THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
6/15/00
12 Noon
Board Members Present: Ricky Smith, Roy Campbell, Josh Herring, Earl Williams
Board Member Absent: Ervin Brock
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.
Earl Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 25th, 2000 Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Josh Herring. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
Executive Director Jack Smith stated that the extrication tools that Rescue currently uses are 16 years old and the repair costs on the equipment are high. Three vendors submitted bids:
RIVER COUNTRY HARLESS FIRE MDS
RESCUE EQUIPMENT MATRX
1 ML-32 SPREADER 6,673.00 6,205.00 6200.00
1 X- TRACTOR CUTTER 3,876.00 3,604.00 3,570.00
1 JC-30 RAM 2,372.00 2,205.00 2,190.00
1 JL-4GH HONDA POWER UNIT 4,409.00 4,100.00 4,000.00
2 30 FOOT
HYDRAULIC HOSE 830.00 770.00 770.00
TOTAL 18,160.00 16,884.00 16,730.00
Ricky Smith made a motion to purchase the extrication tools from MATRX, the lowest bidder, at the cost of $16,730.00. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion passed unanimously.
Executive Director Smith said that the old extrication tools would be refurbished and used for back up.
Jack Smith presented the Financial Report ending May 31, 2000. He stated that we are currently at 39.19%. That is a little under the projected budget.
Chief Joe Cole reported 698 calls for January 1- May 31, 2000. 378 City of Thomasville,
177 for Fire Zones 1 and 2, and 143 for Fire Zone 3 made up the total of calls. The fund raising drive for the Georgia Burn Foundation will be June 22-24. Last year $12,882.41 was collected; 10% of which was returned for the local Fire Prevention program. Pump testing for 2000 will begin later this month. The Administrative, Inspection, Education, & Prevention offices have relocated to the main floor of City Hall. This has been a good move and enhanced communication for all departments of Fire Rescue. Rescue 1 has been out of the repair shop for only 48 hours this month. With other complication arising today, it is not certain that it is salvageable.
Chairman Ricky Smith expressed concerns about the paging system for the Volunteer Fire Department. He has received several complaints. Jack Smith said that all Volunteers have received new pagers and that every problem reported has been addressed.
Director Tommy Layton reported 53,784 calls for 01-01 to 05-31-00.
GEMA has approved 106 NOAA weather radios to go in public facilities in Thomas County. This will help with notices and warnings.
Volunteer Fire Liaison Chris Jones reported on the new First Responder program that some of the Volunteers are participating in. This will be an asset to the County and will boost morale in the Department. The Volunteers are excited about additional training and continuing education.
Replacement parts for the Volunteer Fire Trucks are a big problem because of age.
EMS
Shift Captain Derrick Ogletree reported 2068 calls for January 1- May 31, 2000. Total calls to date for the month of June is 188. Call volume has decreased somewhat. Capt. Ogletree received good reports from the First Responder course instructor. Ogletree would like to require the new First Responders to do in service training with the Ambulance Service.
CLOSING
Roy Campbell encouraged everyone to attend the June 20th Public Hearing for SPLOST. It will be held at 6:30PM in the 2nd floor Courtroom at the Thomas County Courthouse. Mr. Campbell will also be at the Volunteer Fire Chiefs meeting on June 26th to promote the sales tax.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.