Tangipahoa fire board approves monthly finances, orders chiefs to address overages and driving infractions

The Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection Board on March 23 approved its monthly budget and check registers and directed fire chiefs to meet to address several departments reporting year-end overages and rising insurance costs.

During routine reports, the finance committee said some stations are trending high and recommended individual meetings with chiefs to review over- and under-spending. The board moved to approve the monthly financials and check registers; the motion passed on roll call.

Board members raised insurance as a pressing concern. Staff told the board insurance brokers are "shopping our insurance" and are requesting drivers' license numbers and motor-vehicle records (MVRs) to assess carrier risk. Members said some crews have driving infractions, including failure to wear seat belts, categorized in the meeting as level-two infractions. The board said chiefs should develop standard consequences for infractions and agreed chiefs — not the board — should propose discipline policies.

A board member warned that without corrective action the parish could face a large premium increase, noting an estimate of "another $200,000 or more" in additional costs if insurers raise rates or drop coverage. The board scheduled a chiefs' meeting for March 30 to collect outstanding documentation and finalize protocols for handling driving infractions and MVR compliance.

The board also discussed using in-vehicle camera evidence to demonstrate to carriers that infractions are being handled. No formal personnel actions were taken at the meeting; the board assigned chiefs to produce recommended consequences and to return with proposed procedures to prevent further insurance exposure.