Board Meeting
The board met prior to the quarterly meeting. The following
persons were present; John Piper, Denise DeMars, Mike Urbanski, Charlie O'Brien, Jeff Schadegg, Don Howell, Mike Tremain, Jerry Streich, Tony Miranda, Rick Kleis.
Charlie O'Brien presented quarterly transaction report. Motion by Schadegg, Seconded
by Tremain to approve the quarterly transaction report as presented. Motion passed.
Jeff Schadegg presented the Executive Directors report. Motion by DeMars seconded
by Tremain to accept the report of the Executive Director.
Motion passed
Chapter Meeting
Secretary’s Report
Motion by Novak, seconded by DeMars to approve Minutes of June 13, 2007 as published in the
newsletter. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s
Report
Motion by DeMars, seconded by Novak, to approve the Treasurers report as published in
the newsletter. Motion passed.
Executive Director’s Report
Executive Direct Jeff Schadegg
Reviewed the Executive Director’s Report
Membership numbers:
Active
204
Associate 236
Life
17
Sustaining 3
Total
460
On 6/13/2007 Jamie Novak
sent an e-mail out asking the Board for permission to purchase mpeg4 converter at a cost
of $239 plus shipping. Piper and Miranda
responded with motions to purchase the software. Motion passed.
On 8/3/2007 I presented an e-mail motion to the Board requesting approval to renew our ad in
the Chief’s Magazine at a cost of $945.00. Motion
passed and the bill was paid.
On 8/3/2007 I presented an e-mail motion to the Board requesting approval to renew our
General Liability Insurance with Western National at a cost of $564.00. Motion passed and the bill was paid.
Chapter computer: In
October our computer will be going on it’s 5th year. There are no issues
at this time with the exception of a few software glitches. I believe our last two
computers were replaced at four year intervals. I request discussion and direction from
the Board regarding replacement schedule. [ It was decided we would wait]
On September 19, 2007 our Trend Internet Security Software
Subscription will expire. I request approval to update and renew at a price of $49.90.
2007 Conference: $4620.00 outstanding.
2007
Hazmat / OSHA refresher: $360.00outstanding.
Burn to
Learn Seminar: $620 outstanding.
State Fire
Marshal
State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl
reported there have been 30 fire deaths to date this year compared to 32 at this time last
year.
Arson is the number two cause of
structure fires in Minnesota. Cooking continues to be number one.
The 2006 Fire in Minnesota Report is
now available on the State Fire Web site at http://www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/mfirs/FireinMinnesota2006.pdf
Fire Safety account monies should
begin to flow in early in 2008
Arson Reward Committee Report
Arson Reward Committee Chair Charlie
O’Brien reported that there were (insert #) rewards paid out last quarter.
We have signs available. Contact
Charlie charlie.obrien.bjt0@statefarm.com
Arson Awareness Committee Report
Committee Chair Jerry Streich
reported on the status of the arson awareness / survey project. A year ago the Chapter ear
marked $10,000 dollars to this project and we applied for a grant. We did not get the
grant but we have moved forward to answer the question “What does the community
believe about arson?”. With the help of U of M Professor Angie Carlson we developed
age appropriate surveys for kids, teens and adults. We conducted the surveys at the 2007
Minnesota State Fair during Governor’s Fire
Service Day at the Fair. Results are being tabulated and should be available by the
December meeting. The survey was also posted to the internet through survey monkey. We had
700 responses in the last month. Between these two polls we should get an accurate reading
of how the public perceives the crime of arson.
We will rewrite the grant and try
again in 2008.
A power point was presented recently
to the metro chiefs.
The committee took a break over the
summer and will begin meeting again this month.
Fifty percent of the reported fires
are listed as undetermined, please be sure to update your MFIRS data so that we can
increase the accuracy of our statistical data for the State of Minnesota.
Please do what ever you can to
promote fire investigation teams in your area. This is an effective way to increase our
arson detection and prosecution success rates. If you need help in promoting or starting a
team contact Jerry at jstreich@ci.ramsey.mn.us
Awards Committee Report
Committee Chair Jerry Streich
reported that there have been no submissions to date. There is someone you know that is
deserving of a nomination. Please take the time to fill out a nomination form and submit
it to the committee.
Certification Committee
Report
Mike Tremain reported that the
Minnesota Fire Certification Board has hired Nyle Zikmund and his wife as executive
directors for the organization. The international committee will be auditing the program
this fall and we will be seeking accreditation for the fire investigator certification.
Governor’s Council on Fire Prevention and Control
Mike Tremain reported that he was
not able to make the last meeting.
HazMat / OSHA Committee Report
No report.
Legislative Committee Report
Legislative Chair Denise DeMars
reported that the legislative process has not started yet. MNFAC will begin meeting soon.
We intend to continue looking at the negligent fire statue and welcome any input you may
have. If you have any other concerns or ideas for the 2008 legislative agenda contact
Denise at denise.r.demars@state.mn.us
Training and Education Committee Report
No report.
Ethics Committee Report
No report
Merchandising Committee Report
Committee Chair Mike Urbanski
reported there was nothing new to report.
Membership Committee Report
Committee Chair Denise DeMars
presented seven applications for membership. Motion by DeMars, seconded by Streich to
accept. Motion passed.
Newsletter Editor’s Report
Editor Jeff Schadegg reported that
there have been no issues regarding the newsletter. If you have anything to contribute
send it to jschadegg@mniaai.org
Private Investigators Committee Report
Crawford Wiestling reported that he
has approached the Board of Directors and asked them to consider offering an insurance
benefit to the membership. This has been discussed at the national level but has not moved
forward because of the current state of disarray. Representatives from Provident Insurance
have put together some numbers for an accidental death and injury policy which the Board
will be reviewing in the future.
By-Laws Committee Report
No report.
Juvenile Firesetter Commmittee Report
No report
Old Business
Jamie Novak reported that he will be
conducting gasoline explosion tests in a house in Glencoe. We would also like to do
another Burn To Learn Class if anyone has a motel or similar building with identical
rooms. If you know of a building contact Jamie at james.novak@ci.stpaul.mn.us
President Piper thanked everyone
involved with putting on the Learn To Burn Program.
President Piper thanked those who
volunteered to work the Governor’s Fire Safety Day at the Fair.
New Business
President Piper informed everyone
that there is a conflict with our use of the New Brighten facilities for our December
meeting. For this reason we will meet at Bloomington Fire Station 1. He also reminded
everyone that we are now beginning the meetings at 9:00 am.
Adjournment
Motion by Anderson, seconded by Suratt
to adjourn. Motion passed.
