December 2008
Glen Eastman CPA is in the process of finishing up the fiscal year 2007/2008 audit. It is expected to be completed and ready to present to the Board at the January 2009 meeting. Additionally, we recently underwent a routine audit by the CalPERS Office of Audit Services in regard to the District's employee retirement plan in which we expect the results within the next six weeks.
The first installment of District's property tax, benefit assessment and special assessment is due to be sent out at the end of this month by El Dorado County for fy 2008/2009. The second installment is paid in April 2009. I have heard nothing on when to expect this years augmentation funds.
I received notice today that a letter from the El Dorado County Chief Administrative Officer is in route to us advising not to expect this funding in fy 09/10.
The GVFPD has been paid in full for all services provided to the federal government to date in this fiscal year. Funds owed by the State of California are starting to trickle in.
The GVFPD participated in a large scale multi causality incident at the Georgetown Elementary School on Monday, November 17, 2008. This year's scenario involved a private aircraft departing the Georgetown Airport crashing into the bleachers during a sporting event. The exercise included triage, treatment, and transportation of 30 victims, with injuries ranging from minor to death. Participating departments included Garden Valley, Georgetown, Mosquito, El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County and Cal Fire.
Students from the elementary and high school where made up as victims. A real aircraft was used as a prop. Fire Chief Bill Dekker served as the Incident Operations Officer with Greg Schwab serving as the Incident Commander
The GVFPD is once again collecting toys for the Marine Corp Reserve's "Toys for Tots" program. Many boxes of toys have already been picked up at station 51.
On Tuesday, December 9, the recruit committee interviewed 16 applicants for acceptance into the Divide Fire Academy. Successful completion of the twice a week, 16 week academy is a requirement to be a volunteer member of the Garden valley Fire Department. 5-8 applicants will be sponsored by the GVFPD this year. An informational meeting is scheduled for December 11 to welcome these applicants with the FAST Team providing food.
On Sunday, December 7, 2008, Acting Captain Rich Waters was injured at the scene of a structure fire on Meadowbrook Rd. Captain Waters tripped over a lawn sprinkler concealed by tall vegetation, dislocating his knee cap. Captain Waters was transported to Marshal Hospital by ambulance.
I have been advised Last night that surgery is required and that Captain Waters will be off for 6-8 weeks. In his absence, Engineer Charles Frost shall be the shift supervisor. I will fill the C shift vacancy with a temporary employee until Waters returns.
I was advised today that the Fire Engine that we are purchasing from the California Office of Emergency Services is due to arrive in Sacramento on December 17. Once it arrives there, OES mechanics will service repair and certify it for release to Garden Valley. I would expect that with the holidays, this will not happen until January.
The painting of the apparatus bays at station 51 is complete.
At the December 2, 2008 mandatory staff meeting, it was decided by staff that the $10,000 donation from the Deickman trust will be used to upgrade our Self Contained Breathing apparatus with radio communication capability.
I will attend an open house with the El Dorado County Fire Chiefs Association at the Red Hawk Casino on Wednesday, December 10. I will attend the California Wildfire Coordinating Group meeting at OES headquarters in Sacramento to discuss all risk team issues on December 11, 2008.
Patrol 51 is out of service and currently at the Golden Sierra High School auto shop. ROP program students are doing a brake job on this unit. Use of the students saves the District money and provides real life experience for participants in the program.
The Garden Valley Firefighters Association hosted the annual Xmas dinner at the Buckeye Restaurant on December 5, 2008. A great time was had by all, with special honors going to Robin Bement for his 40 years of service to the District and to FF Christina havens as the recipient of the Chiefs Award.
The Garden valley FPD responded to 39 emergency dispatches in November 2008.
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