Minutes of the

St. Clair County Fire Chiefs Association

& 

MABAS Division 32

December , 2004

The regular meeting of the St. Clair County Fire Chiefs Association was called to order by Vice President Brent Saunders at 7:04pm

Vice President Saunders dispensed with the normal order of business, and introduced Craig Witmer with Pictometry Visual Intelligence.  Mr. Witmer gave a presentation of his product which showed overhead visual images of neighborhoods and cities.

Vice President Saunders then introduced Cathy Osborn with Memorial Hospital.  Ms. Osborn presented a request from the area hospitals that if fire departments are going to host blood drives, that they contact the Central Illinois Community Blood Center to sponsor the drive.  Area hospitals are now receiving their blood thru the center.

Treasurers Report - Treasurer Elliff reported that the checking account had a total balance of $27,624.91.  Balances of the chiefs account and the MABAS 32 account separately were not available.  Motion made and seconded to accept the treasurers report.  Motion passed.

ESDA - Darryl Elbe reported that the county has received a grant for a new paging system and requests for proposals have been sent out.  CENCOM would like to know how many pager and of what style departments within the county have.

SWIC - Lee Smith reported that the spring semester schedule was sent out.  He reminded all departments to register thru him or one of the fire science instructors, not the registrars office or by phone.  The burn building for the training site will go out for bid after the 1st of the year.  The classroom and storage room should be going to bid around April. 

AMEREN/IP - Wayne Lacy presented an electric meter that had been pulled wrong.  Ameren/IP does have a training module in place which shows the hazards of pulling meters.  Due to the merge of the two utility companies, the "lines down" procedures are not done yet, but should be coming soon. 

STARRS/MMRS - Greg Render reported that STARRS will have approximately 25 million in grant money over the next few years for this area. STARRS will be funding regional ID cards.  A fire service subcommittee is being formed, hazmat and TRT teams have submitted budgets, the strategic stockpile will piggyback with the county health departments, Starcom 21 will start being installed up north in 2005, chempacs are on hold, and the governor will sign a memo of understanding recognizing that St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison counties are part of the St. Louis Metro Region. 

Discussion was held on the proposal to change the constitution and bylaws of the association to include retired chiefs as members.  Lee Smith reported that the MABAS attorneys have not yet issued an opinion on how MABAS divisions should be set up.  Until then, it was suggested that the change be tabled.  Chief McGuire withdrew the proposal till MABAS issues an opinion.

SCSESA - TRT team is getting personal information on members to the state for ID cards.  Chief Feher is in Schaumburg trying to get a legislative issue to recognize Haz mat teams as fire departments in the state, and trying to get terrorism task force funding for training in St. Clair County thru SWIC.

IFCA Education and research foundation.  A motion was made and seconded to donate $250.00 for a scholarship.  Motion passed. 

Weekend Training - After the first of the year discussions will begin on replacing the yearly weekend training with quarterly one or two day training. 

There will be two unified command classes coming after the first of the year.  New Athens will host a class on January 29th with registration required by January 19th, and O'Fallon will host a class on February 5th with registration required by January 25th.

Discussion was held concerning 2005 dues.  Motion was made and seconded to keep the dues at $50.00 for the Chiefs Association, and $50.00 for MABAS Division 32.  Motion passed.

Vice President Saunders asked for volunteers to serve on the nominating committee for officers of the Association.  Dean Juenger, Casey Trentman, and Dave Owens will serve on the committee and will have a slate for the January 2005 meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.

MABAS Division 32 meeting was called to order at 8:35pm.

Lee Smith reported from the last executive board meeting that the SOP book is being worked on, but is currently on hold.

Communications trailers and mobile command posts will be issued throughout the state.  St. Clair and Madison counties are scheduled to be getting the trailers for the area.

ID Cards - the committee has done their work.  Haz Mat teams are getting the first round of cards.  Departments may be able to buy id cards relatively inexpensive.

IDPH - The IDPH quit giving EMT and Paramedic tests.  The are looking at how to get testing back online.

Chief Feher is serving on the nominating committee for the executive officers.

MABAS is looking at having a full scale disaster drill, and possibly having it in the St. Clair County area.

Meeting adjourned 8:45pm