2024-12-03 Regular MeetingKodiak Island Borough
Fire Protection Area No. 1 Service Area Board
December 3, 2024
A regular meeting of the Fire Protection Area No. 1 Service Area Board was held on December
3, 2024, in the Bayside Fire Hall.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Richard Carstens called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
ROLL CALL
Staff Brian Price conducted a roll call. Members present were Chair Richard Carstens,
Vice -Chair John Parker, Scott Arndt, and Mike Dolph. A quorum was established. Also
in attendance was Chief of Bayside Fire Department Scott Ellis.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ARNDT moved to approve the agenda. DOLPH seconded.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APROVAL OF MINUTES
PARKER MOVED to approve the minutes of the 10.08.2024 regular meeting. DOLPH
seconded.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF FINANCIAL REPORT
ARNDT MOVED to acknowledge the financial report dated 11.26.2024. PARKER
seconded.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS' COMMENTS (Limited to Three Minutes per Speaker)
None.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Chief Scott Ellis gave his report. Trainings are still being improved in different ways.
Current trainings were shared. Leadership has been tasked to to look at the staffing &
response model for possible revisions and updates. Chief Scott Ellis shared run
volumes for the last month. More calls have been coming in that do not require full -
squad response. There was recent work being done with the board of education and
schools for reinstating the cadet program. The roles of auxiliary members have been
growing and continue to be a tremendous help for peripheral duties. Chief Scott Ellis
Kodiak Island Borough Fire Protection Area No. 1 Board Regular
December 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes
shared plans to establish a SQUAD 12 that would represent multiple entities through
revamping the KARES Bus. Upstarting this project was briefly explained.
CHAIR PERSONS' REPORT
Chair Richard Carstens thanked Chief Scott Ellis for the Thanksgiving meal that was
provided at Bayside Fire Station Monday of the holiday week.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Board Chair & Vice -Chair
PARKER nominated Richard Carstens for Boar Chair. There were no other
nominations for Board Chair.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY UNDER GENERAL CONSENT
CARSTENS nominated John Parker for Board Vice -Chair. There were no other
nominations made for Vice -Chair.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY UNDER GENERAL CONSENT
Overview of the FY2025 Bayside Budget by Chief Ellis
Chief Scott Ellis began the overview. Long term goals were shared to continue
deploying the department at the level it has been while looking for improvements.
Some things will depend on grant funding to hedge the cost demand. Chief Scott Ellis
touched base on various needs for the Fire Station and provided examples of deficient
equipment. Quotes were provided to the board to show expected cost. Chief Scott
Ellis continued to share preventable, persisting issues with personnel equipment. He
addressed this issue as imperative to ensuring firefighters at Bayside have the best
opportunity for good health and safety while in the line of duty. Plans and time frame
for grant applications were relayed to the board.
Chief Scott Ellis continued the overview and transitioned to discussion of the staffing
model. The staffing issue across multiple entities affecting mutual aid were shared
with board members and illuminated concerns that also apply especially to Bayside
Fire Department. Chief Scott Ellis illustrated a few examples of how the staffing issue
could impede response time and create dire circumstances.
Chief Scott Ellis referenced that ARPA funds were being reallocated to the fire
stations. By December 19th, Chief Scott Ellis anticipates getting an answer from the
Borough regarding what amount of funds can be utilized by the Fire Department.
Further discussion ensued.
CHAIR CARSTENS called for a 3 -minute recess at 7:OOpm.
CHAIR CARSTENS called the meeting back to order at 7:03pm.
Kodiak Island Borough Fire Protection Area No. 1 Board Regular
December 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS
John Parker - Shared details of the recent talks with the Kodiak High School Principal.
Chief Scott Ellis has arranged for an actual in -school recruitment procedure to begin.
[Chief Scott Ellis shared his forward outlook for the program]
Richard Carstens - Speaks more to the issue of staffing shortages among local fire
departments as well as Bayside. The number of firefighters that are needed manage
the tasks of a standard housefire is about the same as the number of firefighters on
the island. It puts Bayside's personnel in a lot more danger when responding to
emergencies short-handed.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting date was set to be call of the chair.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09pm.
ATTEST:
Brian Price, Price, Engineering & Facilities
Facilities
Secretary
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Richard Carstens, FPA#1, Board Chair
Approvedon: Q/`ZR/SLS
JAN 1 9 2024
BOROUGH CLEWS OFFICE
KODIW ALASKA
Kodiak Island Borough Fire Protection Area No. 1 Board Regular
December 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes