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The combining of several departments already out protecting the public will bring those efforts together under Barrow County Fire Chief Mark Melvin.
"Over the years, these departments have worked together in assisting citizens when an emergency happens," said Chief Melvin. "With this move, we will now work even closer together and work to improve our services."
Melvin’s title is now Emergency Service Chief Fire/EMS/EMA/911, and the moves are not over.
Beginning June 29, ladder truck (Truck 7) will go in service from Station 7.
"It will respond to all structure fires within the county and any other large incidents the Battalion Chief needs them," said Melvin of the new equipment which was part of the honor guard for the late Mikie Bullard.
Likely in two weeks, Chief Melvin will be able to move Engine 6 and Med 6 from their temporary location, which had turned into a longer-term arrangement than originally intended.
The Fire Station 6 side of the new public safety headquarters facility, constructed on Pleasant Hill Church Road at Segars Road, should be ready in a couple of weeks while the finishing work on the remainder of the building and site, including drainage issues, continues along.
"We keep updated on the project by Lyn Clement [director of the newly-created Department of Community and County Development] and Dana Thornton [fire marshal working within that department]," said Melvin.
Melvin said, "without a doubt I’ll be glad to get the people and equipment in the zone they need to be in."
The City of Winder has been providing space inside for the crews but the trucks are outside.
"I’ll be glad to get the trucks out of the weather," said Melvin.
Another move may also come. Chief Melvin said the department could relocate the supplies now housed at the former Holsenbeck station should the county proceed with the water authority’s proposal to obtain the building and perhaps adjacent property for its operations.
The former Holsenbeck station has some drainage issues much must be addressed, but Garrett’s preliminary plan examines how the property could be developed to also include a water tower to store water for the area. The storage would provide additional supply and enhance the hydraulics of the system.
The water authority would likely gut the interior of the building for its purposes as an office and storage of equipment and supplies the authority uses for operations of the water department and transmission line which bring water from the Bear Creek Water Plant around Barrow. That entire loop was not completed. Fencing would secure trucks and a proposed elevated water tank.
"We don’t have a tank in that part of our system," said Garrett.Staffing issues have been addressed by the commission with additional flexibility provided to help with hiring, especially of paramedics. By permitting an increase in hourly compensation by approximately 50 cents, Barrow County was able to fill vacant positions.
Three full-time and three part-time employers are going through the physical testing and will be available within the next week or so. One paramedic will be added to each shift.
While several are from other departments and piece together several work assignments with the shift work of public safety, one new hire is coming from West Virginia to be closer to family members.
With the additions, Melvin said, "I think we are now adequately staffed to respond to most situations, but there may be situations in which we must rely on mutual aid and call on resources from other neighboring departments."
While the NFPA-1710 Standards for Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations of Career Fire Departments cannot be fully met in the current budget situation, Chief Melvin said he has been well supported by Chairman Danny Yearwood and the commissioners related to the staffing needs.
"They have been very open-minded with the listening to the department’s needs," said Chief Melvin. He points to the requested paramedics raise which was granted as well as the overtime for his staffing recommendations.
Manpower has been increased by two for responses, putting the county at nine on the scene, closer to the recommended 14 firefighters at a house fire. Three engines would roll to a house fire with med units and the battalion chief could call for additional help as needed.
On June 27, the new pay scale is put into place and Chief Melvin is sending out information to each member of the fire department. The impact of the change reflecting a employee going from minimum to mid-point of their pay grade in an 8-year period will be provided to the employees.
"They need to hear it from me," said Chief Melvin, and the HR Department has provided the information to the department to inform personnel.
The July 3 county holiday will remain a furlough day so the full impact of the change will not be know until the next two-week paycheck is calculated.
As in most departments, Chief Melvin said he receives questions. The major one: Are they done yet? The employees are curious if the county commission will be implementing additional cuts in pay or benefits or further reducing the workforce.
The most recent RIF measures has brought restructuring, and with that, newfound responsibilities for Chief Melvin, now Emergency Service Chief Fire/EMS/EMA/911.
Chief Melvin said the budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010 contains what the department needs.
"There are no extras in the budget," he said, and personnel wise, "we will stay at 25. We can definitely make it work."
Chief Melvin said an improved economy will bring requests for additional personnel but we understand the situation they are in."
Knowledge of the revenue shortfall crisis is why the recently received GEMA grant for the hazardous materials unit is important. Those are funds the county will not have to expend since the grant is a 100 percent funded.
"We were lucky on that," said Chief Melvin, who indicates the grant will certainly benefit the county.
Chief Melvin said Clement and his staff have been responsive to the facilities needs of the department. When air conditioning units began having problems in the summer heat, Buildings & Grounds had repairs made in short order.
"They were quick with their response," said the chief.
WIA experience
The department is receiving the assistance of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) worker, Elena Guillermo, who is in her second week. A rising sophomore at Winder-Barrow High School, she learned of the summer work experience from her mother, who got her signed up.
She is assigned to the fire department and is enjoying the experience.
"I am interested in forensics," said the teen, who like CSI and similar programs which spurred her interest in the possible career field.
"I want to gain work experience and save up some money," said Elena, who is supervised by Administrative Assistant Penny Clack.
She is providing receptionist help with the departure of administrative clerk, Rena Parten, who accepted the voluntary layoff of June 15.
The restructuring venture finds Chief Melvin over the fire department, MS, EMA and Central Communications, which will also be moving into the public safety headquarters in the future.
He and 911 Director Kathy Wallace, who will be Communications Coordinator as 911/Central Communications moves under the new department Chief Melvin heads. He and Wallace went to lunch Wednesday to being the transition preparation.
"We already have a good working relationship," said Melvin, who noted the new organization should enhance communication.
"We’ll be one big team and not be competing for money over the same thing," said Chief Melvin. "We’ll come together to see what we need to get the job done."
With the budget proposals to be submitted by June 22 for review by the budget committee, the budgets were prepared separately and likely the budgets will remain separate as the departments merge. EMA for example is a separate budget because state dollars roll into that operation.
For the department, the number of empty subdivisions don’t mean there are no responsibilities in those properties.
"We still test the fire hydrants annually for ISO purposes and that gives you a good territory study to determine where the hydrants are in your zone," said Chief Melvin.
With building slowdown actually does provide a bit of breathing room for the new Chief who is taking on additional roles with the reorganization.
"I am excited and it makes me feel good that the commissioners have confidence in me," said Melvin. "I have a lot to learn about 911 but I accept that challenge. There will be a learning curve but I’m happy to be able to be a part of this. It will all be fine."
Chief Melvin said the Chairman and commissioners as well as the department has been supportive of him and he is most appreciative.
"I’m up for the challenge," said Melvin.
The department will be participating in the July 11 Public Safety Day at Holly Hill Mall.
