Illegal open burns noted by IVFD
From our weekly issue dated August 20, 2008
There has been a plague of open burn incidents since fire season began last month, Chief Harry Rich told the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) Board of Directors during its monthly meeting Thursday night, Aug. 14 at administrative headquarters.
“We are citing those individuals caught burning items illegally, plus attaching a suppression cost to those doing the burning,” he said.
Currently, no open burning is allowed, even burning in burn barrels. Information is available by phoning the IVFD information line at 592-2121.
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Rich also told the board that efforts to reduce fuel consumption are continuing.
“Because of the continued escalation in fuel costs,” said Rich, all personnel have been directed that the movement of all apparatus be limited to emergency responses.
“We also have directed those individuals with home-assigned Type 6 (brush rigs) engines to use their vehicles only for emergency operations,” the chief said. Fuel costs have risen considerably, Rich has noted.
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In a report from Robin Paulson, IVFD executive administrator, it is noted that the district came out $8,116 under the allocated budget amount under Fuel & Lubricants for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The report shows that $47,883 of $56,000 was spent in the category, representing 85.5 percent of what was budgeted.
For the current fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30, fuel costs have risen considerably. That is why, said Rich, steps are being taken to reduce fuel use.
In connection with that situation, the chief said that two community representatives and two IVFD members “will be looking at our overall emergency and nonemergency response configurations (number and types of units responding.)”
He said that the 911 Dispatch Center has provided him with “all the response incidents in 2007 to date where we responded with AMR (American Medical Response).” It has been noted that one to three IVFD units generally respond with AMR, and that perhaps some adjustments are needed in the effort to lower fuel costs while not compromising emergency responses.
IVFD Director Dusty Bouchard was absent, as she is recuperating from knee surgery, the chief said. In other matters the board:
*Approved the annexation of eight properties recommended by Fire Marshal Jerry Schaeffer.
*Were advised by Rich that he has been appointed as an alternate on the Josephine County Fire Defense Board, headed by Chief Brian Pike of Rural/Metro Fire Dept. The other alternate is Chief Lang Johnson of Grants Pass Fire/Rescue.
*Heard from the chief that some $100 was saved in repair costs to an appliance because of the courtesy of Tony’s Appliances in Kerby.
*Heard from Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik that it’s possible the district will receive a FEMA grant for new breathing units, but that the outcome is uncertain.
*Were told by Rich that IVFD personnel during July responded to a number of mutual aid requests from Rural/Metro and Grants Pass Fire/Rescue. The district was put on standby as part of a task force for a major structure fire in Medford, but did not have to respond.
