Board Meeting
The board met prior to the quarterly meeting. The following
persons were present; Jamie Novak, Denise DeMars, Mike Urbanski, Charlie O'Brien, Jeff Schadegg, John Piper, Don Howell, Jerry Streich, Jerry Rosendahl.
Jeff Schadegg presented the
Executive Directors report. Motion by Howell, seconded by Piper to accept the report of
the Executive Director. Motion passed.
Charlie O'Brien presented
quarterly transaction reports. Motion by Tremain, Seconded by Urbanski to approve the
quarterly transaction report as presented. Motion passed.
Arson Awareness Committee Chair Jerry Streich presented a
request to fund the arson awareness project presented at the last quarterly meeting: (Committee
Chair Jerry Streich reported the committee has been meeting regularly and many things are
happening. They are working with Nancy Frank Wilson, the creator of the “Click It or
Ticket” program to develop a similar program to target the crime of arson. The first
step is to conduct research and identify the problem. Then we will move on to create a DVD
and media campaign. The goal is to begin the research phase within the next three months.
Grants and donations will be solicited for the project.) Jerry and Nancy are working on
the grant but he wants to get started with the project and has not identified any other
sources of funding. Letters have gone out to the other fire service organizations with no
replies. He felt that we should make the first move to show others our commitment to this
project. After a lengthy discussion John Piper made a motion to contribute up to
$10,000.00 to fund arson awareness research subject to the submission of a contract and
budget for board approval, seconded by Urbanski.
Quarterly Meeting
Secretary’s
Report
Motion by Kleis, seconded by Schaitberger to approve the Minutes
of September 13, 2006 as
published in the newsletter. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s
Report
Motion by Kleis, seconded by Popp,
to approve the Treasurers report as published in the newsletter.
Finance Committee Report
Charlie O’Brien reported that the
Chapter Display board has been completed.
Arson Reward Committee Report
Arson Reward Committee Chair Charlie
O’Brien reported that there was one rewardwere (insert #) rewards paid out last quarter. We are not receiving many applications. Spread the
word and market the program. More information and forms are available on the Chapter web
site at http://www.mniaai.org/arson%20reward%20rules.htm
We have
signs available. Contact Charlie charlie.obrien.bjt0@statefarm.com
Arson Awareness Committee Report
Committee Chair Jerry Streich
reported that the committee continues to work with Social Promoter
Nancy Frank Wilson to develop our new arson awareness campaign. The goal is to identify
and change how society views the crime of arson. As a profession we have done a good job
of investigating and presenting our cases but the end result is not changing. Meaning that
arson convictions are not rising.
We need to
identify the problems and perceptions of all stake holders. The next step is to develop a
campaign to change the perceptions that are impeding the process. The funds ear marked by
the Board will start identification process while we apply for grants.
Training and Education Committee Report
Committee Chair
Don Howell
Awards Committee Report
Jerry Streich
addressed the membership and asked that they take the time to nominate those who deserveare
deserving for an award. Last year we did not give out an Investigator of the Year Award
because we did not receive any complete nominations. That should not happen again. Take
the time to submit a complete application withy supporting documentation. Why should this
person get the award? It is not enough to simply say the person continually does their job
or they got a conviction on a big case. What sets them apart from the rest? More
information and forms are available on the Chapter web site at http://www.mniaai.org/awards.htm
Legislative Committee Report
Legislative
Committee Chair Denise DeMars reported that the MNFAC Group has begun to meet and is
discussing the 2007 legislative agenda. The item of greatest interest to us is the
proposal to change the negligent fire statute. Several years ago the statute was changed
from culpably negligent to grossly negligent to widen the scope and clarify the Statute.
We are still having difficulty getting fires prosecuted under this statute due to the
confusion over what is gross negligence. Discussion followed and questions arose: How
about defining gross negligence better? Are we risking making the accidental fire a crime?
After all, what fire doesn’t have some degree of negligence? If you have suggestions
or concerns about this proposal contact Denise DeMars. denise.r.demars@state.mn.us
Scholarship
Committee
Mike Tremain reported that we have not
received any scholarship applications to date. We need to get the word out. Information
and application forms are available on the chapter web site at http://www.mniaai.org/scholars.htm . The
deadline for applications is March 31st.
Governor’s Council on Fire Prevention and Control
Council Member Mike Tremain reported
that the Council’s annual report is in process. The Council continues to further the
idea of the Minnesota State Building Code (MSBC) as the statewide construction standard.
As strange at it may sound, the MSBC is not
law throughout the entire state. This initiative seeks to make the parts of the MSBC the
Construction Standard for contractors and designers even though there may not be actual
enforcement in some areas of the State. It would not require enforcement statewide.
A committee of the Council continues to
explore the concept of a Fire Zone fire safety education center in Minnesota. Possibly at
the Mall of America. The Council feels that the project is beyond the scope of the
organization but wishes to keep the exploration committee working until the concept can be
passed on to a foundation or other entity that can complete the project. For more
information about the Governor’s Council or to read the white paper on the statewide
Building follow this link: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/GovernorsCouncil/GovernorsCouncil.html
CertificationTraining and Education
Committee Report
Mike Tremain reported
that the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board continues to develope a basic fire
investigator certification. The Chapter through Mike has taken a leadership role in
developing this program. He has gathered outlines from other states with similar programs
and has assembled a rough draft proposed for Minnesota. Requirements include: Twenty four hours of fire investigation training;
high school graduation or GED; FF2, Post Certification; 3 Years experience as a local or
state fire investigator; no felonies. There would be a written test and a practical exam.
