Minutes of the St. Clair County Fire Chiefs Association and MABAS Division 32

March 8, 2005

 

The March meeting was called to order by the district trustees at 6:57pm.  The meeting was recessed while dinner was served.  Global Fire Equipment provided the dinner for the meeting.

 

After dinner, President Feher introduced Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman.  Chairman Kern spoke about proposed developments at Mid-America Airport, and highlighted a new airline that will be coming in.  Chairman Kern announced that Chief Feher has been appointed to the ITTF board to represent St. Clair and Madison Counties, and that Chief Smith has been appointed to the training board. Chairman Kern was asked about funding for 1st responders to get on the new 800 MHz radio system.  Work is still being done to expand the system.

 

The fire districts held their business meeting.

 

The districts meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

 

The chiefs’ meeting was called to order at 7:40pm.

 

The St. Clair County Special Emergency Services Haz Mat Team was introduced and was given a few minutes to highlight equipment carried on the trailer, and a tent that can be used for rehab.

 

The grant for a second pickup truck for SCSESA has been approved.  The money should be in place in a couple of months.

 

Ameren/IP – John Barud was introduced.  John is the division manager for Ameren.  John indicated that Ameren is looking at changing their emergency response procedures.  More details will be available later in the year.

 

Health Department – Barb Whitaker updated the chiefs with the progress that has been made with the CDC for area preparedness.  The health department will be holding a drill at West High School.  Area fire departments will need to update their family member list soon.  The CDC now lists “children” as those less than 18 years of age.

 

SWIC – Lee Smith advised that the contract for the burn building has been awarded.  The work should be completed sometime in August 2005.  The classroom/office is still in the planning stage.  The State Fire Marshal’s office is looking at changes in the FFII and FFIII programs.  There is nothing definite yet.

 

ESDA – Darryl Elbe advised that work on the radio system continues.  One tower is up, and three more should be up in the next week.  A lot of testing has been done on the system.  The move of CENCOM has met with some delays.  The tentative move date is now the end of June, or the 1st of July.  Telecommunicators will receive 16 hours each of training on the new radio system.

 

House Bill 3773 – This bill will provide a $400 rebate of taxes for firefighters.  The bill is going to committee.

 

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the chiefs meeting.  Motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.

 

The MABAS Division 32 meeting was called to order at 8:50pm.

 

The MABAS conference was held last week.  The attorney for MABAS has recommended that new agreements be signed, due to new legislation. MABAS is discussing a major reorganization including the dues structure.  The idea of having all Fire Departments join MABAS thru the OSFM was removed from the table.

 

STARRS – The fire group has been renamed.  Madison County will become more involved.  Money from 2003 will include equipment and money from 2004 will be for fire and hazmat teams.  A strike team for haz mat situations is being looked at.

 

Regional command posts are being looked at.  One would be assigned to Illinois and two for Missouri.  Logistical supply units are also be explored.

 

Regional computer based emergency management systems are being looked at to link all communication centers and command posts.

 

St. Clair County is asking for a building for storage of vehicles from the 2005 money.

 

Incident support team is looking at working with STARRS and ITTF.

 

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the MABAS 32 meeting.  Motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:33pm

 

Freeburg FD to host the May meeting.