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PEQUOT LAKES AREA FIRE BOARD
<br /> MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 25,2006 MEETING
<br /> The quarterly meeting of the PLAFB was called to order by Chairman Peterson.
<br /> Members in attendance were Benson, Oraskovich,Thurlow,Murphy,Malecha,Nelson,
<br /> Peterson, Messerschmidt, and Peine.
<br /> The minutes of the last meeting were approved by a motion by Thurlow, second by
<br /> Messerschmidt,motion passed.
<br /> The third quarter fire call report totaled 19 calls. Last year during this period,there were
<br /> 16 calls. By type of calls,there were 5 good intent calls, 4 structure fires, 3 grass fires, 2
<br /> gas line cuts, 1 dumpster fire, 1 fish flyer on a deck, 1 lightning strike a house, 1 motor
<br /> vehicle accidentirescue,and 1 fire alarm. By location,there were 7 to Pequot Lakes,6 to
<br /> Breezy Point,4 to Loon Lake Township, 1 to Maple Township, and 1 mutual aid call to
<br /> Pine River. A good intent call is one that the caller thought was a legitimate reason to call
<br /> the fire department,but really turned out to be not a fire,or some other type of situation
<br /> where the department was not needed. Generally,these calls are not billable,as we are
<br /> often cancelled in route to the call.
<br /> The fire bills report were 13 bills sent that totaled$6490.00. The use and billing for foam,
<br /> used at a scene, is why this number is odd.
<br /> The training report totaled 10 hours for the quarter. Types of training done were driver's
<br /> training,vehicle operation and safety,pump operations,hose and nozzle tactics,
<br /> prevention of death and serious injury,traffic regulations and safety,understanding
<br /> policies of the National Incident Management System(NIMS), air care training and
<br /> policies,operation of a landing zone, inspection of the aircraft, fire critique of a recent
<br /> structure fire,pump truck operation,and general operation of fire department vehicles.
<br /> Pequot Lakes police chief,Jerry Brahm,presented a eye opening class on traffic laws and
<br /> regulations and liability issues concerning driving fire department vehicles. A question
<br /> was asked who is authorized to call for a rescue helicopter. The call could be made by a
<br /> first responder,law enforcement personnel,or a fire fighter.Normally the call is made by
<br /> a police officer or a first responder who are first to arrive at a scene. Several times the
<br /> call for a helicopter is cancelled when further investigation allows. It is better to call and
<br /> cancel than to call too late.
<br /> The financial report for the quarter was discussed. The numbers are skewed by$63,000,
<br /> which is fire pension funds which are not regular budgeted items for the fire fund. The
<br /> pension funds are from state aid and a percentage of the fire contracts. The rest of the
<br /> total expenses are normal at this time. Messerscmidt asked if the 800 megahertz radio
<br /> requirement in the near future will affect our budget. The costs is a lot more than our
<br /> present type and could have a major impact on our budget. The government may help
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