all the time, dog. Look, you can have a
head like this with a dent.
>> I'm getting another. I'm getting
another.
>> It's protected, sir.
>> I'm getting another one.
>> I have to move.
>> The only dent is from where
Hi.
» My blood pressure. That's awesome.
You were cracking me up.
more to my pain as I
Okay, we will call the August 2026
meeting of the fire and advisory board
to order and we will ask for a roll
call.
Dennis Godc
>> here. Eric Haley.
Uh Mike Shaw here.
Williams
>> here.
>> Robert Weber
>> here.
>> Alan McKenzie.
>> Andrew Her
>> here.
>> We have everybody but Caesar.
>> Okay. Uh first thing I want to do is uh
welcome uh the new representative to the
board, Andrew Happer.
Andrew is the And now we have uh
Representative Haley here as well.
Andrew is our newest member representing
District Three. Welcome, sir. Uh
wondering if you were actually going to
be in the cockpit of an aircraft doing
this meeting.
>> No, no, this this uh this month I'm not.
I'm up at Lake George, New York with my
family and then uh
>> Yeah. No, it's been a good week here and
then next week I or next month I will be
in person or I plan on it.
>> Perfect. Well, welcome aboard.
[clears throat]
>> Thank you. Nice. It's nice to be here.
>> All right. Approval of the minutes of
the July 16th meeting.
>> I have a motion.
>> Motion approval.
>> Motion by Mike Shaw. Second by Bob
Weber.
>> Any questions on the motion?
>> All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
>> Opposed.
Okay.
Uh chairman's report. So, first fire
service strategic planning committee
update. Um,
we met two Wednesdays ago. Uh, we will
>> last Wednesday.
>> Was it?
>> Last Wednesday.
>> Okay. Well, we meet next week too,
right?
>> Yes. [laughter] Um
and um
it was our meeting to review the
requests for information that were sent
out uh by the county supported by the
committee uh as opposed to the requests
for proposals. We've explained the
reasons uh for that previously. Uh we
reviewed the request for informations.
There were eight responses.
Um
there were three of those that we had to
review portions of or the whole document
in executive session because they claim
propriet what is it proprietary
uh material uh in some of their
proposal. Um we we discussed the rest uh
in public session and uh the amounts
uh that they
estimated which they're not held to this
for
uh their RFP uh response their bids to
the RFPs.
Um
they were from $88,000 to $282,000.
Um we did review them u to the extent
that we graded them on whether they met
all of the requirements of the RFI. Uh
whether we believe they had the
experience
um and the staff that were competent to
do the study. Uh, and all that does is
says that they are eligible to apply for
the RFP.
The [snorts] bottom line is anybody can
put in for the RFP, even if they didn't
put in for the RFI. We uh unanimously
approved all eight of them to go
further. And at our next meeting
um this coming Wednesday, right?
>> Yes. Um, we will be discussing
when we're going to uh send out the
RFPs. We're going to talk about any uh
changes to the RFP that uh we think need
to be made based on some of these
responses to the RFI.
And uh we're going to discuss um funding
of the uh uh for the RF for the for the
project when the bids come back.
I I there will not be a decision on
funding uh at this next meeting, but we
are going to discuss it and we're going
to discuss the process. There's a lot of
legal things that come into play. Um and
from the fire services standpoint and
there is no conflict at this time with
the county on this. Um but our position
is that um we want to be
uh an integral part of the selection
process.
Um I I I don't have all of the legal
issues in front of me, but there are
some concerns
um about
all of us being on the selection
committee. Um whether that's
appropriate. We can't have two people
from the county and two people from uh
the the fire side of the committee
because that would constitute a
subcommittee.
Um so Aaron uh Goldstein, the county attorney, has
been working with us and it continues to
work with us. We're bringing it up now
simply because it's something for people
to be aware of, but um we don't
anticipate any problems. Um,
and our relationship and work with the
county continues to be very positive.
Um,
I miss anything?
[snorts]
» It's good.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> And um,
that's the extent of my report. I I'm
not going to report any further right
now on the uh outreach program that we
talked about last month, but that
continues to move forward.
Anyone have any questions for me?
Okay.
Uh emergency communication. So, um we
didn't receive a report, but I will tell
you that I was contacted by assistant
chief Williams today. his stepmother
died overnight.
