North Bay Fire Control District

1024 White Point Road

Niceville, Florida 32578-4218

Phone (850) 897-3689 or FAX (850) 897-6051

Fire Chief Joseph A. Miller

 

Minutes of Meeting

Board of Fire Commissioners

January 12, 2010

 

Members present:    Chairman James R. Miller

                                                            Treasurer Janet B. Santner

                                                            Vice Treasurer Barry M. Reed

                                                            Secretary William E. Schaal

 

Member absent:       Vice-Chairman Timothy K. Stapleton (excused absence)

                                                           

·         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: United States Army (Retired) Brigadier General Curtis F. Hoglan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the North Bay Fire Control District and especially to B Shift for responding to his residence for a fall on Saturday, January 9, 2010.  It was reported that he fell at ground level and the fall was accidental.  Immediately, the crew rendered medical treatment.  The patient’s mental status was completely alert.  Once again, Mr Hoglan thanked the entire crew for a job well done!

 

·         Old Business

 

The minutes of the December 8, 2009 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Santner made a motion to accept the minutes as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Reed.  Commissioner Miller 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 1-31, 2009 Financial Statement Report was reviewed.  Commissioner Schaal made a motion to accept the Financial Statement Report as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Reed.  Commissioner Miller 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 to report on new business.

 

·         New Business

 

Fire Chief Miller briefed the Board of Fire Commissioners on the Fire Chief’s Annual Report for 2009.  There were a total of 855 alarms in 2009.  This was an increase of 4.1% from 822 responses in 2008.  There were 7 structure fire responses in 2009 compared to 10 in 2008, a 30% decrease.  The annual fire loss for 2009 was $166,850.00.  The number of career firefighting personnel remains at 19.  There were 2 firefighters that successfully completed their Paramedic Certification, and 1 other firefighter is currently enrolled in Paramedic School.  There were significant building improvements.  (1) A grant for a mobile air trailer was disapproved; (2) replaced all four bay doors; (3) submitted a FEMA grant for a new Fire Station; (4) submitted letters to the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese and Eglin Air Force Base for property to built a new Fire Station; (5) employees were offered both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine; (6) several Live-Fire-Burns training sessions were conducted throughout the year to provide realistic training for our firefighters; (7) North Bay Fire Control District participated in a large warehouse search and rescue training event with South Walton County and several multi-company drills with local area Fire Departments; (8) replacement for the 2000 Chevy was purchased; (9) the air conditioner in the meeting room was replaced; and (10) the Union Contract was ratified.  Finally, the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners agreed to take over the dispatch fees for all Fire Departments in Okaloosa County, saving the Fire Departments approximately $16,000.00.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that Commissioner Timothy Stapleton, a Board of Fire Commissioner for the North Bay Fire Control District has submitted his Letter of Resignation.  Commissioner Stapleton served as a Board Member since December 9, 2008.

 

Fire Chief Miller presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with a proposed (draft) of Operating Policy 10-01, Department Organization to create a Lieutenant’s position, duties and responsibilities.  The Operating Policy established the organizational framework of the Fire District.  The Lieutenant shall be the sixth (6^th) person in command of the Fire District and assume command of their assigned Shift personnel in the absence of the Shift Captain.  Chairman Miller asked all the Board Members to review the proposed draft and submit any changes, additions, or deletions to Chief Miller by Tuesday, January 26, 2010.  The Board of Fire Commissioners will finalize the OP approval at the next Commissioners’ meeting.

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that CW-4 Michael J. Jones, a helicopter pilot with the 6^th Squadron, 6^th United States Cavalry Regiment presented American Flags to the widows of the Okaloosa County Sheriff Department and to the North Bay Fire Control District.  The American Flags were dedicated in memory of the fallen Police Officers who lost their lives in the line-of-duty and to the Firefighters who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  The American Flags were flown on July 29, 2009, on a combat mission in an OH-58D “Kiowa Warrior” Helicopter tail number 008 in the face of the enemy and bears witness to the capture, detention, and interrogation of terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America and the World.

 

Fire Chief informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that the Emerald Coast Professionals Firefighters Council is going around the neighborhood and asking for donations.  The Council is consider be to legitimate organization.

 

Fire Chief Miller recapped on the Annual Appreciation Dinner held on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Bluewater Bay Clubhouse.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that Ms Ashley Fountain, a Senior Manager and 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 2010, to Bill Smith (Jan 18^th) for 5 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 2010, to Firefighter Josh Mayville (Jan 18^th); and Captain Jason Oliver (Jan 26^th) Happy Birthday to all, many happy returns and many more to come!

 

Fire Chief Miller introduced Mr Joe Bogdahn of Bogdahn Consulting, to the Board of Fire Commissioners.  Mr Bogdahn is the Principal Investor for the North Bay Firefighters’ Pension Trust Fund.  Mr Bogdahn was invited by the Board of Fire Commissioners to present a briefing on the retirement system.

 

Fire Chief Miller presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the Assistant Fire Chief’s Report for December 2009.  Assistant Fire Chief Jordan had an excused absence.

 

Fire Chief Miller presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the December 2009 Fire Incident Run Report.  The North Bay Fire Control District responded to a total of 76 incidents: 3 illegal fires; 1 structure fire; 1 wildland fire; 3 accidents;