Back Pend Oreille County Fire Protection District No. 2 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners on April 14, 2003 Meeting called to order by Chairman Larson at 1835 at Administrative Office, Metaline Falls, WA. Present were: Commissioners Larson and Layton and Administrative Assistant Rumelhart, Pam Wallis, Dan Smith, George Kubota, Colleen Miller and various members of the public. The preliminary agenda was approved as updated. The minutes of the March regular meeting were reviewed and approved. All outstanding bills were reviewed and approved for payment. Guests or Public Appearances: Pam Wallis had questions about the search for paramedic insurance and retirement benefits. She summarized her search for insurance benefits and the history of conservations with Commissioner Hubert about benefits. She read a letter to the Board expressing her frustration with the handling of the benefits search in the past. Dan Smith had several questions that were submitted in advance at the request of Commissioner Larson. Commissioner Larson passed out written answers to those questions. George Kubota expressed concerns about retention of the EMS volunteers and about the degradation of the EMS system. Colleen Miller expressed concerns about status of communication, scheduling of fire training and the lack of fire training over the past six years. She also expressed concerns about the lack of supervision of the EMS personal. After some discussion Commissioner Larson and Commissioner Layton appointed Colleen Miller as the EMS training officer. It was also decided to explore appointing an EMS supervisor at the next regular Commissioner meeting. Correspondence: A notice about the Newport Emergency Medicine Conference was received. After some discussion it was decided to pay the registration fee for responders who wished to attend and also make available the van for their transportation. It was also decided to allow Paramedic Wallis to move the chart review meeting to another date if it conflicts with the conference. A letter was received from the DNR detailing the 2003 wildland fire grant program. A letter was received the County Auditor's office reminding the District of expense voucher deadlines. The county public works department sent the District copies of the building permits issued in the last year. Reports: Administrative Assistant In March 2003 there were 22 ambulance runs with 13 transports. Total billing was $15,851.00. As of March 31, 2003 the General Fund has a balance of $13,089.37, the General Fund Investment Pool has $9,460.42, the Rescue Fund has a balance of $28,395.61, and the Rescue Fund Investment Pool has $136.58. HIPPA - The deadline to be compliant with HIPPA is today and the District is not yet compliant. Administrative Assistant Rumelhart is working on the issue as time allows. Fire Commissioner DNR Contract - Tabled until Commissioner Hubert can review it. The DNR will be asked to also contract with the towns. Radar Land - The County Planning Department has decided not to allow a boundary line adjustment and instead wants the District to pay for a short plat. County Commissioner Nicholas will be contacted to see what can be done. Rescue Commissioner EMS District - No Report. Administrative Commissioner Riley Creek Land - Nothing has occurred, it was decided to no longer actively pursue this land and instead concentrate on building an ambulance station on the LaFarge property. Riveredge Estates Station - No Report Sand Ridge Repeater - The Forest Service permit is in their supervisor's office and will be approved "soon". Old Business: Newport Ambulance Medicare MOU - Tabled until Commissioner Hubert has a chance to review the issue. Dodge Bid - The vehicle has been re-advertised and bids are due in time for opening the next meeting. Schedule & Stipend Policy - Tabled until next meeting. Grants - No action. Board for Volunteer Firefighters - Tabled until next meeting. Hospital District #2 MOUs - Hospital District #2 did approve the office lease MOU renewal, but the Hospital District #2 Commissioners decided not to renew the Paramedic MOU. Hospital District #2 scheduled a special meeting for May 14th to discuss the Paramedic MOU. Paramedic Benefits Package - Commissioner Layton brought information on the Hospital District #1 benefits program. Commissioner Layton moved that the Fire District ask Hospital District #1 to proceed with drafting an agreement to provide benefits for the paramedic and further moved that the Fire District pay for any additional costs associated with covering the family of the paramedic. The motion was approved unanimously. A discussion was held about having the Fire District Commissioners attend the next Hospital District #1 Board of Commissioners meeting. New Business: None. The meeting adjourned at 21:03, next meeting May 12, 2003, 18:30 at the Administrative Office. /s/ John Rumelhart, Clerk of the Board Back