CALL TO ORDER
The Haworth Volunteer Fire Department held a regular monthly business meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at the Haworth Fire Station.  Meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. by Chief Middleton.  Members present were: Owens, Marsh, Donaldson, Middleton, Carrell, Hall, White, Ferguson, Wright, Cowart, Bennett, and Storey.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of the previous meeting were read.  Carrell moved to accept.  Wright  seconded.  All members in favor.  Minutes approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Beginning Balance: $    599.38
Income:                 $             0
Expenses:              $      17.00  James Hodge Ford - Parts for Truck-3
                             $      57.64  Quick Stop - Fuel (See Note 1 Below)
                             $      24.45  Haworth Station - Fuel
                             $        9.00  Country Store - Fuel
                             $    150.00  Lindsey Communications - SMH1525 Mobile Radio, Mobile 5/8 wave Antenna,
                                                                                         Coax Kit, Battery for SPH155, Charger for SPH155,
                                                                                         Antenna for SPH255. (See Note 2 Below)
Ending Balance:    $    341.29

Note 1: This bill was paid in the previous month, but Town officials issued payment again.  The Fire Department currently has a $57.64 credit at the Quick Stop.

Note 2: Storey reported that he had recently obtained a nine Uniden APX115 chargers.  He stated that he was able to trade seven of the chargers, two of the old  SPH58 handheld radios obtained through a prior trade with an individual in North Carolina, and the $150.00 payment to Lindsey Communications for the items listed above.

Donaldson moved to accept finance report.  Carrell seconded.  All members in favor.  Finance report approved.

VOTE ON PROBATIONARY MEMBERS: MARSH, FERGUSON, & COWART
Storey reported that Vic Marsh, Jimmy Ferguson, and Stuart Cowart had completed their one year probationary period.  Donaldson moved to approve full membership of the three firefighters.  Carrell seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.  Marsh, Ferguson, & Cowart granted full membership effective this date.

ADOPT REVISIONS TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES: PHYSICAL FITNESS & WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING TRAINING
Storey reported that he had recently received information concerning a Rural Fire Assistance program being administered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).  The assistance is made available to fire departments which enter into an agreement with the BIA to engage in wildland fire suppression activities on Indian lands located within the department’s primary protection area.  BIA Representative Sam Scranton informed Storey that the assistance would include wildland turnout gear (Nomex coveralls, gloves, helmets, fire shelters) and firefighting equipment (hoses, nozzles, foam, etc.).  To qualify for the program, the Department must have Indian lands within its protection area.  Storey stated that he had faxed a map of the Department’s protection area to Mr. Scranton who confirmed that there were Indian lands in the area and the Department did qualify.

Additionally, the Town of Haworth is required to adopt a Resolution granting authority for the Department to enter into a fire suppression agreement with the BIA.  Storey noted that the Resolution (Town of Haworth Resolution #00-01-01) had been approved at the Town’s monthly meeting earlier in the day.

Storey explained that the only other requirements were for the Department to adopt two changes in the Standard Operating Procedures; an annual physical fitness evaluation standard and a wildland firefighting training requirement.

Members discussed provisions of the agreement and agreed that it would be beneficial to the Department.  Wright moved to adopt an Annual Physical Fitness Standard requiring that all firefighters be able to walk one mile within fifteen minutes and a requirement that all firefighters receive Wildland Firefighting Training.  Donaldson seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.  Physical Fitness Standard and Wildland Firefighting Training Requirement added to Departmental SOP.

OLD BUSINESS
Middleton reported that new batteries had been purchased for the ‘86 Chevy 3/4 ton and the steel to build the tank had been purchased.

Owens stated that he would begin repairs to Truck-3 tomorrow (May 2nd).

NEW BUSINESS
Storey reported that the Department’s phone patch had been changed.  The phone patch from the Department’s old repeater system had been installed.  Firefighters can now answer incoming calls by simply keying their radios, it is no longer necessary to press the “*” button on the keypads.  He also stated that the phone patch would automatically hang-up after 1 minute of inactivity or by pressing the “#” button.

Middleton reported that the Department needed to appoint a Safety Officer and a Training Officer.  Donaldson moved to appoint Bennett as Safety Officer.  Owens seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.  Bennett selected as Safety Officer effective this date.  Donaldson moved to appoint Marsh as Training Officer.  Carrell seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.  Marsh selected as Training Officer effective this date.

Ferguson noted that he had ordered a replacement Master Cylinder for Eng-1.

ADJOURN
Marsh moved to adjourn.  Owens seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Signed:

Floyd Middleton, Chief

Kyle Batson, Assistant Chief

Kirk Storey, Secretary/Treasurer