SAFER Grant and Interim Maintenance Position Discussed

SEELEY LAKE – The Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant and hiring of interim maintenance position were the main topics of discussion at the Seeley Lake Fire Board meeting July 17.

Chief Dave Lane informed the board that President Trump did not approve the SAFER Grant for this year. The grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA.

Lane said in an email outside of the meeting that the District received a SAFER grant in 2001 for between $70,000-$80,000 that was used to purchase new turnout gear.

“This doesn’t mean this can’t happen in the future or by the end of the year, but as the last round went through, it was not approved,” said Lane. “We are looking for alternative funding.”

Because of funding not being an option through the SAFER grant, Lane told the board he wanted more time to put together the budget for 2018-2019. It would be presented at the next meeting.

The current district maintenance employee is not able to return to work due to health reasons as of Tuesday, July 17. Lane asked the board to hire someone in the interim to cover the day-to-day tasks.

Lane is unsure if the maintenance person will be able to return to work but wants to leave the option open at least for now. If the position does vacate, he understands that the position will need to be posted and a formal hiring process followed.

Lane recommended hiring EMT and lieutenant Kody Kelley. Kelley applied for the interim position and would be eligible to reapply for the full-time position should it become vacant.

The board asked Kelley why he wanted the interim position.

Kelley responded, “It is the career field that I have always chosen. I’ve chosen the fire department over everything else. To actually work here and have a second EMT here would be awesome.”

The board voted unanimously to hire Kelley in the interim at 25 hours per week at $11.83/hour.

In other business:

• The board approved the District Operations Manual and Standard Operating Procedures from the past meetings pending district attorney review. They were given three new policies to review including hospice, firefighter accountability and a policy for air bottles.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Fire Hall. For meeting agendas, minutes and special meeting announcements visit http://www.seeleyfire.org.