SOURDOUGH RURAL FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES
July 21, 2003

The regular monthly meeting of the Sourdough Rural Fire District was held on July 21, 2004 at the Fire Station. Vice Chairman Dayhuff called the meeting to order at 1945. All Trustees present except Kraft. Also present were Chief Crandell and Community Outreach Coordinator (COC), Kandy Rose. The following Rae senior staff/board members were also present: Dave Lucus, Dan Springer, Jason Jarrett and J.D. Engle.

The minutes of the June 16th meeting were presented. Geddes moved for approval; Larimer seconded. Passed and placed in the record.
The treasurer's report was presented. Geddes moved for approval of the report and to sign warrants > $300; Bachman seconded. Passed and placed in the record.

The Chief's report was submitted and placed in the record. Some highlights for the minutes:

· Staff requested they be directed to draw additional revenue developed from interest saving as a result of the delayed draw of the principle of the loan. Staff was so directed by consensus. The sum will be reported upon at the next meeting in the Chief's Report.

· Staff requested direction regarding District boundary issues with our FD neighbors. A letter template was shown. The trustees asked that the subject letter be drafted as to the specifics and addressed to the other FDs. This matter will be placed on the August regular meeting agenda for consideration.

· The matter of the District's approach to fire protection in new subdivisions was addressed though and addition to the SFD Executive Limitations as follows: 12. The Fire Chief shall not permit new subdivision to violate fire protection standards; and 13. The Fire Chief shall not fail to be engaged in the broader public debate regarding subdivision standards. The trustees will vote at the next regular meeting regarding this language.

The matter of staff recruitment and retention was discussed. The Sourdough Roster of 13 active firefighter names was placed in the record. Each of the Rae members, Chief Crandell and COC Rose, provided insight and interaction with the Trustees. Some points are:

· Advertising (for recruitment) doesn't work, word of mouth and direct contact can work.

· Potential recruits are young, drawn to MSU and or active life style.

· Bozeman unique; high economic demands placed on potential recruits.

·District demographics don't make for good (district resident) recruitment pool.

· Community is not just district, but entire fire service area under response agreements.

· Community service is powerful incentive for some people; nurture that attitude.

· Don't make fire service cost fire fighters.

· Small roster makes for heavy time commitment; recruitment desirable to spread load.

· Expectations of recruits need to be known; recruits need to know expectation of department.

· Incentives could include health benefits, tuition, scholarships for family member, housing.

· Housing can be station (permanent and/or rotation) and FD acquired house for members.

· Station staffing for efficient non-emergency aid response "snakebite, cat in tree."

· Capitalize on knowledge that there are three stages for a firefighter: 1. Young, strong and learning with growing commitment to department and discretionary time; 2. Young to middle age, strong, more experienced, more conservative, less discretionary time, but committed to community as demonstrated by good response record; 3. Retirement age, not so physically fit, more discretionary time, and community commitment.

Some discussion focused on staff needs. There is clerical, administrative, community outreach and multi-jurisdictional relationship work load. "Always think in terms of Sourdough-Rae for staffing needs" Chief Crandell was directed to bring a more detailed background paper for staff needs consideration by Trustees.

Other business: Dayhuff, related a conversation with long-time retired SFD firefighter Bob O'Driscoll complaining about uncontrolled fireworks use over the 4th of July weekend. The Trustees noted that the combined departments responded to 31 calls in a 48 hour period during the weekend; mostly fireworks related.

The meeting was adjourned at 2210 hrs.

Submitted for approval at the August 18, 2003 Regular Meeting.