Agenda - 03-03-2009 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 • Commissioner Halkiotis said that years ago they had discussions about hepatitis B vaccinations, and the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to make sure that. departments did not have to pay for vaccinations. He asked if this was still the case and it was answered yes. Commissioner Halkiotis asked if there has been any discussion on how the local assistance could be expanded. For example',volunteer departments could fuel at the County diesel pump site at Public Works. EMS Director Jack Ball said that they do not do this at this time. The County vehicles have a ring that is mounted on them to allow for pumping at this site. Under the State program, most of the volunteer departments are claiming a tax credit on fuel. Commissioner Halkiotis said that it would appear that there would be more opportunities for the County to aid and assist the volunteer departments. Jack Ball said that in his earlier career he helped set up satellite fueling stations for volunteer departments. He offered to work on this.if the Board was interested. Commissioner Jacobs said that he could see a couple of places the County can help with finances. He said that Guilford County is starting to hire fulltime firefighters and make them County employees so that they can receive benefits: He would like to see what the fire departments think of this idea. He suggested hiring one fulltime firefighter per department until every department had one He thinks there needs to be some discussion to talk through these ideas and how the County can help. He made reference to the idea of duplication of capital equipment. He asked about any type of system for setting minimums or maximums or coordinating heavy equipment. He asked if one entity has the equipment if it precludes others from buying it. Rod Visser said that they do not have anything firm in this area, but they could do a Countywide inventory on equipment and use this to guide decisions that all departments might make. Commissioner Jacobs said that with the growth with the EDD and Waterstone and in the 800 acres between Efland/Mebane,the needs for some of the departments would change dramatically. It would be good to be proactive and to have a plan to move forward.. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page three and the eight volunteer fire departments and if it included North Chatham and it was answered no Jack Ball said that there is a relationship with North Chatham. Commissioner Gordon asked how North Chatham would fit into the five points, since they provide service to Orange County. Jack Ball said that they met with North Chatham recently on the tax rate, and they indicated that they were in the process of expanding services and hiring additional personnel to man the second station. This will increase the capabilities of serving,Orange County. Commissioner Gordon would like to see,with the eight volunteer fire departments, information on what they have (inventory and capabilities), including North Chatham. She asked about the tax rate and the capital equipment. Rod Visser said that this information would be provided in the budget document on Wednesday. The departments that are asking for increases this year are directly related to things needed in the next five years. Valerie Foushee asked how many of the,volunteer departments have paid staff and Jack Ball said five departments (Orange Grove, Orange Rural, New Hope, Eno and North Chatham have paid staff). The number of paid staff varies from two to seven at each of those departments. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to page five,point four,the second sentence, and said that it should read, "A strategic plan must be developed....." He thinks that a third, neutral party should be brought in to help develop this strategic plan. Jack Ball said that the federal government has a Safer Grant that just came open. This allows volunteer fire departments to work towards hiring additional personnel and provides a