The board first approved ambulance bills in the amount of $41,664.10, and Fire Department bills in the amount of $6,527.88.
Chief Micheal Thompson reported 20 calls in April and provided a brief update on an insurance issue with one of their vehicles, saying they’re just waiting on more communication. They’ve been demoing portable radios since they’re using Kenwood and are looking to switch to Motorola. He’s waiting on Whiteside County for more guidance and assistance, since one portable will cost $12,000.
Lyndon Fire Department’s annual pancake breakfast is set for Sunday, June 7th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., held in conjunction with the Lyndon Car Show. Firefighters will serve fresh pancakes, scrambled eggs, their famous whole hog sausage, and beverages, all for a donation.
Assistant Chief Trever Richmond has been working on a grant for extrication equipment and another for radios and wetsuits. They also applied for a $10,000 grant from State Farm for a side-by-side and are hoping it comes through.
They received one application for a firefighter who lives just outside the district, but the bylaws state that only the chief must live within the district.
Ambulance Administrator Julie Pope reported 50 calls in April. They’ve implemented new cleaning policies at the ESDA building. IDPH will conduct its annual inspection on May 21st. EMS Week is May 17-22, which includes a day at Prophetstown Elementary School on May 19th. She’s also been working on some camera issues.
New Business – Ambulance Department
Trustees and officers agreed to meet next week to work through the annual budget to align things and settle a few questions.
Pope reported that the department’s Zoll monitors are 12 years old, and a company rep is coming to CGH next week to demonstrate new models that are more user-friendly and have a touch screen. Pope said they have a 10-year lease program, or the company could buy old ones back for a trade value. The cost is $60,000 for a new monitor, and they’ll eventually need two. She’ll have more information at the next meeting.
The board approved one application from Kyle Skromme as a driver for the Ambulance Department.
New Business – Fire Department
Thompson discussed proposed bylaw changes with their attorney, who said both changes were fine: adjusting the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 70, and forming an auxiliary group, with members just needing to sign a waiver. The board approved the bylaw changes.
Thompson next provided a new incentive pay plan, noting that the attorney was “all for it, as long as the numbers aren’t too high.” They will pay $10 for truck checks and $15 for training, but will remove pay for meetings. Thompson said they usually have about five members who respond to 50-70 calls annually, so he doesn’t expect to pay more than $1,000 per member per year, which is paid out at the annual supper in February. Thompson said the changes are already in the new budget, so the board approved the new incentive pay plan.
He next requested the purchase of five new radio monitors, saying they’ve been rotating their equipment upgrades. “We’re trying to get updated and stay updated every year,” Thompson said to the board, who approved the purchase.
Thompson also reported that two members will be retiring from the department: Denny Martin of Hooppole and Charles Powell of Lyndon. Both have 10+ years with their departments, and he’d like to plan a gathering to recognize their service.
The next regular meeting of the Prophetstown Fire Protection District will be on Monday, June 8th at 6:30 p.m. at the Prophetstown Fire Station.
