Fire District discusses hiring training officer

The busyness of the position of Ville Platte and Fire District #2 Fire Chief brought about discussion of hiring a training officer at the district’s Tuesday night meeting.
Fire chief Chris Harrison said, “With the amount of paid and volunteer firemen that we have, I could really use the help.”
While the exact job duties of this position are still unknown, Harrison did say that one thing that the person who fills this position would be required to do is manage fire house software.
Harrison said, “When I am taking care of things in the office and then there is a call, I have to stop what I am doing to see about the call. This just makes it difficult to get office work complete.”
No board members disagreed with the fact that it would be beneficial to hire a training officer, but they want more information before the decision is made.
Board chairman Hunter Soileau said, “I know that you could really use the help, so I have nothing against this idea. We do however need to make sure that the numbers are right with the city so that we will pay the same portion of this person’s salary as we do for everyone else and the city will pay the rest.”
The Fire District #2 pays 26% of Ville Platte’s firemen’s salaries, while the city pays the remaining amount.
The board asked Harrison to speak with Ville Platte’s mayor Jennifer Vidrine to see if the city will pay the same portion of the new position’s salary.
At their next meeting, the board hopes to have an answer to their question concerning pay, as well as guidelines as to what the duties will be for the training officer.
Other items approved were:
•Accept the lowest bid from Harvey Parks Jr. in the amount of $1,300.00 for the 1969 Mac Fire Engine Truck.
•Move the March meeting to Wednesday March 23, 2016.