08-07-2018 Fire-Rescue Committee Meeting MinutesFire/Rescue Committee
August 7, 2018
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Fire/Rescue Committee
Tuesday, August 7, 2018, Meeting
VIRGINIA: The Fire/Rescue Committee of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
was held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, in the Main Conference Room of the County Administration
Building in Chatham, Virginia 24531. Ronald S. Scearce, Chair, called the Meeting to order at 5:00
p.m. The following Committee Members were present:
Tim R. Barber
Elton W. Blackstock
The following Board of Supervisors Members were also present:
Ben L. Farmer
Robert W. Warren
Mr. David M. Smitherman, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board; Mr. J. Vaden Hunt
Esq., County Attorney; Mr. Greg L. Sides, Assistant County Administrator for Planning &
Administration; Mr. Richard Hicks, Assistant County Administrator for Operations; Mrs. Kaylyn
McCluster, Deputy Clerk; the Honorable Michael Taylor, Sheriff; Chris C. Slemp, Interim
Emergency Services Coordinator; and Captain Donald Motley were also present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion was made by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Blackstock, to approve Agenda, which was
unanimously approved by the Committee.
New Business
Training Incentive Program:
Mr. Slemp stated that recently he increased the total training fund line in the County Budget to
$85,000. He stated that the costs of EMT classes are continuously increasing. An individual can
apply for some state reimbursements, but that pot does exhaust. The classes run between $600 and
$700 per student. After the completion of the class, the Agency would apply for the reimbursement.
Mr. Warren stated that there should be a standard cap for every Agency for the amount of
reimbursement.
Public Safety Ordinance Discussion:
Mr. Slemp stated that this discussion has come up several times and he wants direction from the
Board about where it wants to go so he can start back working on it. Mr. Smitherman stated publicly
that he was not going to be involved in this, and that this document is to be agreed to by everyone
involved. The suggestion was made to have a group, that includes three (3) people from Fire/Rescue,
Mr. Scearce, Mr. Slemp, and two (2) EMAC representatives, come together with a facilitator to
develop this document and bring back to the Fire/Rescue Committee. Mr. Blackstock stated that he
wants all the volunteers involved in this process and agrees with the facilitator being brought back in
Fire/Rescue Committee
August 7, 2018
to assist with this process. Mr. Farmer asked for clarification on the document that was already
drafted. There has been no agreement reached on that document, hence the need for a professional to
come in and navigate the areas that need work. Mr. Farmer also asked if this delay would cause any
negative financial impact to the agency based on the FY19 budget that was approved, and Mr. Slemp
stated that it should not be. Motion was made by Mr. Blackstock to have Mr. Smitherman and Mr.
Slemp contact the representatives who did the study to see if they can provide a facilitator to help the
County work through some of these issues with the Fire and Rescue Association. Mr. Warren
suggested to include at least one (1) or two (2) EMAC so they see things from the financial side.
Amended Motion made by Mr. Blackstock, seconded by Mr. Barber, to have Mr. Smitherman and
Mr. Slemp contact the representatives who did the study to see if they can provide a facilitator to help
us work through some of these issues with a group made up of seven (7) members that include three
(3) from the Fire and Rescue Association, two (2) EMAC, Mr. Slemp, and Mr. Scearce, which was
unanimously approved by the Committee.
Mr. Scearce suggested putting a timeline on this and the decided completion date was set for January
31, 2019. Mr. Barber also suggested taking the plan back to the Departments so they can all see the
document before being brought back before the Board so they all have an opportunity to comment
and know what all is included in the document.
Closed Session
Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific
legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel.
a. Legal Authority: Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(8)
Subject: EMS Transport Back-Up Service
Purpose: Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding E-911 Transport
Back-Up Service Contract Negotiations
b. Legal Authority: Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(8)
Subject: E-911 Center
Purpose: Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential E-911
Management Contract Negotiations
Motion was made by Mr. Blackstock, seconded by Mr. Barber, to enter into Closed Session,
which was unanimously approved by the Committee.
Return to Open Session and Closed Session Certification
The Board returned to Open Session at 6:44 PM and the following Certification was recorded:
CLOSED MEETING CERTIFICATION
BE IT RESOLVED that at the Fire/Rescue Committee Meeting of the Pittsylvania County
Board of Supervisors on August 7, 2018, the Committee hereby certifies by a recorded vote that to
the best of each Committee Member’s knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted
Fire/Rescue Committee
August 7, 2018
from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (the “Code”) and
identified in the Motion authorizing the Closed Meeting were heard, discussed or considered in the
Closed Meeting. If any Member believes that there was a departure from the requirements of the
Code, he shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the departure. The statement shall
be recorded in the minutes of the Board.
Vote
Ronald S. Scearce Yes
Tim R. Barber Yes
Elton W. Blackstock Yes
Adjournment
Mr. Scearce adjourned the Meeting at 6:45 PM.