September 11, 2017 - Fire/EMS Committee Meeting

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER

FIRE/EMS COMMITTEE MEETING

September 11, 2017

 

Village Officials present:

Mike Schwab, Mayor                          Dave Godwin, Councilman

Chuck Hawk, Councilman                   Tom Hilliard, Councilman

Paul Mackey, Councilman                   Steve Tharp, Councilman

Mike Miller, Village Administrator         Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Fire Chief Chris Colucy                       Asst. Chief/Medic Program Coordinator Jen Mohler

 

Meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwab at 6:30pm.

 

The meeting was called to review Fire and EMS Budgets.  A quick review was made of the revenues and expenditures from 2011 through August of 2017. 

 

Training cost were discussed and it was determined by the chief which classes were necessary for the department.  Those included CPR and the 36-hour Firefighter Training.  Asst. Chief Mohler reviewed all the continuing education(CE’s) courses required for Paramedics and how often they are required for recertification.  The majority of the CE’s are free for personnel throughout the year during department training.   

 

Future vehicle purchases included a pumper for $500,000, a tanker for $ 350,000, and an ambulance for $160,000-$240,000. 

 

Future equipment purchases included SCBA (airpacks) for a cost of at least $105,000 (grants will be applied for) and MARC’s radios (also will apply for grants).

 

Future infrastructure includes a fire bay exhaust system and showers. Clerk King provided budgets for 2017 – 2022 based on 2016 expenses and revenues.

 

Some adjustments discussed for the Fire budget were creation of a Training/New Firefighter, AMT, And Paramedic Costs Budget that would be capped at $10,000 and would require new Firefighters and Paramedics to sign a contract before any physicals, background checks and training begin.  New Paramedics would need to sign a contract with reimbursement clause prior to training which is governed by Village Training policies and approval by appropriate Officials. Suggestion that operation and maintenance expenses for the Paramedic operations come from the Fire Equipment Fund.  Suggest that $7,500 of the contract revenue go to the EMS Fund.  Suggest hold any wage increases to 2% and the possible restructuring of the pay schedule for Firefighters.  No revenue is available to set aside for vehicle or equipment purchases.  The asset list was also discussed.  The life expectancy of equipment and the grants available were also discussed.

 

Some suggestions for the EMS Fund were the creation of a $2,000 Training line item, set aside $20,000 annually for vehicle replacement, engage a collection agency for delinquent bills, and cap the Village share of the purchase of a new ambulance at $180,000.  Chief Colucy suggested that the Village hard bill, but there were reasons brought up against it.  Asst. Chief Mohler had reviewed all the bills and provided the numbers of delinquent bills and the amounts unbillable and the contractual limits through the insurance companies because the Village is considered a provider.

 

There was a discussion on additional millage for the Fire Levy for 2021-2025 and/or a Fire/EMS equipment/vehicle levy.  VA Miller provided an estimate of $62,500/year needed to replace vehicles on a rotating schedule.  The first out pumper is a refurbished 1993 Sutphen.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer