FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA DIRECTORS MEETING Meeting, Date and Time Attending Minutes Executive Director s Report A meeting of the Directors of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia was held on at 10:00 am in the Elmsdale Fire Hall, Elmsdale, NS Tom Bremner Fred Fox Russell Mosher Shawn Andrews Leon LeBlanc Ian MacKinnon Brent Denny Daniel Gaudet Russ Mackintosh Bob Cormier Mac Noble Andy Yarrow Doug Carver Wayne Thorburne Harry Nelson Bill Falkenham Leo Williams Art Earle Greg Smith Terry Canning Daryl Geddes Wayne Johnstone Ann Longley ON MOTION OF LEON LEBLANC AND BILL FALKENHAM, THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 1, 2006 WERE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. MOTION Ann Longley reported that the finances had not changed substantially from the Annual meeting and included a $200 profit from the Annual meeting. ON MOTION OF ANN LONGLEY AND TERRY CANNING, THE REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BE RECEIVED. MOTION President s Report Tom Bremner spoke of the Association s goals and objectives and the need to continual review ongoing actions until they are resolved. He indicated that communications need to be improved within FSANS, the fire service and outside and there needs to be a positive teamwork approach s all are singing from the same page.
Fire Services Directors 2 The President stated there must be accountability for all Directors and the Executive of the Association and encouraged them to resolve small county issues in their counties and bring the large provincial issues to the Directors. He spoke of meetings he has attended since he was elected President. He advised that regarding the green light issue he had spoken to MLA Steven MacNeil who was going to introduce legislation regarding the green lights, but that is now a dead issue. He advised that the best way to contact him is through e-mails. He thanked Brent Denny for bringing him up to date on issues as well as others who have helped him taking over the Presidency. ON MOTION OF TOM BREMNER AND FRED FOX, THE REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT BE RECEIVED. MOTION Report of 1 st Vice President Fred Fox presented the attached report on the activities of the position of 1 st Vice President since the Annual Meeting. Decision also made at mfca not selling tickets as lost money over the last couple of years. ON MOTION OF FRED FOX AND IAN MACKINNON, THE REPORT OF THE 1 ST VICE PRESIDENT BE RECEIVED. MOTION 2 nd Vice President s Report Russell Mosher indicated it has been very quiet since the last meeting. He advised he had made arrangements for Vince Penny to do the workshop on the roles and responsibilities of Chiefs and Deputies for Pictou County. ON MOTION OF RUSSELL MOSHER AND GREG SMITH, THE REPORT OF THE 2 ND VICE PRESIDENT BE RECEIVED. MOTION Fire Marshal s Report Bob Cormier advised it has been a pleasure to be part of the Association for almost 30 years, but he is working towards a change in his job description which will decrease the time he spends with the Association, but not his interest. He spoke of the role of the Deputies with a number of new programs and deputies coming forward. He spoke on the fire service in the province and the pressure in rural aras to maintain emergency services and that the aging population is changing rural fire. He apologized for Vince Penny starting the program with Chiefs and Deputies before he connected with the Directors and that the locations are out for the next meetings. He noted there are two workshops in a relatively close area so if someone misses one they can attend the other. He advised the next program they hope to launch is the volunteer
Fire Services Directors 3 retention program with training for the Chief and Deputies to maintain an environment where volunteers will want to stay in the fire service as well as attracting people who might not normally be attracted and would include sensitivity training and how to keep these organizations going. He advised he is working with John Cunningham and Bernie MacKinnon for a way to have unified training in the province. He noted that some off site training started last year and the goal is that no firefighter in the province has to travel more than an hour for level 1 or 2 training. He advised they are looking for people on the Committee from Kings County and the Strait area. He indicated that hazmat needs to be evaluated across the province to make sure it is to a certain level. He advised they were looking at forming a working committee like the Fire Services Advisory Committee. ON MOTION OF BOB CORMIER AND ANDY YARROW, THE REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL BE RECEIVED. MOTION During discussion it was indicated that more fire safety houses like the ones sponsored by the insurance industry can be purchased and cost $10,000 each, and they can be transported in the trunk of a car. It was indicated that they are located at the Fire School, HRM, CBRM, Yarmouth and Bridgewater and can be acquired on request. In response to a question it was indicated that audits on fire inspection will start around April next year and that every municipality has received a letter from the Fire Marshal indicating they have to have a fire inspector, but did not say to what level. Director s Reports Doug Carver advised of concerns with the testing being done at the fire school and that a number feel intimidated by the testing. It was suggested to increase the pass mark for each test and not do a big test at the end. Bob Cormier advised it was part of the volunteer retention program and there may need to be another way of testing found as it is part of the process of keeping them safe. It was indicated that there should be more in-house instructors who go to the fire school to learn how to be instructors with the only reason for firefighters to go to the fire school is live fire which is in place now for level 1. It was indicated that most firefighters do not need the accredited training. Art Earle reported he has attended all meetings of the local associations and prepared a report on the Semiannual and Annual meeting for their meetings. He noted difficulties in communicating as only a few are online and it has to be done by telephone. Andy Yarrow advised he has been working with Russell Mosher on
