White Mountain Fire Protection District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 19, 2025 06:30 PM
25470 Hwy 6, Benton, CA 93512
https://www.whitemountainfpd.org/

1. Call to Order
   The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Chair Jarret Phillips.
   
   
   1. Roll Call
      

      Present: Chair Jarret Phillips, Vice-Chair Matt Yount, Commissioner Jerold Blain

      Absent: Commissioner Dan Eder

      Staff Present: Jo Ann Morgan, Sec/Treas

      
      
2. Public Comments

   None

3. Appoint Board Member

   Motion to appoint new board member Jennifer Oakes to White Mountain Fire Protection District by Matt Yount, 2nd by Jarold Blain.  Motion passed 3-0.

4. Secretary/Treasurer Report - Jo Ann Morgan

   1. Fund Balances

      Fund balances: ESCB Checking account $ 103,689.06, Fire Fund 335 $ 74,112.27, Res Fund 336 $ 9,588.23 and EMS Fund 338 $ 16,403.76.  A total of $ 203,793.32.

   2. Budget Performance/Amendments/Adjustments

      Vehicle maintenance is more than anticipated since we now have a certified mechanic maintaining equipment.  Funds received from MCFCA have offset this cost.  

   3. EMS Billing

      
      

      EMS payments received to date for FY 24-25 $ 28,887.06.  This is about 25% of actual billing which is a huge improvement from previous years.  There are still some outstanding invoices that we are waiting on.

5. Consent Agenda

   1. Approval of Minutes - February 19, 2025

   2. Approve Financial Report

   Vice-Chair Matt Yount motioned to approve. Commissioner Jerold Blain seconded the motion.
   
   The motion passed with the following vote:
     3   In Favor      0   Opposed
     0   Abstained      0   Absent         Recused
   
   
6. New Station Project  

   Chief Doonan discussed where the project is at this moment and the necessity to negotiate a cost within our budget. After meeting with the architect to review what we need, it will be revised. Community Project Funding is a source available to fund this project. An application will be submitted. We have a lot of support from the community for this project including all the neighboring fire districts. The project is available on our website and includes a donation tab specifically for the project. Timeline for the project depends on available funds from loans and other sources. Another aspect of this plan is to acquire the land in Hammil Valley from Mono Co, get approval to build a station there, move the Benton Station to Hammil Valley while the Benton Station is built.

   Resolution 2025-001 was read by chairperson Jarret Phillips, a motion was made to adopt resolution by Jerold Blain, second by Jennifer Oakes.  Motion passed 4-0.

   Commissioner Jerold Blain motioned to approve. Commissioner Open Seat seconded the motion.
   
   The motion passed with the following vote:
     4   In Favor      0   Opposed
        Abstained         Absent         Recused
   
   
7. Fire Service Building Mitigation Fees

   Tabled

8. Benton Tribal Hydrant System

   This will be discussed at the tribal council meeting April 12th to assess the system to see if it works and provide assistance to bring it up to the necessary standards.  Once this is done, they become bonified water sources within our district.  Water resources help increase our rating with ISO.  Tabled

9. Benton Hot Springs Service Agreement

   Tabled

10. District Communications

    Our district is still having issues with communications with dispatching and call communications.  These issues are being discussed with the Chief's Board for a proposal to fix and improve EMD, dispatch and IAR for reporting.  In our area we have limited cell coverage.  Starlink Mobile partnered with T-Mobile is a strong possible fix to this.  The department is changing to ESO for reporting.  This takes reporting from two reports to one efficient report for both fire and EMS.  It makes uploading to reporting agencies easier also.

11. Benton Music Festival

    Carson Chandler is booked for Sept 13th, 2025.  A meeting will be scheduled to discuss this year's festival.  Alcohol options need to be discussed including local vendors.  Information needs to be available on our website.  It's time for a cover charge to attend to cover costs.  Sponsors are a possibility too.

12. Staff  Reports

    1. Chief Doonan

       Haz Mat Bill

       Dave is still trying to this paid from insurance company 

    2. Facilities Manager - Renae Kaiser

    3. EMS Captain - Matt Doonan

       Reviewed calls recently that demonstrated really good outcomes and times.  Chief Doonan expanded on a call communicating the response time from 911 call to ALS being on scene was 9 min.  From the time of the call to when the ambulance was on scene was 12 min.  Time from call to the ER was 58 min.  This reflects the system in place is great.  Our response times are at or under the NFPA standard.  Our compliance for ambulance runs is still good with reporting and times.  The advanced EMT class is still going on, getting close to being done.  A week of classroom time and another month of outside rotation.  We will soon have another advanced EMT in our department.  Looking into the possibility of a Public Access "Stop the Bleed" class in the next month.  It's a first aid style class for members of the public.  Looking into starting an EMT class in the fall.  Our ESO software will now keep track of medicines inventory, control numbers and par levels.  It does expiration date tracking.

    4. Training Coordinator - James Janney

       Getting everyone up to speed on new software.  Not much outside training currently.  Matt is still doing the Advanced class.  Moving our training to be more ISO centered.  Focusing on ratings.  Keeping reporting updated and current.  We are working through Wildland with a field day scheduled for April 5th with Cal Fire to do some classroom with us.  Doing some shelters and hands on stuff to get ready for wildland season.  We have a new member packet, a process for onboarding that explains all that is necessary to be part of the district.  

13. Future Agenda Items

    Chaplin Loran Kitts

14. Next Meeting Date

    April 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM

15. Adjournment

    8:02 PM