Members of fire departments in Lincoln County have been invited to attend a firefighter training seminar in Rockland County, N.Y, the weekend of May 31.

At their February 19 meeting, the county commissioners approved the cost of a chartered bus to transport them. EMA Director Tim Pellerin told the commissioners he attempted to get quotes for the service but discovered there is only one company in Maine available, Custom Coach and Limousine out of Portland.

Commissioner Kenneth Honey made the motion to approve the cost of $3,051 for chartering the bus, with a deposit of $350 due by February 29.

The firefighters' training in New York happens every other year.

The relationship between Lincoln and Rockland counties was established by Don Hastings, who now lives in Jefferson, but used to be the fire chief of the Rockland County fire department before he moved to Maine.

The hands-on-training for the firefighters will include Class A, Class B, firefighting, and flashover simulation. A Class A fire is a fire involving ordinary combustible materials such as paper, cloth and some rubber or plastic materials. A Class B fire is a fire involving flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, oil, or diesel fuel, also some rubber and plastic materials. A flashover is a highly dangerous explosion of flame that occurs when combustible gases generated by burning materials are ignited by high heat from the fire. Firefighters caught in a flashover often suffer fatal injuries. The purpose of the simulated training is to have the firefighters learn to recognize the signs of an impending flashover in the training.

According to Pellerin, an invitation will first be sent to all Lincoln County fire departments. Should there be room remaining on the bus, the invitation will be extended to the mutual aid departments in the area.

The cost per firefighter is $110, for the Class A fire training, and the flashover simulation training. An additional $30 will asked per firefighter for the Class B fire training to help pay for the cost of the gases for the simulation.

Sheriff Todd Brackett told the commissioners the deteriorating condition of the parking lot behind the Sheriff's Department is creating a concern for pedestrian safety.

Commissioner Sheridan Bond suggested that Maintenance Supervisor Jim Hopler fill the holes with sand, and place cones in areas that are dangerous until the area can be repaired in the spring.

Brackett reported there are 42 inmates at the Two Bridges Regional Jail, 19 inmates under house arrest, or on electric monitors, and 16 inmates are enrolled in programs sponsored by the Volunteers of America.

Brackett asked the commissioners to waive the bid request on the purchase of ammunition because the current dealer has offered a good price and will ship it free of charge.

The commissioners asked that Brackett send out bid requests for the ammunition to be returned by April 1, 2008, at 9:15 a.m.

The commissioners approved Brackett to attend a Weed & Seed Conference, March 3-7, in Oregon. The only expense to the county would be for transportation and parking at the airport.

Lincoln County Administrator, James McMahon, and Emergency Management Director Tim Pellerin had previously agreed to hold monthly fire drills at the courthouse. Pellerin told the commissioners that having fire drills during the winter months could create a problem for the public at the courthouse during the drill as well as county employees who would have to go out into the ice-covered steps and parking lots.

The commissioners agreed and voted to have four fire drills a year, and to follow the same schedule as the schools.

Pellerin will continue the monthly department visits asking the employees to review the fire drill procedure in the Safety Policy.

As a result of a new law recently signed by President George Bush, the commissioners made an amendment to the Family Medical Leave Section of the county's Personnel Policy.

Acting Administrator Deborah Tibbets brought the new law before the commissioners on the recommendation of McMahon, who has been on leave for the past two months.

The next meeting of the commissioners will be held March 4.