Board of Trustees March 13, 2025
West Blount Fire & EMS District
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire
Station No. 1 on March 13, 2025, the meeting was opened by Marty Stover, Chair, at 6:00, with
prayer by Danny Smith. Five trustees were present, with Jamie Huffstutler on the phone, plus
Clay Jones, Acting Chief, Christie Moore, Treasurer, Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager.
The minutes of the February 13, 2025, meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy,
seconded by Danny Smith.
Financial report – The operating balance for February 2025 was $202,581.23. Total income
was $109,129.77, with dues of $ 101,689.08. Total expenses were $51,387.78, including
payroll of $32,229.01, and repair and maintenance of $5,198.74.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for February 2025 were 128, including 10 out-of-area (5 – Mt.
High/Ricetown; 4 – Bangor; 1 – Locust Fort/Dallas-Selfville; 3 – Nectar/Cleveland): 76 medical,
2 structure fire, 9 auto accident, 9 fire alarm, 4 vehicle fire, 11 public service, 7 wild fire, 0 fire
other, 0 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 56; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 52; Sta. 3
Sugar Creek, 9; Sta. 4, Nyota, 1.
The following was also reported:
Bangor has appointed a new volunteer fire chief. They have been actively running calls
again, although it is sporadic, it is more than they were doing. A meeting will be set up
between our board and Bangor’s board to discuss the mutual aid between stations on
March 29th at 3:00 PM, at Station 1 for the purpose of discussing procedures that will be
beneficial to both departments.
The following promotions were announced; Zac Williams to Assistant Chief, Jessie
Watkins to Captain, Volunteer Nic Payne to Lieutenant; duties were assigned to each of
the six officers
With Chief Ivey’s resignation and restructuring of the department administrative staff,
there will be an illumination of a third day-shift position resulting in a department savings
of nearly $30,000
Request for approval of establishing PTO (Personal Time Off) for firefighters and office
staff instead of being overtime; must take the accrued time off in same year as
accumulated. Currently volunteers are paid $10 per call, requested to make that $10
per hour
1992 was sent to the shop with a “turbo code,” which was caused by a DPR (diesel
particle filter) being stopped up. It was decided to delete the DPF, forego replacement;
the turbo failed and needed replacement costing $3400, the reserve ambulance has
been uised as a backup rescue truck to increase the longevity of engines. This will be
protocol moving forward to fully utilize the equipment available and reduce wear and
tear on apparatus..
Preventative Maintenance with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus began March 12 and
will finish March 14. This will be the first such inspection, and will continue on a yearly
basis.
The Vehicle Asset Inventory will become a monthly item to include each individual unit’s
response status, as well as a year-to-date cost analysis including up to 12 months prior,
which will be useful determining a cost vs. use analysis to make better decisions.
West Blount Fire Board – March 13, 2025 Page 2
Two non-useable trucks have been moved or are in the process of being moved from
Station 1: Mt. High’s inoperable truck from drill field; antique truck to be moved to empty
bay at Station 4
Quotes have been obtained for office renovation to make the area more functional.
In return for our personnel assisting Tradition’s Bank at Tradition’s Park, a $1,000
donation was received, with the hope that it can be added to the office renovation project
with any remaining funds to go to the Training Fund
Currently we are two years away from any Turnout Gear needing replacement; suggest
that purchasing personal items, i.e. firefighter helmets, firefighter gloves, firefighter
hoods, costing approximately $6,200, $2,300 below budget
For grant award year 2026, suggest we pursue a complete Personal Protective
Equipment grant; total grant award between $125,00 and $175,000, department’s upfront
cost5 less than $20,000, resulting in a 10-year savings of over $100,000
Hose testing will be conducted on March 25; apparatus pump testing on April 7
We will host a VFF:160-Module I class beginning April 7 (this class will certify volunteer
personnel to state minimum qualifications); Module II beginning April 28; Module III
tentatively beginning May 12; and Module IV projected for week of June 2. This class is
open to departments across the state and we will host 20 students representing 7
different departments
Suggestion to schedule a “drill field” day where we invite board members from various
departments to attend and see our training in action
We have sent our recruits to Mountain Brook Fire Department Recruit School at a cost of
$5,500 per recruit; have partnered with Fort Payne Fire & Rescue where the cost will be
$3,200, with first five weeks hosted at West Blount, with classes in the evening. This
would result in a savings of approximately $9,600
Will bring back the scholarship program for Hayden High students to enroll in fire training;
four scholarships of $835 each; scholarship committee representing Traditions Bank,
Hayden Town Hall and West Blount Fire Board to determine nominees after reading
essays submitted by the applicants. The scholarships will be named to honor those who
have contributed to West Blount’s success:
The Gregory J. Reid Legacy Scholarship
The Jim & Dolores Fort Commitment to Service Scholarship
The Marty Stover Impact Scholarship
The Donald (JJ) Ivey Leadership and Service Scholarship
The UAV drone has been received and already been used, posted on Facebook; a
definite asset for our department
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Old Business
Billing Update – There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the
amount of $1,046.68 for February collections, with total received to date of $245.635.99. There
was one new account added. Fire dues received in February was $78,974.18 in checks or cash,
$22,284.89 in Credit/Debit card. There were also $4,761.90 Insurance reimbursement, $1,50
donations, $1,003.87 landfill, $635 MSM fees, $429.93 other income. Total collected for
February was $109,139.77 [income from February 2024 was $91,958.12]. Total collected for the
year was $226,011.36.
