IFB Meeting Minutes, April 2007

President Rodger Birchfield called the meeting of the Indianapolis Fire Buffs to order at 1934 on April 11, 2007. Eleven members were present; three members were excused. There were no guests.

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 March 2007 meeting was made by Jerry Traub. The motion was approved.

The Treasurer presented his report for March 2007. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report was made by Jerry Traub. The motion was approved unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

TURNOUT: Jerry Traub reported that the consensus at the IFBC Spring Meeting was to continue the Turnout publication as it is currently being done.
MUSEUM: no report

APPARATUS: no report

CANTEEN: Canteen runs:

March 26 – 10207 E. 42^nd Street, box alarm for apartment fire with entrapment, turned into civilian injury - serious. Ed McMichael responded at 0300 and served 25 firefighters with Gatorade and water. Secured at 0400.

March 28 – Along the White River between 10^th Street and New York Street, water rescue on report of person in the water. Dropped off cooler with Gatorade and water at 1215, and picked up empty cooler after work. Response by Ed McMichael.

March 28 – 2203 E. Michigan Street, tactical response by Tac 5 and Tac 1 for building shore-up after the building was struck by a car. Response by Ed McMichael at 1220; Dropped off snacks and cooler with Gatorade. Picked up empties after work.

March 29 – 79^th Street and Ditch Road, box alarm plus extra companies for an apartment fire. Fire gutted eight units. Ed McMichael responded at 1930 and served water, Gatorade, and snacks to about 45 firefighters. Secured at 2230.

April 9 – 38^th and Hillside Streets, second alarm fire at Indpls. Rack and Axle. Rodger Birchfield, Tod Parker, and Ed McMichael responded at 2145. Coffee, hot chocolate, Gatorade, water, and snacks were served to about 45-50 firefighters. Secured at 0047.

COMMUNICATIONS:> Dennis Chambers reported the pager system had gone down due to a problem with our service provider. Then, everyone started getting two pages for each incident. He reported the problem seems to have been corrected as of meeting time. Dennis is still investigating different providers and/or more modern ways of getting communications out to include text messages. He will have more information later.

Dennis also reported that the new radios have been installed in nearly all of the fire apparatus. He mentioned that digital scanners are available now, but they are pricey.

STATION 12: Mary Morgan reported she is still waiting for the interior work to be started; otherwise, status quo.

FDIC – Jim Williamson, FDIC coordinator for this year, distributed the work schedule for the IFB members working the various sites. HOTS is going to be at the old Landings Apartments off 75^th and Keystone, and we will also staff the “South Lot” for apparatus staging. Apparently, FDIC also is going to have a site at the Meadows. Jim was going to contact Bert Williams to see if there was a van or canteen available to cover that as well.

Regarding the IFB website, Jim Williamson reported Steve Hanson with the Racine Club has a server and will host websites for IFBA Clubs for $75 per year. A Committee was formed to pursue developing the website and the content thereon. A committee report is due at the next meeting. Committee members: Dennis Chambers, Tod Parker, and Ron Cunningham.

Rodger Birchfield reported the city has received three new pumpers, a tactical unit, and am aerial. He will report where the new vehicles will be stationed, and what will be shifted and/or retired.

NEXT BREAKFAST – 9 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2007, Station 3 B-Shift
NEXT MEETING – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2007, Station 3 A-Shift

Indianapolis, Indiana 46220