North Bay Fire Control District

1024 White Point Road

Niceville, Florida 32578-4218

Phone (850) 897-3689 or FAX (850) 897-3689

Fire Chief Joseph A. Miller

 

Minutes of Meeting

Board of Fire Commissioners

January 13, 2009

 

 

Members present:     Chairman James R. Miller

                                                            Vice-Chairman Timothy K. Stapleton

                                                            Treasurer Janet B. Santner

                                                            Vice Treasurer Barry M. Reed

                                                            Secretary William E. Schaal

 

·        Call to Order: Chairman Miller called the Board of Fire Commissioners’ meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

·        Pledge of Allegiance

 

·        Invocation

 

·        Public Inputs: There were no public inputs

 

·        Old Business

 

The minutes of the December 9, 2008 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Santner made a motion to accept the minutes as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Stapleton.  Commissioner Miller voted in favor, Commissioner Stapleton voted in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Reed voted in favor, and Commissioner Schaal voted in favor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

The December 31, 2008 Financial Statement Report was reviewed.  Commissioner Stapleton made a motion to accept the Financial Statement Report as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Reed.  Commissioner Miller voted in favor, Commissioner Stapleton voted in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Reed voted in favor, and Commissioner Schaal voted in favor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

Chairman Miller turned the meeting over to Fire Chief Miller for report on new business.

 

·        New Business

 

Fire Chief Miller briefed the Board of Fire Commissioners on the Fire Chief’s Annual Report for 2008.  There were a total of 822 alarms in 2008.  This was an increase of 10.6% from 743 responses in 2007.  There were 10 structure fire responses in 2008 compared to 9 in 2007, a 10% increase.  The annual fire loss for 2008 was $587,700.00.  The number of career firefighting personnel remains at 19.  There were 3 firefighters that successfully completed their Paramedic Certification, and 2 other firefighters that are currently enrolled in Paramedic School.  There were significant building improvements.  (1) A grant for the wellness and health of our Firefighters was approved; (2) Modification of the north side of the building was upgraded to accommodate the gym, new exercise equipment was purchased and existing equipment was upgraded; (3) constructed a storage building in the backyard; (4) converted empty space on the north side of the building into an office; (5) upgraded the speaker system for the Fire Station to provide better quality and reliability; (6) switched from AT&T and Embarq to Cox Communications Digital Telephone service for our business communication needs; (7) a Personal Fitness Trainer was hired as part of the fitness grant and all members of the department have begun fitness training; (8) Advanced Life Support (ALS) was initiated on October 1, 2008; (9) four new Fire Commissioners were elected on November 4, 2008, and a Commissioners’ Workshop was held on December 17, 2008; and (10) a Live Fire Training Pad was constructed in the backyard to provide realistic Live Fire Gas Training for the crews and two conex containers were transformed into a Live Fire Structural Training Props.  The first Live Fire Training session was held on November 20, 2008.  In addition to the Live Fire Training, seven (7) of our personnel were recertified as Live Fire Training Instructors.  Finally, the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant” for a Mobile Air Compressor and Light Trailer is still being considered.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that on December 17, 2008, the Northwest Florida Daily Newspaper advertised the regular monthly Board of Fire Commissioners meeting for 2009.  Pursuant to Florida Statute 286.011, the North Bay Fire Control District, a political subdivision of the State of Florida within Okaloosa County, the Board of Fire Commissioners will hold its regular meetings on the second Tuesday of every month for the calendar year 2009.  The meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m., and will be held in the meeting room of the North Bay Fire Control District, 1024 White Point Road, Niceville, Florida.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that Mr John Woodward, a Trustee (Board Member) for the North Bay Firefighters Pension Trust Fund has submitted his Letter of Resignation.  Mr Woodward served as a Trustee for about 10 years.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that on December 17, 2008, the North Bay Fire Control District received $332,940.50 of Ad Valorem money from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office.  Any monies received from the Tax Collector are directly deposited into our Money Market account with Bank of America.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that the North Bay Fire Control District and Body Sculpting by Gary have entered into an extended agreement for ninety (90) days for provision of the services to continue a firefighter fitness training program.  The extended agreement expires on March 30, 2009.  In the meantime, Chairman Miller asked Chief Miller to give the Board of Fire Commissioners an assessment as to the value of extending or continuing with the fitness trainer and ask the trainer to provide the Board with a proposal at the next Commissioners meeting.

 

Since the Board of Fire Commissioners took their Oath of Office and assigned their positions in December 2008, Fire Chief Miller requested that the Board of Fire Commissioners update their Bank of America Corporate Signature Cards.  Ralph Banegas will initiate the paperwork for Chairman James R. Miller, Treasurer Janet B. Santner, Vice-Treasurer Barry M. Reed, Fire Chief Joseph A. Miller, and Administrator Ralph Banegas for the North Bay Fire Control District.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that Ms Susan Rimsa, a Certified Public Accountant for Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLP, is currently conducting the Annual Financial Audit for the North Bay Fire Control District.

 

Fire Chief Miller announced the “Employment Anniversary” for the month of January to our Mechanic Bill Smith (January 18^th) for 4 years of dedicated service to the North Bay Fire Control District.  Congratulations to Bill for a job well done!

 

Fire Chief Miller announced “Happy Birthday Greetings” for the month of January to Firefighter Mayville (Jan 18^th); and Captain Oliver (Jan 26^th).  Many happy returns and many more to come!

 

Assistant Fire Chief Jordan presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the Assistant Fire Chief’s Report for December 2008.

 

Assistant Fire Chief Jordan presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the December 2008 Fire Incident Run Report.  The North Bay Fire Control District responded to a total of 75 incidents: 2 illegal fires; 4 structure fires; 1 motor vehicle accident; 37 medicals; 19 canceled enroutes; 5 false alarms/alarm activations; 4 good intents; 2 service calls and 1 Hazardous Material.  This brings the total to 822 alarm runs for the year.  Dollar loss for the year is $587,700.00.