Portal Rescue Incorporated Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
1.0 Call to Order
President Jerry Racicot called the meeting to order at 6.45 p.m. Six board members were present.
2.0 Adoption of Agenda
The published agenda was adopted without change (motion byBill Wilbur, seconded by Reed Peters, vote unanimously in favor).
3.0 Acceptance/Correction of Minutes
David Newton moved to accept minutes from the March 24, 2012 meeting. Bill seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor.
4.0 Reports
4.1 President’s report (Jerry Racicot)
Jerry signed the Mutual Aid Agreement with Hidalgo County in April, at the request of Fire Chief David Newton.
Jerry asked the Board to consider whether, in order to raise revenue, we should fight fires outside our area. Fire Chief David Newton said that we do have appropriate equipment and he would probably authorize such deployment, subject to having personnel who were suitably qualified and available for an extended period. However, the state was reluctant to draw equipment from Portal to the interior of the state in case it was needed locally. Bill noted that during Horseshoe II some community members grumbled about us not using more of our equipment, but the Incident Command specifically told us that the team needed our equipment available to respond to local incidents, because the team could not release their resources for local unrelated fires. Reed suggested we know exactly how much we want to earn if we do decide to operate in other areas.
4.2 Treasurer’s report (Bill Wilbur)
Bill reviewed income and expenses (year-to-date) 2012.
Revenue: This year, $6650.75 has been received in grants. $8515.05 has been donated, and $6,299.40 has come from fundraising efforts. Interest income now totals $399, and $473 has come in as fire income. Counting some other minor categories, revenues to date total $22,884.
Expenses: Expenses to date include $1,768 for office supplies, $1,408 for EMS supplies, $870 for EMS training, $1,532.68 for fire supplies, $567 for fire training, $707 for fire equipment, $5148 for vehicle operations, $5913 for radio operations, $3680 for insurance. Including some other minor categories, expenses total $25507.
Currently, expenses exceed revenue by $2623, but that is normal at this stage of the year. Our ability to make investments is limited by the strict guidelines imposed on non-profits.
Summary of Assets: Our investments total $74,000, and we have $87,000 in checking. Including petty cash and earned interest, assets total $161,000
4.3 Fire Chief’s report (David Newton)
Since 24 March 2012--
Timothy Barrett and Jerry Racicot completed Basic Wildland training. That gives us a total of 14 firefighters, 6 of whom passed the arduous fitness test. All 14 have completed a wildland refresher and are eligible to work on initial and extended attack incidents in some capacity.
We've responded to two local fires, one was started accidentally by a Portal home owner in his backyard, the other started from an ember from a burn barrel and ignited debris on Whetten Rd.
The Rodeo-Portal Rescue Mutual Aid agreement has been accepted by the Rodeo Firefighters and is now moving to be signed by the Hidalgo County Fire Marshall, then it'll go to the Hidalgo County Commission.
We had an excellent turnout of 10 firefighters at our May training.
Much vehicle maintenance:
Engine2: replaced one starting battery.
Tender1: Weeping from a crack in the rear dump flangTender7: replaced a fuel pump and one rear tire. Tank is leaking from a rust spot.
Brush9: replaced the power steering pump filter.
Major purchases:
$1118 for 272 gallons of diesel fuel
$2573 for Brush5's wireless headset system. (line item in 2012 budget)
$584 for 25 gallons of firefighting foam concentrate.
4.4 EMS Chief’s report (Jackie Lewis)
There have been no calls in April and so far in May.
Twelve EMTs attended training on April 21st. We reviewed Standing Orders and got acquainted with Rescue 3 and Rescue 4.
Next meeting is this Saturday, May 19th at 9 a.m.
5.0 Old Business
Insurance coverage for mutual aid agreement
Bill will contact Clifton Insurance and find out if Portal Rescue is covered when responding to calls in New Mexico.
6.0 New Business
Contribution to Portal Rescue by Disney Corporation
Bill thanked both the Disney Corporation and Ray Mendez for a $1000 contribution by the Corporation in memory of Ray Mendez senior.
New photos for website
Board members would work on getting current photographs to reflect our activities. The old ones were less than inspiring.
Discussion/authorization to replace old tires on Fire Trucks
Tires are cracking and need replacement. Projected expense was $2400
but was budgeted for and didn’t need to be authorized.
County-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Jerry noted that the state required a CWPP before it would authorize grants for fuel reduction and that such a plan had other benefits too. Did we want to contribute to the $65,000 cost of a CWPP? Board members noted that bigger, richer communities had yet to commit themselves, and that even if Portal Rescue didn’t support the CWPP financially, we would still benefit from it, because it would apply to the whole county. No donations would be offered at present but David Newton will follow the moves towards a CWPP and keep the Board informed.
7.0 Addenda (none)
8.0 For the Good of the Order
The Board thanked Jackie, Susanne and Dinah for their services.
9.0 Adjournment
David Newton moved for adjournment at 7.50 p.m.; David Johnson seconded the motion, and Jerry, hearing no dissent, declared the meeting adjourned at that time.