Meeting called to order by President Todd Graves at 1835. 17 members and 5 board members were present.
Minutes from last meeting had been sent via email to the membership to review before the meeting. President Graves asked if there were any questions or corrections to the minutes. None. Motion to approve the minutes by Monte Heggie, seconded by Dan Shaw. Motioned approved.
Treasurers Report was read by Treasurer, Danielle Sims. Account Balances: Checking $43,218, Savings $60,086. Profit and Loss was discussed with some discussion on higher cost of training materials. It was because of having to buy new IRPG’s this year that went up from $2.88 to $6.00 each. President Graves praised the work of Danielle stating that she was invaluable and wears many hats in taking care of the WCFA and keeping him in line. Motion to pass Treasurers report by Greg Bailey, seconded by Dave Rains. Motion passed. Todd reminded the membership that we are a non-profit association and we do have a considerable amount of money in our accounts it gives us the support we need to cover unexpected expenses.
Training Committee Topics:
2022 Training Recap:
Training numbers 1255 students trained this year compared to last year’s 1193. We also taught a S-215 Urban Interface class. This and S-230 will be offered next season in the Methow Valley. Danielle shared that we will have a training committee meeting soon to help plan the next RT-130 class. Asked the members to offer suggestions for topics for the class. Danielle asked if there were any other questions. She shared that the IRPG’s will be provided at classes for those that need them.
S-290 Online Course hosted by COMET MetED: A letter was sent by the Forest Service about who is eligible to take this class and that you need an agency permission. The Board discussed this earlier and decided that venders are agency and can provide the necessary permission for their employees to take this online class.
Danielle shared that Reed Gracie will be joining our Training Committee since Saul has stepped down. The current members are Todd, Dave, and Tim. The membership shared a couple of potential topics for the next RT-130 class.
Old Business:
Fallers Problems: President Graves gave some comments concerning this problem and asked Reed or Dave share. Reed Gracie shared about how the fallers are listed under the agreement. They are ordered as “O” numbers. Because of this you cannot substitute another faller and the module is de-mobbed. Reed is hoping there would be a way to change these provisions so fallers can swap in new people. Reed asked if Jacob Weigley is a faller contractor and share his insight on this. Reed said that some teams tell them to swap but the venders are worried that this would be against the agreements. This pertains to Federal Fires, DNR can do what ever they want. President Graves shared that the board would stay on top of this and see if we can make a change from “O” number to “E” numbers. Dave shared that with the new contract coming soon it may be hard to make any changes. Jacob shared that he has witnessed the teams not being able to fill orders and they have been extended. He feels it would behoove us to clean this up. Reed said to reiterate that they have asked them to swap and then Kevin Toombs disciplined them saying it absolutely cannot be done. President Graves asked are you going with the teams or risk your contract.
Group purchasing (shelters, radios, tires, insurance): President Graves said he has looked into this. He talked to Radio providers at the NWSA Conference. He will follow up on this. More discussion followed. He also said that the 5000 radio is not yet required. When you replace the DPH radios you should replace them with the 5000. As far as shelters there is not eminent date that they will be required to be replaced. Other suggestions for group purchases were discussed.
President Graves shared that there is going to be a DOL class the end of January. We might add the information to the website. He also said that there is a conspiracy theory about attending a meeting like this that you would be put on a list that shows you attended and wouldn’t be able to plead ignorance.
Committee Reports
Professionalism/Ethics provision and adaptation: President Graves shared about this. He asked the members to read through it and send any additions, deletions, or changes to him at his email. The deadline is midnight December 20th. He shared that the document needs some small editing but will be sent out with review. He also shared that the rush was so this could be adopted in January. President Graves asked Danielle if she had anything to add. She reminded the members of the deadline.
Rattlesnake Ridge Membership: President Graves reminded the membership about the discussion at the last meeting. He shared that we like the member to be present, but we will accept letters. At the last meeting we decided to postpone a vote until the next meeting. President Graves asked if Jermain Allen was present. He is not present. He said he would be here. President Graves asked if we should wait for a representative to be here to present himself or should we discuss it and bring it to a vote. Reed Gracie, Dan Shaw and Greg Barker said they should be present. President Graves postponed the discussion to the next meeting.
