Oconee County review: mini pumpers arriving, physicals to go to bid; county stresses medical screenings and cancer reporting

Commissioners and chiefs at the Oconee County Fire Commission meeting said the first of two mini pumpers has arrived and is being stocked in Westminster to become operational. The second mini pumper is scheduled to be picked up later next week for mounting and outfitting.

The commission said a new county physicals contract will be put out to bid next week and is planned as a five-year contract with authorization sought by July. Staff and chiefs emphasized that county policy ties incentive pay to completion of county physicals; members were told firefighters without county physicals should not be allowed on scenes because of liability concerns. The meeting transcript noted the price of physicals is increasing and that the county budget for the program is not growing significantly; specific dollar figures were not provided.

Region 1 representatives and other speakers urged firefighters to use the Firefighters Association (Columbia) for cancer-claim assistance, saying that association help had secured substantial payments for at least one member. A Region 1 representative said an application filed outside the association process had been denied, and recommended contacting the association’s designated contact (referenced by given name only in the meeting) for guidance.

The commission also thanked personnel and partner agencies for support of the annual awards banquet, which drew more than 230 attendees and recognized responders for over 22 medical or life-safety events. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting.