President Skip Rupert Then Called the Regular Monthly Meeting of the York County Fire Chiefs

September 20, 2004

President Rupert introduced Dan Lytle from Leffler Energy. Mr. Lytle gave a brief history on how Leffler Oil had merged with SICO to become Leffler Energy. He spoke on how the company supports the volunteers in York County and went over the Community Volunteers Discount Program, which the company offers to volunteer Fire and EMS personnel. The program is designed to discount heating fuel services to the volunteer, as well as donating a percentage of the volunteer’s heating fuel bill back to their home fire company. Any department wanting additional information on the program may contact Dan Lytle or Bruce Childs at 800-368-2050 or 717-993-6681.

President Skip Rupert then called the regular monthly meeting of the York County Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association to order, and led the pledge to the flag. Thirty-five members were in attendance. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as published. President Rupert asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Chief Tony Myers made the motion, seconded by John Fornadel. Motion carried.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS: Chairman John Senft reported meeting with the Executive Committee prior to the meeting. The following items were discussed:

• Increased insurance coverage for some areas.
• Policy and Procedure.
• Policy and Procedure for the facility.
• Financial issues.
• Preparing the 2005 budget for submission to the County Commissioners.

RADIO COMMITTEE: Chairman Rob Bissey reported that the committee did not meet in September. Next meeting scheduled for October 14th at the 911 Center.

911: Rob Sterner introduced himself as the new project director. He has been onboard with the 911 Project for the past year. Bob Fasick will continue to maintain the project manager title but will be assisting Rob. Rob then reported on the following items:

• 95% completion rate on the radio surveys that were sent out. Changes to those totals should be sent to Rob.
• 90-day needs assessment study that was completed by L. Robert Kimball is now available.
• September 28th at 7pm there will be a public meeting at Central York Middle School where a 45-minute presentation will be given detailing:
• New EMA/911 Building and Facility.
• Radio System
• Proposed cost breakdowns
• CAD
• Telephone System
• Q & A Session
• Radio licenses are being sought in the T-band range. Fox Ridge Communications and L. Robert Kimball are assisting. Agreement letters were sent to the FCC agreeing to accept interference from existing stations on the band, but not from future stations. Fox Ridge and Kimball do not believe there will be any interference from existing stations and feel confident approval will be given for the licenses.

Don Miller from Capital Area Communications reported on the following radio issues:

• Glen Rock fire zone base is now back in service.
• WGTY was bleeding through on 33.90 due to a bad connection at Pigeon Hills.
• Wrightsville site has electric today and should be up and running within two weeks.
• Glen Rock Med 10 has been down due to a phone line issue for the past four to five days.
• North Hopewell duplexer is out on Med 10.

Larry Anderson from Wellsville reported that they were having trouble with York hearing them on 33.88 in the Pinchot Park area. Don will check and get back to him.

Chief Senft encouraged the body to be represented and attend the public hearing at Central York Middle School. He said this is a huge project they should be involved with.

FIRE SCHOOL: Carl Avery, Program Coordinator, submitted the following report.

Statement:

The long awaited Fire School Dedication Plaque has arrived and is now installed in the lobby. It will be unveiled at tonight’s Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association meeting. The plaque pays honor to those who were on the Fire School’s Committee in 1978 and who brought our facility to life. A big thanks goes to Chloe Eichelberger, who provided the funding for the plaque.

On August 16th I was in Bethlehem, Pa supporting the Junior X teams from Glenrock as they participate in the First National Junior Extrication Challenge. This Group of 12 teenagers from York County deserves a well done on their performance both in the challenge pits and during the rest of the event. On the night of the Opening ceremonies the team had the honor of meeting State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann who congratulated them on their involvement in the event.

While members of the Fire School Staff were at the National Extrication Challenge we got to meet Ms. Darlene Racicot () ice sculptor. She is the person who crafted the now famous Ice Sculpture of a New York City Firefighter being watched over by an angel. Pictures of this were seen widely on the news and Internet. Ms. Racicot is now involved in an effort to turn her artwork of Ice into a permanent statue of Marble and Bronze in Niagara Falls. She has been selling 18 X 24 inch prints of her ice sculpture in an effort to raise money for this project. When we told here we were from the York County Fire School, Ms. Racicot decided to donate an autographed print to the Fire School. That print is now framed and hangs proudly in our lobby.

Preparations for Challenge the Future, Extrication 2004 is proceeding. This has been a significant task but the feedback already has been good. There apparently have been some misconceptions about the nature of the event and how it was to be conducted. However Mr. Rupert and I have been attending meetings at the invitations of various department and organizations. Once they have seen what we have structured and how we have designed this to be a LEARNING experience for all involved we have received enthusiastic support. Registrations are Slow coming in but we have received a verbal commitment from 5 teams.

We have also begun work on a Firefighter One Certification Test to be held here in November on the 19th and 20th. This too will be a significant task, The Fire School Staff and has organized an advisory committee and have met with Perry Pierich from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). HACC and YCFS will be working together to bring this test to York County. Please note that there are prerequisites for this test and Firefighters should make sure they are up to date with Professional CPR, First Aid, Haz-mat Awareness and a Structural Burn Session before the test date. Also the Fire School will be running a Fire Fighter I pre class. This 16-hour class has a relatively high success rate for its students who go on to take the test.

In August we saw the monthly School use hours drop to 189 hours after the close of the Summer time Essentials and EMT Class came to close. This was a 75-hour drop in usage. However our September Schedule is back up to 239 Hours, not as high as July but definitely shows a good trend back toward increased usage. We expect a significant jump in October with the 911 Center using our facility for training and the Fall Essentials and EMT Class Staring up

As reported last month, the Fire School is thinking about revamping its curriculum for next year with an emphasis and Basic and Advanced Courses. This would leave more of the intermediary/Company based training to the individual Fire Companies. Classes such as Engine Company Operations and Aerial Operations may be better suited to be held in local Fire Stations. Of course the Fire School and its facilities will always stand ready to assist in supporting such local classes through the SCHEDULED use of our Burn Building, Training Tower and any other resources we can deliver. The Fire School would appreciate your feed back on such ideas. Please e-mail (), write, or call this office with your constructive opinions.

The Lifepak 500 the Fire School now has is in service is currently stored in the Instructors Room. Work will begin shortly on an appropriate storage of the unit. It is our intent to make this unit easily accessible for all. The AED, Oxygen and a First Aid bag will be mounted near the main entrance to the Classroom and Administration building.

Coming Events:

Principles of Building Construction –Noncombustible, September 25 & 26, Instructor: Lane (08:00 17:00) WE NEED MORE STUDENTS!

Extrication Challenge Prep Seminar, September 29, Instructors Rupert and Avery (1830 to 2100)

Haz-Mat Operations Level Annual Refresher, October 2, Instructor: Lane (08:00 14:30)

Fire Arson Investigation, October 2 & 3, (08:00-17:00) WE NEED MORE STUDENTS!

Foam Fire Fighting Technician, October 2 & 3 (08:00-17:00) WE NEED MORE STUDENTS!

Haz-Mat First Responder Operations (IAFF), October 5,7,12,13,19,20. Instructor Lane, (18:30 – 22:30)

Fire Fighter I Prep Class, October 6,13 &17, Instructor: Hoff (10/6 &13 18:30-22:30, 10/17 0800 to 1700)

Challenge the Future, Extrication 2004, October 9 & 10 Instructor Dalrymple and others

Basic Fire Police, October 16 &17 Instructor Kiehner (0800 to 1700)

Stress Management for the Fire Service, October 16& 17 (0800 to 1700)

Blood Borne Pathogens & Infectious Diseases, October 22, Instructor: Page (There will be an AM and PM course offered 0800 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 1730)

Engine Company Operations, October 23 &24, (0800 to 1700)

Highway Incident Scene Safety and Traffic Control, October 23 &24 (0800 to 1700)

Farm Rescue, October 30 & 31, (0800 to 1700)

Fire Fighter I test, November 20, administered by HACC

Projects:

We have made an initial contact with the alarm service; we do not have any more information on upgrading as of this time.

AED and Oxygen equipment for the school has been obtained. We have some EMS Equipment and are awaiting more and the Jump bags to carry them in

The MSA Thermal Imaging Camera [TIC] (the Evolution 4000 model). We have previously reported on has become available. The unit is approximately 2 years old and is equipped with the Quick Temp Option and will include 110 volts AC Charger. The cost to the school would be approximately $4500.00. The Board of Governors will be provided with information points regarding this potential purchase for their consideration. This will be reviewed and possibly acted in tonight’s board meetings

We have made substantial progress in improving with our Teaching environment here at the school. I have recently purchased a VCR/DVD Players to go along with the recent donation of a TV Monitor. This will be mounted on a Cart for use in either classroom. There is still need to continue our upgrades in the audiovisual adjuncts.

With the increased use of our facility for EMS/EMT training we have started to revamp and update storage for the teaching aids that accompany this.

Other: Our Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Catherine Litsikas has begun her employment on August 30th. Mrs. Litsikas as anticipated is a valued employee and an asset to the Fire Service of York County.

Bern Anthony reported that the certificates for the summer Essentials Class are in. The current Essentials Class has 36 students enrolled.

• A proposal has been made to the Board of Governors for building a command post on the grounds. Timeframe would be in the spring sometime.
• Tim reported that Side A, B, C, D markers have been permanently affixed to the burn building. On side B the roof has been fixed so ventilation training can occur and the roof may be cut. West Manchester Twp donated the signs. The school is looking into get signs for the Tower also.
• All electrical wires going in to the burn building are dummy wires; any utilities that are hooked up are dead with the exception of the electric at the Bilco door.
• Bern then unveiled and presented the plaque in the lobby donated by Chloe Eichelberger. Past Chiefs Glenn Kline and Lindsy Amspacher were on hand to accept on behalf of the founding fire school fathers.

YORK COUNTY HAZMAT: No Report

YORK COUNTY ATR: Tony Myers reported:

• Multiple calls for swift water rescue this month.
• 309 persons were certified at the Mason Dixon Trench Weekend

EMA: Tom Graybill thanked everyone for his or her efforts over the past weekend with the flooding. Fire Chiefs should notify their area EMA Coordinators of any damage assessment reports. Tom said the DES website has many forms on it and is updated regularly. .

President Rupert asked if there was any word from the PEMA Chief regarding the Hazmat boundary issues. Tom advised at the end of last month, contact had been made with the Governor to discuss the issue.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

• President Rupert turned the Funeral Announcement Policy over to the Radio Committee to be discussed at their next meeting. They will return with a recommendation at next months meeting.
• Treasurer Bob Bowman presented the bills. Motion made by Chief Keith Miller to pay the bills, seconded by Chief Jeff Griffith. Motion carried.
• When registering for classes at the fire school a form signed by a chief officer must be submitted. No form no class.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Chief Senft advised the Board approved the purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera. Cost is $4500.00 it will be purchased from the field and is an MSA product.

President Rupert asks for a motion to purchase the camera. Chief Tony Myers makes the motion seconded by Bern Anthony. Motion carried.

• Tony Surtasky asked what the status was on the new pick up truck. President Rupert advised it was 60 days out.
• Chief Gemmill asked if PSP and EMS were made aware that they are to go through fire command when canceling equipment. He said there were two incidents where this occurred just recently. Cindy Dietz advised him that EMS had been made aware and that possibly at least the one incident he was referring to may have been an incident where the police were legitimately in command.
• Chief Senft reported that the Federal Government has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS). On or after October 1, 2004, to qualify for funding, departments must formally accept the changes. See the Department of Health website for additional information.

GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION:

• Rob Bissey advised Chief Tony Myers and the ATR Team that the pipeline to the river has been completed and the maps that had been issued may be thrown away.

Chief Tony Myers made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Chief Griffith. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

The following station still owes dues for 2003/2004 – DDSP-LF – Station 69

Next quarterly meeting scheduled for 7:30 pm on Monday, October 18, 2004 will be held at the Shrewsbury Fire Company. Light refreshments will be served.

Sincerely,

Cindy A. Dietz

Secretary

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