Any other Old Business: None
New Business:
NWSA Conference Recap: President Graves shared that the WCFA sent himself and Dave Rains to the Conference. The NWSA has political connections that benefit the fire service. He also said that very few Region 6 representatives were there aside from Ben McGrane. The Big thing that Ben shared was that USFS Chief Randy Moore declared the fuels on the ground a state of emergency. He asked them to figure out a way to mitigate this. The US House of Representatives is involved and they know that the private contractors are available to help with this. David Spady is a lobbyist from NWSA that goes to DC to let the House and USFS know that we are here. Ben McGrane feels by next summer there will be a plan in place to get this started. President Graves shared that was the biggest news the rest was mostly vendors. Dave Rains shared that the monies are available to mitigate this fuel. He suggested that the contractors prepare for this any way they need. He said 25 million has been allocated to this area. 20 years ago, this was started and it never happened. Reed asked if it would be worth while to add early refreshers so contractors will be prepared. Danielle reminded the members that the current cards are good until the dispatch list comes out. Dave shared that the forecast for the upcoming season is going to be the same as this year. Dave also shared that there was other information that might be good for the refresher, namely social media. Greg Bailey said he agreed with what was said earlier. He said that it was the first time that it was mentioned that wildland firefighters are available to help. He hopes we can get some traction with this. President Graves said that we might want to add S-234 Ignition Operations. Jacob Weigley said to check your insurance because his insurance forbids them from laying down fire. President Graves shared his experience about being asked to be a Strike Team Leader and he would not be backed by the team. Maybe we can get information from insurance providers about this. Greg Bailey said he recalled Ben McGrane talking about liability. More discussion followed.
Dispatch of State Fires – Flaws, Closest Resource for Planned need: President Graves share about resource ordering that went to the wrong dispatch center. He plans to bring it up with DNR Mr. Demke if he can get a meeting with him on why the closest resource isn’t working and using the DPL. He said we have had problems with dispatch, and we will always have problems and it’s our job to let them know. The state, however, can do what ever they want. Reed shared that NWEC was very humble and responsive to the dispatch issue. A question on closest resource clarification. President Graves explained the process. He said this is another question he will ask at his meeting. He also suggested to get the closest resources figured out to add GPS to the vehicles. A member shared that contractors should be used in Initial Attack because bringing in resources from far away does not protect life and property. More discussion followed.
IROC: Status and Delays: President Graves shared delays on being released from incident. He asked Ben McGrane in the age of technology why does this take so long? He will follow up. More discussion followed.
Appointment of Officers: Saul Labanauskas stepped down as VP of the WCFA. President Graves at the earlier board meeting, appointed Greg Bailey as our new Vice President. President Graves said that Greg brings a great deal of maturity and experience to the position and thanked Greg for accepting. The bylaws say that the vacant board position should be filled at the next scheduled meeting which would be in the Spring. All agreed to wait until spring.
Contracting Help – Video: Aleesha Roedel of PTAC: President Graves shared what this video was about and said that we would share it with the members instead of showing it now. He asked Danielle to comment on parts of the video that she can help with where Aleesha says not to bother me. Danielle explained the help she can provide to members present. She also pointed out that a lot of the information in the video addresses information that is already on our website. Danielle will share the video with the membership.
Any other New Business: None. President Graves offered whoever wants to stay to have a look at some screen shots he took at the NWSA conference.
Greg Bailey said that NWSA members pay for Dave Spady to work in WA DC but we need to find a lobbyist to work for us in WA State. President Graves said he would follow up with our PAC to get this going. Discussion followed. Reed Gracie mentioned that the WCFA was mentioned in a list of thanks from Hilary Franz on the Bolt Fire where no other private contractors were listed. Somehow she was made aware of us. President Graves said now they know we’re here. He also reiterated that he will get going on the PAC and looking into contacts.
Spring Meeting TBD. Some discussion on in-person or Zoom. Most like zoom.
Meeting Adjourned at 2014 hours. Motion by Greg Bailey, seconded by Dan Shaw. Motion pass.