Um, so that's why he is not here and I
certainly didn't expect him to provide a
report. Uh, so just on behalf of the
board, uh, want to express our
condolences to him and and hope that his
family is doing as well as possible.
Emergency medical services.
>> Good evening, Mr.
>> Doctor. How are you,
>> doctor? Far from that other wouldn't be
here. Uh staffing doesn't really have
much change since the last report. Still
authorized at 159. Um we have 15
vacancies actually. Yeah. 15 vacancies.
We have 30 people 30. Yeah. 30 people in
training. That's 15 from our seventh
academy. Happy to report that 14 of
those passed their national registry
paramedic exam. Uh the remaining one
will be retesting in a few weeks.
uh 12 are still in the ETH academy.
Happy to report that all of them are now
nationally certified EMTs
and entering their paramedic portion of
the program and we have three selective
certified paramedics in field training
from various different areas throughout
the country and they're progressing
well. Um
run volume year to date 25,12
incidents. Uh that's slightly down by
about 800 from same time period last
year transporting about 50% of those
which is our average currently.
Uh Narcan use still continues to trend
downward. We're at 528 administrations
uh year to date compared to 132. Um, we
actually just, uh, Lieutenant Small, who
is our quality assurance person, met
with the opioid state committee today,
um, to kind of discuss maybe what's
going on and why we're seeing less use,
but that's a good thing. Um, we're happy
to see that number. Um,
blood, today was a busy day. We gave
three units uh but we are up to 417
blood administrations year to date or
I'm sorry since program inception of May
of 23 and 111 administrations year to
date.
The only other thing I really have uh
selections still continue for the ninth
academy. Again our plan is to run
another academy uh on the heels of the
eighth just starting at DelTech. That
academy most likely will be run at good
fellowship. So they'll be going
simultaneously about five or six months
apart from each other. There's no start
date set yet though for the ninth
academy. Um and that will hopefully
fully staff us if uh 100% of people
graduate. We are still actively
recruiting. Um and then I know it's been
mentioned before, emails went out to all
the presidents and chiefs, but October
2nd is our 50th anniversary celebration
at the Chase Center at the riverfront.
Uh we've had a couple table buyouts. uh
tables of eight from three fire
companies thus far and uh that's open
for RSVP till September 10th. Any
questions on that? Uh Lieutenant Small
actually is the coordinator of this
event for us and we'll be glad to answer
any questions. That's all I have.
>> Board members, any questions for the
captain?
board members online.
Okay. Uh is there anyone present from
the County Fire Chiefs Association
online? And if not, is uh Wally on board
for special ops?
Okay. Anyone from the Newcast County
Firefighters Association?
>> We have no reports, sir.
>> Okay. County government, Mr. Dunn.
Good evening. Um, all uh Stephanie has a
report on the uh latest spreadsheet of
companies that have filed all their
necessary paperwork and who's been paid
and she can answer any questions or
concerns with that. That's all I have,
sir. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> staff. What are the numbers right now?
>> Yeah, I was going to say if we knew who
did not get on their
>> So, the blue is completed and that's why
they have check numbers.
>> All right, cool. The peachy orange color
is we still need something and white the
only white tally bill hasn't done any
>> Oh, okay.
Representative Haley,
>> I did speak with uh Caesar today about
that and he was going to reach back out
to Tallyville
and Kenny and I have both talked to them
yesterday. So hopefully they get
something.
>> Eric,
can you unmute?
» Annie, who did we talk to yesterday at
Tallyville?
>> Hold on. Hold on.
>> Caesar.
>> Yeah.
>> Can you speak to
uh I guess President Miller?
» Yep. I've reached out to him twice. I'm
waiting for a message back now.
>> Okay. Has he I mean is there an issue or
I cannot answer that question?
[clears throat]
>> Okay.
Was there a respon was there a response
to you Kenny?
>> Yes Mr. Chairman, we spoke to Vice
President Bizolei yesterday, Paul
Bazoli. Um, we sent him an email with
all the necessary documents um and h and
the link. Uh, he said he would um he
would make the correct uh contacts and
have it taken care of.
>> But as of right now, nothing's on our
portal because I can see when they even
start an application and nothing from
Tallyville.
>> Okay. Can
Kenny, can I uh ask Steph on the peach
colored if she can send me what's needed
from each of those companies?
>> I'll send you this. I can send a
spreadsheet to you again like I have.
>> Well, this one, but it doesn't say what
they're lacking.
>> Oh, well, it said like the first three
says need to submit on the portal. So I
have their MOA but they just haven't
submitted their documents on the portal
where Belvadier
um like Belvadier Etna and Brain 900
which Brand 900 should be completed
tomorrow.
>> Christianana has put everything on the
portal but they haven't sent me their
signed MOA.
>> Same thing with Towns End.
>> Yes, Towns End. They were they have
their attorney reviewing it so they
won't sign it and get it back to me
until their attorney says yes.
>> Okay.
>> I'll get you that in an email. So,
>> yeah. So, Belvadier, I spoke to
Belvadier, I believe it was last week,
and their problem was they didn't have
anybody that knew how to get on a
portal. And I said, "Call me. I'll come
over, do it."
>> Yeah.
>> You know, Representative Happer, could
you give me a call tomorrow at some
point? We can talk about Christian.
>> Yep.
>> Okay. And Caesar also, please. Um,
Brandy 100. Freddy 900. We talked to
>> Yeah, that'll be done in the morning.
>> Yep. He just he submitted the wrong
document and he said he'll take care of
it tomorrow when he's back at the
computer. So hopefully that's
>> good. And then you get the money within
the same week. If we have it in by
Wednesday, you get it by Friday.
» Anything else? Uh Mr. Dunn or
Madame Warren?
>> Yes, sir. Okay. Impact fee request.
>> Go ahead.
>> No, you're good, Kenny. I got you.
Impact fee request. Representative
Winks.
>> Yes, sir. I have four of them tonight.
Bear with me. Bear with me. First one is
from Goodwill Fire Company from Chief
Maski. Goodwill Fire Company requested
utilization of $5,64.80
from our impact fee account. These funds
will be utilized to add scene lighting
on the company's marine rescue unit
MRU18. The request amount will cover the
purchase of the four 12vt scene lights,
two on each side, as well as a fixed
generator power lighting in the front
and rear of the vehicle. Reading through
the documents, they they is it
acceptable? And I'll entertain a motion
that we accept this.
>> Okay. Does anybody make a motion?
>> I'll make a motion. top makes a motion
and seconded by Mike Shaw.
Any questions on that motion?
Okay, hearing none. All in favor signify
by saying
>> I
>> opposed.
Okay, next
>> online said I just to the next three are
from the Wilmington Manor Fire Company.
The first one is Wilmington Matters
requesting $44,652
of their impact fee funding to expand
and modernize the vehicle rescue
capabilities of the department's
emergency response apparatus.
Most of this is that the project will
provide additional battery powered
hydraulic rescue tool stabilization
equipment, [clears throat] glass
management tools and supporting rescue
Britain to enhance department's ability
perform vehicle extradition operations.
Um that their basis of doing this is
because of the in the increase of
vehicle rescues that they have to go to
on
their station to major highway. Uh read
through all this. I read through all the
items that they're requesting and it
meets the operationals of impact fee
request. So entertain a motion we accept
that one for 44,652.
>> Motion.
by Mike Shaw.
>> Second.
by Bob Weber. Any questions on
the motion?
>> I have one. I should have asked the last
one. The county has approved these.
>> You approve it after us.
>> I thought that they had to look at it
first.
I knew that. I was just testing you.
[laughter]
» All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
>> Opposed.
» All right. Okay. Next one. Blington
Matter Fire Company. Uh they're
requesting $18,376.80
from their impact fees. Uh it's for
external defibrillators to expand their
emergency medical response capabilities
throughout the organization. They're
going to go on the uh two at the station
of 28, one at station 32, one at the
response vehicles, and three of the
command vehicles. Reading through the
description and quotes, it meets the
qualifications for the vector fee
request.
Entertain a motion.
>> Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion.
Okay, that's dueling motions. Um, so
I'll pick one eeny meenie. Bob Weber
motion Bob Weber, second by Mike Shaw.
Any questions on that motion?
All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
>> Opposed?
