Fire Service Steering Committee Minutes 02/15/1994 MINUTES
FIRE SERVICE STEERING COMMITTEE
February 15. 1994
The Fire Service Steering Committee was called to order at 7 : 50PM
at Port of the Islands , Meeting was hosted by Ochopee Fire
Control District .
In attendance were the following:
Vince Doerr, Chief , OFCD
Linda Swisher, Secretary, OFCD
Jim Jones , Chief , NNFD
Walter Kissel , Commissioner, NNFD
J.C. Nutley, Chief , IFD
Gary Wrage, Commissioner, IFD
Bob Shank, Chief , ENFD
Rob Potteiger, Assistant Chief , ENFD
Greg Speers , Commissioner, ENFD
Tom Cannon, Commissioner, ENFD
Don Peterson, Chief , GGFD
Gene Smith, Commissioner, GGFD
Frank Kovarik, Chief , BCIFR
Randy Lyon, Commissioner, BCIFR
Paul Plamondon, Commissioner , BCIFR
Charles McDonald, Chief , MIFD
Approval of Minutes :
A slight correction was made of last months minutes, under the
communications heading, MGH to MHZ . Walter Kissel made a motion
to accept the minutes as presented, then seconded and passed.
Treasurer ' s Report :
Walter Kissel gave a financial report which is as follows :
Steering Committee Balance - $1345 . 53
Green Channel - $1876 . 00
Check Book Balance - $3201 . 03
The treasurers report was accepted.
Election of Officers :
Walter Kissel made a motion to make Tom Cannon Chairman again of
the Steering Committee, it was seconded and accepted.
Jim Jones was voted Vice Chairman again.
Walter Kissel was voted Treasurer again.
Gary Wrage was voted Secretary.
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Communications :
Walter Kissel made reference to a meeting he had with the City of
Naples Mayor and Fire Chief Tom Smith, the specific topic being
the dispatching of the Independent Fire Districts . They Were
responsive as far as going along with the rest of the Fire
Departments but wanted to stay with the Police Department , like
it is set up now.
Charles McDonald feels they need to be cautious of not creating
another level of taxation. If we shift to the City of Naples and
if the tax payers have to pay for an EF Johnson System for the
County it could cause a problem. He mentioned that Chris Nind
wanted him to pass on to the other Chief ' s if they wanted to do
an engineering study. He made reference to the fact that Ben
Hollycross did a study and it was never considered.
It is Don Peterson ' s impression that Michael Volpe wants to know
how much it is going to cost and what the financing will be.
Charles McDonald stated Johnson can improve our system but there
would be no room for growth.
Walter Kissel made a comment as to whether the Johnson Equipment
will be able to handle growth in each of the Fire Districts .
Charles McDonald, they need four 900 ' towers for the Johnson
System. He feels they need to have some input on the 800 MHZ
System.
Donald Peterson stated if EMS goes 800 MHZ, then the Fire
Departments could stay VHF.
It was finally agreed that the Communications Committee will keep
the Steering Group informed of what is happening.
EMS:
Donald Peterson stated that Diane Flagg was going to speak to
the Golden Gate Estates Association tomorrow night .
J .C. Nutley suggested they be there at that meeting tomorrow
night to hear presentation .
Charlie McDonald stated that part of Diane Flagg' s proposal is a
96% ad valorem and 4% user fee to fund EMS . He is putting
together a program with EMS, which would put one of his personnel
on Medic 4 , the Preceptor Program. Charlie McDonald is going to
look into possibly doing a study on how to enhance the EMS System
in Collier County.
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EMS Continued:
Charles McDonald commented that Diane Flagg is in contact with
the Hospital on how to call in the transports .
Notice of Upcoming Meetings of Interest :
Walter Kissel stated on 2-2-94 met with Carrie Roth and Mario
Taylor, the subject was consolidation. Mario Taylor has reviewed
presentations from different Counties and it is his opinion that
Consolidation should go back to the local governments . They feel
the meeting with Mario Taylor was not very productive, he was not
receptive to their ideas . He went on to say 11 Independent Fire
Departments out of 54 were represented in this meeting with Mario
Taylor . Walter Kissel said their work was cut out for them next
week when they go back for a workshop, prior to the bill going
before the Representatives . Senator Dudley has made the bill out
and is bringing it before the Senators to be voted on. Walter
Kissel stated the Counties do not want Consolidation there are
too many of them are going to max out there millage rates if they
take over the Fire Departments . The Counties want the State to
pick up the debts of the Fire Departments and they will run them.
In conclusion Carrie Roth is going to summarize what transpired
on 2-2-94 .
The next Fire Service Steering Committee Meeting is set for
3-15-94 at Immokalee Fire Department .
Jim Jones was directed by his Board to contact an individual in
reference to justifying Impact Fees . This will give the Fire
Departments some justification as to what they are charging for
Impact Fees and what they can be spent on.
Adjournment :
The meeting adjourned at 10 : 05PM.
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