St. Mary's County, MD Emergency Services Board for St. Mary's County, 8 Dec 2021

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From YouTube: 12/8/21 Emergency Services Board for St. Mary's County

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A

For december 2021, my name is gary bell. I am the chairman of our board with us to my far right. We.

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Have hattie norris she's, our co-chair and member at large for the rescue association next to her is.

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J.A nelson president of our fire board association, and to my immediate right here, is cp madinski.

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Our fire chief to my far left. We have steve walker, our emergency services director, then.

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We have mr ken hicks, the president of the rescue association and sean davidson, our rescue chief.

A

That we'll uh go ahead and call our meeting to order uh with review and approval of our minutes.

B

A motion to approve the minutes a second: we have a motion by cp and second by sean, to approve.

A

The minutes, all those in favor all right any opposed so ordered uh with that we'll go into.

A

I guess nothing with presentation committee reports, any old business.

A

All right we'll go into the cad replacement, steve, so cad replacement, uh I'd love to get.

C

Some really good news, but I can tell you we are in in really good shape. I think.

C

Within a week or two we'll get some very, very good and positive uh news.

C

I think we're we're right where we need to be and again we'll have some really good information here.

C

Next week or so and can't get into too much more because it's still a procurement issue. But we are.

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Right at the end of this, and it's it's good news so, but I will uh as soon as I get.

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Definitive I'll put that out to all the rescue squads and we'll put some more information out so.

C

But we're in good shape very, very good, very happy with where we're on that. So are any questions.

A

First, even comments: uh ems, supplemental staffing, so supplemental staffing, so we're doing pretty.

C

Good, as far as doing the coverage, the requests continue to increase from the rescue squads.

C

I I really can't explain, you know why, where we are and why it's occurring.

C

You know we're doing a really good job of tracking the numbers right now and.

C

We're about 67 percent the career running the actual calls and that's basically, life support.

C

Advanced life support is actually and again, I I really can't explain it, but we're about 87.

C

88 and that's for the past four months in july we were about 63 percent. Then we went to about 84 85.

C

And now we're right about 88 and that's career uh running it as opposed to volunteer, can't explain.

C

Why uh that's occurring, but that's where it is we're doing a fair job of covering it. But it's.

C

Very very challenging trying to keep that schedule covered uh kirsten. I know sean you talk about.

C

Her all the time she's a rock star what she does she's working very hard, but it's it's challenging.

C

uh We need more staff, we're building a budget right now to ask for that, to increase that it's.

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Probably going to come in very close to what sean and others and the rescue squad come out with.

C

Last year, so you know we'll be going pretty pretty much right back on that. uh To add to that staff.

C

Certainly, you know there's a time we'll come back and we'll present the whole budget to you.

C

A lot of equipment requests, vehicle requests just to be able to to make the system work so.

C

Right now, the way it's we're able to do this is through hourly employees that we've hired.

C

And again it's challenging but we're holding it together and making it work. So any questions I'll.

C

I'm glad trying to answer yeah director walker: do you have uh adequate hourly employees I mean are.

B

You getting enough, we we do, but it's challenging because many of them are working full-time.

C

Somewhere else, we do continue to hire more and we continue to interview so that that continues.

C

It's it's just challenging and again we're getting it done, but boy, it's it's! It's tough.

C

Keeping it where it needs to be so I just didn't know if we could help by maybe putting.

B

Something out to all the you know, chiefs at the department. That's not a bad idea and maybe.

C

Maybe I will send something out to all the chiefs and ask them to distribute more so.

C

Hourly's, we're continuing and we'll continue to look for them and we'll hire more and more so.

C

Right now we have, uh let's see we started out. Remember that 16.

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uh Full-Time emts and four paramedics and I think uh paramedics we've got about 10 or 12 and I'm.

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Not sure if the numbers are accurate, but it's close of the hourlies and then we probably have.

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Around 50 or 60 hourlies of the emts and again we can use more so but we're getting it done. But it's.

