March 20, 2008
Regular Meeting:
The regular monthly meeting of the Mississippi Valley Firefighters Association was held at the Cambridge
Fire Station on March 20, 2008. The meeting was called to order by President Dave Liebovitz at 6:30 P.M.
followed by roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call showed 14 members from 11 departments were
present. The meeting broke for everyone to eat and Dan Vandevale introduced Duane Bales from IFSI from
Gold Star FS. Duane gave a short presentation on E-85 fuels and some of the problems and increased
amount of the fuel in the area. IFSI has a 4-hour firefighter class on how to handle E-85 fires and two website
to visit to learn more on the fuel. The website are Ansul.com and the IFSI website under the ethanol tab. After
Duane finished, Bill and Lois Hall from the Clinton County (Iowa) Sheriff’s auxiliary put on a presentation for
their search and rescue dogs. The meeting reconvened at 8:30 PM.
After a short break a moment of silence was observed for fallen firefighters, then the minutes of the last
meeting were read, motioned to accept, voted on and accepted. The treasure's report was read. The
checking account balance was $237.31 and the savings account balance was $4142.63. Motion to accept
treasures report was made, voted on, and passed.
In new business, John Swan reported that MABAS 39 had submitted paperwork for a grant for $140,000.00
worth of Star Track Portable radios. These will go to Haz-Mat and TRT members to be used to page out and
talk during calls. John also brought up the numbering system for MABAS to identify each department during
calls. The state has plans for 10 supply trailers to be stationed around the state that will house tents in case
there is a need for a tent city after a disaster. These will be stationed at FED EX and UPS lots and if needed,
they will deliver to where ever they are needed. Rick Norin has retired as Chief of the Hampton Fire
Department and is no longer on the board. Mark Carton has moved up to fill the spot and Vicki LeClair has
come back on to fill Mark’s spot. Jerry from RI County ESDA is retiring and a motion was made and seconded
to donate $50.00 to the pot to purchase a going away present. John Swan will make the purchase and we will
refund to him. Mercer County is holding an IS –300 class on March 29& 30th. Atkinson/Cambridge will have a
house burn in June/July that the Association will sponsor. Chris Cristofferson will be retiring from VFIS this
year. He will be trying to meet with everyone to introduce his replacement.
Communications:
April 6 Pancake Breakfast Colona
April 26, Spaghetti Supper Carbon Cliff
May 3 Pancake Breakfast Viola
May 18 Pancake Breakfast Cambridge
Dave Liebovitz said thank you to the Cambridge Fire Department for hosting the meeting at their station. Next
meeting will be at Carbon Cliff on April 17, 2008. Fire Chiefs meeting at 6:00 PM, general membership meeting
starting at 6:30 PM. Meeting adjourned at 9:03 PM.
Dale Mueller
Sec/Treasure