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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20.08.06 - Minutes, Emergency Services Advisory Council Emergency Services Advisory Council Washington County, Maryland Page 1 of 3 REGULAR MEETING Date: Thursday, August 6, 2020 Attending: R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services, Ex-Officio Kingsley Poole, Chairman, Citizen-at-Large Dick Hopkins, Co-Chairman, WCVFRA Dwayne Lunsford, Citizen-at-Large Scott Buskirk, Citizen-at-Large Ron Horn, Citizen-at-Large Rick Blair, WCVFRA (phoned in) Gary Farrell, President, Funkstown FD, WCVFRA, (phoned in) Joe Kroboth, Citizen-at-Large Bonnie Keltner, Administrative Assistant Guests: Randy Wagner, County Commissioner Absent: Dale Fishack, President, WCVFRA, Ex-Officio CALL TO ORDER: • Chairman Poole called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Minutes: • MOTION: On a motion by Gary Farrell and seconded by Dick Hopkins, the ESAC members approved the minutes of the February 6, 2020 meeting as presented. CARRIED Old Business: Citizen Appointee to Emergency Services Advisory Council • This vacancy was created by the resignation of Mike Hosier in March, which was the last meeting of ESAC due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and has not been filled. The BOCC was not meeting at that time. We have two extended terms, which are Rick Blair (Association) and Ron Horn (Jeff Kline). Inquiries will be made to ascertain if the current reps will be reappointed. Washington County, Maryland Emergency Services Advisory Council Meeting Thursday, August 6, 2020 Page 2 of 3 New Business: DES Director’s Report – Director Dave Hays • Some of the paving work at the training center on Sharpsburg Pike has been completed. A request-for-proposal (RFP) was sent out last Friday. The bids are due back on September 2. This Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is fully funded at $12 million. • DES has applied for two federal grants - SAFER and AFG. We are hoping for a favorable response for both. • DES has requested a $1.6 million grant for Self-Contained-Breathing-Apparatus (SCBA). This is a participation grant for 10-companies. Draeger, Scott, and MSA are being considered. Live burns are scheduled for later this month. • Discussion took place about adequate staffing for stations. • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) audits for the medical companies were presented to the BOCC approximately three weeks ago. The auditing firm recommended some stations tighten-up their accounting procedures. Dir. Hays will try to get a copy of the executive summary (for ESAC members) of the information sent to the companies that were audited. • Discussion was held about ESAC in-general and related subjects. • Several ladders on fire apparatus were found to have class I failures when the ladder, pump, and hose testing were completed this year. A policy is going to be written to address this type of issue. • Regarding Hagerstown Community College (HCC) discontinuing the paramedic program: Dr. James Klauber, HCC President, asked for a meeting with some of the DES staff which was held several weeks ago. Dr Klauber explained to the group that HCC generally has enough students enrolled at the beginning of a semester to justify the program, but the bulk of the students don’t continue with the program and it is not fiscally sustainable for the college. Students generally receive their certificates but do not finish the undergraduate requirements. Dr. Klauber asked if the county would be interested in taking over the program. The county has asked for a financial analysis of certain areas of the program. • Dir. Hays will speak with Bonnie about making packets for new members of the ESAC. Remarks for the Good of the Council • The role of ESAC will be discussed at the expanded work session to be held on September 3rd. • Rick Blair asked about the HVAC program. Dir. Hays asked to wait until the next budget cycle and see what programs are available. Washington County, Maryland Emergency Services Advisory Council Meeting Thursday, August 6, 2020 Page 3 of 3 • Ron Horn stated that Co. 25 is qualifying drivers two days after they pass EVOC. He asked if there was a county standard that new drivers need to have an experienced driver with them when responding to their first couple of calls. Discussion followed and it was believed that perhaps a certified program for all companies should be in place. • Ron Horn expressed concern about personnel coming to the Rehab Unit with debris on their turnout gear – perhaps they should be declined service until it has been removed. • Ron Horn also commented that photos posted by Company 25 on Facebook show members climbing on a step ladder, on to the radio tower, to gain access to the roof of their building to blow leaves off. • Joe Kroboth feels that ESAC should assume coordination /oversight of the above type of issue. He believes ESAC should vote on and adopt standards for the body and send them to the BOCC for approval. • There was discussion on emergency vehicle driving standards. • Dir. Hays commented that a member can obtain a Class “C” card if a chief will sign off for them to operate that particular class of vehicle; the driver only needs a Class D motor vehicle license. That was previously approved by the BOCC; it is part of the Driver Standard. Adjournment • MOTION: With no other business brought forward, a motion was made by Dick Hopkins and seconded by Scott Buskirk to adjourn the meeting at 9:00pm. CARRIED. Next meeting (lengthy work session): • September 3, 2020, 6pm • Location: DES Downstairs Training Room 16232 Elliott Parkway Williamsport, MD 21795 Respectfully submitted by, Bonnie Keltner, Administrative Assistant Washington County Div. of Emergency Services, Kingsley Poole, ESAC Chairman, & Richard Hopkins, ESAC Co-Chair