West Blount Fire Board – March 13, 2025 Page 3
There were 3,627 accounts invoiced. There are 1338 accounts paid in full. There are 2,289
accounts with a balance. At the end of February there are 37% of accounts paid in full,
compared to 45% in February 2024. There were 39 exemptions approved in February and one
exemption denied, totaling $6,000 in exemptions adjustments.
Third Party Billing – Payments received in February, 2025, were for $7,412.34, making a total of
$14,432.73 for 2025. There are 15 invoices outstanding, one invoice approved awaiting
payment of $887.25, and one invoice under a payment plan of $901.68. Recovery efforts have
been expanded to include reckless burning, meaning if someone intentionally sets a fire during
a “ No Burn Order,” a “No Burn Advisory,” or starts a fire without proper site preparation and the
fire draws a fire department response, the responsible party will be billed. The last payment has
been received prior to the Incentive Program being established, thus all future receipts will be
included in the 60/20/20 program.
Blount Springs – Blount County Water Authority is replacing the regulator and fixing the areas
that caused the problems that have occurred since they took over the water distribution.
Brindlee Mountain Update – Their inspections will be done on a yearly basis.
Alexander Trucking (Regular Vehicle Maintenance) – They will do all repairs except pumps.
Nominations for Chief - Dolores Fort nominated Clay Jones for West Blount Fire & Rescue Fire
Chief, Danny Smith seconded the nomination. Clay Jones was unanimously elected .
New Business
Antique Fire Truck – The second truck owned by the department, No. 1965, which had been
purchased by Joyner and Nell Weems for use at the Sugar Creek Fellowship Campground was
donated back to West Blount Fire Dept. by Mac and Pat Weems McAllister. Mr. McAllister was
present and stated Sugar Creek Music Club would like to help restore the truck so it could be
used for different events, i.e. July 4th, Christmas Parade, special events. He would like to hold a
variety musical show at Sugar Creek, and make it an annual event, with all profits going to the
West Blount Fire Department for the restoration. Mr. McAllister presented a document
concerning the donation of the fire truck to the fire department, which listed several conditions
including the request of being part of a dedication ceremony, a plaque attached to the driver
side of the truck “From the family of Joyner and Nell Weems in Loving Memory,” and when and
if the truck is used in the Christmas Parade, Santa Mac McAllister be given first opportunity to
ride the truck.
By-Law Revision – A proposed revision was presented for Article V – Department Officers to be
amended as follows:
“Minimum Qualifications for Fire Chief:
a. Career certified as Firefighter I/II
b. A minimum of five (5) years of service as, and currently serving as, a Captain or higher in a
paid fire department, with preference given to candidates who have served in an administrative
role.
c. Fire Officer I certification.
West Blount Fire Board – March 13, 2025 Page 4
d. Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certification.
e. EMT-Basic certification.
f. Fire Investigator certification.
g. Fire Inspector certification.
h. Fire Department Incident Safety Officer certification.
This amendment supersedes any previous language regarding the minimum qualifications for
Fire Chief under Article V and is effective immediately upon adoption.”
On motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith, the above By-Law Amendment was
adopted to take effect immediately.
Appointment of New Fire Chief – A motion was made by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny
Smith, to hire Clay Jones as Fire Chief for West Blount Fire & EMS District effective immediately
as of March 13, 2025. Motion carried. Congratulations were extended to our new Fire Chief.
A motion was made by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith, to increase the chief’s pay to
$20 per hour effective immediately. Motion carried.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6:00 PM at Station One.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM on motion by Mark Giddy.
Present
Dolores Fort
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler (by phone)
Danny Smith
Marty Stover
Clay Jones
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Several firefighters
Mac McAllister
Dolores Fort
Secretary
