City Council Committee Agendas

Mount Vernon Fire Department Public Safety Meeting February 3, 2016 Minutes Approval of the Minutes Commissioner Hudson made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Motion was seconded by Commission Fielder. Motion passed. FIRE 2015 Code Season  2015 is a code year and Fire Marshal Riggs provided an introduction to the upcoming fire code changes. o New sprinkler requirements for Group A, E and I buildings. o Carbon Dioxide systems detection and alarms will be required for business with 100 lbs. or more of CO2 on premises. o New language was added to address sky lanterns and certification requirement for fire alarm design and inspection.  The Fire Marshal will be bringing forward for council consideration draft language for emergency ban on fireworks at the local level.  The local Fire Marshals are working together to review local codes and develop similar codes amongst jurisdictions.  FM Riggs will be coming back for further discussion at the April Public Safety meeting. Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT)  House Bill 2007 allows Washington’s public ambulance providers supplemental reimbursement through the Federal government.  Qualified “public ambulance providers” are owned or operated by the state, a city, county, fire protection district, etc. as defined in 42.C.F.R.Sec 433.50  Ambulance transport is not required to receive funds under this plan. Funds can be requested for services provided by first responders in a non-transport capacity if a first responder fee is in place.  Next steps: Washington GEMT team is finalizing the program details in the State Plan Amendment (SPA), estimated completion 2017. Cell Tower at Fire Station 3  The proposed cell site will leave room for the expansion of a third bay at Fire Station #3.  The proposed tower would be a “stealth” monopole, resembling a large pine tree and would provide much needed service communication improvement for both Police and Fire.  Proposed 10 year agreement with an option up to 40 years. The City would receive the top five (5) fee of the pole.  Proposed revenue would be a $24,000 per year lease plus CPI. Bob Hyde and Kevin Rogerson are working out the lease details to bring back before Council at a later date. Fire Department Updates  BLS Reimbursement o Chief Hari is working with the EMS Commission on finalizing the BLS Reimbursement program. Currently the Commission is waiting on the results of the Sedro Woolley trial program and County has the reimbursement in their 2016 budget for Mount Vernon. The key difference between Sedro Woolley’s program and Mount Vernon’s is that Mount Vernon is already doing this work.  DNR Grant for the Skid Unit o The Fire Department received a grant for $12,000 towards the purchase of a skid unit. Alicia Huschka will be bringing a budget amendment request to Council for the purchase of the unit. o The skid unit will be mounted to the back of the pick-up truck purchased in 2014 for the purpose of wildland fire fighting.  CERT – DEM o DEM is holding a Mount Vernon only CERT class. The City of Mount Vernon purchased CERT kits for all the residents participating in the class.  ESO /EMS Paperless RMS o The county electronic patient care reporting system (ESO) is working fairly well. One discovery has been that information cannot be shared between agencies, but this issue is being addressed.  MIHC Update o The City is working with Skagit Valley Hospital and Molina to develop a program for Mount Vernon. We are in the process of arranging a meeting with all parties to discuss a joint venture. The City is still actively looking for a funding source for this program.  AFG Grant Update o The Fire Department applied for an AFG grant for training materials for $100,002. These materials would enable the fire department to conduct live fire training – a requirement in the WAC and from WSRB.  o The Fire Department applied for a regional grant along with Burlington Fire Department, Anacortes Fire Department, Sedro Woolley Fire Department, and Skagit County Fire District 3, 13, 14, 11 and 15. This grant is for extrication equipment.  Upcoming Retirements o The department has two upcoming retirements from Chief Officers in 2016. Meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm