5b Hanover Area Fire and Rescue Commission

Minutes Hanover Area Fire and Rescue Commission Meeting Held Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Clover Lane Fire Station Present at the meeting: • Hanover Area Fire and Rescue Commission Chairman Michael Newman • Hanover Borough Councilmen Christopher Lockard and William Reichart, and Manager Margaret Lewis • Penn Township Commissioners Michael Brown and Mark Elksnis, and Manager Kristina Rodgers • Hanover Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue Representatives Jeffrey Spielman and Steve Otis • Hanover Area Fire and Rescue Chief Anthony Clousher and Secretary April Wetzel • EMA Coordinator Jeff Waltman, EMS Captain Claudia Christensen, Solicitor McGowan (via phone) and Hanover Area Volunteer George Zimmerman The meeting was called to order by Chairman Newman at 5:30 PM. Secretary Wetzel completed roll call; six (6) voting members were present, there is a quorum. Announcement of Executive Session: None. Public Comment: None. Consent Agenda Approval: • Mr. Otis moved for the approval of all three items on the Consent Agenda for March 2023. Seconded by Mr. Lockard, motion carried unanimously. Treasurers Report: o Mr. Otis reported that the numbers look good through the first quarter with income sitting at 29% and expenditures at 25.8% o Comparing the first quarter with the past two years, Mr. Otis has one minor concern with the trend looking a little softer than in years past but believes we are okay at this point and will continue to monitor the situation. Committee Reports: • Finance/Personnel: o The Committee is still in the process of looking into different options regarding the replacement of the Business Manager. • Facilities & Apparatus: o In addition to the report sent to the Commission members, Mr. Spielman stressed to the Commission that the parking lot at Clearview Station needs to be addressed. o Commissioner Brown suggested that the Commission wait for a proposal before making any decisions on when and how to proceed. In the meantime, suggested the board visit the station to get a first-hand look of the parking lot. April 20, 2023 Meeting Page 1 of 2 Fire Chief’s Report: o See attached report with agenda. o The 2022 annual Hanover Fire and Rescue report has been distributed. o An Executive Session concerning personnel matters was requested. o Chief Clousher introduced the Hanover Borough Finance Director, James Shelton, who was in attendance. He is planning to attend future Commission meetings. EMS Report: o EMS responded to 386 calls in March. o Still waiting for the two new ambulances to be delivered. Prior inspection found painting issues, so they were sent back to be repainted. o Due to continued staffing challenges, the third ambulance is occasionally in service. o EMT’s are fully staffed but down three full-time paramedics. o Not many COVID cases in this area. o RSV and Flu are taping off going into the summer season. EMA Report: o Currently working with the 2023 special events organizers to plan and prepare for emergencies through a written plan. o Working on a protocol requiring contractors who work on behalf of AT&T provide company identification to have critical infrastructure access into facilities. o Trinity Church of the Nazarene provided care kits to individuals that were displaced during two recent structure fires that occurred in March. o Currently working on revising the bi-annual review of regional operations to include debris management and a mass fatalities plan. Hanover Area Volunteer Fire & Rescue Report: o See report attached with minutes. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: None. Public Comment: o Howard Billig addressed the Commission about the current situation with EMS employees and recruiting. Mr. Billig expressed to the Commission that Local 2045 is willing to sit down to discuss any issues that need to be resolved. o Commissioner Brown suggested putting a committee together to meet with the union. o Chairman Newman stated he will be in contact with the union. At 6:01 p.m. motion to adjourn made by Mr. Otis, second by Mr. Brown. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, April Wetzel Recording Secretary April 20, 2023 Meeting Page 2 of 2  Hanover Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue P.O. Box 473 Hanover, PA 17331 717.637. 6671 www.79firevolunteers.com Commission Meeting Presentation George L. Zimmerman April 20, 2023 Clover Lane Station HAVFR Spokesman 1. Easter Egg Hunt - Penn Township Community Park The Penn Township Board of Commissioners invited HAVFR to provide Fire Prevention Education and Emergency Equipment displays at their annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 8, 2023. On a brisk and windy morning, seventeen volunteers mustered at the Community Park to prepare displays for interested families. This provided us another opportunity to connect with the families of our service area. The Easter Bunny was on hand, and a good time was had by all. 2. Training Opportunity On April 10, 2023, FF Tim Tyler and C-Shift hosted an Electric Vehicle Responder Course at the Clover Lane Station. The course highlighted hazards of lithium batteries on emergency scenes and strategies to mitigate them. The training event used the upgraded audio-visual equipment provided by the Relief Association for an enhanced learning experience. The session was attended by local Police Departments, First-Responders as well as local Towing and Recovery Service Providers. This is another example of the Department’s ability to connect with the Community. I am pleased to report 15 Volunteers attended the session and were available to respond to Hanover Borough for a “smoke inside a residence” fire call caused by a faulty breaker panel. 3. Update - New Company Vehicle It has been brought to my attention that we have received from the factory, via Gene Latta Ford, our 2023 Ford F-350 Utility Truck. The vehicle is currently having an electronics package installed. After completion of the electronics package, radio installation and lettering and branding will complete the vehicle’s preparation for service. All of these services are being provided by local vendors. Stay tuned! 4. Fundraiser Tickets are now available for Chicken Barbeque #1 to be held at the Clover Lane Station on May 20, 2023. Chef 79 Andy Alwine will prepare his famous “Bar-b-Que Chicken Dinner”. The dinner includes ½ chicken, baked potato, applesauce, and roll and butter. Pre-sale ticket holders pickup their dinners between 11:00am – 12:30pm. Ticket price/donation is $11.00. Save the date for our 2nd “Bar-b-Que”, August 19th. We appreciate your support. GLZ/pvz  Facilities and Equipment Report April 2023 Clover Lane Station: ● No new report Clearview Station: ● There is a major issue with the parking lot which was mentioned at last month’s meeting. This needs to be addressed and taken care of now. Wirt Park Station: ● The sinking of sections of the pads in the front equipment exit and return. They are being monitored. This will need to be repaired in the future. ● The preventative maintenance was completed on the HVAC system. Equipment: ● The two ambulances were purchased. We are waiting for the stretcher system to be installed before delivery. ● The new utility truck purchased by the Volunteers for the Commission was delivered on April 14th. Lighting packages and radios are now being installed. Jeffrey A. Spielman, Chairman Facilities and Equipment