Ochopee FC Advisory Committee Minutes 03/14/2016 OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
FOR MARCH 14, 2016
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call of Attendees
Caleb Morris, Assistant Fire Chief, Ochopee Fire Control District
Tony Davis, Chairman, Port of the Islands
Ron Gilbert,Advisory Committee Member, Port of the Islands
James Morris, Advisory Committee Member, Port of the Islands
Robert Craig, Advisory Committee Member, Port of the Islands
Jeannie Kungle, Guest
Additions and Deletions to Agenda
There were no additions or deletions to the Agenda.
Approval of Agenda
A motion was made to approve the Agenda it was seconded then passed.
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 8,2016
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the February 8th meeting it was seconded and
passed.
REPORTS:
Chief's Report
Budget(attached)
Chief Morris — The budget was attached for their review and if they had any questions he
suggested they contact Linda Swisher.
Chief Morris — So far in 2016 there have been 11 line of duty deaths in the US and 5 in the
month of February.
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Awards, Recognitions&Certifications
Chief Morris—There haven't been any awards through the Department however he mentioned
that Port of the Islands held a wonderful luncheon for the Fire Department. Numerous citizens
stopped by praising the Fire Department in regards to several Fire/Rescue Responses. Due to
the positive public response he feels the Department must be on the right track.
OPERATIONS REPORT:
Chief Morris —There were 53 incidents in the month of February one Marine Rescue call out of
District to Cape Romano. Also there were 14 calls on 1-75; 9 vehicle accidents, 3 emergency
medicals & 2 vehicle fires.
Chief Morris - Greater Naples Fire District performed 28 Fire Inspections and there were no
Fire Investigations.
Chief Morris was asked by Ron Gilbert if the calls were decreasing.
Chief Morris— It is lower than last month but we are still up from last year.
Tony Davis—We had 82 calls in January.
Chief Morris-Then it has decreased significantly in comparison to last month's call volume.
He thinks people are heading home.
OLD BUSINESS:
Working on 1-75 Internet Scheduled for January (still waiting)
Chief Morris—We are still waiting in regards to the internet installation at the 1-75 Fire Station.
Century Link is still moving forward with installing the service but it has not happened yet.
Flag Pole at Station 60 (on order)
Chief Morris—The flag pole is still on order. The original order was cancelled without informing
Chief McLaughlin so it had to be re-ordered.
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant for Fiscal Year 2016 passed
Chief Morris—The grant passed and all of the personnel have been sized for the bunker gear.
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Hold Harmless Agreement Passed
Chief Morris—The Hold Harmless Agreement passed and is moving forward
Port of the Islands Hotel (in lien litigation)
Tony Davis—The Port of the Islands Hotel is not in lien litigation yet.
Tony Davis talked Steve Athey with Code Enforcement who said the owners were going to
move forward with the demolition.
Chief Morris—The last he heard was they are going to move forward with that they are going to
start bulldozing the building. He understood the new owners wanted to keep the front
entrance and level the rest of the hotel.
Tony Davis — Code enforcement is going to push it through from the stand point that the
building is a fire hazard. He heard that the new owners wanted to level all the rooms to the
left and restore everything on the right. But nothing has been done there is nothing new
regarding the hotel.
Everglades City Advisory Committee Member Vacancy
Tony Davis- He asked if any one spoke to Kenny Brown about being on the Ochopee Advisory
Committee.
Chief Morris— He has spoken to some of the people in the community. He thinks we could get
someone to fill the position. Everglades City knows the position needs to be filled and they are
going to appoint someone but nothing has happened.
Chief Morris — I don't know if we should move forward in regards to finding a community
member Everglades City stated they were going to take care of it and appoint someone.
Tony Davis - We have enough members now but it would be nice to get someone from
Everglades City.
Chief Morris—He will talk to the Mayor again in regards to appointing a new member.
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New Computers for Chief 60&62(they are in and installation is in progress)
Chief Morris — The computers are for the new dispatching system. Through the new
dispatching system the call goes right to the computer and gives you all the details. It is also
tied to a GPS system that shows the location of all the trucks.
NEW BUSINESS:
Radios for Stations 60, Support 60 & Boat 60 (the last two radios for dispatch compliance,
Ochopee is at 100%)
Caleb Morris - We replaced radios through a grant last year. The last three radios replaced
were Station 60,Support 60 and Boat 60.
PUBLIC COMMENT
A private citizen of Port of the Islands had a fire in his home and was very happy with the
service provided by the Ochopee Fire Control District.
Ron Gilbert asked how Chief Morris is notified about a call when he is not in his vehicle.
Chief Morris — During business hours he has his radio on, at home he has a pager, also the
dispatch program automatically goes to the cell phone.
Tony Davis—He commented about the luncheon and how well it went
Chief Morris—Wanted to thank everyone for the luncheon.
James Morris—He asked what is going to happen to Everglades City in the consolidation.
Jean Kungle — Everglades City will be included in the Consolidation unless they want to go on
their own like Marco Island and the City of Naples.
Chief Morris — He doesn't think they will do that. Right now Everglades City has an agreement
with Ochopee Fire Control District for fire service.
Ron Gilbert—He said if there is a consolidation the millage rate will be the same.
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ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting it was seconded and the meeting ended.
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Ocho Control District Advisory Committee
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