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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Volunteers Skipping Training, Fire Board Told


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 19, 2015. Randall Knight has been updating the Employee handbook.  He has made changes and sent copies to the Board Members.  They, in turn, have given back additional suggestions.  It was noted that vacation and sick leave should probably be put into one ordinance.  Also, greater clarity when dealing with payment for assisting other districts when emergencies occur should be made.  There were a few other suggestions.  Randall said he would make the changes and again send copies to the Board for their input.

Chief  Mike Wahlberg had a couple of items he wanted to present to the Board for their opinion.  Action could perhaps be taken at the next meeting.

Currently, not all of the volunteer firefighters are coming to all of the training meetings.  Chief Wahlberg wants to try and encourage them to attend.  He though that men who attended 70 percent and up should received the Christmas Gift, the Christmas Dinner, and perhaps a monetary bonus.  Those between 50 percent and 70 percent would get the Christmas Gift and the Christmas Dinner.  Those between 25 percent and 50 percent would be given the Christmas Dinner.  Those below 25 percent would be placed on inactive status. 

Each of the individuals would be given an opportunity to make up their training using online sites that keep them sharp and ready to handle emergencies.  It is really a matter of safety.  Everyone needs to review and keep up on their training in order to do a good job when needed.  Chief Wahlberg said he would post the percent of attendance so that all firefighters will know where they stand.   Training is held twice each month for two hours.  The Board members asked that an ordinance be written, and they would review it and make a decision next month.

There are two individuals who have moved into the area who are interested in becoming firefighters.  Chief Wahlberg was pleased that they both have had experience and will be a great addition to the Garden City Fire District.

Chief Wahlberg would like to purchase a new boat for water emergencies.  The boat they currently use is cold, wet, slow, difficult to control, and easy to swamp.  He proposed that the current boat be kept because it is good for hazmat issues, working within the harbor, and body recovery.  However, those accidents out on the water require a faster response than the current boat is capable of handling.

Some additional equipment needs to be placed on the current boat if it is going to be used this summer for rescues.  A tower, radar equipment, a sonar device, and some work on the helm. The update for the boat will cost about $9,000.

Chief Wahlberg has been looking into the type of boat that would do a good job for the District.  He noted that he has found second-hand water craft that cost from $18,000 to $25,000.  Some additional equipment and medical supplies would need to be added to the boat, but would allow a much faster response.  The new boat should have a center console, carry a crew of three, and be about 26’ to 30’ feet in length.

The Board requested that Chief Wahlberg do so additional research.  He also needs to list the equipment that will be needed if the new boat is purchased.  He should also create a list of items that will have to be removed from the want list in order to balance the budget.

The responses this last month included an auto fire, a sunk boat, an extraction, and an agency assist.

Some of the equipment does need repair.  A company has been called and will be coming in the near future to make sure everything is in good condition.

Jenny England needs to turn in a copy of her certificate for her board training.  The firefighters have discussed having a shed raising party—probably later this spring.

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