November 2024 Meeting Minutes

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman James Schaefer at 7:30 p.m.  Present were Commissioners James Schaefer, Allyn Jackson, Stephen Gregory, Ed Seltenreich and Robert Despres, Fire District Facilities Supervisor Dave Schaffauer, Medical Coordinator Brian Danowski, Chief Paul Sulzinski, Third Assistant Chief Mark Gregory, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

FIRE DISTRICT FACILITIES SUPERVISOR REPORT

See attached report.

Mr. Schaffauer advised the Board that there is a deadline for this grant cycle.  If the paperwork is not received ASAP, we may have to wait until the next cycle.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, approving the purchase of the Truck Checks – Responder App from Alpine Software, at a cost of $799.00 per year.  Approved 5-0.

Since the Motorola radios will no longer be in use, a resolution declaring them surplus property was drawn up and states as follows:

2024-22.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby deem the outdated Motorola CBM1250 Radios as surplus property and to discard them.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, accepting the adoption of Resolution 2024-22.  Approved 5-0.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Maintenance Report dated 10/1/24 – 11/7/24 was submitted to the Board.

Mr. Schaffauer will order the hose and charger.

MEDICAL COORDINATOR REPORT

MATERIAL REQUESTS

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, authorizing the purchase of a Pediatric EpiPen for 7-6-33 from Hammer Medical, at a cost of $825.40.  Approved 5-0.

REPORT DISCUSSION

The Board asked Mr. Danowski to request a contract from Pro Claim Medical Billing.

CHIEF'S REPORT

REQUESTS

1.,2., and 3.  A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing the purchase of one (1) Forestry Hose Pack M/S102 from R&B Fabrications, Inc., at a cost of $220.05, two (2) 1” Straight Stream Nozzles (cost unavailable) and two (2) Buckets PFAS Free Firefighting Foam (cost unavailable).  Approved 5-0.

4.  Mr. Schaffauer will handle.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1.  Noted.

2.  Approved under the Fire District Facilities Supervisor Report.

3.  The District forwarded a letter to the membership regarding Seasonal Membership and enclosed a copy of Mr. Glass’ e-mail regarding his comments on the By-Laws.

Chief Sulzinski advised the Board that the Chiefs’ Office has a list of members who have not made their points in years.  The Board suggested that the first five members on the list be notified that, due to their lack of maintaining their points quota as outlined in the Department’s By-Laws, the Chief has no choice but to terminate their membership in the Department.  Something has got to be done to make an example and, perhaps, encourage delinquent members to improve their alarm responses.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, approving the Minutes of the October 3, 2024 Regular Monthly Meeting and the October 15, 2024 Budget Hearing Special Meeting.  Approved 5-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Despres, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 27 checks totaling $50,500.83 and to authorize the transfer of $150,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account.  Approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence received.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Jackson thanked everyone for their help in hosting the recent Southampton Town Fire Districts Officers Association dinner/meeting.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the polling of Department members regarding expansion of the existing building or construction of a new building.  The Board has mixed feelings about how to address the issue.

The Board decided not to offer flu shots this year.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Gregory advised the Board that he had received a phone call from Verizon inquiring as to whether or not the District would be interested in allowing Verizon to install, at no charge to the District, a new tower which would include their cell phone equipment and our existing equipment.  Verizon would pay a rental fee of $3,000.00 per month.  The Board declined the offer since it is presently considering a renovation or, possibly, new construction.

A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Despres, requesting Mr. Danowski to contact ProCare advising them that we want to engage their billing services and would like to receive a contract.  Approved 5-0.

Workshop scheduled for November 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

At 9:20 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Despres, to adjourn the meeting.  Approved 5-0.

Submitted by

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Lorraine Gregory, Secretary

East Quogue Fire District’s House Attendant Report

To the Board of Fire Commissioners,

This is the attendant’s report for November 7, 2024, meeting including but not limited to:  

• General Maintenance and building care.
• Updated the website For the District
• Updated the sign.
• First Net (ATT) has updated our system.
• Our SAM account is active. I have reached out to the grant guys to get started with the grant process. Colleen and I are working to have the paperwork ready for this Tuesday. So, we can get in on this cycle of grants. You each have a copy of the paperwork. There is a chance we may have to wait till the next cycle
• Jerry has been away. When he comes back, I will have him complete the open items we have for him.
• Installed our spare UHF radio in 761
• Reached out to the glass guy for the windshield on 761

Topics for discussion:

• Quote for the Truck report / inventory from Alpine Software

Chiefs report to District November

Requests:

1. 1- Forestry Hose Pack ( R&B Fabrications inc) SKU M/S102 Cost: $220.05

Reasoning: This hose pack will store 200 ft of forestry hose and aid us in deploying and storing the hose in a quick and efficient manner.

2. 2- 1” straight stream nozzles.

Reasoning: straight stream nozzles are needed for the forestry hose that we already have. The straight stream nozzle penetrates the ground area for extinguishing deep seated ground fire and smoldering moss.

3. 2 Buckets PFAS free firefighting foam.

Reasoning: We need to replace aging foam and flush holding tank. This foam will replace what we flush out.

4. Remove Low Band radio in 7-6-1 and put UHF radio in.

Reasoning: Low band is antiquated  and no longer in use, the uhf radio will improve communications capabilities. We should have spare radios available.

Discussion:

1. Fire duty has been up, notably brush fires. With the uptick in activity, we have found a need 2for a small remote access firefighting vehicle. I submit that we should research such a vehicle for future procurement. The vehicle should be able to function in the woods for firefighting and on the beach for remote access and patient transport. I will be putting together a group of members to research such a vehicle for future consideration.
2. Can we look at the cost of adding Truck inspection and inventory to Red Alert App?

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Sulzinski Chief EQFD