IFB Meeting Minutes, January 2007

The meeting of the Indianapolis Fire Buffs was called to order at 1930 on January 17, 2007, by President Rodger Birchfield. Thirteen members were present; two members were excused. There was one guest: Tod Parker, who was present for his third meeting. The meeting was suspended to hear a presentation from Scotty D’Armond, Pike Twp. Firefighter, who was present with the Fireman’s Chore Jackets.

The meeting resumed at 2000. A moment of silence was observed to honor deceased members and firefighters. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.

A motion to approve the minutes of the November 2006 meeting was made by David Chambers. The motion was approved unanimously.

The Treasurer presented reports for November and December 2006. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for November 2006, as amended, was made by Jerry Traub. The motion was approved unanimously. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for December 2006 was made by Justin Birchfield. The motion was approved unanimously.

There was discussion during the Treasurer’s report regarding the upcoming maturity of the certificate of deposit maintained by the Club. Due to the fact that some of the funds currently held within the CD may be needed for future communications billings, a motion to terminate the certificate of deposit and transfer the funds to a liquid account was made by Ed McMichael. In the motion, the Treasurer is charged with investigating to see if there is a higher interest account, like a money market account, that would provide a better return on investment over a tradition savings account. The motion passed.

MAIL: Thank you card acknowledging our memorial contribution for Cheryl Novak. Thank you cards from The Salvation Army, Wishard Burn Center, and IFD for recent contributions. Note from Norm Girard, FDIC magazines, Enjine Enjine, and the annual dues bill from IFBA.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
MUSEUM: no report

APPARATUS: no report

MEMBERSHIP: Membership ID cards are still pending per Rodger Birchfield. Rodger Birchfield also noted that Tod Parker was present for his third meeting; therefore, he was eligible for active membership. Upon discussion and a motion by Jim Williamson (motion passed), Mr. Parker was welcomed as our newest active member.

Dennis Chambers presented the Associate Membership application from Ken Boone. A motion to accept Mr. Boone as an Associate Member was made by Paul McMichael. The motion passed.

CANTEEN: The canteens are due to be swapped the weekend of January 20, with the Club taking possession of one of the new units at (the real) Station 12. Our former unit, now designated as the “Field Kitchen” will be kept at DHQ.

Canteen runs: 12/2/06 – 119 W. 34^th Street, box alarm for business. Ed McMichael responded at 0230 and served approximately 25 firefighters with coffee, hot chocolate, water, and Gaterade. Secured at 0405.

12/7/06 – 2400 E. Prospect, box alarm with extra companies for double residence that spread to two exposures. Ed McMichael and Tod Parker responded at 0245 and served about 35 firefighters with coffee, hot chocolate, Gaterade, water, and snacks. Secured at 0515.

12/30/06 – 38 E. Washington, two alarm plus extra companies for high rise building downtown. Responded to by Jim Williamson, Ed McMichael, Tod Parker, and Rodger Birchfield at 0220. Served coffee, hot chocolate, Gaterade, water, and snacks to 75 firefighters. Secured at 0530.

1/7/07 – 3725 E. 9^th Street, two alarm for factory building. Responded to by Mark Burke, Dave Babcock, and Ed McMichael at 1215. Served the usual five to 60 firefighters and 5 civilians. Secured at 1415.

1/10/07 – 410 N. Oakland, box alarm plus extra company for double residence with spread to one exposure. Responded to by Ed McMichael at 0415, serving about 35 firefighters with usual five. Secured at 0645.

COMMUNICATIONS: Dennis Chambers reported Channel 13 has picked up pager service. He reported the Indianapolis Star has three pagers and Channel 59 has one.

Pager bills have been sent out to those who have e-mail addresses on file with Dennis. There was a discussion regarding pager billing and the continued delinquency of some accounts. A motion was made by Jerry Traub that April 30 be established as the grace period end date, and that accounts not paying by that date have their service disconnected. The motion passed.

STATION 12: Mary Morgan and Mark Burke reported the roof repairs have been completed and the new gutters have been installed. (Round of applause) Work will now begin on the interior where there has been water damage. Mary reported the dumpster appears to have been stolen. Jim Williamson said he was working on a badge/patch display case for Station 12.

OLD BUSINESS: The Club assisted The Salvation Army by manning a kettle and ringing the bell for two nights at the Marsh on west 38^th Street. Thanks to the members who braved some pretty cold temperatures and to Station 33 for storing and safeguarding the kettle.

Membership roster – “soon” according to Treasurer.

Mary Morgan made a motion to contribute $50 to the memorial fund for Sidney Hall of the Upland Fire Department, who died in the line of duty while fighting a residence fire. The motion passed.

Mary Morgan suggested we allow some of the children, accompanied by a parent, of IFD personnel ride the engine in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. There was discussion on how to orchestrate such an event and also the question of liability. Because of these issues, it was determined that it was too risky to proceed with the plan.

Jerry Traub has the St. Patrick’s Day parade application. The parade will be Friday, March 16. There is a $50 entry fee plus proof of insurance. Jerry made a motion to authorize the $50 expenditure, and the motion passed. Parade website: www.indystpats.com.

Jerry Traub advised FDIC begins April 17. Details to follow at our next meeting.

There was a question of what happened to the IFB website. Rodger Birchfield will investigate.

NEXT BREAKFAST – 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, Station 34 A-Shift
NEXT MEETING – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, Station 34 A-Shift

Indianapolis, Indiana 46220