HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/20/2017 - Work SessionMINUTES OF A WORK SESSION OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 5:30 PM. ON
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017, AT THE VINTON WAR MEMORIAL LOCATED AT 814
WASHINGTON AVENUE, VINTON, VIRGINIA.
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Keith Liles
Janet Scheid
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OTHERS PRESENT: Richard Oakes, Vinton Volunteer Fire Chief
Tim Gonzales
Chris Heppinstall
Scott Morfift
Benny Powell
George Stone
The Mayor opened the work session at 5:30 p.m. and made brief comments. He then turned
the meeting over to Vice Mayor Hare and Council Member Liles who are members of the
Public Safety Committee. Vice Mayor Hare first commented that Chief Oakes had been
keeping the Public Safety Committee informed on the recruitment efforts and the ability of the
current volunteers to run calls. Also, Chief Simon of Roanoke County had indicated that what
the Town is experiencing he has seen all over the County, They are having problems getting
volunteers to come out to work the stations, to man the trucks and to cross over when they do
not have enough at one station.
During discussion, it was suggested that contact be made with students who are currently
attending the local colleges and universities who are already certified as a firefighter to invite
them to consider volunteering while they are in the area. There is also a need to recruit more
senior members who can assist with training the junior members, but there needs to be an
incentive so they feel they are getting something out volunteering,
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training could be incorporated into the school system, Chief Oakes responded that the main
factor would be the cost of purchasing the needed gear for everyone who takes the class.
Several years ago, a neighboring locality had a similar program in the schools, but the
requirement was the student had to be a member of a volunteer organization and that
organization furnished the gear. The local Volunteer Chiefs have been in discussion with
Chief Simon regarding the training that is currently required for any volunteer to have
Firefighter I within 18 months. They have requested to be allowed to bring a new member in,
have them take a fire -attack class so they can get them on a truck and start using them before
they lose interest. They would still be required to have the Firefighter I by the 18 month
deadline.
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which has also caused some delays, Now, the County has two individuals that visit the
stations twice a month to do the fingerprinting which has cut down on the time.
A question was asked regarding what would happen if the Volunteer Fire Department ceased
to exist and the response from Council was that the Town would have to rely on the rest of the
County system or the City to backfill which is what is happening now. It was noted that all of
the volunteers present were certified drivers and a comment was made that it takes someone
who has progressed through firefighting and the ability to make good judgment decisions to
handle the truck.
Council requested that the group come together and work out a schedule that they can build a
crew around. They are willing to assist with recruitment, but need to know what the current
group can do and what they cannot do. With regard to making out a schedule, Chief Oakes
commented that now the volunteers have the option of marking everything up and running a
call from home rather than being at the station. They have to let the Captain know and they
will leave the truck in service.
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Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
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Susan N. Johnson, C, Town Clerk
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