Fire Services Directors 4 dates for Vinc Penny s presentation. The Traffic Control Guidelines have been circulated to all Departments. He indicated their messages are getting out by e-mail, but are not getting down to the grassroots firefighter. Leon LeBlanc advised that he had visited each Department to deliver the Traffic Guidelines. He advised that an assessment of the fire service was done in Richmond County and he played a big part in the study. He noted the issues identified are similar to other ages where some departments receive very little funding and have aging firefighters. Russ Mackintosh indicated he is going to county meetings and bringing all information to those meetings. He stated one of a concern is the cost of sending people to the Fire School and the time away from the area. He requested copies of the Traffic Guidelines for circulation in Annapolis County. Terry Canning noted that the Traffic Guidelines can be found on the internet either on the Fire Marshal s website or the FSANS website. He advised that his Department had been to two incidents on the highway since the document was distributed, but the ambulance people, police and Department of Transportation personnel had no idea what they were talking about and this Guideline needs to be circulated outside the fire service. Bob Cormier noted that two copies of the new owkrbook will be sent to all Departments and that it is being put in for the Premier s Award of Excellence. He stated that the local Staff Sgt for the RCMP has to be sold on it and asked to be part of it. In response to a question, Bob Cormier advised he would have to check if the Department of Transportation plans to do training in the department. Bob Cormier indicated his interest in capital projects was because of more requests coming to build fire stations and for fire trucks. He stated that the basic structure of the fire service is what the Province should be involved in. He noted that guidance will have to be given to the province on how and where money should be spent as all deserve adequate fire coverage and recommended the Fire Service Advisory Committee be used if a grant process is to be used. Report of By-laws Committee Terry Canning advised there are a group of proposed amendments that have been deferred for further clarification. It was suggested that the draft be sent out to Directors and request comments back. Terry indicated that the amendments could be discussed at an offsite workshop which has been discussed. ON MOTION OF TERRY CANNING AND BILL FALKENHAM, THE
Fire Services Directors 5 REPORT OF THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED. MOTION Convention Committee Ian MacKinnon indicated that the date for the Conference had to be changed to April 28 and 29 th and a chat night has been included for Friday, April 27 th. He noted that sponsorship of coffee breaks has been requested, as well as major sponsors. ON MOTION OF IAN MACKINNON AND LEON LEBLANC, THE REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED. MOTION It was reported that Cumberland and Guysborough Counties have offered to sponsor coffee breaks and that CBRM has funding in their budget. ON MOTION OF IAN MACKINNON AND BRENT DENNY, THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE CHAT NIGHT BE GIVEN ONE FREE BAR TICKET. MOTION Resolutions Committee Report Russell Mosher advised he has been working on resolution regarding weight restrictions. Bob Cormier cautioned there are two issues, the road weight allowed on the roads and bridges and the second is the axle weight. He advised Russell to discuss these with the Department of Transportation. ON MOTION OF RUSSELL MOSHER AND ANDY YARROW, THE REPORT OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED. During discussion it was noted that the regulations in Nova Scotia are more stringent than in other Provinces and a problem arises with manufacturers with axle weights. It was indicated that the Department of Transportation is looking at this, but more research has to be done. THE VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE MOTION AND THE MOTION Standards Committee Andy Yarrow indicated he was looking for Committee members within two hours travel time. He reported that he has been working with Brent Denny to have a letter sent to the Minister of Environment and Labour regarding standards in line with the motion made at the Annual Meeting. ON MOTION OF ANDY YARROW AND GREG SMITH, THE REPORT OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED. A discussion was held on the subject of the standards. It was
Fire Services Directors 6 suggested that the discussion on how to advance it to the next level be discussed at the next face to face meeting. THE VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE MOTION AND THE MOTION CIS Mac Noble advised that CIS is doing well. He indicated they are sending one person per zone to the International Conference in Baltimore that would cost $2,500. He noted that they had requested funding from the Association, however, it was not in the budget nor mentioned at the Annual Meeting. He advised that they are reviewing the benefits of sending this number to Baltimore. He indicated that they had their best session yet in Debert recently. ON MOTION OF MAC NOBLE AND LEO WILLIAMS, THE REPORT OF THE CIS COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED. MOTION Accreditation/Certification Occupational Health and Safety MFR Brent Denny reported that the Board has been recertified for another 5 years. He advised that the work continues with people taking tests and certificates being issued. Brent Denny indicated that revision is needed in the Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines and they need to work on how that will happen. Brent Denny advised that a Logistics meeting had been held on the previous Friday and noted