June 20, 2000 Fire Committee Meeting

The Fire Committee met in session on Monday evening, June 19, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Sherwood presiding and the following members present: Mayor Ludwig, Councilman Griesbaum and Rossiter. Also present this meeting was Fire Chief Heindselman, Asst. Fire Chief Ellison, Firemen Gunsauls and Mark Tanner.

Sherwood called the meeting to order. Fire Chief Heindselman presented the committee with a list of questions, information on calls made to date by the fire dept, request for fire hydrants checks, items needed for the brush truck, need for new equipment and equipment that needs to be replaced. Also on the list concerns of concerns of trucks #710 and #711 both failed their pump test. Fire Chief Heindselman asked for a copy of this budget regarding approved equipment purchases for the fire dept. City Clerk Spindler gave this to the Fire Chief.

Fire Chief Heindselman asked if the City had ever gotten a signed agreement with the Rural Fire. City Clerk Spindler stated that Theresa Gunsauls had sent a new agreement to the president Danny Logsdon and it had never been returned. Sherwood asked the City Clerk if she had ever sent out letters to the rural fire members regarding due. City Clerk Spindler stated John Schaffer had finally came in with changes to the letter, but to this date no letters had been sent since the City has never received a signed agreement.

Fire Chief Heindselman asked about flow checks on the hydrants. Heindselman stated the Firemen felt since the City had two in the water dept., and they were paid and they had set aside two weekends to do the testing and they were not allowed to they felt the water dept., could do the testing. Mayor Ludwig stated he was the one who stopped the testing, since he had received a letter from the ISO stating they would be here the first of June. According to the letter they would be doing the same testing. Mayor Ludwig stated he did not feel it would be necessary to do the same testing several times and stir up the water. Fire Chief Heindselman stated he would like permission for the Fire dept., to do mechanical checks on the hydrants, which consist of placing a cap on the hydrant and using a quarter inch pipe, it would show if the hydrant leaked. Fire Chief Heindselman stated they could do 5 to 6 hydrants a night. Sherwood stated he did not have a problem with this, but do not do the hydrant out by Joe Johnson residence.

Fire Chief Heindselman stated they needed several items for the brush truck. They would like to order decals to label each compartment on the truck. Also they will need to purchase a decal in accordance with the agreement from Knapheide on the donation of the truck bed, stating the bed was donated in the memory of David L. Burbridge Sr. Other items needed are 10' 2-1/2" hard suction hose - $127, flat head axe - $30.50, 4' D-handle pike pole - $53.75, spanner/hydrant wrench set - $63 and dry-rack - $82. These items were not presented to the budget committee in the Fire Dept., proposed budget.

Rossiter stated while on the subject of a decal showing the donation in memory of David Burbridge going on the truck, he did not have any objection to it. Rossiter stated he though that would be a good idea.

Mayor Ludwig stated he would like to ask about the pumps on both trucks failing. Fire Chief Heindselman stated #710 has a pipe from the fill valve that is leaking, and to get to the valve you would need to tear out all of the hoses. This is causing the tank to go from full to less than a quarter of a tank just setting. #710 also failed the vacuum test. #711 tac and tac out are not working and never has. This does not effect the pumping of the truck, but it would cause them to fail in an ISO inspection. Fire Chief Heindselman stated he has spoken to Kenny Wiseman about getting both pump worked on and he has never gotten an answer.

Mayor Ludwig stated before this committee agrees, to any other purchases the pumps should be looked into first and then proceed from there. Mayor Ludwig stated how he would call a special Council meeting for next Monday nigh 06/26/00 and ask the Rural Fire members to be present with the discussion on the repairs of these trucks. Fire Chief Heindselman did ask about purchasing a batter charger. Mayor Ludwig stated that Heindselman should get the cost and have it for the special meeting. Sherwood stated he would talk to Danny Logsdon about the repairs needed and see if Logsdon would contact Wiseman and hopefully by next Monday night and answer as to when he could look at both trucks.

Rossiter stated if the ladder needs to be replaced due to a crack then this should be looked into also. Fire Chief Heindselman stated he could get cost of this only for next Monday night. Having nothing further before the Committee, Sherwood motioned to adjourn. Griesbaum second the motion.