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Board Meeting The Board met prior to the quarterly meeting. The following were present: James Novak, Denise Demars, Michael Urbanski, Jeffrey Schadegg, Charlie O’Brien, Donald Howell , John Piper. Motion by O'Brien, Seconded by Piper to approve Executive Directors Report. Motion passed. Motion by Urbanski, Seconded by Piper to approve quarterly transactions. Motion passed Motion by O'Brien, Seconded by Piper to approve recommendations of the awards committee to bestow the following awards: Investigator of the Year - Steve Skogman, St. Louis County Sheriffs Department Prosecutor of the Year - Peter Orput, Deputy State Attorney General Distinguished Service - Steve Flaherty, Grand Rapids Fire Department Jim Christensen, Duluth Police Department Arson Photography 1st Place - Dale Antonson, St. Louis Park Arson Photography 2nd Place - John Strongitharm, Duluth Fire Department Accidental Photography 1st Place - Dale Antonson, St. Louis Park Presidential Recognition Award - Jerry White, Deputy State Fire Marshal, Retired Motion passed. It was discussed that State Fire Marshal Tom Brace has informed us that he will not be re-appointed by the Governor. Motion by DeMars, Seconded by Schadegg to bestow a Presidential Recognition Award to Tom Brace for his support of the Chapter during his tenure as State Fire Marshal. Motion passed. President Novak reported that the L.P. Gas Association has given the Chapter $33,000 for the Gas Explosion Project. They will be holding the money and dispensing payments as bills are presented. Motion by Tremain, Seconded by Piper to stating that the monies are not deposited in our accounts therefore bills can be approved by and presented directly to the L.P. Gas Association by the Committee. Motion passed. President Novak reviewed a memo received from the International regarding two NFPA 921 proposal's that could have a serious impact on our ability to fight the fight against Arson. NFPA 921 Technical Committee Proposals. Two proposals have been made that every member of the IAAI should be familiar with. Log #224 concerns "Ignitable Liquid Burn Pattern (Pour Patterns)." The second, Log # 252 addresses "Fire Investigators and Fire Analysts." Every member is encouraged to thoroughly read the proposals and submit a Comment to the Technical Committee. The proposals will directly impact the profession and the Comment format is your only opportunity to respond to NFPA. The IAAI believes that Proposal, Log # 224 will not eliminate the "improper interpretation" of ignitable liquid burn patterns as always being indicative of incendiary fire cause. The proposal would not allow an incendiary fire cause in the absence of a positive laboratory report. Proposal Log # 252 would establish different fire investigator levels or categories of experts. The current language of 921 clearly identifies the availability and need for other experts such as electrical, mechanical and fire engineers. Visit the IAAI website at www.firearson.com. where you will find detailed information on these two proposals and how to submit your comments. Motion by Novak, seconded by Urbanski to go on record against proposals #224 and #252 , Novak to submit comments on behalf of the Chapter. Motion passed. Mike Tremain presented a request from Gordy Meagher of Cloquet Fire Department for financial support of their accelerant detection canine program. Tremain explained that Gordy's dog is the only accelerant detection canine currently working in Minnesota. His services are available statewide and are a benefit to our membership. Motion by Novak, Seconded by Piper to donate $500 dollars for support of the program. Secretary’s Approved Per Newsletter Motion bySteinbach, seconded by Popp to approve the minutes of December 12, 2002 as published in the news letter. Motion Passed. Treasurer’s Report Motion by Bishop, seconded by Freeman to approve the Treasurer’s report as published in the newsletter. Motion Passed. Arson Awareness Committee Committee Chair Tremain reported that the Chapter participated in the Governor's Fire Prevention Day at the Fair. Over a thousand arson awareness pencils were given to kids who stopped by the display. We are planning to participate again in 2003 but are in need of more help as only a couple of people were on hand to man the booth. Please make time to come in 2003. President Novak reported that Arson Awareness Week 2003 will be May 4-9. We are trying to line up a live burn with free training to any member that wants to come. The press event will kick off the day followed by the burns. Up to 8 fires will be done and you can plan your own scenario if you wish. Arson Reward Committee- Committee Chair Charlie O’Brien reported that no applications were received last quarter. There were six total for the year. If you need signs contact Charlie. There are also a couple of banners available. Great for Arsdon Awareness Week to hang on your station. Training and Education Committee Committee Chair Don Howell reported that there were 223 attendees at the annual conference in St. Cloud. This is great considering the current budgetary situation for most departments and speaks well for our conference. Our current contracts are up for the St. Cloud site allowing us to look at new locations if we wish to. Discussion followed. All that spoke were in favor of staying in St. Cloud. Motion by Lauderbaugh, seconded by Michel to stay at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn. Motion passed. Awards Committee The following Awards were presented at the Conference Banquet: Investigator of the Year Award
Prosecutor of the Year
Distinguished Service Award
Arson Photography Award (first and second place)
Accidental Photography Award (first and second place)
Presidential Recognition Award
Congratulations to the recipients - thank you for your dedication to the mission of the Association. Legislative Committee Committee Chair Denise DeMars reported the following legislative initiatives are in the works:
