FIRE BOARD: Assistant Chief Dennis Floyd moved to Chief; probationary firefighter added to roster

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board met April 9 for its regularly scheduled meeting. Board members present were Craig Smith (phone), David Greenshields (phone), Liz Gruendel (phone), Mike Godi, and Dr. Leigh Ann Price. Board secretary asked Director Godi to chair the meeting in the absence of board president Smith.

The next meeting was set for May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Dent County Fire Protection District.

A motion was made, seconded, and carried to go into closed session at 7:10 p.m. During closed session, the board approved by roll call vote to move Assistant Chief Dennis Floyd to the Chief position and Lieutenant Derrick Thomas to the Assistant Chief position. Also in closed session, the board approved by roll call vote the addition of probationary firefighter Mason Blair to be added to the roster.

The board unanimously approved as presented:

• The consent agenda and minutes from previous meeting

• Financial report with an ending balance of $222,902.27.

• Bills, payments, and statements

• Budget

The calendar was reviewed with an April 15 walkthrough with R-1 school fire safety inspection scheduled.

The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 33 calls for the month and 105 total calls for the year. Of those 33 calls, fire had a total of 16 incidents, accident with four, other with four, alarm with three, agency assist with two, medical with two, public service with one, and utility problem with one.

Old business included:

• Two lawn care service bids presented with Scenic Rivers bidding $150.00 and Larry Lundy bidding $80.00. It was suggested Chief Floyd take care of mowing.

• Tower lease information, which was tabled until a later date when the statement is received.

• Bids for the repair of water damage, which was tabled.

• The repeater has been installed and is working fine.

• There was a second reading of a bylaw change for closed sessions. The motion was made, seconded, and carried to accept the latest changes as presented to page seven of closed sessions and made a permanent part of the bylaws.

• The board discussed truck and SCBA financing. Bids included Bank of Salem at 9% for five years; Progressive Ozark at 5.49% for seven years; Community Leasing Partners at 5.99% for seven years; and Town and Country Bank at 5.25% for ten years. The motion was made, seconded, and carried to approve the loan from Town and Country Bank.

New business included:

• Vince Murdock came in to discuss a bill received for a fire on his property located on JJ Hwy. on March 13. The fire was with adjoining property. The bill was for $6,636.00 I.A.W. state statue and laws. After Murdock explained how the fire started and how it involved more than just his property, the board decided to rescind the bill. Murdock offered to make a $500.00 donation. Motion was made, seconded, and carried to accept the donation.

• Discussion was held on the repair, sealing, and restriping of the parking lot. A bid from Darrell Hayes was presented for $12,370.00. Due to the cost being over $3,000.00, the board will need to obtain more bids before a decision can be made.

• Discussion was held on a handicap ramp on the north side of the building but cannot do anything at this time.

In the chief reports:

• SCBA’s are on order but no delivery date has been given.

• Vehicle fire training class, hosted with Missouri State University of Columbia, was a tremendous success with 19 attendees present from all over.

• Chief Floyd reported that DCFPD are updating the new software with inventory items.

• The filters and items for the service of the trucks have been ordered.