Ferry County Fire District 3
Stevens County Fire District 8
MINUTES
March 14, 2024
The regular meeting of Stevens County District 3&8 was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office by: Charlie Cole
Present: Commissioners: Stevens Co #8 Chez Young, Robert Lee and Dale McNitt
Ferry Co #3 Helen Sowards, Michele Moffitt
Chief Herb Hippler, Medical Officer Rich Robinson, Purchasing Agent Mark Stevens, and Secretary Shauna Hippler
Guest: Thomas Lonelywolf, Thomas Peregoodoff, Jeff Cox and from Kettle Falls Fire: Chris McIntosh and Cliff King
Approval of Minutes: Helen made the motion to approve the February minutes Chez 2nd. All in favor.
STEVENS COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 8
Budget Report: Michele went over the March financials. Dale made the motion to approve the transfer of funds to Ferry County, Chez 2nd. All were in favor.
JOINT FIRE PROTECTION DIST 3&8
Budget Report: Michele went over the corrections from the January financial report from the Ferry County report, Chez made the motion to approve the corrections, Helen 2nd. All were in favor.
Helen made the motion to accept the February funds, Dale 2nd. All were in favor.
Voucher Approval: Monthly payables were reviewed and approved by commissioners. Helen made the motion to accept and Robert 2nd. All were in favor. Monthly Payroll vouchers were reviewed and approved by commissioners, Helen made the motion to accept and Robert 2nd. All were in favor.
Vouchers Audited and Certified BY THE AUDITING OFFICER AS REQUIRED BY RCW 42.24.080 and those expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090, have been recorded on a listing, which has been made available to the board. As of this date March 14, 2024, the board by a unanimous vote, does approve for payment those vouchers included in the above list and further described as follows: Accounts Payable vouchers in the amount of $11,682.60 and the payroll amount $5,811.00.
Communication to the Board: Thomas Lonelywolf shared with the commissioners the details of an accident report made from one of our district volunteers’ accident with a Kettle Falls Fire District truck. The Kettle Falls fire chief was here to get insurance information. The accident report has been filed in the March 2024 file and in the personnel file of the volunteer.
Robert resigned as Fire Commissioner. This will be his last meeting.
Commissioners need to create and update a description of janitorial duties.
Commissioners need to read RCW 52.14.010 and abide by it.
Herb brought up to the committee that he’d like to upgrade and purchase all new bunker gear to keep our volunteers safe while on a structure fire. He’d like to have a representative come in and measure all volunteers. This would be a hefty expense. Michele would need to amend the budget before being able to purchase. Chez made the motion to amend the budget, Helen 2nd. All were in favor. Helen made motion to get all new bunker gear, Robert 2nd. All were in favor. Michele will get the budget amended and present at the April meeting.
New Business: Theold Sheriffs office has been cleaned out and turned in to a storage/records room with shelves and boxes of older documents and files. Michele would like to have an office to do electronic filing, Helen made the motion to approve purchasing office equipment, Chez 2nd. All were in favor.
Jeff Cox will be the new Training Officer which the department desperately needs. Chez made the motion to get Jeff on the payroll as Training Officer, Robert 2nd. All were in favor.
Correspondence: None
Committee reports:
- Buildings: Discussion on the status of the repairs being done at the Sandcreek Station.
- Recruitment: We lost one of our new EMR recruits so far.
- Insurance: Accident involving one of our structure trucks with a Kettle Falls Fire structure truck. Robert has turned in a claim with our insurance company.
- Fire Safety: Go through the Policies and Procedures manual and look up rules of being a spotter on a fire call.
Medical Officer Report: Rich gave an update on the EMR classes for new recruits. Everyone is making good progress.
Chiefs Report: Herb discussed the importance of getting our volunteers outfitted with new bunker gear and presented it to the board.
Discussion on the structure fire in the Barstow area early morning on March 8th. Fire was a total loss of the structure.
The Phase II DNR wildland grant came in.
We all spent a lot of time cleaning the training center, got the back area, kitchen and old sheriffs room cleaned out. It looks nice. Thanks to every one who helped.
Executive Meeting: None
Helen made the motion to adjourn at 7:50 pm, Chez 2nd. All were in favor.
Shauna Hippler, Secretary ___________________________________
Charlie Cole, Chairperson ____________________________
