MINUTES: Minutes of the December meeting were read by Marian Kelly. Ray Williams moved the minutes be approved; Jane Tiffin seconded the motion; motion carried.

PERSONNEL:
Ken May announced his choices for Safety Officer -- Jody Sandquist, and training officer -- Harold Alexander 

Resignations have been received from four department members. Don Rogers, Joan Rosecrans, Mary Duncan, and Maurine Sanford submitted resignations letters as of January 7, 2009. Joan Rosecrans indicated that she would be requesting a pension. Jeanette Williams moved that letters of appreciation be sent to these departing members and Ray Williams read the draft of a letter which he had prepared. Jody seconded the motion, which carried. Harold Alexander will make up the official letters from Ray’s draft for Ken, as Fire Chief, to sign. 

Three new members joined the department: Cameron Sagert, Janet Schrodt, and Mike Schrodt. All three members are going to hold off on deciding whether they're joining as firefighters or auxiliary until they have spoken with department officers after the meeting. Marian Kelly moved that they be accepted as probationary members of the department; Harold Alexander seconded; the motion carried.

EQUIPMENT: 
Jody Sandquist reported that Judy Oligmueller returned Dick Oligmueller's fire shirt. 

As First Assistant Chief, Marian Kelly will be keeping inventory of radios, pagers, and PPE. Second Assistant Chief David Gentry will be maintaining the fire engines and equipment on them. 

Mike Schrodt suggested buying tools to repair our tire chains. Ken May said he would look into that.

COMMUNICATIONS: 
Due to Joan Rosecrans' departure, the department no longer has a trained person to handle Dispatch. After some discussion, the following steps were decided upon:
-- Marian Kelly will keep track of department member absences. Department members are requested to enter their absences in the website calendar wherever possible, and to call Marian at home (881-2049) or at work (881-2250) if they are unable to enter their absences online. Jody Sandquist moved that absences be handled in this manner; Jeanette Williams seconded; motion carried.
-- In the absence of a department-based Dispatch, all firefighters will call 900 directly on Channel 3, for Medical calls, or Channel 4, for Fire calls, to report that they are responding to the fire station. The incident commander will inform firefighters which equipment to roll, and firefighters will call 900 when they leave the station in the equipment. Once equipment and firefighters have arrived on scene, all communications will go through the IC on Channel 5. Auxiliary will use Channel 5 only and report either to the Auxiliary Head or the IC. Our next training will be on the new communications, and will be attended by all responding department members.

TRAINING:
Our next training will be 6:30 p.m. on January 15th training and will be on communications and our new GPS units. All Responding Auxiliary should attend. 

The January 29th training will be on the 800 MHz radio system.

SAFETY: 
Harold Alexander reported on two firefighters, a father and son, killed during a grass fire call -- their vehicles hit head-on in the smoke. He reminded all department members to stop and think before you act and watch out for your own safety. 

Jody Sandquist reported on ice cleats, better for use on glare ice than Yaktrax. She showed the cleats she got from the army surplus area in the back of Jax. They cost $9.95 and we will buy sets to put in with the ice rescue equipment. Harold Alexander moved that the department buy a pair for all firefighters and responding auxiliary; Jeanette Williams seconded; motion carried. Harold Alexander will make the purchase. 

Jane Tiffin brought up concerns with the lack of snow clearing at Beaver Meadows. She and Jim, and Brush 1, got stuck in the snow attempting to get to the field for the LZ. The decision was made to find out from Red Feather and the Sheriff's office what our options are for requiring Beaver Meadows to keep this lane clear of snow. Ken May will take on this task with assistance from Board members. 

We did a brief review of the incident at the lake with a reminder that the Safety Officer can overrule all department members, including the chief, on issues of safety. Harold Alexander suggested that when we get to a scene, we stop and take a minute to evaluate the situation and decide how to proceed, with all department members’ input welcome in the decision on the best way to handle the situation.

FIREWISE:
Jody Sandquist handed out new maps and cross-references to all department members. There are additional copies to put in each of the vehicles.

AUXILIARY: 
The Auxiliary decided to meet after the February Admin meeting. At this meeting, they will discuss whether or not to purchase additional GPS units. 

Sherry Alexander reported that, after paying out $810 for tires for Brush 2, the Auxiliary has $3665.83 in its account, $2165.83 of which is available for use.

MISCELLANEOUS:
Sherry Alexander reported that the department received $100 from the Ken Hood Memorial Fund. 

Due to resignations, there are two vacancies on the Pension Board that must be filled by firefighters. Ray Williams moved that Marian Kelly be appointed as Pension Board President and Jody Sandquist be appointed as a Pension Board member; Sherry Alexander seconded; motion carried. 

Marian Kelly reported that we have received a grant from FEMA for the purchase of two AEDs. We can be reimbursed for the one already purchased. 

Harold Alexander reported that we have received a grant for the purchase of radios. 

Ray Williams moved that we have future administrative meetings at the Wapiti Room, where there’s more room. Harold Alexander seconded the motion, which passed.