THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
1/31/02
12:00 Noon
Board Members Present: Bobby Brown, Roy Campbell,
Elaine Mays, Ann McCrickard, Earl Williams
Staff: Capt. Debbie Carver, Deputy Chief Bobby Hart
Chief Ann Powell, VF Liaison Chris Jones,
Julie Stripling, Secretary, Keith Allen, Board Attorney
News Media: Patti Dozier, Times Enterprise, Mark Brannan, WPAX
Guests: Jack Drew, VF Chief Reichertville
Police Chief David Huckstep
Sheriff Carlton Powell
Chairman Earl Williams called the meeting to order and opened with prayer.
Roy Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 17, 2002 Board meeting. Bobby Brown seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Executive Director Jack Smith opened bids for the $3,000,000 line of credit for the operating budget for 2002. The results were:
Bank Terms
Commercial Bank 3.23% initially up to 4.42 max
Thomasville National Bank 3.20% fixed
SunTrust 2.66%
Bank of Thomas County 2.45% fixed
Bank of America No bid
Thomas County Federal No bid
Farmers & Merchants No bid
Executive Director Smith recommended that the Board accept the low bid from Bank of Thomas County. Bobby Brown made a motion to accept the low bid from Bank of Thomas County at a fixed rate of 2.45%. Elaine Mays seconded the motion. With all in favor the motion passed.
Mr. Smith invited a discussion about rotating banks for the operating and payroll accounts. Elaine Mays made a motion to rotate the operating and payroll accounts to other banks. Bobby Brown seconded the motion. In discussion Mr. Smith recommended that this be done bi-annually. Elaine Mays then amended her original motion to authorize the Executive Director to discuss services and fees with local banks to make sure we get the best deal. All were in favor of amending the motion. The vote was taken on the new motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Smith will get presentations from the banks before making further recommendations.
Thomasville Police Chief David Huckstep addressed the Board with some concerns that he and the User Board has about the new E911 center currently under construction. He stated there are obvious pitfalls already. Sheriff Carlton Powell said that the concerns needed to be heard before proceeding with construction. Chief Huckstep noted statistics supported the fact that there is a high turnover rate in E911 because of job stress and the environment (including poor air quality). The Chief’s prior personal experience with tragedies relating to E911 dispatching fires his passion in these areas. He said we are at a very serious and critical point and everything needs to be done right. Chief Huckstep stated these other concerns:
1 – Call Taker
1 – Law Enforcement Dispatcher
1 – Fire & EMS Dispatcher
1 – Teletype Dispatcher
1 – Supervisor
Once the center is complete:
Implement:
*** Final payment for communications hardware & software withheld until all users
agree system works as intended. “Performance Bond/Contract”.
*** Users of the communication system (law enforcement, fire, and EMS) be consulted
and allowed input on a regular basis before any final decisions are made. This is too
important not to.
Chairman Earl Williams thanked Chief Huckstep and said that a committee would meet and discuss these issues further. Chief Huckstep urged the Board to remember that E911 is the lifeline to all Public Safety. Sheriff Powell said that very serious decisions need to be made and E911 is ultimately important.
After a short lunch break, Chairman Williams recognized Mr. Jack Drew, Fire Chief of the Reichertville Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Drew is concerned about the progress of the Boston fire station. Roy Campbell explained that part of the delay is from hold up on bids. He also said that it is going to take time to hire and train personnel to man the station. Executive Director Smith added that acquiring the real estate took some time and we are still waiting for the County to give us a price proposal. Bobby Brown said that we would have a proposal by our next meeting on February 21, 2002.
Executive Director Jack Smith presented a request from EMS for write offs. Roy Campbell made a motion to write off $104,568.93 for delinquent accounts. Elaine Mays seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion carried.
Captain Debbie Carver reported 202 calls for the month of January thru 1/29/02.
Shift Captains have been in the process of inventorying equipment. The two new units that were ordered will be in the second week of February. New response fees have been implemented. Captain Carver has been working on grant information and opportunities as they apply to this organization. Flowers Industries will donate funds for a thermal imaging camera when we are ready.
Deputy Chief Bobby Hart reported 186 calls for January 2002. There are two new men in training and everything is going well. Lt. Greg Owens presented a detailed report of the total run volume including breakdown total for different incident types for 2001.
Chief Ann Powell reported 4,476 total calls dispatched for January 2002 through 1/30/02.
E911 is operating at full staff. There have been increased demands because of additions in Thomasville PD staffing. Chief Powell implored the Board to increase staffing in 911 to accommodate the increase in demands. We are in the process of negotiating with all phone companies with Phase I wireless. The User Board’s focus is to solve problems and the Emergence Services Board will be hearing from them from time to time. Progress is still being made in Interact mapping. Chief Powell said a “Media Blitz” to promote addressing is slated for the second week of February.
Volunteer Fire Liaison Chris Jones noted an increase in Volunteer fire calls from 2000 to 2001. In the Volunteer Fire Division 12 new Volunteers were added in 2000; 23 were added in 2001; and so far this year 18 have already been added. The First Responders experienced a very large increase in call volume. We are presently at 120 volunteer firefighters and 54-56 First Responders. Volunteer Fire Coordinator is currently teaching a 60-hour Basic Firefighter class. New gear and equipment will need to be purchased for the new firefighters and First Responders (4 new ones are now taking classes). The Certificate of Compliance has been issued for the New Hope station.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ann McCrickard made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Elaine Mays seconded the motion. The meeting closed.
The meeting immediately adjourned after re-opening.