The meeting was called to order at 1900. Roll call of member departments was taken:
Amherst, Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Halifax, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Plainfield, Pelham, Petersham, Rowe, Royalston, Shelburne, Shelburne Falls, South Deerfield, Sunderland, Vernon, Wendell, Shelburne Control (Don Tryon), MSP Communications (Cam Dunbar), Massachusetts Fire Marshal Jon Davine, Treasurer Larry Holmberg (IMT), Butch Garrity (IMT), Aaron Budine (FC40), Ryan Martin (Training Committee)
Officers present: John Taylor (President), Robert Strahan (President Elect), Larry Holmberg (Treasurer), Skip Dunnell (Northeast), Dennis Annear (Northwest), David Alvord (Southwest), William Swasey (Central)
Officers absent: Amanda Harker (Secretary), Michael Spanknebel (Southeast)
Motion made and seconded to elect Cam Dunbar as secretary pro tem for the meeting. Unanimous.
The Treasurer's Report was read. Motion to accept, unanimous.
Old Business
SOG Working Group still in process, globally and county-specific.
Field Day was held in 2022. The organization would like to hold another, but volunteers are needed. Skip Dunnell, Butch Garrity, and Ryan Martin volunteered to serve on the committee so far.
Shelburne Control: Don Tryon took over for Butch Garrity in September 2023 after Butch’s retirement. Don presented 2023 statistics; there were just shy of 95,000 CAD incidents. A heartfelt job-well-done was extended by the body to the dispatchers for all their help each day.
Training Committee held Basic Six Classes #1 (7 students) and #2 (17 students) and will hold Class 3 (apx 12 students) in 2024. Hampshire County also holds one which is what Tri-State’s is based on. They are attempting to get all instructors certified as Fire Instructor I.
Communications Working Group has met in an effort to improve the ability for units from bordering counties to communicate at emergency scenes. More discussion and report is forthcoming.
IMAT featured a presentation from Butch Garrity about activities of the IMAT, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary. If any department has an incident or planned event which would be a good opportunity for members to sign off task books, please let him know. Further discussion followed about educational opportunities.
FC40: Thanks to Aaron Budine and John Taylor for all their work chasing grants and bringing new and updated technology to the unit. The chassis and much equipment is 20 years old so there were a lot of needs; a request was made for a handout with the truck’s capabilities.
Election of Directors and Officers
Bob Strahan (Greenfield) moves into the President’s seat. The new President Elect is Skip Dunnell (Northfield). The newly vacant Northeast Director was nominated to be Eric Jack (Royalston). With the retirement of Amanda Harker as Secretary, John Taylor was nominated to fill the role. Larry Holmberg has offered to remain as Treasurer. Motion made and seconded to move the slate. Unanimous.
Past President John Taylor turned the meeting over to President Bob Strahan.
New Business
Dues Increase: A motion was made and seconded to increase dues by $50 in FY25. An amendment was raised and seconded to increase by $50 in FY24 and another $50 in FY25. Discussion followed about the need for the Training Committee to raise funds. The amendment was unanimously carried. The amended motion was voted to increase dues. Carried unanimously.
Training Subscription at Burn Facility: A motion was made and seconded to create a training subscription of $100 per year, which includes free Basic 6 enrollment for the member’s firefighters and a free training burn at the Sunderland trailer. An amendment was raised to only charge the fee of $200 per department which sends a student to the Basic 6 course, with additional students free. Amendment passed with one nay. The motion then passed with three nays.
Mutual Aid Qualifications: A motion was made and seconded, based on discussion by the Franklin County Fire Chiefs, to maintain a minimum number of three (3) firefighters trained in and equipped for interior firefighting operations in an ILDH environment on mutual aid assignments for engine, ladder, and rescue companies. Much discussion followed. It was noted this is not intended to change current staffing of tanker, forestry or other units. The motion carried with one abstention.
An additional motion was made: The previous motion does not bar or supersede any pre-existing agreements between local (“day to day”) mutual aid partners as to the minimum number and qualifications of engine, ladder, and rescue assignments. Carries unanimously.
Good and Welfare
Departments are encouraged to read, understand, and comment on the new OSHA guidelines which are in a public comment phase. The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards has summarized the regulations and will likely publish their document soon.
Charlemont has a new cascade. Greenfield has a drone. DFS spoke about their equipment offerings; rehab, ISU, gators, tents, etc.
District 9 offers a wildland hand crew, well trained and self sufficient. 80 members are in the eligibility pool.
