Fire districts # 1 & # 9 of clark county

EAST COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE
Regular Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
June 2, 2009
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gary Larson at 7:11 PM at Station 1-1.
The following were in attendance: John Clancy, Gary Larson, Victor Rasmussen; Scott Koehler,
Bob Jacobs, Dean Thornberry; Brad Baldwin and Paula Knapp.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS:
Commissioner Larson sought adjustments to the agenda.
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA:
 May 19, 2009 Regular Board Meeting Minutes  May 19, 2009 Local BVFF&RO Meeting Minutes ♦ Approval of June 2, 2009 Financial Report ♦ Excuse Absent Commissioners: Cox and Goodnight MOTION (by Clancy): To approve the Consent Agenda. SECONDED by Rasmussen.
Passed Unanimously.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
There was no public comment.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Sean Guard—Mayoral Candidate—Request to Meet with Fire Commissioners. Mr. Guard desires to meet with the Board and the Fire Fighters to discuss his candidacy. Chief Koehler feels that this would be a violation of PDC rules—and felt that the Board and the District should NOT hear ANY candidate or use ANY District facilities that are being used for official District business—for political activities. The Board agreed. Chief Koehler will notify Mr. Guard—and any other requesting candidate—of the Board’s decision. SW Washington Fire Commissioner’s Association—2009 Spring Workshop. Commissioner Larson discussed this workshop. He also urged ECFR Commissioners to participate in SW Washington Fire Commissioner Association activities—so that the District is aware of SWFCA actions and activities. WA Military Department—Aspirin Mailings. Bayer Aspirin is doing an advertising mailing in which aspirin crystals will be contained. The Military Department wanted to forewarn First Responders of this mailing—in anticipation of possible calls from the public about ‘white powder’ being received in the mail. REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
The following has occurred since the last Regular Board Meeting:
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting
Total Calls
Projected:
Calls that have occurred since the last Regular Board Meeting: Cadet’s Group Activities Officially End Friday Working on Mobilization Schedule for Wildfire Season First State Fire Mobilization Called, today, in Chelan County Mechanic Repaired Water Leak in WT 1-4 Hazardous Materials—Operations Class being taught this weekend New Shared Fire Fighters are now on Shifts—On Probation Until March 2010 Volunteers and Part-Timers Standing Shifts at Station 1-1 to Help Fill Duty Schedule Tested 28 Applicants for Volunteer Fire Fighter—last Saturday Rick Knapp has agreed to do non-emergency PIO activities Scheduled Committee Meeting for Health & Fitness Grant—Monday, June 12th, 5 PM, Station 1-4 Reviewed Functional Consolidation Plan VFIS Risk Reduction Consultant will be here on June 12th Preparing to Surplus the Rescue Unit Preparations for Summer Academy for High School Fire Fighters (Cadet Program) almost complete Working to Coordinate Facilities Maintenance Schedule at Station 1-5 with CFD personnel New Staff Vehicle waiting for Mounting Brackets for Overhead Light Bar ECFR completing DRS Audit Applied for Federal Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant—Exhaust Filters for Diesel Apparatus Preparing MotoCross Plan for this Summer’s National Event Developing Annual Drill for Regional Type 3 Incident Management Team Plans/Finance Trailer Hardwired Thursday for Computers/Printers I-Suite (Database) Training Scheduled for Regional T-3 IMT Members John Talbot (CRESA Assistant Director) Retires June 26th Assistant Chief Bob Jacobs reviewed his written report. Assistant Chief Dean Thornberry is on vacation. No written report was provided. VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION:
Brad Baldwin, Volunteer Association Liaison, reported that arrangements are being completed
for their BLS Standby at the Vintage Motorcycle Races—over the Father’s Day weekend—at the
Washougal MX Track. The Association thanked the Board and the Chief for allowing the
Volunteers to perform this Community Service activity. They also appreciate being allowed to
utilize District apparatus and equipment—to be better prepared—for the Standby.
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting Baldwin also reported that a good number of Volunteers had helped conduct the Member Candidate Testing for potential new Volunteer Members. Some 28 persons competed for less than 10 Membership slots. Captain Dale Dawson was complimented for the way he prepared/conducted the testing. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:
There were no miscellaneous reports.


FIRE DISTRICT BUSINESS:
Shared Services with Camas Fire & Rescue. Chief Koehler advised that work continues on the
Functional Consolidation Plan with Camas. The next Fire Authority Meeting has been re-
scheduled to June 18th.
Chief Koehler discussed a letter that was sent to Camas Fire Chief Leo Leon from the Camas
Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, Local 2444, regarding a Camas Fire Fighter/PM having
to respond by himself—to a medical call—while staffing Station 1-1. The FF/PM’s partner had
to leave for a scheduled event 40 minutes prior to the next Member arriving for Standby Duty.
The Union talks—in this letter—about withdrawing from a Memorandum of Understanding that
the City has with them regarding staffing Station 1-1. After discussion—about Camas initiating
the offer to help staff our stations—but now complaining about the way we sometimes have to
staff (occasionally with only one on-duty), the Board asked the Chief to write a letter to Chief
Leon documenting the Fire District’s situation—discussing funding, available human resources,
etc.—and the need for the Union to fulfill assignments within our system of operation.
EMS Response Billing.
Debt Forgiveness. “EB” utilized EMS response once and owes the Fire District $413. They are on a ‘fixed-income’ and have no discretionary income (confirmed via documentation submitted to the District by “CW”). They have tried, diligently, to get their insurance to cover the cost—but have been turned down, repeatedly. They ask the Board to forgive all EMS response charges. MOTION (by Clancy): To forgive all charges related to EMS response for “EB”.
SECONDED by Rasmussen. Passed Unanimously.

