Michigan Fire Service Instructor’s Association
Executive Board Meeting
September 3, 2003
Minutes

Executive Board Meeting
Mid-Michigan Health Park, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
September 3, 2003

Present: President Bob Austin, Secretary Brian Blomstrom, Northern VP J.R. St. Croix, Western VP Bob Systema, Southern VP Ray Wilson, Trustee Lenny Underwood

Absent: Executive VP Michael Cousins, Treasurer Michael Greis, East VP Ken Lawfield, UP VP Robert Schwarz, Trustee Bryce Tracy, Trustee Pete Mata, Trustee Don Bigger

Roll Call: Blomstrom took roll call at 1131AM; Austin advised Cousins, Greis, Lawfield, Schwarz, Mata, and Bigger were excused from the meeting while Tracy was absent.

Minutes from Last Meeting: The minutes from June 19, 2003, were accepted at typed (Systema/Underwood).

Communications: Austin advised of three letters received in the last two months. Two letters were from the Fire Expo Committee and one was from Greg Kirt, MFFTC. One Fire Expo letter indicated the Committee was looking for representatives to sit on the board for the 2004 Convention; the other letter pertained to "seed money" (see Special Committees below). Kirt's letter pertained to requesting input reference the Fire Officer I and II curriculum from students and instructors.

Treasurer Report: No report.

Standing Committees:

Constitution and By-Laws: Mata had no report.

Public Relations: Underwood had no report.

Membership: Wilson had no report.

Education/Research: Tracy was absent; no report.

Instructor of the Year: Austin advised the application form was posted on the website and there will be an application in Fire Service News. Regional Vice-presidents were asked to have a nomination from each region as well.

Conference/Program: All MFSIA members should have received a packet in the mail reference the upcoming conference in October. The flashover simulator was cancelled due to the cost and size of the exhibit but the Michigan Propane Association will be on hand for hands-on training involving extinguishment of propane fires. PowerPoint presentations, as well as a class regarding preplanning and safety considerations using NIOSH reports will be offered. Programs scheduled for the conference will be both Chief and Instructor orientated. There will be individual day rates offered and the banquet is scheduled for Friday night.

Special Committees:
Joint Council: No Report.

FFTC: The Fire Marshal Division and the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council is scheduled to be placed under the Consumer and Industry Services Division within the next month. This will include the position of State Fire Marshal. Michigan State Police fire investigators will remain within the MSP, but all other fire related services will be transferred to CIS.

Fire Service Expo: The MFISA received a "thank you" letter for the use of $1000 to start the Fire Service Expo. The board had the option of requesting this money be returned to the organization or a $1000 sponsorship could be purchased for the 2004 Expo. Motion to have the $1000 returned to the MFSIA was proposed and passed (Blomstrom/Systema). The 2004 Fire Service Expo is scheduled for June 23-27. Likewise, Lawfield is also the Treasurer for the 2004 Expo Committee.

Application for Membership: Non e

Old Business:
The finalized copy of the Training Funding Bill is being written at this time. Most of the insurance companies involved are in agreement with this bill. The base amount of the training budget, if passed by the House and the Senate, will be approximately $10.6 million dollars.

Blomstrom advised US Mail was still sending out the minutes, and he would be requesting approximately $205 dollars from Greis to cover the mailing for October.

New Business:
The upcoming Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Roscommon and a monetary donation to the memorial was discussed. A motion was entertained and passed to donate $100 to the upkeep of the memorial (St. Croix/Austin). Wilson and Blomstrom indicated they will be at the service and could present the check on behalf of the organization.

Good of the Order:
Underwood asked if any members knew of Northern Michigan fire departments in need of 2.2 Scott SCBA.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was entertained and passed (Systema/Underwood). The meeting was adjourned at 12:34PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian K. Blomstrom
Secretary