C

We we need, we need to take the next step and and really follow what what was recommended.

C

Last year so we'll be we'll be pursuing that so, but it's working all right uh harris radio system.

C

So uh harris radio system is working well, you know that the area that we're having a problem with.

C

Is our vhf paging, the p25 system paging actually works fairly? Well, of course, we bought those pagers.

C

But there's many many members that are using the vhf and really when you think about this.

C

We're trying to maintain two systems. The vhf was intended to be rolled into as a backup and we're.

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Still using it as a primary and we're going to continue doing that, but we're starting to now.

C

Look at how we can migrate to you know: 100 v25, that's probably a year or two out, but that's what.

C

We're going to begin to look at the vhf system is, what's called master threes and that's very.

C

Old technology and a lot of that equipment, it's getting becoming very, very difficult to find that.

C

So we just need to start to to make that next step. Now in your rescue squads and fire houses.

C

The alerting is based off of vhf, so that will have to be addressed too, but again we're just.

C

Beginning to look at how to address that, but again, as you know, I hear from from cp and.

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J, all the time about the vhf paging we're we're trying hard to keep it up and going. But it's just.

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It's just getting old and we need to decide how we're going to move forward on.

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On making it all work so, but anyway, where it's a radio system knock on wood working well,.

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And the paging we're doing our best to keep it, keep it up and going so.

C

A

uh Emergency services report- um I don't that's that's kind of like to fill anything.

C

I think we've covered pretty much anything if you guys got any any uh questions. We are.

C

Actively working through our budget right now, I think we've received uh all of the.

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Budgets from all of the departments, I don't think there's anybody anybody outstanding, so we're good.

C

But I mean everything seems to be going as smooth as it can so all right, low sap.

D

um The low set board meets next week and so they'll forward at that.

D

Time the recommendations that we had that we endorsed last meeting uh for the commissioners.

A

Any questions for that, when do they meet, show.

D

Tuesday, I think it's tuesday, it's it's the fourth fourteenth, because that sounds great.

D

That rings right in my head, I'm like 95 percent, sure, that's true. Do you have tuesdays at 14.

A

You haven't heard anything I mean since our recommendation from the.

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Commissioners, or as far as the committee, not any feedback or no, um we met with the.

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um With the county administrator about it, and and provided her with the feedback.

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About- and we haven't heard anything more since then perfect, uh cadet program, kelly.

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Well, I have a great update in that we have five out of our eight cadets will be taking.

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Their practical skills exam on monday and then after that, those.

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Five students will be eligible to move forward with their cognitive exam.

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And we anticipate them all to do well, we know it's a very challenging exam, but instructor shamanski.

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Is right behind them and has offered lots of additional assistance, um so I believe they will.

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All be successful in um you know, fingers crossed we'll have five new emts out there on the street.

E

Very shortly, um the cadets will remain at csm through december 17th.

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We've worked with csm about this. We just feel it would be an easier transition.

E

Because, after december 17th, the students will go on winter break and then, when they return.

E

January 3rd, that is when we would like to do the transition to hollywood fire department.

E

um And then that's when they would start their fire courses, and that gives them an opportunity.

D

To do the prep for the registry exam and all that stuff yeah do you know, are they going to be able.

D

To do the registry exam in the testing center here? Are they going to have to go to la plata? For that.

E

um So they will be able to do it in leonard town, which is which is great, because then it.

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Would it alleviates additional pressures and time so absolutely that is, that is wonderful.

E

Tomorrow afternoon, ems leadership, fire leadership, um the school system.

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And mifrey everyone's been invited. St mary's county government leadership has been invited.

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To participate in a meeting to discuss changes that the maryland state department.

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Of education is implementing for all high school fire ems cadet programs, so we will.

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Discuss those updates to the program and and how to best implement them, and at least it'll, be.

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The first I'm sure of many future meetings um and then tomorrow evening, um miffrey leadership.

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Will be at uh the fire chiefs meeting, so I plan to attend that meeting and just to.