John Taylor spoke about how this longer meeting reflects a more active organization. A motion was made to adjourn at 2023. Carries.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cam Dunbar Secretary Pro-Tem
Tri-State Fire Mutual Aid, Inc.
Annual Meeting February 23, 2023
Meeting called to order at 18:30 at the Greenfield Lodge 997 Loyal Order of the Moose with 42 individuals present, from among the 47 member communities.
Member Departments Present: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hadley, Halifax, Leverett, Montague Center, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Pelham, Petersham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shelburne Falls, South Deerfield, Sunderland, and Vernon.
1. Introductions of officers: President John Taylor, Vice President (President-elect) Bob Strahan (not present), Treasurer Larry Holmberg, Secretary Amanda Harker (not present).
2. Secretary’s Report: motion made to accept as presented, second, passed unanimously.
3. Treasurer’s Report: motion made to accept as read, seconded, passed unanimously.
4. President Taylor reviewed where the organization came from, where it is at present, and goals for the coming year. The presentation included origins of Tri State Fire Mutual Aid, the proposed changes to the five geographic “areas”, and the results of the Communications Survey. Taylor thanked those who were involved in organizing the field day, reviewing bylaws, and who have expressed interest in committees.
2022 To Do List
New Treasurer – Done
Bylaw Update – Proposal drafted for this meeting Field Day Event – Done
Communication Survey – Done
Training / Burn Building – Committee formation NWMIMT Funding – Ongoing
2023 To Do List Maintain Run Cards
Training Facility Decisions Collaborative Training IMT Education & Practice Communication Playbook
Updated Mutual Aid SOGs
The annual report from the dispatch center was presented by Chief Taylor as Charles “Butch” Garrity was not able to attend due to illness. Statistics for 2023 were presented along with a 10 year comparison. Members were reminded that the Run Cards are available on Google thanks to the work of Matt Weagle-Bruso from the dispatch center. Dispatchers Cam Dunbar and Ryan Waldron were recognized.
Committee Reports
Bylaws: The Committee (Chief Dunnell, Chief Cuneo, Chief Robinson, Captain Dunbar, Chief Taylor) presented the proposed revised bylaws and called for their acceptance. With no discussion the motion was passed unanimously.
Elections: President Taylor explained that Vice President Anzuoni had resigned in 2022 and that Director Strahan had been appointed as the new VP. Normally the VP, now the President-elect per the new bylaws, would automatically move up to president but Chief Strahan had requested that he stay as President-elect citing time constraints due to the construction of the new Greenfield Fire Station. A motion was made to nominate John Taylor to remain as President; nomination was accepted. The slate of officers and directors presented was:
President: John Taylor (2024) President-elect: Robert Strahan (2024) Secretary: Amada Harker (2024) Treasurer: Larry Holmberg (2024)
Directors: Skip Dunnell, Northfield (Northeast) (2024) David Alvord, Plainfield (Southwest) (2025) Michael Spanknebel, Hadley (Southeast) (2026) Dennis Annear, Rowe (Northwest) (2027) William Swasey, South Deerfield (Central) (2028)
Motion made and seconded to accept the slate as presented, passed unanimously.
New Business
a) Chief Spanknebel indicated that Hadley was willing to host the Tri-State trailer at the North Hadley Fire Station. It was his understanding that Sunderland, the current host, wanted the trailer moved for several reasons. There were no objections but there was a question regarding the fiduciary of the trailer. It was decided that Hadley, Sunderland, and Montague Center (the fiduciary) would meet with a TriState Board Rep and develop a plan.
b) Chief Taylor outlined the sub-groups the Board will work to organize including: Training Committee, Communications Working Group, Field Day Committee, and SOG Working Group.
Items for the Good of the Organization
a) The Treasurer stated the dues notices were mailed out in January with the associated cost for stamps and envelopes and inquired if in the future if the notices could be emailed instead. By unanimous consensus it was agreed that emailing would be preferable.
b) The Treasurer reported that 13 member departments were outstanding on their 2023 dues, however only 1 department owed for prior years
c) Chief Shedd announced that Bernardston was hosting a Small Town Chiefs seminar on March 18th. Cost $65.
d) Chief Annear reported briefly on the activities of the North West Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT).
e) Chief Annear announced that the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council had funds available for training on large-scale events such as parades, fairs, etc. The idea that a scheduled large-scale event could be used as the backdrop for a training exercise.
9. Meeting adjourned at 19:40 hours.
Respectfully Submitted, Larry Holmberg
Acting Secretary