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representatives, including Chief Matthews, and they brought some documentation, but it was <br /> incorrect and not what he had asked for. When he confronted Chief Matthews about the <br /> information, the response was, "I'm not bringing all of that down here." He said that he was able <br /> to convince Chief Matthews to bring the information, but he only brought some of the <br /> information. He said that he asked for training records, and very little training had been done. <br /> He said that it has been a frustrating and time-consuming project for all involved. <br /> Colonel Montes de Oca said that the North Carolina Association of Rescue Squads and <br /> EMS requires that, for a rescue squad to be sanctioned or certified, it must have properly <br /> trained members. Early on in the request, 38 members were on the roster that the N. C. <br /> Association of Rescue Squads and EMS report. Shortly after he requested information about <br /> the rosters, 21 members were removed off of the roster. A minimum of eight members must be <br /> properly trained to be recognized as a rescue squad. Three of the members originally a part of <br /> that recognized group do not live in the area. One lives in Charlotte, one lives on the east <br /> coast, and one lives in Alamance County and would not confirm that he is a member of the <br /> rescue squad. The final count is that there are only seven members on the rescue squad, <br /> which means that it does not comply with State law. He does not know how long the squad has <br /> not complied with State law. Based on the information provided by Emergency Services, the <br /> department shall continue dialogue with Orange County Rescue Squad to determine what <br /> useful role Orange County Rescue Squad can play in the Orange County Emergency Services <br /> system. The department will conduct this dialogue over the next 60 days and then come back <br /> to the Board with a recommendation on this issue. This is his recommendation. <br /> Regarding the question of financial impact, the County pays $2,409 per month for rent of <br /> a building that he would not stay in. He said that the building is unsecure, dirty, and noisy. In <br /> addition, the franchise calls for$20,000 a year of in-kind services, which can include fuel, <br /> supplies for special events, loaning of ambulances for special events, etc. This equates to <br /> $48,000 every year that the County is committed to in order to provide support for a voluntary <br /> service. South Orange Rescue Squad does not receive all of this. He said that all of the fire <br /> districts now provide rescue and extrication services in addition to fire services. Part of the <br /> framework of franchises is that services are allowed to come in that do not duplicate or over- <br /> duplicate other services, and this would. He said that there is no strategic advantage of the <br /> rescue squad providing the service if all of the fire departments are already providing the <br /> service. All of the fire departments are committed to training. He said that he recommends not <br /> duplicating a service that is already being provided by the fire service in these tight budget <br /> times. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the County has a responsibility that is under State statute for <br /> providing services. She said that the staff would continue to work with the squad for the next 60 <br /> days. <br /> Chair Jacobs explained that there would be no public comment since this is a work <br /> session. He said that, in fairness, a representative from the rescue squad should be allowed to <br /> speak for a few minutes and respond. <br /> Orange County Rescue Squad Response: <br /> Chief Brian Mathews distributed Chapter 14, which was alluded to by Colonel Montes de <br /> Oca. He said that his issue with the stand down was the way it was done. There was no <br /> contact with him prior to the stand down about any of the issues. There was a meeting set on <br /> May 20, 2008 with Emergency Services and in that meeting it was stated that Emergency <br /> Services wanted to have a long-range planning session with the rescue squad for five, ten, and <br /> fifteen years out. There was a plan to have a follow-up meeting on June 131h, and that meeting <br /> was cancelled. On June 27th he received a phone call about the stand down. He made <br /> reference to Section 14, under the Terms and Agreements of 14-151, which states that, "The <br />