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~:- ~_e MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 16, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 16, 1978, at 7:30 p.m., in the commissioners' Roam of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, ,Ian Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Staff personnel present were 5. M. Gattis, County Manager, Geoffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, members from the Planning Staff, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk to the Board. _ Item l: Does any member of the Board desire to add additional items to this agenda? Items added were: Discussion of the Durham-Orange Employment and Training Service. Request for a Fireworks Display Permit Road matters Legal Notices Scheduling of budget hearings for the next two weeks The Chairman referred to Item 2: Minutes of the May 1, 1978 Board meeting are submitted for consideration. Upon motion of Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, the minutes of May 1, 1978 were approved. Commissioner Willhoit asked that a letter be sent to Dr. Barnett Parker, explaining in more detail the reason why his request for release from a late penalty was denied by the Commissioners. Chairman Whitked stated that he would write such a letter. Item 3: Mr. Louis G. Freeland, Jr., President of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association, requests the Board establish the position of County Fire Marshall, appropriate the necessary funds and appoint a quali- fied person to fill the position within the 1978 calendar year. The agenda :attachment which was prepared by the Fire Chiefs Associa- tion stated that Orange County is in dire need of a Fire Marshal to coordi- nate all fire prevention programs and activities within the County. His work would involve creating effective volunteer fire-fighting companies and conducting an inspection program. Considerable judgment, initiative, and tact must be exercised in training and leading volunteers, developing the avexall program, and dealing with the public under emergency and routine conditions. Work is performed under general direction and is evaluated in terms of the success and effectiveness of the overall program. The Fire Chiefs Association also recommended the Fire Marshal also be appointed the Civil Preparedness Officer. But he should not be obligated to any other positions. In the dual capacity as Fire Marshal and Civil Preparedness Officer, the Fire Marshal will be in the position to effective- ly plan and execute emergency actions, utilizing the county fire equipment in order to render assistance to county citizens. ~ Commissioner Gustaveson asked about the possibility of combining the duties of a Fire Marshal with the Civil Preparedness Coordinator. John Forrest of the Orange Fire Department stated that fox' the first year a Fire Marshal would have more than enough to do and a Fire Marshal's duties should not infringe upon the Civil Defense Coordinator's job. Commissioner Willhoit inquired about how a Fire Parshal's duties would interface with the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Fire Departments. Chief Swiger of the Carrboro Fire Department stated that the position would be most helpful to the two fire departments, to the rural fire depart- ments and to the Emergency Medical Service of the County. I3e added that 99 percent of the Fire Marshal's time would be spent working with rural fire departments in the County.