Board of Trustees April 10, 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 April 10, 2025, the meeting was opened by Marty Stover, Chair, at 6:00, with
prayer by Danny Smith. Five trustees were present, plus Clay Jones, Chief, Christie Moore,
Treasurer, Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager.
The minutes of the March 13, 2025, meeting were accepted on motion by Danny Smith,
seconded by Mark Giddy.
Financial report – The operating balance for March 2025 was $304,630.95. Total income was
$147,696.29, with dues of $144,298.35. Total expenses were $45,646.57, including payroll of
$35,999.29, and repair and maintenance of $4,186.73.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for March 2025 were 150, plus 14 out-of-area for a total of 164 (8 –
Bangor; 0 – Corner; 2 – Dallas-Selfville; 0 – Locust Fork; 2 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 1 – Nectar; 1
– Warrior): 71 medical, 22 auto accident; 2 structure fire, 19 wild fire, 4 vehicle fire, 7 fire alarm,
3 fire other, 12 public service, 10 tree down, 0 HAZMAT. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1
Hayden, 71; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 72; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 5; Sta. 4, Nyota, 2.
The following was also reported:
New redesigned shirts have been ordered for all personnel
Re ambulance response times: working towards upgrading EMS capabilities from EMT
Advanced to EMT Paramedic; Explorer will become a quick response vehicle that will be
equipped with ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) medications and equipment to
help with EMS calls where ambulance response times are extended or in Trauma type
calls [current times are very slow – Blount Health Care Authority will pay us to have
whole blood available including refrigeration, it will take $400 to get us established]
1992 was back in service for a week but sent back to the shop due to excessive oil
consumption. No estimate of repairs yet, but may be covered due to turbo seal gasket
failure
Explorer, 2009 model, still in shop waiting on backordered part, covered under shop
warranty
Preventative Maintenance with Brindlee Mountain has been completed; most all
apparatus received clean bills of health, minor issues will be worked through.
Engine 1952 at station 2 needs brakes; will be relocated to station 1 for a 30-day trial
because of excessive brake wear due to its weight and geographic location which
includes a lot of hills
Annual pump test completed
Hose testing completed, only one section failed, which was 30 years old
Office renovation has begun, 3 bids received, lowest by Good Works Builders for
$3,396.03, with $2,500 from budget and $900 from Insurance Reimbursement Fund
Pictures of board members and firefighters will be displayed in the newly designed foyer
on both sides of the service window.
The hill next to the station dangerous for mowing and causes excessive run-off into the
station and parking lot. J&J Excavating has agreed to provide earth works to fix the
issue and make it safer for a cost not to exceed $1,500
West Blount Fire Board – April 10, 2025 Page 2
Classroom/Meeting room renovation to include painting, updated maps and training aids
to be paid out of insurance reimbursement fund
New helmets, gloves and nomex hoods have been purchased
Mountain Brook Fire Department donated new gear for our volunteers
CAWACO Grant $60,000 – cost up front to us $10,500, will get 100% reimbursement if
grant awarded; more helmets are needed. Jamie Huffstutler made a motion, seconded
by Mark Giddy to apply for the grant. Motion carried.
Training: VFF 160 (Volunteer fire fighter) Module 1 began on 4/7/2025, 20 students from
across the state are attending
Engines 1991 and 1992 have high maintenance costs, recommend selling both; 1992
would be listed at or near $70,000 and not accept less than $65,000. Jamie Huffstutler
made a motion, seconded by Danny Smith to sell 1992 at suggested price. Motion
passed.
Explorer 1973 quick response paramedic vehicle recommend selling for $8,000 to
$10,000; available to purchase 2012 F-150 4x4 for $5,000 from City of Mountain Brook.
Jamie Huffstutler made a motion, seconded by Danny Smith, to purchase the truck for
$5,000. Motion passed.
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Old Business
Billing Update – There was no check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) for
March collections. There were seven new accounts added. Fire dues received in March was
$96,276.01 in checks or cash, $47,787.34 in Credit/Debit card. There were also $175
assessment fees, $7,412.34 Insurance reimbursement, $890 MSM fees, $655.60 other income.
Total collected for March was $153,196.29 [income from March 2024 was $111,584.90]. Total
collected for the year was $379,207.65 [income for 2024 was $373,136.46].
There were 3,634 accounts invoiced. There are 2,245 accounts paid in full. There are 1,389
accounts with a balance. At the end of March there are 62% of accounts paid in full, compared
to 61% in March 2024. There were 20 exemptions approved in March and three exemptions
denied, totaling $9,000 in exemptions adjustments for 2025.
Third Party Billing – Payments received in March, 2025, were $190.34, making a total of
$14,622.73 for 2025. There are 21 invoices outstanding, one invoice approved awaiting
payment of $887.25, and one invoice under a payment plan of $901.68.
Blount Springs – no change
Brindlee Mountain Update – Their inspections completed at a cost of $9,505.
Alexander Trucking (Regular Vehicle Maintenance) – no update
By-Law reguarding Chief Qualifications – Jamie Huffstutler made a motion, seconded by Danny
Smith to approve the change as presented last meeting. Motion carried.
The revised By-Law will read as follows:
“Minimum Qualifications for Fire Chief:
West Blount Fire Board – April 10, 2025 Page 3
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.
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.”
New Business
Transfer of Funds – We currently have $317,752 in the checking account, plus $102,429.95 in a
CD, which means we earned through the interest almost $2,500 in the CD. A motion was made
by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy, to move $100,000 from the general fund to a six-
months CD at 4.25% interest. Motion unanimously passed.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6:00 PM at Station One.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM on motion by Jamie Huffstutler.
Present
Dolores Fort
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Danny Smith
Marty Stover
Clay Jones
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Several firefighters
Dolores Fort
Secretary
