Meeting of the Board of Fire Engineers
October 16, 2002
Meeting called to order at 7:50 p.m.
Members present: Michael S. Trovato, Chief
Russell Zawaduk
Marilyn Monks
Others present: Captain E.J. Martinez, Ladder 192
Lt. Lorne Russell #5
Rescue Lt. Jeffrey Francis
Captain Martinez expressed his concern about keeping things going in the department, such as drills. He added that at a recent fire there were problems with water supply.
Intercom on the ladder truck needs to be repaired.
The Chief stated that A.J. Quirk was hired to repair the pump on 192. AJ will be contacted re the pump repair. Middleboro Fire Apparatus will repair the intercom on 192 when the roll-up doors are painted. Presently MFA hasn’t been able to match the paint.
Jeffrey Francis submitted his letter of resignation from the department, effective November 1, 2002. Letter from the board will be sent to Francis to thank him for
his service to the department.
Justin White voted in by the squad as Lieutenant of the Rescue Squad. Monks recommended the board accept the vote of the squad.
Motion: Monks motioned to accept the vote of the squad and recommended Justin White for the position of Rescue Lieutenant, effective November 1, 2002; Menangas seconded the motion, All in favor.
Russell LaPorte’s status discussed. Rescue Squad would like the board to contact LaPorte re his status on the department. Letter will be sent to LaPorte.
Mark Duarte needs a key for the upstairs elevator room. Rescue Steward needs a key to Air Compressor room.
Heat and Air Conditioning must be repaired on Rescue Vehicle 197 in order to pass the State Inspection.
Jeffrey Francis asked what the status of his probation was? The Chief stated that he had not heard from Lenny Nelson at CIEMSS but would call him to discuss Francis’s status.
Phone connection needed.
Electrical work at the station needs to be completed by Ronnie White.
Building & Grounds will putty and paint the inside of the station.
Letter of resignation submitted by Michael Anderson. Anderson will retain his position as a member of the Rescue Squad. Question arose on how many slots were available on the rescue squad. Matter will be researched.
Lieutenant Russell asked if the Building & Grounds department could weed wack and mow the grass around Station # 5.
Radio Officer Tim Caldwell submitted a letter of resignation effective October 15, 2002.
Caldwell asked house members to hold his position open for him during the summer months. The Chief will speak to Captain Benjamin re the arrangement with Caldwell.
A.J. Quirk will be called back to fix the pump packing on Ladder 192.
Middleboro Fire Apparatus will be contacted to see if they’ve been able to match the paint color of the roll up doors to the chassis of Ladder 192.
Old Engine 190 discussed. The vehicle is still registered and insured. The 100 % replacement cost has been removed from the truck. The truck will be declared surplus property and sold to the highest bidder once Ladder 192’s repairs are completed.
Application for membership received from James T. Richmond. House members voted unanimously to accept Richmond into House #3.
Motion: Menangas motioned to approve the vote of the house and accept Richmond as a member of #3, pending a physical exam; Zawaduk seconded the motion, All in favor.
Fire Drill was held at the Veteran’s Memorial School on October 7, 2002. Building was cleared in 1 min. & 30 seconds. Chief Trovato was pleased with the drill.
Color Guard Assembly discussed. Letter will be sent to all houses seeking 12 volunteers for a Color Guard to represent the department at special functions.
volunteers interested in being involved in a color guard assembly of 12
members; Menangas seconded the motion; All in favor.
Pay increase for Dept. Secretary’s positions discussed. Union Negotiations will begin in the fall. Letter will be submitted to union reps requesting a salary increase for secretary’s position.
Hontz Elevator Co. recommends new safety edges are installed in the Main Station elevator. The new door edges are ADA compliant. They sense an object in the doorway and do not have to actually touch this object to retract or stay open. The cost would be $1,500 for each entrance. Front and rear entrances would be $ 3,000. Deputy Alexander will be asked to review the proposal and regulations re elevator safety requirements.
Simplex Fire Alarm Panel # 4001 at Main Station is out of order. Simplex was contacted and charges $95 pr hr plus $1.48 pr mile to service the panel.
Intercity Alarm Panel is not compatible with the Simplex system smoke heads.
Proposal received from Intercity Alarms to replace the existing fire panel, 9 smoke detectors and misc. material, hardware and installation, Cost: $1,965.00
Deputy Chief Alexander will be consulted re the matter.
Contract renewal for Firehouse Software Program is due. Software programs will be researched to see which system is more user friendly.
Simulcast Unit Base at Water Tower repaired by M.L.S. Communications in Hyannis.
Cost: $1,891.14.
G.E. Low Band base at Police Station has problems. Output power is at half of what it should be (50 Watts should be 100 Watts). Poor receive sensitivity because base is old.
Chief Meyer will be advised and requested to attend the next board meeting.
VFIS Emergency Vehicle Driver Training program has been adopted by Mass. Fire Academy. Program is also available in an on-site, train the trainer format. Call Brad or Judy at 1-888-834-7763.
NSTAR re-opened a dispatch center covering the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth and New Bedford. Imminent Danger and Routine Trouble telephone numbers are for Police & Fire Only.
Sign at Johnson Street Station discussed. Chief noticed a sign in the station saying, “Do not shut lights off where the LCA truck is because there’s a short”. Light is on 24 hrs a day. Chief suggested the problem be fixed.
in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.