DATE: August 20, 2024
START TIME: Meeting 8:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Yorktown Fire Department
8905 W Smith St, Yorktown, IN 47396
Agenda:
7:45-8:00: Doors open/Coffee served
8:00am Call to order/Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence for LT Josh Reed – End of Watch 8.17.24
Introduction: 29 Members in attendance-Question of the Month Erin Ailstock, Secretary- In a few words, what is the most exciting part of your job?
Hot Spot: Breakfast Sponsor- Deltec Solutions, Scott Jordan (3 minutes)
Deltec Solutions has been in business since 1990. They build, manage, and secure business systems. Cyber Security has become a big issue for companies. The number 1 source of cyber-attacks on nation-states comes from Russia and China. The U.S. Cyber teams are outnumbered. This year, there has been $1.5 billion paid in ransom, and is expected to go to $2.5 billion next year. Here are some tips on how to protect against cyber-attacks:
1) Keep software up-to-date on your PC, iPhone, and or Androids. If it is outdated, it creates vulnerability.
2) Don’t use the same password for everything! Passwords get leaked and then they get tried all of the time. Change passwords often, use different ones, and make them different! Don’t use kid’s names, birthdates, etc.
3) Use the Multi-factor Authentication where it is offered. This offers extra security.
4) 70% of ransomware attacks originate with email. Delete emails that you don’t know and don’t click on any links within the email.
Presentation of last month’s Minutes: Erin Ailstock- no changes to the previous month’s minutes. Approved as submitted.
Treasurer Report: Tony Coston- In July, we received $1000 in dues/sponsorships, and expenses for the month were $6800. For the year, we have $56,000 in the account. Motion for approval: Moved Katadyn Connerly, 2nd was Keith Gary.
School Report: Dr. Greg Hinshaw- Dr. Hinshaw is going into his 8th year with Yorktown Community Schools. Enrollment is up this year. They have reached capacity in grades 5th-12th. Staffing is great, all certified positions are filled. Construction Update: the concrete has been poured for the Science lab, completion is to be summer of 2025 and it is on target.
Town Report: Chase Bruton- School is the #1 economic driver for the community of Yorktown. Civic Green concerts are a great asset for us to have. Road construction update: the work on Broadway was stopped by Miller Pipeline, they are almost done with the new main so work can proceed on Broadway. Work will get started on 600 W to Jackson to 332 in September.
Program: Chief David Boone presents “About Our Station”: This has been a tough week due to the Fire Department losing one of their own. David became Chief in 2011. They believe in doing a lot of community outreach and taking care of their own within their community and their families. The fire department operates on a ½ million-dollar budget annually. They receive 1000 calls a year, an average of 3 a day. They have 30 on staff which is constantly up and down as volunteer’s life changes. They have partnered with Mosaic for their recruitment support. They have approximately 10 applications right now. They usually will lose ½ of all applicants when they get all of the details that pertain to the job. They require the volunteers to do lots of training and then they lose several firefighters to transfers to other Fire Departments. Ryan Gernand with Mosaic spoke on behalf of the fire department: the department’s biggest challenge is staffing. Ryan stated that they were looking for 40 local influencers to do a heavy push for applications (the deadline is August 31st). This will allow people to be speaking about the department and needing applications at the exact same time and it will make a huge impact and push for people to apply. Goal is to have 50 firefighters on staff. The call volume and load cause lots of them to lose their love for what they do because they are understaffed. With the Yorktown Fire Department being understaffed, if they don’t respond to a call, the tone will go off again at 4 minutes, and if no response, they will tone another department. Chief Boone feels that it is important for them to be able to respond to all calls within their community.
Question: What would it take to make the Yorktown Fire Department a career department?
Answer: To make Yorktown Fire Department a career department and not a volunteer department, it would take $3.5 million additional which would cause taxes to increase. How much does a volunteer need to work?
Question: How much does a volunteer have to work and be at the department?
Answer: First 2 years: 2 nights a week for 4 hours, first 6 months all of the training takes place. 85-90% of the call volume is medical. Members are required to do 10% of the 90-95 calls that come in every month. Volunteers can do community events for hours, and they can live outside of the jurisdiction. They must attend 1 meeting a month.
Upcoming events: Fire & Ice 5k is coming back in January 2025. They are looking for sponsorships. (see flyer)
Lunch and Learns: Brendon Comp- October 30th from 11:30-1 at Pizza King in Yorktown. Brendon is going to get the topic from Tisha.
Shafer Leadership News: Ted Ward- Reminder that members have benefits to take advantage of. Check Shafer Leadership’s website to see what opportunities are available. They are hosting a Lunch N Learn on August 27th at 11:30 at the Innovation Connector with Adam Unger. The topic is Purpose-Driven Organization.
Ambassador news: Katadyn Connerley- After-hours Networking Thursday, August 22nd at Frozen Boulder from 4:30 to 6:30. They are looking for ambassadors for 2025. If you are interested, let Katadyn know. They are looking for featured businesses for events for 2025. Marissa-recap of the picnic: it was a great turnout, we had 30 vendors, DJ donated his time, hoping for more vendors next year.
Member Announcements: Katadyn- son is a local cub scout, he is selling popcorn to help with camp and community events. If you would like to buy some, see Katadyn. Marta- The Yorktown band is putting on a fish fry this Saturday from 4-7 on the Green. If interested get your tickets! This will help with uniforms and other items needed. They currently have over 90 kids in the band.
Tip of the day: Mark Goodpaster- no tips for the month.
Adjournment: Promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Next Meeting: September 17th at Spangler Farms located at 8081 W CR 200 S, Yorktown IN