Recertification would be every three years. Twenty four hours of recurrent training would
be required to recertify.Committee Chair Don Howell
Just a
reminder, this program is not intended to be at the same level as the IAAI CFI program. It
is an entry level certification and is not to replace the CFI program in Minnesota.
Certification Committee Report
No Report
Ethics Committee Report
Nothing to
report.
HazMat / OSHA Committee Report
Jamie Novak
reported that we will be holding the Hazmat / OSHA refresher in March. At the request of
the membership it will be held separate from the Conference. Information will go out as
soon as we have a date set.
Committee Chair Mark
Svare reported
Merchandising Committee Report
Nothing to
report. Chapter logo items can be purchased year around from Streich Designs at www.companycasuals.com/streichdesigns
Training and Education Committee Report
President NovakChair Mike Urbanski reported that planning for
the 2007 Fire Investigation Conference is going well. The Conference will be in St. Cloud again this year and the dates are
March 28 – 30. He asked everyone to be sure to make their Hotel reservations as soon
as possible. The hotel has agreed to hold the entire facility until thirty days prior to
the conference. The earlier you reserve your room the less likely we are to encounter
problems.
More
information and conference registration forms can be found on the Chapter web site at http://www.mniaai.org/2007Conference.htm
Membership Committee Report
Committee Chair Denise DeMars
presented seven(insert #)
applications for membership. Motion by HaleLaMotte, seconded by DuraineO’Brien to accept the applications.. Motion passed.
Private Investigators Committee Report
Nothing to
report
Newsletter Editor’s Report
Nothing to
report.
By-Laws Committee Report
Nothing
to report.
State Fire
Marshal Report
State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl
reported that at the end of 2005 there were 41 reported fire deaths
in Minnesota. An additional
fatality was identified later bringing the total to 42. To date we have had 35 fire deaths
in Minnesota in 2006. We are
poised to have another record low in Minnesota for the year 2006. This has caught the eye of the Commissioner and shows
the positive impact of partnerships between fire prevention education, codes and
investigation in Minnesota. The Commissioner wants to be constructively
involved in continuing to learn from our fire deaths and developing a culture of fire
safety in Minnesota.
The CO alarm
legislation that passed this last session begins to go into effect January 1, 2007.
Input and information regarding deaths from CO poisoning was request by Fire
Marshal Rosendahl.
The Fire
Service Account Advisory Committee has been meeting to discuss the allocation of funds
coming into the account. Fire Marshal Rosendahl present a brief history. Budgets and staffing requests are
being prepared for presentation to the committee. Contact Fire Marshal Rosendahl with needs requests.
The Recruiting
and Retention Committee has completed their report and it is going to the Commissioner. A
copy of the report can be found at http://www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/downloads/RecruitingandRetentionFinalReport.pdf
Executive Director’s Report
1. Administrative Time log is attached.
2.
Membership numbers:
Active
220
Associate 224
Life
17
Sustaining
4
Total
465
3. 2006 Conference registrations
outstanding: $435.00
4. 2006 Membership dues
outstanding: 48
6. Attached for your information
are excerpts from the Minnesota Fire Chief Directory including our ad and listings.
Juvenile
Fire setter CommitteeFiresetter
Commmittee Report
No report
Old Business
President Novak
reported that the Board has discussed the direction previously given him to meet with
Susan Gaertner, President of the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association to discuss
legislation allowing the Attorney General’s Office to get involved with Arson
Prosecution at local levels. The Board wants to wait until after the Arson Awareness
Committee’s research has been completed before we proceed. President Novak stated he
does not agree with this position but will hold off as the Board wishes.
President Novak
reminded the membership of opportunities for training at CFItrainer.net This is a web
based training site available to members and nonmembers. Training is done through online
programs and webinars.
President Novak
challenged Chapter members to also become members of the International. Our Chapter has
one of the highest percentages of membership in the International. Lets be the highest.
New Business
President Novak
informed the membership that he will not be seeking another term as Chapter President.
Elections will be held at the annual meeting during the seminar in St. Cloud. The Annual meeting will be held March 28, 2007 at 5:30
P.M. at the Holiday Inn in St.
Cloud. Positions up for election this year are: President,
Second Vice President, Secretary and the Director position held by Jerry Streich. Contact
Jamie Novak (james.novak@ci.stpaul.mn.us)
or Merle Berkeland (mrbbab@charter.net) if you are
interested in be a candidate.
President Novak
challenged the membership to increase their knowledge by getting involved with live burn
training. If you have a burn and would allow others to attend, the Chapter can facilitate
the exchange of information. If you would like help in doing a burn you can contact Jamie
at james.novak@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
President Novak
requested the membership to send him pictures of incendiary devices and accidental fires
to be used in an accidental fire program. Also we need a house to burn.
Adjournment
Motion by Garfin,
O’Brien, seconded by DeMarsLaMotte to adjourn. Motion passed.
