Government: Fire Department

Town Board Presentation: February 2016

The Truxton Fire Department is a small department that is well equipped.  We continue to spend time and money on training our members to help protect the residents of Truxton and the people who pass through our town.

I. Structure

o  Fire District is an entity supported by taxes and pays for most  equipment, building expenses and insurance 
o  Fire Department is a self- supporting non-profit with 501C status which has the people as members and owns some small equipment

II.   Commissioners

o  Jim Greggians – Chairman
o  Jud Vickery
o  Molly McDermott
o  Darwin Smith
o  Rich Ryan
o  Sonya Smith – Fire District secretary

III.  2014 budget had no increase

o   Breakdown – see attached
o   Insurance– biggest expense
o  Amount has remained the same for seven years
o  Fire tax rate is 1.020468

IV.  Fire district meeting night

o  3rd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm (open to public)

V. Fire Department Call Report for 2014

o  126 total calls
o  65 of those medical in nature, including car accidents
o  8 average members  per call

VI. Fire Department Chiefs

o  Bruce Potter 315-729-3486
o  Ken Stone
o  Tim McCall

VII. New members

o  Twice yearly “Training Series” offered by the county to develop an “Interior” ready fire person.
o  A course to develop “Exterior” fire people is also offered
o  Cortland County Regional Training Center
o  Any prospects should contact a chief for more  information
o  Extensive background check by Sheriff’s department for Arson and Pedophilia history

VIII. New Equipment

o  Two new sets of compete Turnout gear at $ 1,350  each (show compete fireman cost)
o  5 High Visibility Jackets for Fire Police

IX. Honda UTV “913”

o  Winch and snowplow
o  4 wheel drive and can carry two people
o  Access to Truxton’s  many acres of off road public and private land

X. Texting system

o  Dispatch page which is also  emailed changed to a text at fire station and sent to members phones

XI.  Radio system

o  98% county wide coverage with portables
o  Communication with other fire departments, sheriff, state police, highway departments, some schools and the dispatch center (911)

XII. Mutual Aid system

o  Plan in place where we share equipment, people or station coverage in an emergency
o  Chief makes a request for assistance through the 911 center
o  Agreement signed yearly
       § Your department will maintain equipment  and train people to county standards
       § Your department will help other departments if they ask
       § Other departments will assist you if you ask
       § For this system to work there has to be some continuity among all county departments in how their people are trained. The county has issued accountability tags that each fireperson wears. This shows the level of training to other department chiefs.

XIII. Incident steps

o  911 call
o  Truxton dispatched via pager,  automatic text or email sent to members phone or computer
o  Members arrive at station to drive or ride apparatus
o  Some members respond directly to the incident
o  While responding to incident chief tries to determine level of involvement needed from other departments (manpower, apparatus or station coverage) which may be updated when arriving.
o  Chief makes requests to 911 center, who facilitates requests

XIV. Strengths

o  People

XV.  Fire Station

XVI.  Any questions

Cost to Equip an Interior Firefighter

1. Helmet ………………………………………..……$150

2. Nomex Hood ……………………………….......…..$55

3. Fire Coat……………………………………...…….$650

4. Fire Pants …………………………………...……. $650

5. Gloves ………………………………………....……..$45

6. Suspenders ……………………………….....………$35

7. Boots ………………………………………..……….$150

8. Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus............... $4300

9. PASS Device…….………………………………......$265

TOTAL…….........................................................…$6300