Workshop planned to discuss volunteer shortage options

SEELEY LAKE – At the Seeley Lake Fire Board's monthly meeting Tuesday, April 20, Fire Chief Dave Lane presented the idea of a feasibility study and hosting a board workshop to discuss hiring personnel and accompanying tax levy to cover the cost. He also promoted volunteer Emergency Medical Technician Rita Rossi to Emergency Medical Services Lieutenant and volunteer firefighter John Homen to Fire Captain.

In other business, the cost for the current medical director was questioned and the board unanimously approved the administrative policy for public information request and job description for Administrative Assistant.

In his presentation, Lane said the feasibility study would help the District understand what the community wants. He said they have EMTs, some currently in EMT classes and others scheduled to take EMT classes. However, the Department can only provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) coverage when Lane responds unless they call ground or aerial resources out of Missoula. Lane said the lack of housing, small population and low turnover are hurdles to recruiting more volunteers that they need to prevent burnout in the long term.

"We are past a tipping point where we need help," Lane said. "[To provide] the service that we do and maintain the quality of safety and service that the community has been getting and deserves, we have to look at hiring people."

He presented the Board with three options for moving forward. The first option was to maintain the status quo and continue utilizing 100% volunteer response at the current level.

The next two options were for a combination department. The District would hire six responders to provide 24 hour, seven days a week coverage. The Department would still rely heavily on volunteers but there would be paid responders to give everyone, including the chief, a break.

The first option for the combination department, the District would hire six EMTs to offer Basic Life Support (BLS) service. Or the District could hire three firefighter/paramedics and three firefighter/EMTs and offer Advanced Life Support (ALS) service.

Lane said he has done a lot of research and had several conversations about how cooperating agencies fund paid staff. Missoula Rural just received a $1.8 million levy increase allowing them to hire 13 people and provide ALS service all the time.

"We need to study and find out what the community wants and how we are going to get there," Lane said. "We know where we are and we know what is going to happen in the future if our roster continues to shrink."

Lane said there are companies the District could hire that facilitate the discussion to identify the community's wants and needs. Based on the information gathered, the Board could move forward with running a levy if they decided to hire personnel. Lane said he is unsure what that cost would look like on residents' property taxes. He added they could also apply for a SAFER grant to assist with staffing.

"I want to do things right the first time. We are going to talk to the community and find out what they want," Lane said. "Times change, technology changes. We used a program that worked for many years. There are other programs out there and I think maybe we could start looking at some of those other programs."

The board agreed to have a workshop. Lane will provide all of the information and further explain his ideas. Then the Board can explore the options and decide how they would like to move forward. The workshop is open to the public. The date and agenda will be posted at the station and on the District website.

Fire Board Candidate Kristy Pohlman asked Lane if he, his officers or members of the board attended the recent workshop hosted by Montana State Fire Chief's Association on volunteers and how to get volunteers.

Lane said he has attended workshops like that and has over 30 years in the fire service. He has worked in many places in the country, on combination departments and with many other departments. He is gathering information all the time but there are several issues that make this District unique.

Pohlman asked if the Board has a vision/mission statement with defined goals for the community, the Board and the Department that were created with community input to help direct the District and offer guidance to the chief. She pointed to the strategic planning that Seeley Lake Elementary completed last year as the example.

Chairman Scott Kennedy said the Chief shared the vision and what he is trying to do.

Vice Chair Gary Lewis said that is the point of holding a workshop. Including the community will allow them to gather ideas and help them understand what they are going to do and the support they will have.

Lane said that the community doesn't like to pay for what they don't have to. When people say their taxes should pay for medical and fire response, "They don't," Lane said. "That is why we charge fees."

Lane acknowledged that the levy could be a financial hit to some. He presented a few ideas he had that could build community support, however, he needs to do more research about how to implement them.

"If we are going to ask for a levy, what does the community get?" Lane said. "Not only an increase in service but if we can decrease their cost overall, I think that might be more appealing."

During the pinning ceremony, Lane said he wants to give the volunteers the opportunity to serve to the best of their abilities while relieving some of his activities and improving his workflow.

As the new EMS Lieutenant, Rossi will have oversight of the EMS division on a daily basis, ensure training is adequate and applicable and the ambulances are properly equipped.

Homen will serve alongside Captain Michael Richards for the next two months until Richards steps down.

"This gives us overlap so John can learn more of what is happening and we can talk together as Company Officers to try and meet some of the goals I have set," Lane said. "I will listen to what their goals are and we can implement a better training program to make sure that we provide the best services possible."

During the financial report, Pohlman asked why the District is paying $12,000 per year for their medical director. At around 269 medical calls per year, she pointed out Seeley is paying $44.61 per call to the medical director.

For a period of time, the previous medical director did not charge. Pohlman added that a neighboring department that runs two ambulances and around 200 EMS calls per year (75% of the number for Seeley in 2020), pays nothing to their medical director as well.

Kennedy said they have paid medical directors in the past.

Lane added they chose this medical director because of his qualifications and what he does for the Department.

"He fits into our department different than others we interviewed," Lane said. "Times are changing. We've chosen this medical director."

In his report, Lane shared they will be looking to replace their Type II engine that is 26 years old. Per the National Fire Protection Association, engines should be replaced after 20 years. He will keep the board apprised of opportunities that would fit the District's needs.

Lane also said volunteers helped with the Seeley Lake Vaccination Clinics where 900 vaccines were administered. The Department was proud to be a part of those efforts and Lane said it was a great opportunity to talk with community members, many of whom were very grateful.

In other business

• The board unanimously approved a Standard Operating Procedure for public information requests. All requests must go through the Fire Chief by emailing slfdchief@blackfoot.net or calling 406-677-2400. The District will make every reasonable effort to respond within five - 10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request. The District may charge for the information that may not exceed the actual cost of fulfilling the request based on the staff time to gather information and printed copies at $0.50/page. If the request is denied, the District will provide a written explanation for the denial.

• The board unanimously approved the job description for Administrative Assistant. Applications are available at seeleyfire.org.

For meeting dates, times and agendas visit seeleyfire.org. The next monthly board meeting is 6 p.m., May 18.