Scott Kugel

The meeting included approval of the agenda with modifications, including adding Public Assistance (PA) items and removing one uniform PA item. Key reports were received from outside agencies, notably the County Emergency Management regarding 2025 allocations and 2026 requests for the Statewide Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), issues with notifications for the Mountain Cement fire concerning asbestos, and scheduling for a wide-area search exercise. The Dispatch and Fire Warden offices also provided updates. ACFD1 Operations Chief reported on the Mountain Cement fire after-action review, billing for 2025 fires, and plans for ordering patches. Financially, the Board approved the financial report and various department disbursements and PA approvals, including funding for equipment repairs, helmets, nozzles, and travel expenses. Major action items involved the approval of Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) 26-104 for Local Fire Positions, requiring mandatory CPR/BLS/AED/Stop the Bleed training and updating work capacity test language. The Board voted against purchasing a Pierce tender as it failed to meet critical RFP specifications. Approval was granted unanimously to purchase a different tender from Heli fire apparatus, contingent on contract agreement, and subsequently approved the purchase of a second identical truck. A used wildland tender purchase was also approved, requiring an additional $40,000 outside of the initial budget. Finally, the Board approved retroactive payment of administrative/overhead costs to the Operations Chief for time spent writing and reviewing RFPs using Impact Funds, and tabled a motion regarding the reallocation of the EMS Coordinator role.

Key discussions included the receipt of approximately $11,000 in back payments from the County due to accounting errors, which was subsequently moved to the fire pay line. The Board addressed the upcoming wildfire season by approving the creation of a specialized Wildland Division within ACFD1 to streamline coordination and training efforts, including coordinating resources with the BLM. Financial actions involved approving the 2023 engine pay distribution, setting the 2024 firefighter pay disbursement at an initial 75% rate, and initiating a review to potentially switch credit card processing services to Chase. The Board reviewed and approved several job descriptions/guides, notably approving the Local Responder Job Description and renaming others to 'Training and Qualification Guide.' Further actions included ratifying contracts for ongoing bathroom projects which were over budget, agreeing that departments will fund the 5% match for the upcoming AFG grant proposal for plymovents and PPE, and directing the WYCO type 6 engine to be housed at BLVFD. The Board also planned to update the 2019 Strategic Plan and begin the process to find a replacement for the retiring bookkeeper.

The meeting addressed reports from outside agencies, including updates on ARPA ordered radios and the reopening of the Communication Specialist position. The District Coordinator reported on meetings regarding background checks, job description final drafts, WARM insurance claims, and the transition to Image Trend. Significant financial actions included the approval of the financial report and several Purchase Approvals (PAs) benefiting VVFD, such as replacing a brush truck, funding training, renewing online modules, and purchasing a used water tender. BLVFD received approvals for engine repair/maintenance and the purchase of radios and an extrication tool. Action items included a failed motion to ratify extended incident food guidelines, requiring rewriting for the next meeting, and extensive discussion on complex job descriptions, which resulted in the motion to approve being retracted pending further revision and a future work session. The Board unanimously voted to explore Option 1 for EMS services, which involves an agreement with Align Providers of Wyoming for medical direction coverage. Department reports provided updates on membership, apparatus status, and activities, with WYCO requesting training on Active Alert transition.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda, which contained amendments for an MOU with EMA and action items to approve listings for CVVFD Engine 3 and CVVFD Ambulance. Discussion items included clarification requests regarding the October 2024 minutes, which will be addressed in December 2024. Reports covered damage from Bear Creek requiring quote solicitation, the ACFD1 peer support team winding down operations, and waiting on state guidance for fire pay. The financial report involved numerous purchase approvals (PAs) for various fire districts, including training costs, equipment purchases like headsets and radios, while a significant request for a WYCO radio failed due to compatibility concerns. Action items included unanimously approving the formation of a five-person water tender committee, approving the MOU with EMA for a communications specialist, and unanimously approving the listing contracts for Centennial Engine 3 and MS146, sending them for legal review. Discussions also covered updating district bylaws, reviewing the effectiveness of the VVFD Area of Response, and receiving an update on assumed Rail Tie impact funds.

The special meeting focused on the approval of Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Key discussions included the approval of an RFP for new and used tenders, resulting in one bid received for a Pierce tender on an International chassis, with authorization to purchase a second tender on the market up to $400,000.00, and the overall purchase capped at $600,000.00. The committee also approved the purchase of two used tenders, not to exceed $190,000.00, due to no bids being received for that specific RFP. Furthermore, the board awarded the bid for two support pickup trucks to Ken Garff Ford Dealership in Cheyenne for $126,019.00, as this bid met all preference items specified by the district.