THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY

Board of Directors Meeting

6-21-01, 4:00PM

 

Municipal Building Conference Room

 

 Board Members Present:  Bobby Brown,  Roy Campbell,

                                             Ricky Smith, Earl Williams

                                             

Staff: Ann Powell, Tim Coram, James Hart, Chris Jones, Tommy Layton, and

Bobby Hart

News Media:     Mark Brannan, WPAX

 

Guest:  Elaine Mays, Mark Swicord

 

 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 5-17-01

Board meeting. Bobby Brown seconded the motion.  All were in favor; the

motion carried.

 

 

Volunteer Fireman Paging System:  Chris Jones and James Hart reported to the Board on problems with the current paging system, and distributed a letter from Executive Director Jack Smith (who was not able to be  present at the meeting) outlining  the objections to the current system and recommending the purchase of tone and voice pagers which would be dispatched over the VHF fire system, and the necessary equipment to modify the 911 center to be able to handle. After extensive discussion, the consensus of the Board was that this was a problem of long standing that needs to be fixed now.

 

Roy Campbell made a motion that the Emergency Services Agency Board accept the recommendation of the ESA Director to purchase the equipment as recommended by the Executive Director from Motorola Radios – Jared Wiseman, for a total of $28,750.  and other equipment necessary to make the change for a cost not to exceed $5,000.  Bobby Brown seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion carried.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

E911

Operations Manager Ann Powell reported 9,085 total calls dispatched for May

1, 2001 with a total of 52,379 year-to-date.   EMD training will be held June 25-27, at Central Middle school, and she noted that the E911 scheduling will be tight because of attendance at the training and the continuing personnel shortage.  She noted that she is advertising for part-time certified dispatchers, and would also like to hire another full-time dispatcher.

 

 FIRE

Bobby Hart reported that the department is running well, that last new truck is in and equipped and will go to Fire Station #3, and that all the volunteer fire departments now had modern fire trucks in service.  The ladder truck is expected in late August, and will go to Fire Station #2 until the new fire station is built downtown.

 

 EMS

Tim Coram reported problems with staff shortages and timely repair of equipment by Ryder, but stated that the department continues to work on both problems.   He noted that CPR/BLS recertification is coming up, and that the department was working on having all staff recertified at the same time.  He also noted that the department planned to do more community involvement projects.

 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Director Tommy Layton discussed the installation of a generator for Fire Station #2 (obtained at no cost through the Excess Property division of GEMA),  and a redundant AC system for the tower radio room.  He noted that the Interact mapping project was well underway and should be completed within 60-90 days, and that the Emergency Operating Plan for the county has been upgraded and sent to the state for approval.  He stated that he is still working on the Emergency Notification plan and proposals for equipment for the new E911 center.  In response to a question from him, Roy Campbell stated that groundbreaking for the new center is expected in late July or August.

 

And extended discussion ensued concerning problems involving the emergency generator serving the E911 center, and concerns were expressed that the generator is not being properly maintained by the Sheriff’s department.  Mr. Layton is to check on the maintenance problems. Possible options for backup and redundancy in the new E911 center  were also discussed.

 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Mr. Smith welcomed Thomas County Commissioner Elaine Mays to the meeting.

 

Tim Coram informed the Board that he had done a presentation on the CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) Program at a meeting in Camilla, and that there is much interest in the program , which enables EMT’s to better treat congestive heart failure victims,  in surrounding counties.

 

Roy Campbell complemented the new ESA website, which is now up and running, and discussion ensued as to how to best present pictures of the ESA equipment, particularly the new trucks, on the website.

 

With no further business to discuss, Roy Campbell made a motion to adjourn.

Earl Williams seconded the motion.  The meeting adjourned