Genesee Fire Protection District

Board of Directors’ Meeting

October 15, 2025

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 18:00 by President Neil Frame

Attendance and Explantion of Absences

Board Members in Attendance: Neil Frame, Mark Villa, Greg Klaiber, Branch Russell (via Zoom) Approved Absence:  Keith Dierking Also Attending:, Josh Boyles, Max Herte, Kris Kleiner, Will Quinby Zoom:  Christina Jantzef 

Approval of the September 17, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

• Motion made, seconded and unanimously approved

Public Comment & Announcements

• No public comment

Financial Reports

Review of August financials

• The September 2025 financial report was presented by Christina Jantzef.
• Total operating budget is at 56% for the year.
• Revenue is at 88% for the year.
• $806,144.47 paid thus far for the EAR project.

A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to accept the year-to-date financials as presented.

Review of Notable Payable - Nothing to report 

Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants

Administrators/Training Coordinator - Lt. Max Herte

• Genesee Fire Protection District performed a “ladder pick” operation with Foothills Fire Rescue and Highland Rescue on October 8 at the lookout at the Buffalo Bill Museum.  
• The Evergreen Fire Academy is at the halfway point in training new recruits. Training has focused on mastering ladder operations, bailouts, and search and rescue techniques. It continues in preparation for a live burn exercise that will be conducted later in the academy schedule.
• Monthly training has recently focused on vehicle extrication. The department was satisfied with the use of the newly purchased tech gear during the training sessions.  
• Genesee Fire Protection District is hosting driver operator training for three members of the department. 

Apparatus Coordinator - Lt. Max Herte

• Total calls are at 237 for the year.
  • 26 Working fires
  • 4 Structure fires
  • 106 Medical calls
  • 1 Lockout
  • 5 Extracations
  • 3 Hazmat incidents
  • 52 Cancelled calls
  • 16 Fire alarms
• Truck usage thus far for the year.
  • 954 0 calls 
  • 959 4 calls
  • 931 97 calls
  • 932 10 calls
  • 971 15 calls
  • 921 66 calls
  • 923 7 calls 

Recruiting - Lt. Kris Kleiner

• New recruits will have the option of completing EMT training prior to the formal Fire Fighter One training scheduled for later in 2026.
• The Genesee Fire Protection District was awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant hosted by FEMA.  
  • This grant will offset costs incurred for recruitment, retention, and training.  
  • The grant is worth $470,000 over a three-year period for the department. It can be billed for salaries as well as training and recruitment costs.

Medical - Captain Doug Barenburg

• EMT training for the Department is now scheduled twice a year.
• CPR Training is scheduled for four times a year.
• Genesee Fire Protection District hosted a CPR training for six-teen educators from Lookout Mountain Preschool. 

Auxiliary - Chief Josh Boyles

• The GFPD Auxiliary is planning the annual Haunted House on Friday, October 31.
• The Annual Membership Party has been scheduled for January 16, 2026 at Mount Vernon County Club.

Old Business

EAR Update - Owner's Representative Will Quinby

• Work on the EAR has begun in both directions with a “Pioneer Road” that extends 1,100 feet from Highway 74.
• Culverts have been casted to support the northern and southern stream crossings of the EAR project.
• Planning continues to dedicate a disposal area at the Tot Lot with less material than originally proposed.  Material will still serve a noise abatement barrier, as requested by a nearby resident, to block the noise of the chipper operated by the Genesee Foundation crews.
• Negotiations with Exel regarding access to a road for a replacement of a power pole is ongoing.  

2026 Budget - Chief Josh Boyles

• Planning continues in preparation to finalize the 2026 budget. This planning includes a possible station bay expansion and the replacement of Ladder 971.  

Front Door - Chief Josh Boyles and Lt. Kris Kleiner

• The Department is transitioning to new exterior door locks.
• The new front door replacement and additional new locks on all exterior doors will cost $11,300.00.
• To save money and keep costs to a minimal expense, the Department is using  a combination of in-house work and contracted installation to complete the project.    

New Business

Replacement of Utility 921 discussion - Chief Josh Boyles

• Advanced planning indicates that the replacement of Utility 921 will be postponed due to more pressing financial  issues.

Building addition discussion - Chief Josh Boyles

• It was proposed that the timing of an addition to Station One bay and building would benefit the Genesee Fire Protection District in various ways. First, the timing of available soil and dirt excavated from the EAR project could be added to the surrounding Station One layout to provide a foundation for such a building project at minimal cost. Second, there is a need for additional space to park and protect apparatus from the elements. Third, an agreement to house a Highland Rescue ambulance in Station One, along with an additional building expansion, could benefit Genesee residents directly by providing advanced life support closer than what currently exists out of the district.

Vehicle PM update - Chief Josh Boyles

• With approval, the Genesee Fire Protection District will enter into a contract with Fire Truck Solutions (FTS) to service and conduct preventive maintenance (PM) on the department's apparatus. This opportunity will provide scheduled PMs needed to maintain the fleet. The estimated cost for the contract will be $17,000 yearly.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously “to allow the Genesee Fire Protection District to enter into a contract for scheduled PM and maintenance of its fleet with Fire Truck Solutions for $17,000 yearly.” 

Meeting Adjournment

• There being no further business, the board meeting was adjourned at 19:55