March 15. 2000

The LaGrange Fire Committee met in session on Tuesday evening, March 14, 2000 at 7 00 p m with Chairperson Ayers presiding over the meeting and the following persons present. R Sherwood, D Burbridge, Mayor Ludwig, Fire Chief Heindselman, Asst, Fire Chief Ellison and the following men M. Henderson, Mk. Tanner, Mt Tanner, H. Gunsauls, M. Lowe and C Todd. Ayers called the meeting to order and turned the floor to Burbridge. Burbridge stated he had heard several rumors regarding firemen responding to fires without getting paged out. Heindselman stated that situation was going to be discussed with the officers and no action had been taken yet. Burbridge stated according to the agreement the firemen were to be paged out and then respond. Ayers stated he had a brief meeting with Danny Logsdon of the Rural Fire Board and he felt the firemen should not respond to any fire unless paged out. Logsdon told Ayers that the Rural could not continue to pay for fire calls, that were not paged and Ayers stated the City was not going to pay for them. Sherwood stated he had also spoken to Logsdon and the figure paid out last year set the Rural back, and if it continued to climb they would be bankrupt.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HEINDSELMAN WANTS SO HE CAN GET US IN A TAX SUPPORTED FIRE DISTRICT.

 Sherwood stated Logsdon said if tins mutual aid was going to be such an expense, possibly next year he would vote against it Sherwood stated for some reason the Rural does not pressure it’s members to pay their fire dues, or try to get new members Mayor Ludwig stated he would be against doing away with the mutual aid. Heindselman stated in reports that he has to submit to the ISO. It question whether or not mutual aid is in an agreement. Heindselman stated the more paper work provided to the ISO about what the department is doing helps make a better appearance and hopefully a better grade. Sherwood asked Heindselman if the rural members insurance is better or cheaper due to the mutual aid agreement. Heindselman stated he had spoken to Mark Reinebach with American Family Insurance and he was told yes.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE RURAL AREA. LET ME KNOW IF YOUR INSURANCE IS ANY CHEAPER.

 Heindselman stated he and the Fire Chief from Canton had an agreement for automatic mutual aid with the tanker truck. Ayers asked how could just the two of them make such a decision. GOOD SHOW ANDY. Because it should be brought before the full Fire Board Heindselman stated that would be great, but they meet only once a year, and at the last meeting in February the only thing on Danny Logsdon mind was going home. Heindselman stated he has asked for monthly meetings with the full fire board and nothing has happened. Ayers stated that the Rural stated they were not going to pay and the City is not going to pay plain and simple. Heindselman stated fine if that is what the committee wants then there won’t be any automatic mutual aid or any other mutual aid. Ayers stated that is not what was said, the Fire Dept, is to wait for a call, not contact another dept, and see if they need help. Sherwood stated Logsdon’s concern is responding to every little grass fire in the County. Heindselman stated no charge has ever been turned in for just going to the the station. Ayers stated but you should not even be at the fire station unless you are paged out. Because of the Rural can not and will not pay for this. Heindselman stated another reason the fire calls were high was due to the number of firemen. There use to be eight firemen at the most and of those eight maybe only five would respond to a fire. Now with a total of 20 firemen more than 15 respond at a time. Todd stated at all cost the automatic mutual aid for the tanker truck should not be done a way with. Todd stated it use to be when all of the fire dept’s were responding to a file, everyone would be in everyone's way or some standing around. Now they are all working together as a unit, because of the mutual aid. Ayers stated Todd should have been at the last meeting and explained all of this to the Rural members because you don’t hate to convince this committee. Todd stated he and Logsdon had a conversation not to long ago about this same subject. Mayor Ludwig stated the Fire dept had come a long way with the Mutual aid, and in the past two years no one would ever bother to call La Grange, but now they all work together.

THAT IS A BIG FAT LIE.

Lowe stated the reason behind that was the past the Chief did not and would not attend any of the Fire Chiefs meetings Heindselman stated the mutual aid is mote than water, it is also relief for fire fighters. All of committee members stated to Heindselman, that he does not have to convince the City, it is the rural. It was discussed about the City Clerk doing billing for the the dept , regarding car fires of nonmembers, and structure fires of nonmembers. Heindselman stated he has asked several times for a list of the rural members and nothing has been produced. City Clerk Spindler stated she has also asked for the list of members, and she would help send out invoices. Heindselman read from the Mo Revised Statutes, Chapter 320, Fire Protection Section 320 302 regarding Nonmembers, association may respond to any emergency, exception--liabilities--fees. Ayers motioned to have a meeting on 03,22,00 with the Rural Fire Board members, sending an tentative agenda as to what the meeting will consist of City Clerk is to send out notices. Having no further business before the committee the meeting was adjourned.