JCESA Meeting 3/20/2012-COMMENTS

[Willis]

The only information available is YES, it is the same person.

The question that begs, "What circumstances prompted his stepping down from the position earlier?"

I recall much of the same optimistic rhetoric being bandied about two years ago subsequent to the embezzlement incident and again after the charges of arson in March of last year. From my POV, it borders on gullibility to hope that "the third time will be the charm"

[John]

From my POV, it borders on gullibility to hope that "the third time will be the charm"

Fortunately we don’t have to just hope.

We can pay close attention, volunteer if possible, and monitor the response stats to be certain that positive changes take place. This is a volunteer organization. The work is difficult, dangerous, and requires extensive training - all for no pay.

Company Five has been running a “failure to respond” rate that is more than double the county average. The data for March became available today and unfortunately the improvements seen in January and February did not continue into March:

Co 5 Calls	Co 5 FTR	Rate
39	2	5%

Company Five members believe that the FTR rate is higher than the County average because there are not enough qualified volunteers on staff. A qualified EMT was approved by the board at last nights meeting, which should help. I will continue to post these numbers each month as they become available. Hopefully we can add something for fire response rates as well.


There were eleven people signed up last night for firefighter I training - at a cost of $200 each. Five of them are new members who just signed up last night. The Board has promised to evaluate every new applicant within 30 days of receiving an application and to report back at the next monthly meeting. New and previous members are being encouraged to join and help. There was a call for members who are willing to undergo driver training to sign up and begin as soon as possible.


A bylaws committee has been appointed to begin a review and update of bylaws which is to be complete within the next few months. Committee meetings will be open to the public if anyone wants to attend.

Jefferson County ESA is requiring an audit of all county Fire Company books before they will release funds for the coming fiscal year – which starts July 1. This means that the “asset” totals of cash, investments, and equipment on the tax return will have to be backed up with bank statements and outside proof that they exist as reported. If the number reported is less than what was reported on the return from July of 2011 there will have to be an explanation of the difference – with external proof of the explanation. This is what an audit means. It will provide a higher degree of confidence than we have had in the past.


So we should NOT just hope that change is coming. We can make certain that it does – and if it doesn’t we can advocate for a halt to funding.

We can not just complain without backing up exactly what it is we are complaining about - and it has to be more than just a personality issue. If it were illegal to be a jerk I’d have been locked up years ago.

For now, I believe they are trying - and should have our support in the attempt. I will be sending a donation today.

[LazerFlash]

Am I mistaken or was the now President Collins in that same position briefly last year?

It sure sounds like deja vu all over again to me!

[chipgallo]

BRMVFC membership application:
http://www.mediafire.com/?gjlkgxkl27f4gsg

[mountainman83]

Lar i attended the meeting the other night and am happy to report they finally have a full board with new faces. President Collins sounded good on what his plans where and promised to be more transparent to the community . However only time will tell. As for me returning not at this time.