E

Further solidify um the course calendar for this school year with me pretty early this month,.

D

Is that special, um we're always the second two thursday, since we went through the third third.

F

Third, tuesday, fire chiefs, no fireworks, oh okay, that's why I was gonna. Do that.

D

I had that on my calendar.

E

But I I told a president hicks, I would make sure he received my rsa.

E

Meeting report ahead of time so you'd be covered there. Any questions for me.

B

Hopefully, we'll have successful meetings tomorrow, yes very busy day tomorrow, but.

E

Thank you. I appreciate everyone's assistance. um Have I have several appointments tomorrow so.

D

There's no guarantee that I'm done in time, but I believe jess myers is.

D

Planning to be there for you for yes, sir, absolutely it's definitely a team approach.

E

And I appreciate everyone's support with the cadet program, thanks kelly. Thank you.

A

Next on our agenda, american recovery act, fund, distribution.

F

So, uh on the the fire department side, uh ms cudmore, from finance, sent over the sub.

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Agreements for the fire departments uh just before thanksgiving so they've all.

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They all were distributed and everyone has started to uh make their purchases.

F

And get all the stuff back to uh to her as needed.

A

Any information or a word on um our.

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Foreign rescue association, our recommendation from last month, so I found out uh on the 17th that.

D

They were not going to schedule that particular meeting agenda item with the commissioners until.

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Their second meeting in january, um so uh I had just ramped up the whole.

D

um What the actual hell are you doing to me process.

D

When things kind of fell apart for me, so I was not able to push that to try and get it before.

D

The end of the year so it'll be in january before that's on the agenda for the commissioners.

D

So we'll have to take it up again in february all right. Thank you.

A

uh Our I guess new business, uh our meeting calendar for 2022.

F

I'll move to approve the 2022 meeting schedule as presented second motion by ja. Second, by cp, to.

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Approve the meeting schedule for uh the calendar year 2022 any questions comments.

D

All those in favor, it's keeping us on the second wednesdays right. Second, wednesdays,.

D

Even months, that's what it looked like. Okay, I just didn't get a chance. Okay, I'm good all right.

A

All those in favor aye opposed so ordered uh fire and rescue budget submittals status.

A

That me yeah, I mean again, as you heard me say earlier: we we received them all uh where we of.

C

Course pass them on into the finance department. um I don't believe there's any fire rescue tax.

C

Requests right, yeah so and that's the only thing that needs endorsement from this board. The rest.

C

Because just goes right on into finance- and uh I I think I think you know everything is the way it.

C

Should be um as far as the um I guess schedule or um what's uh still owed or what's out there.

A

uh Can jeanette or mrs cudmore give us a update on an update on? um I guess the status of the fund.

A

The low interest rate- because I I looked at it and there's quite a bit of.

A

Budget, uh quite a bit of departments asking for monies. You know within these next couple years.

A

Just to make sure that the fund there's enough money in the fund, that's that's really easy. So.

D

That's really I've got to send her an email, she'll show it right back yeah. I don't think super easy, but I think too, and she because we did look at it once before, because there were.

F

Some that were behind on payments and stuff, like that, probably good to see that again.

F

It's been probably a year or so since we well, we could ask her to come in february and.

D

Go over that with us too yeah, I'm sure she'd be she's. She's super easy to work with so yep that.

A

Would be great, I think that's a good idea, yeah, because it was some I mean. I know in our fireboard.

A

Association there was some discussion about, maybe raising. I think it's capped at a million. I believe.

F

Yeah it was, I mean, I don't know it doesn't seem. Like that's been the yeah. I know some.

A

Companies, because of the price of you know what apparatus had asked that maybe it'd be raised.

A

Obviously, a lot of truck, you know, costs a lot of money and I know there's some departments.

A

um Looking to perhaps renovate or build, I saw that in one of their budgets.

A

So I don't know if that's something we can discuss, maybe, like I say in a different meeting or.

B

Definitely, I think it's worth discussing because with the inflation of fire apparatus now with.

