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April 16, 2002
Pend Oreille County Fire Protection District No. 2

Regular meeting called to order by Chairman Brad Larson at 1830 at Administrative Office, Metaline Falls, WA

Present were: Commissioners Brad Larson, Dave Hubert and Roy Layton, Administrative Assistant John Rumelhart.

Commissioner Hubert moved that the preliminary agenda be approved. The motion was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Hubert moved that the March 11, 2002 meeting minutes be approved as sent. The motion was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Hubert moved that all outstanding bills be paid. The motion was approved unanimously.

Reports
  • Administrative Assistant
    • In March 2002 there were 13 ambulance runs with 8 transports. Total billing was $9,382.00.
    • As of March 31, 2002 the General Fund has a balance of $7,124.24, the General Fund Investment Pool has $260.42, the Rescue Fund has a balance of $10,228.36 and the Rescue Fund Investment Pool has $6,636.58.
  • Fire Commissioner
    • Riley Creek Land Update - A couple of different options exist for obtaining the property from Riley Creek. Commissioner Layton will talk with the County Commissioners to request a variance to the subdivision provisions of the Growth Management Plan.
    • Training - Nothing to report.
  • Rescue Commissioner
    • Seattle City Light Contract - The proposed amendment to the contract extending it for one year with the 3% increase was sent to Jim Collen. Commissioner Hubert will follow up on where that proposal stands.
  • Administrative Commissioner
    • Meth Lab Training - A Meth Lab training session for EMS and Fire is scheduled for Saturday the 20th has been scheduled.
    • Station 24 - Commissioner Layton will start exploring designs for the station and will present a proposal at the next meeting.
Old Business
  • Ambulance Purchase - The ambulance has been put into service, there still a few minor problems to clear up.
  • Ambulance Excess Funds - The loan to purchase the new ambulance has $24,947.60 left. This amount could be used to purchase additional equipment for the new ambulance or used to make the first three and half payments. After much discussion it was unanimously decided to apply the excess toward the payments.
  • Station Cleaning - Tabled until next meeting.
  • Oxygen Bottle Lifter - A safe method for lifting large oxygen bottles into ambulances was discussed. An expenditure of up to $1,000.00 for a lifter was unanimously approved.
  • Old Dive Rescue - The County has expressed interest in using the Dive Rescue vehicle as a HazMat response vehicle. The County understands that the District will be custodian of the HazMat equipment and supplies, but will not be able to supply personnel. Commissioner Hubert will make arrangements to get the vehicle running and outfitted.
  • EMS District - An EMS Levy was discussed. Community outreach would be needed before the levy is run to explain the need for it. Commissioner Hubert will approach the Hospital District about running the levy and will oversee the community outreach.
New Business
  • Pagers - The need for additional digital pagers was discussed. It was unanimously decided to purchase six Apollo pagers with the Rescue Fund.
  • Terrorism - A north end terrorism drill will be held August 10th at Boundary Dam.
  • Application - Brad Davenport was interviewed and unanimously approved to join the District's responders.
  • Fueling Policy - The diesel and gasoline is cheaper at the County shop, so a policy mandating the fueling of all District vehicles at the County Shop was unanimously adopted.
  • Medicare Ambulance Billing - Medicare has implemented a new billing method starting April 1st. Medicare will now only pay one ground transporting agency, which will complicate our billing whenever we pick up a Newport Ambulance paramedic or transfer a patient to another ground ambulance. An agreement with Newport Ambulance for the new billing will need to be worked out. Administrative Assistant Rumelhart will draft an agreement and present it at the next meeting.
  • Repeater System - Steve West and JoAnn Boggs would like to meet with the Board to discuss the purchase and installation of a repeater system for the Metaline Falls area. They will try to attend the next meeting.
The Next Meeting Agenda was discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 1950, next meeting May 21, 2002 at the administrative office.

/s/ John Rumelhart, Clerk of the Board

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