Certification Committee Certification Committee Chair Roger Jemming passed out CFI Program brochures to those interested and reported that 3 tests were given in 2003. There are currently 43 CFI's in Minnesota. Ethics Committee Nothing to reported. Hazmat / OSHA Compliance Committee President Novak reported that we are contemplating a 40 Hour Class if there enough interest. Contact Jeff Schadegg if you are interested. We are trying to bring the 4 Hour Asbestos awareness class to the a Quarterly meeting, possibly June. Merchandise Committee Committee Chair Urbanski reported that we have a new array for this year. If you have any suggestions let him know. We are always looking for new ideas. The question was brought up regarding " American Made". We will always do our best to purchase "American Made" items however this may not always be possible. Not all items are available and often the prices are just too high. Our prices are break even now. It should be note that all of the emblems and wording are locally done even if the base item is made elsewhere. Membership Committee Membership Committee Chair Denise Demars presented 16 new applications for membership. Motion by Christensen, seconded by LeMay to accept those presented. Motion passed. Private Investigator Committee Committee Chair Crawford reported that there is nothing new. The Conference packet will be presented to the P.I. Board so that those who are licensed will not have to duplicate the materials each time. Governor's Council on Fire Prevention and Control Our representative on the Council is Mike Tremain. He reported that the Governor’s Council met on January 22, 2003. The council has submitted their report to the Governor’s office for review. 2002 concerns and recommendations from the council noted in the report are:
Report of the Executive Director Executive Director Schadegg reviewed his 3/19/2003 report to the: 1. Administrative Time Log 2. Membership numbers: Active
263 3. Collection letters were sent for outstanding registrations from past events. 4. We put on an OSHA refresher course on March 3rd at Anoka Technical College. The Instructor was Kevin Vito. Price remained the same as it has been for the last three years at $1650.00. Payment approved by Board. 5. Membership renewal letters were mailed included 44 individuals who had not paid their dues in 2002. These members were told in the notice that they would be dropped from the roster if we do not heard from them in 30 days. Approved by Board. 6. I have received the updated version of the OSHA Compliance Guide from Kevin Vito and will be working to get it prepared for distribution. Request approval from the Board to distribute by e-mail and post the update to our web site when it is ready rather than mailing it. Approved by Board. 7. I am currently behind in getting out member handbooks from 2002 because we have been awaiting the OSHA Compliance guide Update and a name tag order. These will be assembled and mailed during the upcoming quarter. 8. The draft of our annual report was reviewed by the Board. Changes will be made and it will be presented to the President for his signature. 9. Wells Fargo has closed their local office in Inver Grove Heights. Asked the Board to consider new bank that is local for convenience sake. Treasurer will look into it and get back to the Board. State Fire Marshal’s Report Chief Investigator Kleis reported that Tom Brace has not been re-appointed by our new Public Safety Commissioner. He was given notice and his last day will be March 31, 2003. The Commissioner is looking for input from the Association and has asked to meet with the Board at the Conference. He intends to make his decision on a replacement as quickly as possible. Robert Dahm has been appointed to serve as State Fire Marshal in the interim. Kleis went on to report on the state of the Fire Marshal Office. They are down 13 positions, three of which are Investigators. This has left 14 Counties without coverage. That doesn’t' mean that they will not do investigations in those areas it just means others will have to fill in. It may take a little more time to respond so be patient. Newsletter Editor Report Editor Schadegg reported that we are having difficulty finding fresh material for the newsletter. Keep your eyes open for articles of interest. Deadlines are posted on the web site along with past issues. NFPA 921 Committee Committee Chair Hal Lyson reported that proposals for the 2004 Edition were due today. There are several controversial items on the table in Sections 2-6, 4-21, and 4-12. To make comments on these and others download a comments form from the NFPA web site at www.nfpa.org By-Laws Committee Nothing proposed this year. Old Business Mike Boxler of BATF commented on a number of services offered by the BATF to local jurisdictions . He explained the Safe Explosives Act which was part of the overall Homeland Security Act. He reported that the Arson Strike Force, of which they are a member, recently met and hammered out a memorandum of understanding to be brought back to each participant. Signed or not it exists. Call the State Fire Marshal's Office as you normally would. Resources will be allocated as needed. Dr. Schroeder commented that they are still working on a PI Class. It will be similar to the BCA Series and might be offered by the Vo-tech system. President Novak commented that he is still interested in providing a secure "Members Only" area on the web site. Schadegg added that he is working on it as time is available but could use some help from anyone with experience in MS Front Page. Schadegg added that we are open to any and all ideas to make the site more user friendly. President Novak reported that we will hold a series of gas explosion tests May 6-9 in Lake Crystal Minnesota. This is part of our ongoing research project aimed at producing a video and data for investigators and the gas industry. We have two houses and a number of out buildings. If you would like to assist or watch you are welcome to attend. Contact Jamie for more information. Jamie thanked Bill Mahr and the Gas Association for their participation and financial backing if this project. President made the comment that our Chapter Committees need help and new blood. He has instructed the Committee Chairs to loose the dead weight and bring new people. If you wish to serve contact a Committee Chair or Jamie to volunteer. President Novak suggested we give outgoing State Fire Marshal Brace a recognition plaque for all his support of the Chapter. Motion by Medzis, seconded by Berkeland to have such a plaque made. Motion passed. New Business No new business Election of Officers The offices of President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and one Board Member were up for election this year. The nominating committee presented the incumbents as the only nominations. Being there were no nominations from the floor DeMars moved to close nominations. Motion by Popp, seconded by Garfin to re-elect James Novak as President, Mike Urbanski as 2nd Vice President, Jeff Schadegg as Secretary and Bruce Lillevold as Director. Motion passed. Adjournment Motion by Bishop, seconded Miranda, to Adjourn. Motion passed. |
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