08-11-2022 MinutesCity of Ocoee
Minutes of the Citizen Advisory Council for the Ocoee Fire Department
Regular Meeting Held Aug 11, 2022
I. CALL TO ORDER
The CACOFD meeting was called to order by Chair Vaughn at 6:02 pm in the Station 25
Training Room, located at 563 S. Bluford Avenue.
Pledge of Allegiance was performed by Chair Vaughn, followed by a Moment of Silence.
Roll Call and Determination of Quorum: Recording Clerk Ramos performed roll call and
declared a quorum present.
Members in Attendance: Chair Vaughn, and Members Channell, Richardson, and Legvold
Members Absent: Orme
Also Present: Commissioner Firstner and Acting Fire Chief Smothers
Guest: Rick Keppler resident with Ocoee since 1989
II. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Old Business: Approval of Minutes for May 12, 2022
Chair Vaughn requested for the Council to take a moment and review the minutes from the last
meeting, and if anyone had any questions or concerns to please discuss.
Motion to Approve May 12, 2022 Minutes; Moved by Member Channell, seconded by Member
Richardson. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Vaughn complemented Acting Fire Chief for the well -organized ceremony for retirees and
newly pinned fire fighters.
Chair Vaughn also asked Acting Fire Chief Smothers about the grant we received for the exhaust
system for one of our engines. Acting Fire Chief discussed the exhaust has been added to our
engine. Also, stated that this equipment is a $12,000.00 unit that captures all the diesel fumes and
prevents our firefighter's from being contaminated and reduces cancer risks.
Chair Vaugh then asked have we set up a date for Firefighter of the Year? Acting Fire Chief
Smothers stated his plan was for next meeting to have nominees that our piers have suggested to
be firefighter of the year.
B. New Business:
Chair Vaughn discussed Public Safety Advisory Board and possibly combining the Fire
department and Police department due to decreased membership. Acting Fire Chief Smothers
stated he sees both sides and we do work under the same umbrella as Police in regards to public
safety and we have combined our Citizens Fire Academy which has been very successful.
Commissioner Firstner then stated that his biggest concern is the numbers for this committee
CACOFD Regular Meeting
May 12, 2022
are dwindling and it is getting difficult to have a pliable advisory council. We do a great job with
awards every year and a fantastic job with the open house. But we don't have that many
members to participate in other things on your objective like public education and interface with
the community. Member Richardson stated he spent 31 years in firefighting and his allegiance
is with the fire department. Member Richardson then stated that there was no discussion about
combining the two together and what was the biggest factor. Commissioner Firstner asked if he
could see any benefit of combining the two together and police has healthy numbers to keep their
board healthy. He agrees that he belongs to the fire department and he does not want to see it
dissolve. Also, no one is pushing this and it was a recommendation from the clerk's office. Only
if everyone is interested in it. If we can go out and recruit a get active members we can be
successful. We can go to homeowner meetings with literature and the clerk's office is a good
place to start for assistance. Active Fire Chief Smothers stated he is open to do Ice Cream with
the Fire Chief. Commissioner Firstner stated the clerk's office is the central contact for events
and personnel that we can reach out to. We have to find out what we want to do and find out how
much it is going to cost. And if we can get 4 new members this will relieve the stress for our
committee. We can have residents and business owners recruited. Chair Vaughn stated we can
make it work and we know what we need to do.
Chair Vaughn then stated we have a new Training Captain and asked Acting Fire Chief Smothers
to tell us about him. Acting Fire Chief Smothers stated our new Training Captain Ken Henderson
comes to us from Orange County with 30 years of experience. He has three in orientation right
now and is a huge benefit for them. We have another new hire for Sept 61h and only 3 vacancies
to be filled soon.
Chair Vaughn stated that we are in hurricane season and are we ready. Acting Fire Chief
Smothers stated we have all of our plans completed and ready.
C. Under Construction: City Growth:
Chair Vaughn asked if new Sonny's is opened. Acting Fire Chief Smothers stated that the full
CO will be given by the end of this month. Commissioner Fisrstner stated Bella Tuscany will be
opening where the old Rusteak was. He also stated Ocoee Apopka will have light industrial
buildings. There will be townhomes on West Road. Clarcona Ocoee will have a 320-unit
apartment and Lakewood will have 20,000 square feet retail, gas and full -service restaurant. We
will have a new Starbucks on Ocoee Apopka. Legacy Senior Living on Roberson. Love Motor
sports on Colonial Dr. Across from the new City Hall will be Freedom Park. And more to come.
Acting Fire Chief Smothers Comments:
Acting Fire Chief Smothers American Red Cross will be coming out for smoke detector blitzes
like we did in 2016.We got a call a month ago that there was a fire in a structure that we put up a
new smoke detector and they were able to get their family together and save their lives. The Red
Cross will be bringing that family over to do a presentation because Lt. Smothers was the
firefighter who put up that detector.
Acting Fire Chief Smothers also advised that we are in the process of accreditation. The whole
team is working diligently to get our records together for recertification.
D. Transport Update:
Acting Fire Chief Smothers stated they have been very successful. Transport will estimate 1.1
million in revenue.
CACOFD Regular Meeting
May 12, 2022
III. SET NEXT AGENDA
Chair Vaughn received input from Council members and set the agenda for the next meeting,
which will be held on November 10, 2022. The agenda was established as below:
A. Old Business —Approval of Minutes for Aug 11, 2022
B. New Business
C. Under Construction - City Growth
D. Transport Update
E. Chiefs Comments
IV. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 7:11pm.
ATTEST: APPROVAL
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