow dispatchers to e-mail patrol cars
and officers can more efficiently process wanted bulletins, license plate checks and driver
licenses information.
Ambulance Service
Jan reported that Care 1 was rear-ended and has damage to the frame, as well as the
chassis. When parts arrive for repair, Care I will be out of service for 2-3 weeks. There
was discussion of the possibility to rent an ambulance in the interim.
Fire Department
Terry said that the mutual aide agreements have been sent to Park City, Cenex and the
City of Billings.
Terry mentioned that the Fire District billing proposal and opinion for resolution has been
presented to the Mayor. The proposal would realign billing charges for fire service
outside of the district.
In discussion about the fire districts, Terry said that last year he sent a letter to the
Yellowstone County Commissioners stating that Laurel providing stand-by fire coverage
for entities interested in burning when a burn ban is in effect was not a proper option to
provide Laurel's Volunteer Fire Department and Laurel taxpayers. Dan mentioned that a
letter should be written to the County again refuting their expected participation of Laurel
resources against our will. Ken said that such a letter would perhaps come from the City
of Laurel instead of from the Fire Department. There was committee agreement to Ken's
recommendation.
Terry said that the Bureau of Land Management contacted him and asked if small air
tankers (800 gallon) could land at the Laurel Airport, as Billings Logan International
Airport no longer wanted their business. The usage fee was in the process of being
presented to the Mayor. The committee commended Terry for his pursuit of perhaps a
new revenue stream for the city.
A letter from Fire Chief Terry Ruff on behalf of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department
stated that they would like the 9 p.m. siren to remain on the schedule that it has been on
for years, as it has become a stable, local part of our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Dart
Chairman