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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2017 - Regular MINUTES OF A WORK SESSION OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P M; ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2017, AT THE VINTON FIRE STATION, 120 WEST JACKSON AVENUE, VINTON, VIRGINIA, MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Keith Liles Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid MEMBERS ABSENT: Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor STAFF PRESENT- Barry Thompson, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk OTHERS PRESENT: Richard Oakes,Vinton Volunteer Fire Chief William English Preston Gonzales Tim Gonzales Logan Heppinstall Benny Powell Donnie Thomas Maft Thomas The work session was opened at 7,00 p.m. Chief Oakes reported that he had met with Jennifer Sexton with Roanoke County who provided some literature concerning recruitment for the new generation. He commented on the commercial that the Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department did for recruitment. The biggest challenge is commitment from the volunteers and then asked if we wanted to continue with the Department. Chief Simon has indicated that there are two more volunteer departments in the County that are almost ready to fold. Council Member Liles asked if he had followed up with Debbie Adams. Chief Oakes responded that she is waiting to get back with him after this meeting and that she would write an article. He would like to put an advertisement in The Messenger. The biggest recruitment tool for the new generation is through social media, but they do not have anyone who can keep it up. The Mayor asked if the Volunteer Department is chartered and the response was it is chartered through the Town. He wished that the Department could continue because of the tradition in the Town. Chief Oakes next commented that two or three cannot run the Department and be sufficient and meet the needs of the citizens. After one of the Council meetings, he asked the volunteers to commit to manning the station at least two nights a week, but most of them have not been back. It requires three certified firefighters at a minimum to staff a truck. There was discussion regarding the minimum requirements from Roanoke County to remain insured. Next, there was discussion about contacting the Jefferson College of Health Sciences to request that they send information out to their students to see if there are those who may already be certified firefighters that might want to volunteer at the department, Chief Oakes next commented that he thought we needed to first prepare a banner for the building and run an advertisement in The Vinton Messenger, The Town Manager commented that he can contact Carilion and the President of Jefferson College of Health Sciences to see what we need to do to promote the department, but he will need the volunteers to help sell the department on we establish those contacts. 1 The Mayor next asked if a goal was set to man the station one night a week or one night a month how many new people would be needed. Chief takes responded that with the current volunteers they should be able to handle one night a week. Council Member McCarty asked if a schedule had been put out for the volunteers to sign up and making it the volunteer's responsibility to find their replacement. Chief takes responded he had not prepared a sign-up sheet, but had let them pick the nights that they wanted to run. There was discussion regarding preparing a new recruitment video and the Town Manager commented that he would contact Elaine Says-Murphy with RVTV to schedule a time for them to prepare a recruitment video. It was also discussed putting information on the banner posts at the three entrances into the Town, on the William Byrd High School sign at the corner o Washington Avenue and Sy-Pass Road and putting a link to an interest form on all social media that individuals can complete on-line. Council Member McCarty asked the age requirement to volunteer and the response was 1 years old. She asked if someone could contact William Byrd High School to see if they had students who would be interested in volunteering. Chief Oakes responded that they had clone that, but it has been several gears ago.. The Mayor commented that some good ideas have been discussed and suggested that they get back together in six weeks to see where we are, what has been accomplished and what else needs to be dune. Chief Oakes responded that he would get with Jennifer Sexton regarding the banners and at least get one made for the Fire House. The Town Manager commented that he and Chief Cakes would meet with Anita in Planning on the permitting for the banner. He also requested that the department come up with a recruitment message to get on the website, Facebook and to send to the Chamber. In response to a question, Chief Oakes explained the VIP program through Roanoke County which provides $ 00 a year to those that achieve tag points by Meeting certain requirements.. This program is for any certified volunteer or those who are in the academy and are maintaining passing grades. The work session was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: "�N 'Johnson, own Clerk 2