Minutes of the

St. Clair County Fire Chiefs Association

January 31, 2002

The Meeting was called to order by President Feher at 7:10 pm.

President Feher thanked Fairmont City Fire Department for hosting tonights meeting.

The minutes of the November 2001 meeting were accepted as distributed.

Rich Rutherford gave the treasurers report, indicating we had $27,069.52 in the checking account as of January 18, 2002.  Motion as made and seconded to accept the treasurers report.  Motion passed.

ESDA - Darryl Elbe had some medical concerns about six weeks ago.  He should be back to work next Tuesday.

MABAS - The proposed SOG's were reviewed and discussed at presented at the November meeting.  Motion was made and seconded to approve the SOG's with some minor changes that were discussed.  Motion passed.  New SOG's will be distributed to all departments.

13 departments have turned in their agreements and ordinances.  If you wish to join MABAS, you must get your paperwork turned in.  From this point, only the deparments who have been accepted into MABAS will have a vote on MABAS business in St. Clair County.  Such vote will be done by a roll call. 

Greg Render indicated that he and Lee Smith attended the MABAS Executive Board meeting last week.  The radio number system is locked in and departments cannot change their numbering.  Several documents were received and they will be posted on the web site instead of making photocopies.

There will be a Homeland Security Workshop on April 25th in Collinsville.  More information will be coming in the near future.

We will have to develop some type of identification card/accountability system for future use.  This will probably entail a large cost for the association and possibly a minimal cost for each department.  More information will be forthcoming. 

Discussions with St. Louis City are continuing and St. Louis will probably be joining our division with 30-60 days.  A tentative task force assignment has been developed that will consist of a ladder truck, 4 engines, a squad, and 2 chief officers.  Responses to St. Louis would be to FD Headquarters and they would be assigned from their.  2nd and 3rd backup units will be in place for the task force.

IEMA - Stan Krushas advised that the State Police Haz Mat teams are in place.  Each unit has 30 members and they are trained for other specialty rescue situations as well.  Grants are being made available to assist with these teams.

SCCSESA - Dan Arras advised that the team recently received a grant for $15,000 for new equipment.  Anyone wanting training about the team should contact Bill Clossen.  The team also now has high angle rescue capabilities.

IFCA - There will be a one day workshop on February 23, 2002 in Salem.  Issues will include Rules of a fire chief, recruitment, and legal issues.  Flyers will be mailed to all departments.

President Feher has a bill from Greg Render for the trip he and Lee Smith took for MABAS in the amount of $180.78 for their expenses.  Motion was made and seconded to reimburse Greg, motion passed.

SWIC - Lee Smith advised firefighter II classes are up and running.  There is going to be a vertical II and confined space class starting soon.  The next FFII academy class will start April 15th.  The college is still looking for grants for help with the training site.

President Feher advised that he has spoken with Senator Evelyn Bowles.  Senator Bowles is attempting to help get a grant.  Also,  Representative Tom Holbrook has introduced two bills to help smaller departments get additional funding.  This would be done thru the Fire Marshal's Office.

The county's radio consolidation committee has received a recommendation from the consultant for an 800 mhz trunking system.  The cost is estimated to be anywhere from 11 million to 20 million.

Tom Elliff gave a summary of the associations web site.  Any department who has ideas for the site, please contact Tom.  The site address is www.stclaircofirechiefs.org.

Discussion was held concerning 2002 associatin dues.  Motion was made and seconded to make the dues $50 for the year.  Motion Passed.

Swansea Fire Department agreed to host the March 28th meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm.