08-02-2018 Work SessionWORK SESSION OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
THE FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT VOLUNTEER
RESCUE SQUAD BUILDING ON THURSDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF AUGUST IN THE
YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman, Hardy District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District
ABSENT:
William M. McCarty, Vice -Chairman, Newport District
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey M. Storm, Clerk
Renee Rountree, Facilitator
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Charles Kempton, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department
Jerry Hackney, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department
J. Brian Carroll, Chief, Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad
Tim Nunez, Chief, Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department
George Rawls, Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department
Keith Griffin, Chief, Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad
Clarence Newsom, Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad
T. Dale Scott, Captain, Windsor Volunteer Fire Department
Beth Hecker, Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad
Brandon Jefferson, Chief, Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department
Kevin Parker, Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department
Judson West, Deputy Chief, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department
Weston Jamison, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jefferson called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m.
Renee Rountree, Integrated Loyalty Systems, was formally introduced by County
Administrator Keaton as the meeting facilitator. It was noted that a planning
session with representatives of the various volunteer agencies had occurred on
June 28, 2018 to ascertain topics of discussion for this evening's meeting.
The Isle of Wight County team values of respect, responsiveness, accountability
and demonstrated team spirit were identified and reviewed by facilitator
Rountree.
Jeff Terwilliger, Chief of Emergency Services, provided an overview of the
Department of Emergency Services and the focus of that Department was
identified as educating citizens on the County's fire and ems organizations.
Tim Nunez, Chief, Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department, outlined the
organizational structure of that Department and its equipment. The different
types of membership were identified, as well as the goal of that Department.
Judson West, Deputy Chief, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department, identified the
members of that Department and its apparatus. Cooperation between paid
personnel and volunteers was noted as important. Near term goals were
identified as building membership; expansion of training; and, equipment update.
Brandon Jefferson, Chief, Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department, outlined the
organizational structure of that Department and its apparatus. Accomplishments
were identified as the purchase of a command vehicle utilizing fundraising efforts;
that 80% of the firefighters have obtained Firefighter I status or a higher
certification; that all apparatus donated to that Department when originally
formed has been replaced; efforts are ongoing to certify engines 31 and 32;
undertaking of training active firefighters to run first responder calls; an increase
in work force is desirable; and, that Department's goal to replace engine 31 and
improve extrication capabilities.
T. Dale Scott, Captain, Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, outlined the
organizational structure of that Department and its apparatus. The goal of that
Department was identified as the replacement of rescue 40 next year; restoring
the trust lost in 2014 with the County; and, the return of that Department to its
prior level of funding.
Jerry Hackney, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, outlined the organizational
structure of that Department and its apparatus. Its diversity and ability to provide
consistent and timely responses were noted as important. That Department's
near -term goal is to provide an environment for achievement of that agency's
mission, its purposes, goals, strategies and objectives; the ability to be able to
reach out to the community and solicit input on expected services; and, to work
with the County to ensure excellent service delivery.
J. Brian Carroll, Chief, Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, outlined the
organizational structure and apparatus of that Department. The goal of
establishing a good working relationship with the County was identified, along
with the development of an exceptional EMS training program; the consolidation
of central supplies with other agencies; accreditation as a teaching facility; the
implementation of recruitment and retention programs; and, to retain the back
portion of the property for future expansion for fire and ems services. It was
noted that a grant to fully outfit power load stretchers throughout the County had
been applied for and was received.
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Keith Griffin, Chief, Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad, outlined that Department's
membership and its apparatus. Full EMS coverage of the Fair by volunteers was
noted as an accomplishment, along with the goal of increasing that Department's
membership and training classes.
Following a break, the Board recognized the fire and EMS agencies for their
contributions to the County. The late Jack Finley, a member of the Smithfield
Volunteer Fire Department, was recognized for his contribution to the County and
to the State.
Attention was brought to informational items placed at the members' seats prior
to the meeting which included an overview of fire and rescue, a master vehicle
listing, CIP requests, NFPA 1720 Standards, Aid to Locality Funding and an
organizational chart.
Facilitator Rountree advised that at the June 28, 2018 meeting, the Association's
goal to develop a model formalizing fire and rescue over the next 18 months was
identified. She noted also discussed was a desire to discuss commitment with
regular reports to the Board.
Regarding standardization, Chief Jefferson commented that all agencies
participate in the Fire & Rescue Association and the Chief or its designee of each
organization has a vote. He recommended implementing a procedure of majority
vote rules.
The fact that procedures are only good if followed and what works for one
organization may not work for all as some rules are individual to a station was
noted. Whatever the standardization is, it must be done across the board was
noted as important.
The task of the Fire & Rescue Association with making formal recommendations
to the Board of Supervisors was discussed and Supervisor Grice expressed that
the Association should be a formally recognized entity that provides management
recommendations to the Board.
It was noted that the Chair of the Association is tasked with acting as a liaison
between the Association and the Board and communicating concerns of the
Association; however, in the past, some members of the Board have gone to
members of the Association causing miscommunication. It is noted as imperative
that a command structure be put in place, so that a common decision can be
made.
Facilitator Rountree commented that the second goal is to develop a system wide
fire/ems performance plan. She encouraged staff to continue to work towards
standardizing the fire/ems response plan and allow the 1720 standards to be the
basis for that.
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Facilitator Rountree identified background checks/physicals and the need to
balance the cost benefit of them; standards for training; response performance as
topics for discussion.
Chief Terwilliger stressed the importance of County standards to ensure that
workplaces are free of harassment and other undesirable situations.
Supervisor Acree stressed the importance of a standard for minimum certification
for County firefighters and he encouraged the County to fund such physicals to
meet the standards and develop appropriate training to meet said standard.
County Administrator Keaton addressed the budget process and how it was
changed. He advised that most of what was needed had been funded to the
various agencies, to include vehicles in the Capital Improvements Program. He
advised that testing had recently been performed on the radio system and radios
have been ordered and should be received in the next week. He advised that
there is a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Towns of Smithfield and
Windsor regarding maintenance of the system going forward.
it was noted that the Association had voted for each organization to receive an
equal share of ATL funds and that the process had changed without being
communicated to the Association and certain equipment had already been
purchased.
County Administrator Keaton commented that staff's understanding was that ATL
funds could not be used for items not budgeted and that the idea had been that
turn out gear was outside the normal budget process being paid for with ATL
funds.
Regarding the need for improved communication, Chairman Jefferson asked that
ways be sought within the agencies in which funds can be saved.
County Administrator Keaton recommended the Board conduct a joint work
session with the agencies on an annual basis.
At 9:00 p.m., Supervisor Acree moved that the meeting be adjourned, which was
unanimously adopted (3-0) with Supervisors McCarty and Rosie absent from the
meeting.
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Carey Uills St rm, Clerk
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Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman