THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
5/25/00
6:00PM
Board Members Present: Ricky Smith, Ervin Brock, Roy Campbell, Josh Herring,
Earl Williams
TCESA Attorney: Bruce Warren
News Media: Mark Brannan, WPAX and Laura Cassels, Times Enterprise
Board Chairman Ricky Smith called the meeting to order and Earl Williams opened the Board of Director’s meeting with prayer. Chairman Smith welcomed new Board member Ervin Brock.
After discussion about terms of Directors and Georgia Open Meeting Act, Roy Campbell made a motion to accept the Bylaws excluding Article III Section 6 and deleting “and hold” from line one Article III Section 7. Earl Williams seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The motion passed.
Executive Director Jack Smith recommended leasing the two new Fire trucks. He stated that buying the Fire trucks outright would deplete the capital budget for the remainder of the year. The proposed lease is $45,658.67 for ten years at 6.14%. The cost for the two trucks is $333,834.00; $166,917.00 per unit. Board member Herring said that he is not opposed to buying the trucks but he is against leasing. Ervin Brock made a motion to accept Jack Smith’s recommendation to lease the two Fire trucks. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With Ervin Brock, Roy Campbell, Ricky Smith and Earl Williams voting in favor and Josh Herring opposing, the motion carried 4 to 1.
Financial reports ending April 30th, 2000 were presented. Executive Director Smith noted that we are presently at 31.44%, a little under budget. Health care claims and Volunteer Fire repairs are more than budgeted.
Jack Smith asked the Board for authorization to make expenditures for renovation of the City Manager’s office, which the Administrative Office of the Board will be occupying. The estimated costs will not exceed $5,000.00. Roy Campbell made the motion to authorize $5,000.00 for renovation. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Mr. Smith reported a training course for First Responders is scheduled in June at Thomas Tech. This is a positive step in a forward direction in providing better service for all of Thomas County.
Fire
Fire Chief Joe Cole reported 668 runs to date. The “Give Burns the Boot” drive will be next month. Last year $12,800.00 was raised and sent to the Georgia Burn foundation to help with medical costs for burn victims. 10% of that was given back to the local Fire Prevention Program. Hose testing is completed and the Fire Department is working with the Volunteers on their testing. Six new employees and six Paramedics will finish training on June 2nd and go on to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center at Forsyth for testing.
Director Tommy Layton reported 7538 calls so far this month with 115,000 transmissions. The E911 Dispatchers and Volunteer Fire Chiefs had a very positive meeting this month. There was an EMA Tabletop Exercise last week with a very good turn out and beneficial results.
Volunteer Fire
James Hart said that everything is going well and morale is improving. Extrication, Hazardous Material Awareness, and Rescue training courses will take place in June and July.
Shift Captain Derrick Ogletree reported 397 call for April and 332 to date for May. There has been a total of 1,976 calls year–to-date.
Roy Campbell asked the Board members to consider one or two people from their communities to be on the committee to get the SPLOST passed. He said that heavy promotions need to start in mid June. Mr. Campbell implored everyone to be positive and answer any questions or address any concerns that citizens may have.
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned.