Regular Monthly Business Meeting:
Big Event and the Art and Wine Festival
The meeting, possibly the last one held in McCaughey hall, was called to order at 7:38 pm. In what will likely become a recurring theme, and one that reinforces the necessity and utility of this, my little West County Wire blog, I was the only guest in attendance (not counting the children of the Chief, who came with their mother, who is also organizing the Big Event). The Chief even asked if I had brought some new business with me, or maybe a public comment, but no. I was just wearing my reporter’s hat. (Though I did offer some typo corrections for the minutes. I know. I’m just a do-gooder, what can I say?) We sat in two shallow arcs facing the table with Treasurer Nancy Perucchi, Chief Ron Albini, Secretary Jim Grant and Secretary Laird Sutton seated behind it. After the minutes were accepted, the Chief started things rolling with the past month's incident report.
The business of fire fighting
Something strange is afoot at the Seagull Deli in Bodega Bay. The alarm went off twice last month, and once the month before that. Could be something as simple as burning food or as complicated as an electrical failure in the alarm system. The alarm at the Tides keeps going off, too, four times in the pas two months; steam from the shower is the suspected culprit there. Unfortunately, every time the alarm goes off, volunteers have to come running so the trucks can roll. Why is Bodega responding to Bodega Bay alarms, you ask? A little something we like to call covering each other’s backs, but they like to call mutual assist. All the local departments do it.
Other than that, the calls came in a normal rate, about one every two days last month. Medical assist and vehicle accidents are the most common reasons the fire bell rings. The company has also sent a truck out to Sears Point Raceway several times this summer for fire duty and medical aid. Chief Albini calls it “easy money” because the department receives $1000 for the truck, and it just sits there (unless there’s a fire) while they zip around on a golf cart provided by the racetrack to provide whatever medical aid is required. The gig also provides a little pocket money for the volunteers, altogether a good thing.
Two trainings are coming up this month, if you are thinking of joining the department. State standards require all volunteers to maintain a professional skill level, so wildland fire training is scheduled for 8/12 and structure protection on 8/26.
The new fire hall is “coming along smoothly,” according to the Chief. He says the big doors should be on by this weekend, and the plan is to have the little doors in place as well, so the building can be locked up securely. He said the building is 75% complete. I noticed coming in to town that the building area is all neat and tidy in preparation for the Bodega Big Event this weekend.
Old business
The Department newsletter has gone out, thanks in large part to Secretary Sutton, who stepped up his game while Secretary Grant was recovering from surgery. There seem to be more donations in response to the newsletter, while the department has had no complaints about the increased membership dues; all good news. (The department relies on dues, donations and grants for its entire budget, which is normally surprisingly low. But when a capital-intensive project, like the new station house, is in the works, it can go up precipitously: the month of June saw $186,320.88 leave the coffers.)
Other little things: the paperwork has been completed to get a water tank from the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District water conservation program; Chief Albini is talking to the insurance company about the damage to McCaughey Hall caused by an errant driver; the application for a recruitment grant was turned down; and purchases not directly related to the Big Event and the Art and Wine Festival will be put off until those events are over.
Fundraising
Speaking of which, the new business was all about the two imminent fundraisers. The Big Event, now in its 30th year, will be held Sunday, August 15, from 10:15 to 5. There will be the Smallest Big Parade in the county in the morning with barbeque and live music all afternoon (with yours truly as Master of Ceremonies). Crafts and activities are planned and volunteers are still needed to help at the tables on Sunday. You could also come Saturday afternoon and help set up. New this year: Les Kamens and his magical blue screen! Les will put you and your family in a scene from Bodega’s past in return for a donation to the Fire Department. Sounds like a win/win to me!
The Art and Wine Festival, being held on the weekend of the 28th/29th, is also looking for volunteers. If you have always wanted to help run a duck race, get in touch with Vickie Watts and let her know. There are morning and evening shifts available both days. Other than that, the wine is donated, the artists invited, the bands booked and Bodega is ready to rock and roll!
(By the way, if you see any of the wonderful people who put these events together year after year to keep the Fire Department out of the red, like Linda Albini, Vickie Watts, Columbina Albini and Nancy Perucchi, give them a pat on the back. They deserve it!)
Meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm.
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