St. Clair County Fire Chiefs Association

MABAS Division 32

Meeting Minutes 12/04/03

 

The meeting was called to order by President Feher at 7:05pm.

 

President Feher dispensed with the normal order of business, and introduced Jay Reardon, President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and MABAS President, and Bob Buhs, Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.

 

Mr. Reardon spoke about what the IFCA and MABAS have been doing statewide.  Included was that MABAS should be forming its 49th division next week.  The new legislative season for the IFCA will begin soon.  There will be several legislative issues being worked on.  The Illinois Terrorism Task Force is continuing its work.  Since being formed in 1999, the task force has made significant progress and is among one of the top in the states.  Military spec mask have been ordered.  Decon units are being looked at on for a statewide response.  Work is continuing on the State USAR team.  The hopes are that it will be online by this summer.  MABAS will be working to have an exercise to test the statewide mutual aid plan.  The incident management training classes should be out in mid 2004.

 

Mr. Buhs spoke about the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.  The fire education scholarship fund is currently taking applications.  Applications are in the Gong.   The chiefs will be working very closely with the Fire Protection Districts on the legislative issues.  One issue being looked at is the Volunteer Fire Protection Bill.  This would protect the jobs of firefighters who leave work to respond to calls.  The Illinois Legisature is looking at trying to get member initiatives back in place. A needs assessment survey will be sent out to every department from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.  This survey needs to be completed and sent back.  The statewide ID system is about to begin phase 1.  This will include ID’s  for Hazmat and Tech Rescue teams.  Phase 2 will cover 1st responders.

 

IFSI – Duane Bales reported that an arson investigation class is to be held this summer in Fairview on Friday’s and Saturday’s.  Class size is limited so those interested should get signed up for the class as soon as possible.

 

SWIC – Lee Smith reported that funding for the training site has been released and they are waiting for the architect’s contracts.  Weekday spring classes have begun.  Sseveral weekend classes will be held this spring.

 

MMRS – Dave Nulsen reported on the last MMRS meeting.  Area hospitals will be looking at evacuation areas.  Smallpox phase 2 will start soon.  National stockpiles are being looked at and how to get supplies distributed.  The medical tracking system should be coming to St. Clair County soon.

 

IEMA will be looking at having a ground rescue training class this spring.  The class through IEMA would have a state certification.  The Metro East Search and Rescue team will be having this same class this year.  Asst. Chief Borkowski volunteered to help set up the class thru Stan Kruchas at IEMA.

 

MABAS – Missouri Region C mutual aid will be meeting tomorrow.  The hope is that the agreement gets signed for the entire state of  Missouri to join MABAS.

 

Special Emergency Services – The truck and two trailers have been received.  All are being worked on to get put into service.

 

Radio System – Motorola marketing is producing flyers for the March 16th election.  A countywide mailing will be done.  Yard signs will also be available soon.  The flyers will be mailed 1-2 weeks before the election.  The information will also be available on the chiefs website.  A question was posed about a maintenance program for departments for any new equipment.  This question will be presented to the radio authority.

 

O’Fallon Fire Department will be hostng the Abbottville simulator from Command School Inc. on February 6th & 7th.  Departments interested should contact O’Fallon. 

 

Chiefs meeting was adjourned at 9:10pm.

 

The MABAS Divison 32 meeting was called to order at 9:10 pm. 

 

The MABAS executive meeting will be held next week.

 

A motion was made and seconded to reimburse Signal Hill for dinner for this meeting.  Motion passed.

 

A quick discussion was held concerning the formation of a tanker task force.  Recommendation was made to go ahead and look at any other task force’s that may be useful in the county, such as brush truck, lighting, etc.  Lee Smith will begin working on this.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm.