WCFA General Meeting – Online Zoom 1600 – 1830 – May 24, 2022
Board meeting was call to order at 1907 by President Todd Graves, Secretary Danielle Sims, and board members: Dave Rains, Reed Gracie, Greg Bailey, Will Judkins. Tim Logozzo joined later.
Twelve members and six prospective members in attendance.
Greg Baily asked that we move new members to the top since he was traveling and needed to go. Tim Logozzo was called to share regarding a prospective member. Each member present shared about their companies and why they want to join the WCFA. Joe Peone Logging, Monte – Heggie Wildfire, Chad Prewitt – Northridge Wildfire, Tracy – Rainier Medic, Letter to change name for CLP LLC to Cascade Concrete, Jermain Allen – Rattlesnake Ridge (formerly Harvey Ferguson). Those present were moved into online room while the membership discussed concerns or other information about them. Rattlesnake Ridge was the first discussion. Trouble has been brewing about this possible member who has been enjoying membership benefits since mid-season 2021 when he bought the company from Harvey Ferguson. Tim Logozzo and Greg Baily share personal information about their working relationships with Jermaine Allen over the past several years. These remarks were concerning, and much discussion followed. Mike Meyers and Aaron Burkhart shared about working with Jermain in the past without concern. Aaron suggested having them send in performance evals for membership. Gordy Reynaud said they would only send good evals. Danielle explained that this was not part of the current membership process. It was suggested that we watch Rattlesnake’s performance for this season and make a decision in the fall. Motion to table this membership until fall by Aaron Burkhart seconded by Frank Braun. All other members were voted in by a majority vote. Members were added back to the meeting one by one as they were approved and welcomed into membership. Danielle will send all members a welcome packet via email in the next few days.
Minutes from last meeting were reviewed as all had received a copy via email to review before the meeting. Motion to accept minutes by Teresa Remsberg, seconded by Joe Peone. Minutes approved.
Treasurers Report was shared by Treasurer, Danielle Sims. Account Balances are as follows: Checking $64,596, Savings $60, 081, PayPal $10,928. Members we informed that we will pay $6000 salary for the President’s work from May 2021 to May 2022.
Training Committee Topics to discuss:
Danielle proposed a future S-230 class policy relating to S-290 timeline. She shared the current process allowed students and their employers to submit S-290 certificates up-to the start of class. This is causing stress and difficulty for her and the instructor. Danielle shared the proposal that we adopted at the earlier board meeting. This will require students to have the S-290 done 2 weeks prior to class start date. If it is not done, the student will not be allowed to attend. Class refunds will be done the same as other classes according to the current Training Policy.
Old Business:
Review of Covid-19 policies Fed & State. No news from the Feds, as far as we know contractors are not required to be vaccinated. Todd shared that from the NWSA conference they clearly said they will not be needed.
NWSA has asked us to donate money for Political Action on a Federal Level. The proposed amount is $7000. Several members agreed that this was a good move. Danielle will get with Todd to see how to get the money to Debbie Miley. Reed asked that we get informational updates for our money. President Graves will be sure it’s done.
Medical Services Advisory Committee has not met. President Graves will contact Wayne with Lifeline to work on this.
Legal Advisory Committee has not had any action. President Graves will follow up with Jacob Burkhart.
President Graves attended the Fire Defense Committee meeting earlier today and confirmed that Inslee had dropped the mandate for contractors. During the meeting they called on Todd asking how many resources would not be available if the mandate stood. Todd said, at least half of our membership. Also noted that Slosson is the new State Fire Marshall. Todd called DNR to see if he could get clarity from them to see if they would adhere to Inslee’s ruling. He got transferred around and was not able to get any answers.
President Graves shared the work that he and Danielle did to finalize a draft of the Code of Ethics provision. Dan Shaw said he would like to review it and other members agreed. Motion to review COE by Dan Shaw, seconded by Reed Gracie. Todd will send it out to the board members and then members for a final review by June 15th. A final vote will be taken at the fall meeting.
Any other Old Business? Discussion on cross carding. Limit days, add back admin override. Will bring to the members at the General Meeting.
New Business:
President Graves shared his thoughts on Contractor Liability at Incidents. He was asked to be a STL on a fire in 2021. Aaron asked if we could get CO’s to change and allow STL. It was pointed out that the TEAM decides how they will use you. You will not be covered by their liability. Reed said we should not take on the responsibility, it is not safe. Mike Meyers said he and Aaron got asked to do strange things on the fires. They were asked to be POC. Overhead knows nothing about our contracts. Todd interjected; we need to keep our companies safe.
Gordy shared about brush work they were asked to do; this was not their job. Inexperience and duration wear the crew out. Overhead not concerned with crews’ skills. Reed said new solicitation is only for ingress and egress on brush work. They cannot make you do brush work, check the contract. If they try to stick you with it, call the CO. You are ordered as an Engine and assembled as a hand crew. Scope of work not what you were hired to do. When is the liability and health of the crew taken into account. President Graves said we should look into it. Much discussion followed.
President Graves proposed group purchasing (shelters, radios, tires, insurance). Much discussion followed. Todd said he would look into it.
Discussion of Water Contract Process Pros/Cons. Several shared experience with inspections/problems. Mike Meyers contacted several dispatch centers to see why resources in Washington State haven’t been called. Discussion about dispatch, members shared input on the subject.
Election of officers for the following positions:
o President 2-year term – Currently Todd Graves
o Executive Board #2 – 3-year term – Currently Will Judkins
o Executive Board #5 – 3-year term – Currently Dave Rains
Todd was nominated to be president. Motion to accept nomination by Mike Meyers, seconded by John Deluna. Majority approved Todd Graves as President for another 2 year term.
Will Judkins was nominated to continue as EB#2 by Tracy Jonassen, majority approved.
Dave Rains was nominated to continue as EB#5 by Frank Braun, majority approved.
Other New Business:
Reed wants to know how to get iROC and Vendor apps to work on cell phones. Danielle will follow up. Can employee’s pay at member’s rates. Discuss at fall meeting.
Fall Meeting in October TBD
Motion to adjourn meeting by Gordy Reynaud, seconded by Dan Shaw. Meeting Adjourned 2127.