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Norwich Township Fire Department deploys crews to Katrina relief; trustees adopt NIMS and FLSA procedures, approve new equipment
Summary
Norwich Township sent two rotations of firefighters and an engine to St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina; trustees adopted the National Incident Management System and FLSA/28‑day scheduling rules for firefighters and approved multiple equipment purchases (new medic, SCBA units, rescue jacks, flashlights).
Norwich Township’s fire department deployed two four‑person crews and an engine to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, to support FEMA relief operations following Hurricane Katrina. The first crew (Lt. Donnie Weaston, FF Jeff Morales, FF Mike Reiterman and FF Fred Still) left Sept. 25, 2005 for a two‑week deployment; a second rotation (Lt. Aaron Johnston, FF George Sorge, FF Kevin Strawser and FF Eric Eby) relieved them in early October. Trustees recognized the deployed members in public minutes and the department awarded FEMA‑deployment and Hurricane Katrina service ribbons to the eight personnel.
Separately, trustees adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the local response standard (resolution introduced in June 2005) and authorized formal procedures to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act for firefighters, electing to use the FLSA 29 U.S.C. §207(k) provision that permits a 28‑day work period for fire/EMS employees. The board’s FLSA resolution sets a 2,912‑hour annual schedule with overtime computed per the 28‑day period and administrative requirements for pre‑approval of hours beyond the scheduled shifts.
Fire leadership requested and received authorization for several equipment purchases to improve safety and response capability: a state‑bid Horton medic (ordered with a price cap of $170,000 to capture a $3,100 early‑order discount), five demo SCBA units purchased at discounted prices, a set of vehicle stabilization/rescue jacks, additional rescue tools, digital camera equipment, and 84 Streamlight Survivor flashlights (chargers included) to be attached to personal turnout gear. Trustees approved training-related travel (seminar attendance) and recognized that some purchases were on state bid or available through demo‑unit discounts.
The board also approved a small grant for radio upgrades after the department received notice of $35,000 in grant funding for radios; the department planned purchase of nine radios with the grant. Much of the equipment procurement was justified by operational needs, mutual aid compatibility and grant deadlines.
Trustee motions: the NIMS adoption was moved by Mr. Workman and seconded by Mr. Buck; FLSA procedures were adopted in a resolution moved by Mr. Buck and seconded by Mr. Workman. Equipment requests were approved by separate motions at the relevant meetings.
