THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
4/19/01
4:00PM
Board Members Present: Ervin Brock, Bobby Brown, Roy Campbell,
Ricky Smith, Earl Williams
Staff: Capt. Larry Griffin, Tommy Layton, Ann Powell, Capt. Debbie Carver, Capt. Derrick Ogletree, Capt. Tim Coram, Atty. Keith Allen, Julie Stripling
News Media: Mark Brannan, WPAX
Guest: Dick Demott
Chairman Ricky Smith called the meeting to order and Earl Williams opened with prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Roy Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the 3-15-01 Board meeting. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. All were in favor; the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Roy Campbell requested that jackets with Thomas County Emergency Services Board on them be issued to all Board members. This will provide identification at incidents.
Executive Director Jack Smith reported about the structure fire that took place at the Rich home on Gordon Avenue April 10th. He commended all personnel in all Departments on a job well done. A de-briefing was held the following morning in order to strengthen areas. Ervin Brock suggested that a Resolution from the ESB be drawn up and given to all personnel involved.
Mr. Smith presented a request from EMS to write off delinquent accounts in the amount of $28,448.50. Ervin Brock made a motion to write off the delinquent accounts totaling $28,448.50. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Executive Director Smith noted an increase in collections at EMS and projected total collections for the year to reach $1,000,000.00. The increase in the transport fees has had a positive effect.
Bruce Rhea with TRS Wireless sent the results on the tower study. His recommendations to improve conditions countywide without another tower site were as follows:
1. A synthesized Public Safety Vehicular Repeater System- approximate cost $1175.00 per unit. This would give 95% efficiency of reception.
2. 2- Antel antennas with a tower top pre-amp receiver- approximate cost-
$15,768.00, which includes installation, labor and material
Jack Smith stated that we have 2 of the Vehicular Repeater Demos on order to try. The recommendation from TRS is that the TCESB consider phases: 800 System, then consoles and software, and then look at the VHF System. The new antennas on the tower will produce a noticeable improvement. After discussion, Ervin Brock made a motion to approve the TRS Wireless proposal for two Antel model 80612 antennas with the tower top pre-amp receiver for the 800 Trunk System. Earl Williams seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion passed.
Executive Director Smith said that we need to consider going to our own paging system and that more information would be provided on this at our next Board meeting.
Mr. Smith stated that our E-911 system components, and hardware are breaking down and we are experiencing mapping problems. We are also encountering technical support problems. Map Info that we currently have will not allow us to be compliant with cellular technology. Our CAD System is InterAct and the remaining components are needed to make the system complete and more effective. InterAct will provide all necessary tech and software support. In order to convert the City of Thomasville’s existing maps, and ours and create GPS base-line coordinates InterAct proposed a cost of $78,000.00. The coordinates will also include latitude and longitude for accurate addressing. This will be an interface to the other 911 Systems and automatically track for the dispatcher. The mapping system that we have now will not work with our CAD system. Ervin Brock made a motion to accept Option 2 of the GPS Mapping Technology System at a cost of $78,000.00. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor: Roy Campbell, Ricky Smith, Ervin Brock and Earl Williams, and 1 opposed: Bobby Brown. The motion carried.
E911
Operations Manager Ann Powell reported 4,041 total calls dispatched for April1-13th, 2001. Mapping addresses totaled 14 for the same period. Ms. Powell projected 120,000 total calls for this year. The User Board is active and will be meeting monthly to discuss current issues and concerns. Cross-training EMS/Fire personnel in Dispatching is going well.
Captain Tim Coram reported 1481 calls year to date with a total of 232 for April 1- April 18th, 2001. Four Medics have received Life-Saving awards and received a commendation from the Secretary of State’s office. The upcoming weekends are going to be very busy with Community events.
Battalion Chief Larry Griffin reported that the Career and Volunteer Fire and EMS are working together very well. Progress is being made. He also stated that the Volunteer Fire Department is a real asset to our County.
Tommy Layton is working on projects involving proposals from InterAct, BellSouth, and Motorola. He is also studying the Emergency Notification (Reverse 911) System. Another area being addressed is the requirement of house numbering. This is crucial for Emergency personnel and also aids utility and other companies.
With no further business to discuss, Bobby Brown made a motion to adjourn. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.