Bear Prairie Satellite Station. Commissioner Larson reported that Clark County Community
Development agreed to do an Investigative Inspection of the existing structures at the Bear Prairie
site. Following that inspection, they have determined that the additions to the house meet the
Building Code. No drawings will be necessary. They may require that the posts—supporting the
south end of the Car Port—be reinforced. There are some other inspections/tasks that must be
completed: septic sign-off, variance for set-back, etc—before the final permit for the house can
be issued. The County has also decided that the house issue has nothing to do with the barn.
Therefore, they have agreed to allow the Fire District to move forward with the permit process to
enclose the barn.
Purchase Request: Turnouts. With new Members coming in, soon, and some turnouts nearing
their 10-year limit on service life, it is time to consider purchasing some new protective gear.
Captain Carnes is requesting the purchase of 7 sets of equipment (turnouts and helmets). This is a
budgeted item. More turnouts will be needed—as sizes are obtained.
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting MOTION (by Clancy): To approve the purchase of seven sets of Turnouts. SECONDED
by Rasmussen. Passed Unanimously.

Open House at Station 1-1. Chief Koehler is still trying to get enough help from the Members to
hold an Open House during the weekend of Camas Days (same weekend as the MotoCross
Nationals). The Pilot’s Association is anxious to coordinate a joint event.
Washougal Water Tower. Chief Koehler has received no response from his two requests to the
City to obtain a copy of the Road Agreement for SE 16th Street. However, the neighbors have
been very vocal about their unhappiness with the City’s project. In fact, they are organizing a
legal challenge to the City. The Board is unwilling to take any action on this issue until they
review the Road Agreement.
Stimulus Program for Fire Station Construction. Information is about to be published regarding
Federal Stimulus Money for Fire Station Construction. Chief Koehler presented a list of possible
projects—station by station—for Board review. Lacking the parameters of the program, Koehler
is not sure what projects/activities will be allowed. He is also unsure of the deadlines—which
could force Staff to move quickly in an effort to secure funding for desired projects. The Board
discussed the list, added some project ideas to the discussion, the directed the Chief to move
forward quickly—between Board Meetings, if necessary—to submit a request.
Filling Swimming Pools. The Fire District has been receiving requests to fill swimming pools.
The District has, in the past, filled swimming pools—with the understanding that the water can be
taken when needed for a fire. Some requests have come from folks whose pools are not
appropriate for drafting operations. When the District refused to provide the water—some
Customers got angry. Chief Koehler desires an Agency policy on the matter.
The Board briefly discussed the pros and cons of filling swimming pools. There is concern that
the Fire District—with very ‘short’ staffing during the day— could receive a fire call and be way
‘out of position’ and/or not have water in the apparatus. Such a situation would be unacceptable
to both the District and the Community. There is also concern that our heavy apparatus could do
damage to roadways, driveways, pools, etc.—creating a liability that the District does not want to
bear.
MOTION (by Larson): To discontinue the practice of filling swimming pools. SECONDED
by Clancy. Passed Unanimously.
Overview of Chelan Conference. Commissioner Larson provided an overview of the Chelan
Conference: The Conference Attendees did some work toward identifying issues for the next
legislative session. Efforts are underway to have the IRS re-define “Volunteers” to avoid taxation
of reimbursements paid to Volunteer First Responders. There was also discussion about Impact
Fees for Fire Districts—currently, impact fees are NOT allowed for Fire Districts, but there is no
prohibition for Fire Authorities.

LOCAL BOARD FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS & RESERVE OFFICERS
Chairman Gary Larson called the Local Board for VFF&ROs Meeting to order at 8:54 PM.
There was one item of business to discuss: Authorize the State BVFF&ROs to pay one invoice
voucher for a New Member Entry Physical for Intern Fire Fighter Matt Baker. The Local Board
directed the State Board to pay the invoice voucher(s). The Local Board for VFF&ROs
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM. The Minutes of the Local Board for VFF&ROs Meeting are
filed separately.
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting ROUNDTABLE:
Ambulance Advisory Board Meeting, Thursday, June 11th, 7 PM, Station 1-5 Risk Reduction Consultant Here, Friday, June 12th, 12:30 PM, Station 1-4 Fire Authority Meeting, June 18th, 6 PM, Station 4-2
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
There was no Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Board adjourned at 8:56 PM.
The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2009, 7 PM, Station 1-1.
Respectfully Submitted,
EAST COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE
Victor Rasmussen, Commissioner
ATTEST:
DISTRICT SEAL:
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

Source: http://www.ecfr.us/Board%20Minutes/2009/June%202%202009.pdf