Spring Meeting Minutes April 21^st 2012

1.       Meeting called to order by President Caudill at 10:05 hours

2.       Membership present by the sign in sheet: Alpha-Mastodon FD, Breitung Twp FD, Sagola Twp FD, Tri-County FD, West Iron County FD, Marquette Twp FD, Sands Twp FD, Autrain Twp FD, Republic Twp FD, Negaunee Twp FD, Wells Twp FD, Skandia-West Branch FD, Richmond Twp FD, Munising FD, Rock River Twp FD, Ironwood Twp FD, Ironwood VFD, Ironwood PSD, Wakefield FD, Watersmeet Twp FD, Dawn Ver Haagh from MDA.

3.       Pledge of allegiance said aloud.

4.       Introduction of Guests:  New State Fire Marshall Rich Miller, Paul Ivan (Michigan Chiefs , MABAS Division), Dawn Verhaagh (MDA), Joe Grutza (OFFT)

5.       Roll call of Board members.

a.       President Caudill – Present

b.      Vice President  Perlongo – Present

c.       Secretary / Treasurer Seppala – Present

d.      Trustee Jacobson – Present

e.      Trustee Yon – Present

6.       Approval of agenda. Motion made by Chief Seppala – AMFD with support from Chief Koski Republic Twp FD, all were in favor, motion carried.

7.       Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the fall meeting dated October 1^st 2011 motion to approve was entertained by Chief Caudill Watersmeet Twp FD with support from Chief Jacobson, Ironwood VFD with the correction of Chuck Doefer to Doug Doefer. All were in favor and the motion carried.

8.       Treasurers Report:  Was explained by Secretary Seppala and a motion was made by Chief Simondson, Sagola Twp FD with support from Chief Iverson, Breitung Twp FD. All were in favor and the motion carried.

9.       Unfinished Business: None

10.   Training:  Chief Caudill Spoke of the training held in Iron Mountain in February and the instructor Doug Doefer.  It was a good seminar and an excellent instructor and about 75 people attended.  Dick had thoughts of different dates to hold the seminar.  It was the consensus to have the seminar the weekend between the playoff game and the Super Bowl.  Palmer FD made the motion with support from Skandia West branch to hold the seminar the second weekend in February, all were in favor. Dick asked if anyone had suggestions on a trainer or subject to let him know by e-mail or phone.

11.   New Business:  Ad to be placed in the Tournament book, full page ad for $200.00

12.   Reports:

a.       State Fire Marshal Rich Miller addressed the issues before him on funding for training, fireworks sales issue and training on such. He also stated he is going to have a position in his office for a dedicated grant writer to assist the fire service in Michigan with obtaining fire service grants. He also touched base in the fire investigator shortage.   Chief Simondson asked about training on the new Fireworks bill, compliance. There will be training available by the APA with instructor Greg Smith.  There was much discussion. He asked if there were any questions on the training or enforcement to forward to Dick or Jeff to forward to the Fire Marshall before the next meeting.

b.      OFFT Joe Grutza touched base on HB#4293 the fireworks bill. He also touched base on Part 74 and recommended training. The word is out and he was told that we need a new tanker shuttle training class. There was much discussion. Spoke about holding a Fire Instructor course up here in the UP. We need to have 16 people interested for a class. There was a lot of discussion on training within the State.

c.       Chief Caudill introduced Brandon Snyder, fire officer and new fire training instructor for Ironwood Public Safety. There was much more discussion on FFI & FFI training verses challenges and part 74 recommended training.

d.      Chief Iverson Recommended taking a FIVE minute break at 11:34 hours and we did.

e.      Dawn Ver Haagh from The Muscular Dystrophy Association gave her presentation on the fill the boot campaign that in conjunction with the Fire Departments are able to raise a substantial amount of money that stays in your community to assist these families. If your department would like to participate please contact her and they (MDA) will provide all of the marketing and assistance with your planned event.

f.        Paul Ivan from the Michigan Chief’s gave his presentation in the implementation of the MABAS system that is in progress in 7 counties in Lower Michigan and how well it works. A book was handed out for all to review.

g.       Member Comments:  Chief Jacobson apologized to the group that the Tournament packets were not all out yet and he had some with him to distribute.  Chief yon mentioned placing a full page ad in the tournament book for a cost of $200.00. A motion was made by Palmer FD with support from Marquette Twp FD, all were in favor and the motion carried.  Chief Caudill stated he would be an advocate for the MABAS system. Chief Seppala and Perlongo had nothing to add.

h.      Next Meeting: Annual meeting Thursday July 26^th at 10:00 am at the Memorial Building in Ironwood, corner of McLeod and Marquette, the site of the Tournaments.

i.        Adjournment: 12:41 est. Motion by Marquette Twp FD with support from Ironwood Twp FD, meeting closed.