Minutes Board of Directors Meeting August 20, 2003

The General Board Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Mr. Stonebraker. Present were Directors Mr. Stonebraker, Mr. Schloss, Mr. Bettag, Chief Svetanics, Mrs. Vincent, Firefighters Captain Bertelsmeier, Lt. Heidbreder, Pvts. Larry Lewellen, Johnny Lewellen and Mike Murphy, and Citizens of the District.

Pledge of allegiance was led by Lt. Heidbreder.

Mr. Stonebraker made a motion to accept the agenda, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to accept the minutes from the closed executive session of July 17, 2003, and the three executive sessions beginning at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on July 24, 2003, 2nd by Mr. Bettag. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to accept the minutes from the general board meetings of July 16, 2003 and July 22, 2003, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Mr. Bettag gave the treasurer’s report for the month ending July 31, 2003. Mr. Bettag used the new Summary Comparison of Budget to Actual Expenditures Report as a way to summarize the full treasurer’s report. Mr. Bettag stated that we have no major expenses ahead of us since all the work is now done on the remodel of the firehouse. Our percentage of the Fire Act Grant has been paid and all equipment has been purchased. Mr. Bettag reported that although funds are tight right now, we have not raised the fire fighters’ rates for health insurance in 20 months and that we are in good shape with the Medical Fund. Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to accept the treasurer’s report, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Chief’s Report: Chief Svetanics reported that Pvt. Ron Harder was awarded a grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland to attend a course in Community Education Leadership to be held December 8 through the 19, 2003. This is a high honor for the District and the Board commended Pvt. Harder.

Chief Svetanics stated that we need to find ways to fund a new ambulance as our font line ambulance has 110 thousand miles already and is costly in repairs. It will take at least a year just to get the bids collected from companies and the time to build it. Chief Svetanics answered a question from a citizen about the differences in ambulance models

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and stated that if you build one with good component parts it will last through the rough treatment we give it. We just need to start thinking about doing it soon since we have already had to borrow Affton’s ambulance while both of ours were being repaired. Mr. Stonebraker asked Chief Svetanics to investigate lease purchase agreements from different ambulance companies since we have already been working on specs for a new ambulance for quite some time.

There was a question from a citizen about applying for a grant from Homeland Security for a new ambulance like we did for a new fire truck. Chief Svetanics stated that they do not have a grant for ambulances in the Fire Act Grants Program.

Old Business: Chief Svetanics reported that all of our remodeling is now finished since the first floor men’s quarters are now newly carpeted and tiled.

New Business: Monthly reports presented on training by each crew member, 40 hour education schedule for training, maintenance report, fire incident report and summary, ambulance statistics, Gateway monthly credit report, overtime report, Minutes from South County Fire Alarm Association, St. Louis Metro Fire District Alliance Minutes and Metro Area Training Coordinates Meeting Minutes.

Mr. Stonebraker stated that Lemay is hosting the St. Louis Metro Fire District Alliance meeting here in October. They are looking for associate members who can attend meetings but will not be able to vote.

Mr. Stonebraker asked Chief Svetanics about statewide mutual aid. Chief Svetanics stated that it is divided by Highway Patrol Districts and ours is Region C. If we were to be called in a statewide crisis, we would not be reimbursed for our salaries but would be reimbursed for various supplies (like foam) used.

A Citizen questioned if we could give mutual aid out of state. Chief Svetanics stated that there is no law against it.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to approve Ordinance 7-03 Enacting Mutual Aid of Fire and Emergency Service Between Lemay and all other Fire and Protection Districts in St. Louis County and Surrounding Counties, 2nd by Mr. Bettag, Roll call vote, all ayes.

Next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. The regular open meeting for bill discussion is scheduled for September 23, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.




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Public Comments: A question was posed by a Citizen about getting rid of our ambulance service if it is so expensive to operate. People could just call a private service like Gateway or Abbott. The answer came from a few of the firemen in attendance. Anyone can call a private service now, even though we have our own service, but they would wait until one is available, sometimes up to 20 minutes or a half an hour, while our pumper has responded to the call, manned by 4 Paramedics to attend to the patient until the private ambulance can answer the call, at which time they are usually only manned by one Paramedic or one EMT and a technician. Our ambulance is manned by two Paramedics always and answers the call within minutes. Private ambulance services do not receive mutual aid from other counties like Lemay. If our ambulance is already on a call, we get immediate aid from Mehlville, Affton, Shrewsbury, even the City of St. Louis, whichever one is closest in response time. Private services do not have this aid, which is why the patient waits until one is free. When we respond with both pumper and ambulance, the patient receives care from fully certified Paramedics.

A Citizen commented that when a call was placed from his home for ambulance service, the ambulance was coming down the street before he got onto his porch. He commended our crew on the quick response time and service.

A Citizen asked if there was a St. Louis County Code where one entrance and exit were acceptable in buildings. The Citizen stated that in the Bella Villa Jail the cell was in the basement and there was only one exit. Chief Svetanics stated he would check the codes and send a building inspector to check it out if warranted.

Our firefighters also received a complement from a Citizen for the work we do installing car seats. Chief Svetanics responded that it is just one of the many services we do here at the Fire House as in our motto, “Seeking Opportunities To Serve.”

Mr. Stonebraker made an addition to the agenda. We will hold a tax rate meeting on August 28, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.

Motion by Mr. Schloss to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m., 2nd by Mr. Bettag. Roll call vote, all ayes.


Respectfully submitted,



Jerry G. Schloss, Secretary

JGS/pgv