good success with the recertification program across the province. He indicated that paramedics had provided this training. He noted some discussion regarding filling out the patient care reports. He advised of the defibrulator replacement program with some 300s being replaced with 500s and the 300s being redistributed. Mac Noble advised that a new Medical Director has been appointed and that issues had been raised with him and he came away with a good feeling that he had listened to the Committee members. He noted there had been a request from the Logistics Committee to receive minutes of the Strategic Committee. ON MOTION OF BRENT DENNY AND IAN MACKINNON, THE REPORT OF THE MFR COMMITTEES BE RECEIVED. MOTION Fire Marshal s Awards CAFC It was indicated that the Fire Marshal is disappointed with the response to nominations. It was indicated that a mailout was being done to encourage more nominations. It was requested the criteria be sent to the Executive Director and it will be put on the website. The Directors were advised that Brent Denny s term on the CAFC
Fire Services Directors 7 ended with his term of President and Fred Fox will be the Association s representative with Brent Denny continuing on the Government Relations Committee. It was reported that CAFC is financially doing well and improving. It was noted that the CAFC and the Association of Fire Commissioners and Fire Marshals supports the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation as long as they stick to their original mandate and stay out of areas which are the responsibility of other organizations including safety. ON MOTION OF FRED FOX AND BRENT DENNY, THE REPORT OF THE CAFC BE RECEIVED. MOTION Committees Fred Fox advised the name of the Committee Chairmen will be listed and the Chairmen will name the Committee members. He urged the Chairmen to consider regionalizing their Committees wherever possible and to submit the names to the Executive Director. Auditors Wayne Johnstone to be incorporated into Finance By-laws Terry Canning and Fred Fox Finance Fred Fox, Russell Mosher, Wayne Johnstone, Ann Longley Marketing and Public Relations Fred Fox, Julie Bent, Ann Longley Nominating Brent Denny Operational operations committee pub serv same - Radio Communications Committee Fred Fox plus 5 members Conference Ian MacKinnon Resolutions Russell Mosher Standards Andy Yarrow and Ken Simpson, UNSM Traffic Control Mac Noble and Russ Mackintosh Insurance Mac Noble DNR Mandate Bernie MacKinnon MFR Mac Noble and Tom Bremner Relationship with NSPI Terry Canning Membership to be deleted and put in job description of Executive Director Ns Firefighters School Bernie MacKinnon / Brent Denny CIS Thys Molenaar Accreditation / Certification Tom Bremner or Designate Fire Investigation Ian MacKinnon Emo 911 Tom Bremner Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Tom Bremner Occupational Health and Safety Brent Denny First Responders Mac Noble Logistics & Tom Bremner -Strategic Fire Marshal s Awards Russ Mackintosh ON MOTION OF FRED FOX AND LEON LEBLANC, THE
Fire Services Directors 8 DIRECTORS APPROVE THE NAMES AS PRESENTED FOR COMMITTEES. MOTION Island and District Fire Department Press Release Policy Public Service Announcements Magazines MFCA Telemarketing Art Earle gave an update regarding the recent fire at the Island and District Fire Department and the overwhelming support they have received. He noted they now have the use of two trucks, one a gift from Lapland Fire Dept and the second one for their use from Island and Barrington Fire Dept so they are now mobile. He advised have received a fair amount of equipment and a list of priorities will be circulated. Tom Bremner advised he had discussed the draft Press Release Policy with the author, Bernie MacKinnon, and it will be left with Directors to review and will be one of the workshop topics. Andy Yarrow advised that he had sent out public service announcements to local radio stations for safety at Christmas. Leon Leblanc offered to translate the announcement to French. Tom Bremner advised that he has had two discussions with the gentlemen who want to do the magazine for Nova Scotia and requested they put the firm offer in writing, however nothing has been heard back. Fred Fox advised that PEI and Newfoundland are not participating in the MFCA telemarketing, and that NB is also doing it and support of this Association is being requested for it to be done in NS with the money going to MFCA. ON MOTION OF BRENT DENNY AND WAYNE JOHNSTONE, THE FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA SUPPORTS THE MFCA TELEMARKETING PROGRAM. MOTION DEFEATED. ON MOTION OF FRED FOX AND ANDY YARROW, FSANS NOTIFY THE MFCA EXECTUIVE OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE TELEMARKETING PROPOSAL IN NOVA SCOTIA SUPPORTING THE MFCA. MOTION Contact numbers Congratulations Directors were requested to send Ann all their contact numbers and mailing address. Congratulations was extended to Russ and Patsy Mackintosh on their 50 th Wedding Anniversary.
Fire Services Directors 9 Communications Red Lights, Ground Search and Rescue and Blue Plates Workshop Weekend Adjournment Terry Canning indicated his office is very close to launching an update on the current state of volunteer notification and dispatch in Nova Scotia. He stated that this may encourage the Province to take a more active role in providing a more economical dispatch and it would be good if this Association went on record of supporting this. It was agreed this be referred to the workshop session. A question was raised on who monitors red fire lights, ground search and rescue and the blue plates. It was indicated that this is addressed very clearly by Vince Penny in his workshop for Chiers and Deputies. The subject of how costs should be paid for the workshop weekend was discussed including the facilitator and meals. Tom Bremner advised he would contact the Fire Marshal to see what he can offer. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Approved by: ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- President Ann L. Longley Executive Director