Boundary County Fire Chief’s Association

Boundary County Fire Chief’s Association Meeting Minutes 3/17/2010 Meeting called to order: by Tony Rohrwasser

Recorded by Michelle Rohrwasser Members present: Bonners Ferry Fire Department------Pat Warkentin Curley Creek Volunteer Fire District------Brad Stalcup (absent) Hall Mountain Volunteer Fire Association------Brad Lowther (absent) City of Moyie Springs Fire Department------Ken English North Bench Volunteer Fire District------Bill McCabe (absent) Boundary Volunteer Ambulance------Ken Baker Paradise Valley Fire District------Jock Johnson (absent) South Boundary Fire Protection District------Tony Rohrwasser Forest Service------Lee Colson Idaho Department of Lands------Chris Lund (absent)

Visitors------Steve Ferguson with Airpro Inc. to discuss Exhaust Extraction Systems and Boundary Emergency Services Incident Commander Bob Graham

 Minutes for 2/17/10 approved with the correction that Moyie Springs Fire Chief Ken English was in attendance at the February meeting, by Ken E.; second by Ken B. Motion carried.

Account Balance/Treasurer’s Report: Discussed.

Steve Ferguson with Airpro Inc., out of Denver spoke of exhaust extraction systems. Airpro Inc. is a dealer for Plymovent Systems and Mr. Ferguson gave a brief history of his company’s product. Airpro Inc. is a proponent for ventilation systems and he explained how his product works. The nozzle and lower hose has been redesigned to reduce maintenance costs. Pat mentioned obtaining a grant for an exhaust system and he questioned what cost a fire department is responsible for. Mr. Ferguson said he believes the fire department’s portion would be five percent, which is approximately $1,800 to $1,900.

Mr. Graham informed those present of the matter involving a compression grenade found up the Pack River Road.

Training Updates:

March 22, 2010 at the City of Bonners Ferry Fire Department and on March 25, 2010 at the Paradise Valley Fire District will be the Emergency Vehicle Driver Training class.

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North Bench may have an Emergency Vehicle Driver Training class in early April. There is no cost other than the cost of books. The class takes place over three days for three hours each day.

Pat said Dyck’s would like to put in a 30,000 gallon propane tank. The above ground tank is 9.5 feet in diameter and 60 feet long. The City Fire Department will take a stand against this as the tank should be located somewhere other than near homes, the highway, and businesses. Ken E. felt the Three Mile area would be the best location for the tank.

The Firefighter I Refresher class is scheduled for March 22, 2010 at the Paradise Valley Fire Station.

The Fire Officer Development Academy has been cancelled.

The North Idaho Training Officers Course will be held at South Boundary on April 7, 2010. Tony listed off who was involved in the course from outlying departments and he said this involves the group that coordinates the academy in Coeur d’ Alene. Tony said if the Boundary County chiefs sit down in the fall and decide what training should be brought to the county, those courses will either be incorporated into the academy or brought to Boundary County. Tony listed the classes that may be cut from the Fire Academy in Coeur d’ Alene.

Bob said Dave Kramer is having trouble getting people sign up for the ICS300 class.

April 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. will be the AFG Grant Class at Coeur d’ Alene Fire Station #3.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

The Communications meeting has been scheduled for April 6, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at South Boundary.

Upcoming Wildland Season: Chris Lund with IDL has it cleared so Tony can teach a wildland course. Lee said this is a class that someone only needs to take once.

Open Forum:

Those present discussed the statements made by people pertaining to what they think contributes to a bad fire season.

The next Fire Chief’s meeting will be held at the City of Moyie Springs City Hall on April 21, 2010.

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Pat moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Lee second. Motion carried.

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