05/04/2021 Regular MeetingFIRE PROTECTION AREA NO.1 BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
May 411, 2021 6:00pm.
BAYSIDE FIRE HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Paul VanDyke called the regular meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Board Members present were Chair Paul VanDyke, Richard Carstens, Craig Walton, Mike
Dolph, and Aaron Griffin was present telephonically. A quorum was established. Others in
attendance were Acting Chief Rebecca Nelson and Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Member
Scott Arndt.
3. ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL OF AGENDA
DOLPH MOVED to approve amended agenda. WALTON seconded.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CARSTENS MOVED to approve the minutes of April 61h, 2021. DOLPH seconded.
O VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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6. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Acting Chief Rebecca Nelson provided a typed list to go with her verbal report. There were 12
calls in the month of April. Volunteers have been added to the roster, more to come. Many bum
permits were issued. Acting Chief Nelson is doing a lot of research of multiple items; how to
become an accredited training academy, annual testing for hose, ladders, and fit tests. She also
has been looking into quotes for a 10-port hose testing unit, Computerized Reporting Programs,
Turnouts, Electronic Sign, Wheeled Firehose Rolling System, SCBA Regulator update to quick
disconnect. Acting Chief Nelson focused on three areas of concern, Turnouts not being to
standards, radio and pager batteries not lasting, and being able to complete annual testing.
Bayside has also been requested to be medical standby for the racetrack this season and the
Salonie Creek Gun Range clean up event on May 8`h. They are hoping to also do a collaboration
with Women's Bay Fire if some volunteers from that department want to join in.
There was discussion regarding the items from the Chief s report.
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7. CHAIR PERSON'S REPORT
Chair Van Dyke said most of the items he would like to talk about are listed later in the agenda.
But wanted to report that he and Chief Nelson sat down and had a great talk.
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8. NEW BUISNESS
A. MICHAEL GIBBS TRAVEL/TRAINING ASSISTANCE
Chair Van Dyke presented the email from Michael Gibbs requesting assistance for his
travel and training costs. There were discussions/emails among the Board giving the go
ahead to help out prior to Michael leaving. Bringing it to the meeting now is to make it
official.
CARSTENS MOVED to support Michael Gibbs reimbursement for the Wilderness First
Responder Class not to exceed $1,051.00. VAN DYKE seconded.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9.OLD BUISNESS
A. HIRIING PROCESS FOR FIRE CHIEF
Chair Van Dyke announced that the Borough Manager has received three applications.
The Manager will begin the review process internally and did not give any timeframe.
When the Manager previously came to the Board at the end of Chief Smith's
employment, the Board provided their recommendation to him. Ultimately it was
clarified that the Manager will most likely not ask for input from the Board because they O
already provided their recommendation. Chair Van Dyke will continue to communicate
with the Manager and pass along information as it comes available.
10. VISITOR COMMENTS — Scott Arndt discussed items from Acting Chief Nelson's
report.
11. BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS
R. Carstens — Hose testing is yearly requirement for all the hose at the station. It is very difficult
to do hose testing with larger quantity. Purchasing and sharing the unit with other stations will
both save time and money for all.
R. Nelson — Thank you to Matt Corriere and Michael Gibbs for stepping up while I'm on duty
with USCG. Also, a big thank you to Patrick Callahan who covers for me so I can be present for
drills and other events such as this meeting. The reporting list I provided is just to open up
communication, not trying to force any decisions. If we offer more for volunteers they will come.
Just want start conversations, come together, so we can all move forward.
C. Walton — Thank you Chief Nelson, Michael Gibbs, and to all that have been helping out.
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A. Griffin — The fire training program that is being discussed sounds amazing. There has been
chit chat in the background about joint trainings. If we can homebrew fire fighters, EMTs, and
Airport support it will give local people full access to jobs and lifetime careers. You can't
calculate the cost benefit for being able to hire locally. Emergency Reporting Software, yes,
initially there was sticker shock. Using the specific software that Chief Nelson is talking about
there are lots of benefits. But with benefit comes liability and accountability. The folks who use
the software will have to be accountable for what they enter. I support the idea to do Fit Testing
through NWFF at the cost they quoted, no machine to maintain. I agree that we need to partner
with other departments to test ladders. I am encouraged about the communication on these
topics. I am discouraged by the Manager's decision to exclude the board but hope he makes a
swift and correct decision.
M. Dolph — Thank you Chief Nelson for the detailed report. Keep on keeping on.
P. Van Dyke — Second that — thank you to all who have been helping. Chief Nelson please
provide report to Patricia in advance of next meeting and we can include it in the packet. On the
quotes you provided, you can also provide information to Patricia and she can help where she
can. I hope the Manager completes the process quickly, thoroughly, and successfully to hire the
next fire chief. I met with Chief Nelson and the expectation is to keep the station on the tracks.
Very much appreciate your report and the outlined concerns highlighted. Turnouts,
radios/pagers, physicals, and testing are all things that are at the top of my priority list and much
more important than software. You have limited time at the station, and I want to make sure you
are not overwhelmed by too many responsibilities. And again, thank you for all the hard work.
12. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULE — June 8"', 2021 Chair will call a meeting if more news is
presented regarding recruitment/hiring of a new Fire Chief.
13. ADJOURNMENT
DOLPH MOVED to adjourn the meeting. CARSTENS seconded.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
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Date: LX/Ci/
cia Valerio, Board Secretary
Engineering/Facilities Department
APPROVED BY:
Date: 2
Chair Paul VanDyke
Fire Protection Area #1
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