HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 06.20.2000 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
JUNE 20, 2000 6:33 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Lauren Van Roekel
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Bill Staudinger
Gary Temple
Mark Mace
Bud Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
V. Joe Leckie
Larry McCann
Mary Embleton
Rick Musson
Jim Stevens
Jan Faught
Fire Chief Jim Stevens distributed information regarding the Laurel Volunteer Fire
Department. A copy of the information is attached to these minutes.
Chief Stevens had originally planned to have a three-part presentation, but Firefighter
Ballantyne and Training Officer Hoppel were unable to attend this pre-council meeting.
They will present their information at a future meeting.
The Mission Statement of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department is "to provide adequate
services to the citizens of Laurel and to the populace of the contracted areas covered by the
Laurel Volunteer Fire Department." Jim defined adequate services as sufficient,
competent and qualified services.
The Fire Department has responded to 104 Call Outs since January 1, 2000. This increase
of 40 calls over 1999 calls is attributed to the drought that is being experienced this year.
Chief Stevens that there was concern with the possibility that the 1990 census would
change Laurel to a Class 2 city, which would require the city to have a fully funded Fire
Department. At that time, salaries for an 18-member Fire Department would have cost
$750,000 per year. That figure would now be closer to $900,000 per year.
The Fire Department maintains statistical records for comparison and review. Thirty hours
of training is provided and required of all firemen. The Training Officer is a paid officer of
the Billings Fire Department. Training includes fire suppression, structure fires, cold water
and tree rescues and truck maintenance.
Chief Stevens expressed appreciation for the commitment of each past and present
volunteer fireman to the community of Laurel.
Mayor Rodgers thanked Jim for his presentation.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Council Secretary
CITY HALL
115 W, IST ST.
PUB WORKS: 628-4796
WATER OFC: 628-7431
COURT: 628-1964
FAX: 628-2241
City Of Laurel
P.O. Box 10
Laurel, Montzam 59044
DEPARTMENT
LAUREL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department plays an active role in providing Fire Prevention
and Fire Suppression for the City Of Laurel and for the areas contracted for Fire
Protection.
MISSION STATEMENT:
TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF LAUREL AND TO
THE POPULACE OF THE CONTRACTED AREAS COVERED BY THE LAUREL
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We are currently full staffed at 35 volunteers. Our volunteers consist of people who work
in a variety of professions that are willing to share their expertise and talents with the
City of Laurel to maintain one of the best Volunteer Fire Departments within the State of
Montana. This commitment and dedication comes from being citizens of the community
with a vested interest in protecting our loved ones as well as our neighbors.
This Devotion to Duty stems from the pride of serving our community along with the
values instilled in the organization by past members who proudly served this community
and who continue to serve the community by being active in government positions,
school board positions and day-m-day living as retired firemen.
The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department is structured with a Fire Chief, Three Assistant
Chiefs, Fire Marshals Office; Fire Prevention Officer; Training Office; Safety Officer and '
Maintenance personnel to achieve our goals.
The volunteer time offered by these people is well worth noting:
The Fire Chief and Assistant Chiefs contribute approx 100 hours per month to provide
the management part of the organization.
The Fire Marshals Office, which includes the Fire Prevention Officer, contributes approx
40 hours per month to provide Prevention thru Education and Cause thru Investigation.
This Office also promotes the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department by providing tours of
the Fire Department to promote Life Safety Programs for the adults and children
interested in the Fire .Department.
City Of Laurel is an EEO Employer
Equal Housing Opportunity
The Training Office contributes approx 40 hours per month to provide the level of
training needed to maintain one of the best-trained Volunteer Fire Departments in the
State of Montana.
The Safety Officer contributes approx 8 hours per month to ensure firefighter safety on
the fire ground, along with safety at the station, to investigate any accidents and provide a
hazardous communication program within the organization.
The Maintenance personnel conffibute approx 40 hours per month, depending on
maintenance needs or projects, to provide the organization with equipment that will
function under the stress of fire suppression.
Last and most important are the Firemen who contribute approx 160 hours per month to
ensure their safety, the safety of fellow Firemen and the safety of the Public who we
serve. The Firemen also promote Public Safety by being involved with our School
Children in Fire Prevention Programs conducted within the schools and an Open House
Tour of the Fire Department for both adults and children to promote Public Relations
within our community.
The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department has responded to 104 Call Outs, starting from
January 1st, 2000, with an average of 20 men per call for a total of 2820 hours offered to
protect our community in times of need.
Our families deserve recognition for the hours they spend alone, wondering if we will
return unharmed, either physically or mentally.
The Company deserves recognition for the hundreds of unselfish hours they spend
bringing together community pride in the 4th of July Fireworks, Christmas Decorations
and day-to-day living as members of our community.
With the continued support of our community, the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department will
continue to serve our community now and into the future.
With the Laurel Volunteer Fire Departments commitment to the community, the savings
to the citizens of Laurel and the populace of the contracted areas between a Volunteer
Fire Department and a fully funded Fire Department is in excess of $800,000 per year in
salaries alone.
Firefighter Ballantyne will address the savings to the City of Laurel in maintenance costs
for equipment and truck projects.
Training Officer Hoppel will present a presentation of our Training Program and the new
technology incorporated into Training along with the hours spent by Firemen to satisfy
our requirement in achieving 30 hours per person.
Respectfully yours,