B

All of the vendors I mean you're, looking at a at least minimum six to eight percent as high as 12.

B

Increase after the first of the year on fire apparatus, so uh certainly that is going to damper.

B

Into each department's budget, so I think uh well, and I think it's just since we're talking about.

D

The hassle of replacement right now, um you know, I know ambulance chassis are just impossible to get.

D

Correct yeah, so I think one of the things that that needs to get said out loud in public is.

D

That you know hey guys, while we're planning these things, we need to be looking at everything we can.

D

To um push out those service lives and plan well ahead of what it is, we know.

D

We're gonna need because, given the um the uh microchip business, you know you can't get a.

D

You can budget to buy an ambulance all day long, but if you can't get a chassis to put the thing on it, doesn't do you any good 18 months if you're, lucky yeah well,.

G

Bro, that's where we are. We were supposed to have two delivered in june and we're.

G

Yeah they're waiting and they have no idea in brahm when they're going to see any.

C

Yeah, because we're now looking at what we may have to do in the future and.

C

There's some challenges ahead too.

A

All right well yeah, if miss cub work, maybe come into our february meet. That would be. That would.

A

Be good um any other questions comments. Marianne will send her a request. Thank you. Marianne.

A

um That looks like it for new businesses. Is there any.

A

Any other discussions for new business: if not, we can go into board members.

A

Any board member comments, I have two things, but I want to go last just see not won that.

B

I'd like to send sincere condolences to you, uh chief, when you're lost and.

B

I know we've spoken and I want you to know we're here to support you if you need anything, so I.

D

Appreciate that, thank you and I'll echo that as well and uh just on on top of that uh just I know.

F

Most departments have had their elections and all that stuff and some changes throughout the.

F

County so congrats to all the new chiefs officers. Whatever may be um good luck uh upcoming year. Look.

F

Forward to working with everyone, and just do everyone- have a safe and happy holiday season.

D

All right anybody else um so before I have an opportunity to forget, because we forgot.

D

Last make ourselves a note and not forget to do the board's new elections at the february meeting.

D

Because that was my, we did that wrong last year, and that was my fault. um The uh ambulance, rescue.

D

Squad association meetings are usually held the first thursday of the month, and this month.

D

The association very kindly postponed that meeting for a week to accommodate.

D

My personal loss and the the.

D

People that that brought for the folks in lexington park.

D

My husband, michael k, hall, was the chief at the lexington park, volunteer rescue squad.

D

When he died on the 18th of november and.

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The absolute outpouring of support and love that my family.

D

And his extended family and our department.

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Experienced was a truly moving and humbling experience.

D

More than a thousand people took time this past friday to pay tribute to him.

D

And my sincere apologies to everybody who got stuck in traffic on great mills road for that.

D

um Although I did always tease michael that, I would throw him a.

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Parade that would really mess up traffic so.

D

I just it is important that.

D

That we honor the people we lose by continuing.

D

The missions they start.

D

And that's why I'm here and that's why I'll stay here as long as.

D

My colleagues are willing to trust my leadership. um The last thing that I want to say.

D

Is um in kind of casting around for um something that we could do.

D

To honor michael moving forward, his brother made a really good suggestion, and so one of the things.

D

That we will be doing- and it's very very early- and you know, there's still still lots of legal.

D

Hoops and things to jump through, but it is our intention to establish a charitable trust.

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Based on some of the income from liquidating some of michael's collections.

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That we hope will allow us to be able to fund.

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The lifenet service in saint mary's county and help support the replacement of.

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Lifepack monitor equipment for the foreseeable future.

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It is my hope that, in doing that.

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The passions that my husband experienced in his life will continue to support and protect the.

D

People of saint mary's county that he worked very hard for so thank you. Thank you. Sean.

A

All right, uh I'm just like we have anybody for the public so with that.

A

um We'll call the meeting to adjourn. Is there a motion, it's removed.

A

So much second motion by jay second by cp, to adjourn all those in favor all right. Thank you.