Minutes of the Geary County Rural Fire Board Trustees Meeting

For February 4, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Ben Bennett.

Roll call was taken.  Districts present: Jefferson, Milford, Smoky Hill, and Wingfield.  Districts absent: Jackson, Blakely and Lyon.  Also present were Fire Chief Garry Berges, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Clark and County Extension Agent Chuck Otte.

Danny Boller moved to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion was seconded and passed 6 – 0.

Fire Chief Berges reported that for 2009 there have been 10 fire runs.  This compares to 12 in the same period in 2008.  Chief Berges reviewed the break down of the 2008 fire runs.  (Report attached to the end of these minutes.)

The county has received a Target Safety Grant for online classes/training for the rural firefighters.  So far 20 volunteers have signed up to take some of these classes.  They have until the end of June to take these classes.  Any interested volunteers should contact Garry or Brian. (A list of the available classes is attached to the minutes.)

The new 5-ton truck went into operation in December at Humboldt Creek as #106.  Old Fire Truck #106 was authorized to be sold as excess property through Purple Wave Auctions.  The truck brought $3,700 of which the county received $3,440 after Purple Wave’s commission.

The trainings have resumed now that the holidays are over.

County Extension Agent Otte reported that a few districts still needed to report there new officers.  He also asked for trustee’s email addresses, if they had them, so he could email minutes and announcements between meetings.

Unfinished Business:  The county is preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for the new fire station that will be built near Old Milford Road and K-57 highway.

Brian has patched roofs on Station #6 (Humboldt Creek).  All stations are being checked to make sure that they have outdoor lights and that they are working

New Business: Trustees expressed concern over potential safety issues along US 77 highway, particularly the Rucker Road & US 77 intersection.  There ensued a discussion of the current KDOT planning process that is being conducted along the US 77 corridor.

Brian reported that all trucks have bright lime green and white reflective vests that the firefighters should wear if they have to direct traffic during an incident.  It was requested that firefighters wear these anytime that they have to help direct traffic.

Dan Boller moved to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded and passed 6 – 0.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Otte

Recording Secretary