» The last one is from Wilmington Man Fire
Company. Uh they're requesting $23,26160
from their impact fee funding. It's for
thermal imaging equipment and reading
through the description. This enhance
the fire safety operations
emergency responses given the
firefighters uh better capabilities of
locating victims within a fire.
Uh it's four PSS thermal imaging units and nine
seek fire pro 300 images reading through
the description
and through the quotes. This meets the
qualifications for the impact fee
requestate a motion.
>> Anyone make a motion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
Some guys online are just sleeping.
[laughter]
Motion by Mike Shaw, second by Bob
Weber. Any questions on the motion?
All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
» Carries.
>> And the last thing I'd like to say is um
those fire companies that have money in their bank, use it up because after a
certain period of time, 10 I think it's
10 years, right? Yeah.
>> It expires and you're going to lose that
money.
>> So use it up while it's there.
Okay, old business. We actually do have
something for old business. Um, last
month, if you recall, there was uh some
time issues with
um a policy
passed by the chief's association. We
weren't able to get on to the um
agenda in time. and it essentially is a
uh dispatch procedure for in what is now
titled investigation alarms. Um this
policy did go into effect
um the day after the last meeting. We
weren't able to take formal action. So
uh
if we can um get a motion now to approve
I'll make a motion.
[laughter]
» There you go. It woke up. Motion and
second. Um,
>> it was McKenzie and Caesar.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Any questions on the motion?
» All in favor signify. But this was a
90day trial.
>> 90-day trial.
Um, all in favor of the motion signify
by saying I.
>> I.
>> Opposed.
Okay. So, we have
two
new policies that were passed at the
last chief's meeting. Um
and
unfortunately the uh secretary sent
a memo with these things but it was the
memo for us to approve a new 1040 policy
which we did previously. So just
disregard that in your in your packet.
Um the first one basically now when
there's a up until now when there's a
working fire
um the BLS unit comes from a separate
company from the home company. This
policy will revise that and if there is
an available
dedicated nonfire staff BLS unit in the
home company they will be able to
respond.
All right. So
there's also a
second
change to this policy
which changes language. It takes the
word go out and inserts a the word a
company can be doublepulled when a
company is staffed with multiple units.
previously said no company can be double
pulled even if
staffed with multiple units. Now it says
a company can be double pulled when a
company is staffed with multiple units.
Um
the other one used to say 3.05
5. This is policy 40147.
A rehab
unit will be dispatched on all second
alarm fires. And it takes out where it
said that the primary unit was PA200.
And it now is updated to
the ED shall contact the incident
commander to ask if a rehab unit is
needed. If needed, Newcastle County EMS
shall be contacted for availability.
Okay. Any questions on that?
I'll entertain a motion to approve both
of those changes in a single policy.
>> Motion.
» Okay. We had a motion and who second it
for any.
Yeah, that's fine. Any questions on the
motion?
All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
All right. District reports. District
number one, Representative Shaw.
No report other than thank you for
approving W man Banners
impact fees.
Well needed.
District number two, Vice Chairman
Haley.
» Uh, as already reported, Claymont
completed theirs.
Uh, BH will be completed in the morning
and President Miller said they're close
and he's got any issues, he'll contact
me in the morning.
>> Thank you, sir. District 4,
Representative Weber.
>> Uh, no reports.
>> Okay.
uh district five. The only uh report I
have to make is that um all three
of the companies in the district have uh
indicated uh that they are endorsing me
for reappointment. Kenny, can you tell
me where that is?
» Uh it is being worked on. It'll be sent
over to council [snorts] um as soon as
possible, sir.
>> Okay. Thank you very much.
Yes, ma'am. Still waiting for a letter
from Ellir Fire Company stating that
they are so we can't move forward until
Ellir sends me that.
>> Kenny, I understand you've had a
conversation and that's not an issue.
>> That's it. I'm just waiting.
>> No, no. I mean,
>> yeah.
it that's correct. It's not an
issue. Um, what I meant by moving, we're
drafting what we need to draft and for
in introduction, but yes, we do need
that final signature page.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you. District six.
» I did. Oh,
>> you did.
>> Geez. District three. Andrew Happer. I'm
sorry, Andrew.
>> Man, good start. Um, I mean, I have
nothing to report. Obviously, this first
meeting for me, but um I do plan on
meeting with the companies in my
district before the next meeting, as
well as having a conversation with all
the board members, just, you know,
introduce myself and all that. So,
Okay, sounds good. We're looking forward
to it, Andrew. Um, okay. Now, let me go
to district six.
>> I have nothing to report, sir.
>> Nothing to report.
>> Yes. Thank you.
>> And finally, district number seven,
Representative McKenzie.
>> No report, sir. Thank you.
>> Okay. Is there any public comment? We
have no public here in the room.
>> Um, but Mr. Chairman,
>> go ahead. U sorry I I have to revert
back to my report real quick. I did um
thank you for the reminder guys when you
were talking about impact fees. So uh
legislation is being introduced uh to
increase the impact fees by 9.23%.
That is an inflationary adjustment that
was required in the legislation that
passed last year um or maybe it was two
years now. Um there is also a study that
will commence very shortly on on the
impact fees with a an outside
consultant.
This these uh actual numbers the actual
increases per structure for the fire
service etc etc will be detailed in the
legislation. I will send that over to uh
well Stephanie will send it out to uh
the chairman and the members of the
board as soon as we're ready to and um
once it is introduced to council it will
then revert to the planning board. Uh
planning board must approve any land use
type um legislation.
That'll take about um a month or so to
get through the planning board. Then
back to council for a vote. Um, I'm sure
we're going to have significant uh
public input on this. Uh, but we will
keep you posted. Thank you.
>> Okay. And I apologize. Kenny did make me
aware of this last week and I failed to
let anybody know. So, thanks for
remembering that. Um,
I would assume that the legislation in
Dover on the permit fee increases never
saw the light of day.
>> So, that will have to be in Jan the
January session. We will need support
from you all uh here in Newcastle County
Fire Service and the fire and animals
advisory board. Um we do have a
potential sponsor here in Newcastle
County, a senator. So u yes yes u but we
have to wait till January.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other public
comment?
» Chief Snider
just following up from February. Is
there any any further discussion on uh
assistance with recruitment and
retention with the uh funding request?
» Um
now can can you can you lighten this a
little bit?
>> Yeah, I brought up in February's meeting
that it seems like a lot of the push for
funding is going towards staff, but
there needs to be some concentration on
volunteer retention. Some of the
examples that were provided were like
discounts on property taxes or something
to help entice our volunteers to stay or
get a little bit more active.
» I see that. Hold on. I'm I I absolutely
don't doubt you were chief. I'm looking
to see
um
so I can give you a reason why we're all
sitting here with our brows furrowed
when you brought up something. Uh, I do
see a note here on the um
on the meeting from February
uh about recruitment and retention and
are you suggesting that we include
something in our county budget request
on that or just overall?
I
>> think it might have to be a combination
of both.
>> Okay. All right.
Um,
as you probably remember from the last
couple of meetings, um, fire service and
county association,
we are, um, will meet in September,
um, and review two proposals for our
FY28
budget that we are researching at this
time. We're going to decide on one and
then present it to the presidents and
chiefs. Um, and we will have this
discussion at that time. We will also
include this in our discussion with the
uh alternative funding committee that
the DVFA has set up with three members
from uh each county
um trying to uh
coordinate
the uh state budget request with needs
from each of the counties.
And um thank you for reminding us
because uh
that slipped through the cracks and it
shouldn't have. I apologize.
Anyone else?
>> It'll it'll reflect on your next
evaluation. That's fine.
>> I appreciate that, sir. [laughter]
Anyone else public comment?
Any representatives have anything
further?
Miss Lauren, do you have anything? Yes,
sir.
>> Hey. Um
>> Oh, I actually I'm sorry. I do. The next
meeting is September 17th, which is
conference.
Are we still Will you guys be back? Will
you
>> say the same thing?
>> I will uh confer with the board members
and make a decision.
>> Um I know I'll be back. I'm coming back
on Thursday. So,
>> yeah. I I I'll see. I'm not a fan of clo not having
meetings, but we'll see. We'll see who's
going to be available.
>> Yeah, I'll be here. So,
>> and we'll get it out. Yeah.
>> Thank you. Okay, we're going to adjourn
the meeting. And I want to say in 33
minutes,
» that's never my goal, by the way. Never
my goal.
Thank