MAINE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 2, 2017 (Unanimously Approved on Monday, June 5, 2017)

Chair Dan Brooks called the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission to order at 10:35 a.m. in Room 436, State House, Augusta. Fire Commission members attending today’s meeting included John Arsenault, Stephen Bunker, Matt Gomes, James Graves, Ron Green, Chief Joseph Guyotte, Harty Norris, Vicki Schmidt, Charles Soltan, Chief Joseph Thomas, Chief Michael Thurlow, Chief Larry Willis (RET) and Susan Pinette (staff). Members excused included Senator Brownie Carson, Senator Scott Cyrway, Bruce Fitzgerald, Gerry Gay, Steven Greeley, Chief Thomas Higgins, Representative Thomas Longstaff, Representative Catherine Nadeau, Shaun St. Germaine and Representative Timothy Theriault. The Fire Commission welcomed the following guests to today’s meeting: three past Fire Commission members-former Representative Michel Lajoie of Lewiston; former Representative Peter Rines of Wiscasset, now with the Maine Fire Service Institute; and Alex McPhedran of the Readfield Fire Department; and Chief William Gillespie of the Liberty Fire Department.

Election of Fire Commission Officers

Fire Commission bylaws state in Article 3, Section 1 that “Elections of officers shall be held at the regularly scheduled meeting in April, which shall be deemed the Fire Commission’s Annual Meeting, or if no regularly scheduled meeting is held in April, then the election shall be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Fire Commission.” The Elections Committee submitted a slate of candidates at the March 6th meeting and no additional candidates expressed interest. The candidates for the five Fire Commission officer positions are:

Chief Dan Brooks- Chair Gerry Gay- First Vice Chair John Arsenault- Second Vice Chair Ron Green- Secretary Chief Mike Thurlow- Treasurer

1 A motion by John Arsenault, seconded by Chief Joseph Guyotte, that the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission votes to accept the proposed slate of Fire Commission officers. The motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports

The 2017 Spring Joint Conference Committee reported that over 170 persons attended the Joint Spring Conference. Attendees expressed compliments about the programs, speakers and displays. Vendors were also pleased with their arrangements and all vendor space was sold out.

The Best Practices Committee reported no new nominations were received this month.

The Legislative Committee announced their new chair will be Representative Mike Lajoie. Joining Chair Lajoie on the Committee is Senator Scott Cyrway, Representative Catherine Nadeau and Charlie Soltan.

The Education and Training Strategy Committee reviewed the briefing document they intended to present to the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee this session. Committee discussion focused on preparing a document for Legislators that contained more specific information, rather than a conceptual plan. The consensus of the Committee was to work on the document during the summer and complete final language and discuss strategy later in the year. Fire Commission members discussed related subjects including the potential number and design of the training sites, identifying areas that are underserved and choice of bonds (voter approved or facilities).

Old Business

Fire Commission members reviewed the updated Bills of Interest list- a list of fire service related bills being considered by the Maine Legislature in the First Regular Session. Additional bills discussed included LD 1389 “An Act To Disburse Funds to the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission” sponsored by Representative Timothy Theriault. LD 1389 would authorize the direct disbursement of the full $2,000 appropriation to the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission by September 1st in each year of the 2017-2019 biennium. The public hearing on LD 1389 is scheduled for May 3rd before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

2 A motion by Larry Willis, seconded by Ron Green, that the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission authorizes Chair Brooks to appear before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and support LD 1389 “An Act To Disburse Funds to the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission” sponsored by Representative Timothy Theriault. The motion passed unanimously.

The Fire Commission also discussed LD 1243 “An Act Regarding the Maine Length of Service Award Program Board of Trustees” sponsored by Representative Erin Herbig. The bill was originally proposed because of the delay in naming members to the LOSAP Board. However, an amendment to LD 1389 and recent talks with the Governor’s Office have resulted in some movement towards naming the LOSAP Board members.

New Business and News From Members

Fire Commission members reviewed their meeting schedule and discussed whether to meet in July. Members agreed to make a final decision at the June meeting.

With no further business to come before the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission, Chair Brooks adjourned the meeting at 11:50am.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan M. Pinette

Staff

3 MEETING SCHEDULE

Monday, June 5 th MEETING State House 9:00am Monday, July 10 th MEETING Public Safety 9:00am Monday, August 7 th MEETING Public Safety 9:00am Monday, September 11 th MEETING Public Safety 9:00am Monday, October 2 nd MEETING Public Safety 9:00am Monday, November 6 th MEETING Public Safety 9:00am

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