CACOFD Meeting (2025-05-08)

CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OCOEE FIRE DEPARTMENT Ocoee Fire Station 25 563 S. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida

MINUTES

May 08,2025

6:00 PM

- CALL TO ORDER

Chair Legvold called the CACOFD meeting to order at 6:00 PM in Station 25 Conference Room located at 563 S. Bluford Avenue.

Chair Legvold led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a Moment of Silence. Recording Clerk Brown performed roll call and declared a quorum present.

Present: Chair Legvold, Members Richardson, Vaughn, Fletcher, Channell

Absent: Vice-Chair Ochoa, Members Washington & Cummins

Also Present: Commissioner Firstner, Deputy Chief Van Camp, Recording Clerk Brown

- APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Minutes of the CACOFD Meeting held on February 13,2025

Motion to Approve February 13,2025, Minutes: Moved by Member Fletcher, seconded by Member Richardson. Motion carried unanimously.

- OLD BUSINESS

1. Retirement Breakfast Update

Chair Legvold announced that Member Moyer resigned due to being elected to another position. He requested assistance with filling the vacancy and opined that he would like to see a business owner seated on the board. He mentioned that he had personally reached out to a couple of businesses, to no prevail.

* * *

- NEW BUSINESS

1. Volunteer Appreciation Gift

Recording Clerk Brown provided a brief synopsis of the proclamation for Volunteer Appreciation Month. She then passed out the wine kits, that were gifted as a token of appreciation, on behalf of the City, Mayor and City Commissioners.

Deputy Chief Van Camp asked the group if they would be opposed to purchasing a hot dog maker for the Open House event. Discussion followed regarding research done on different types of equipment.

Motion: Purchase Hot Dog Cooker that steams 270 hot dogs at once for Open House in the amount of $315.00; Moved by Member Richardson, seconded by Member Vaughn; Motion carried unanimously.

- DEPARTMENT UPDATES

1. Mass Casualty Bus

Deputy Chief Van Camp followed up with a member question regarding the organizational sponsor for the bus, advising that the sponsor is Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition. He mentioned that the department partnered with Health Central Hospital to wrap the bus, and modifications were mostly provided by a third-party grant. Additional parts are needed before the bus is placed in service. The bus will be stored at Staton 38 until the training grounds are completed; a secure space will be provided when it is not in operation.

Deputy Chief Van Camp also updated the Board with the following:

- Member Cummins' shirt has been ordered; there have been embroidery delays with the uniform company.

- The Teen Academy program has been revamped. Deputy Chief Van Camp summarized the program and its goals and advised that the Fire Department currently has fifteen participants scheduled to attend this summer.

- Citizens' Academy participation was down this year. The Fire and Police Departments decided to move it to the fall in hopes of getting more participants.

Member Vaughn requested an email be sent to the group with all pertinent dates and times for upcoming events.

* * *

Member Vaughn inquired about the Fire Department's growth and needs. Deputy Chief Van Camp addressed his question.

Member Vaughn asked about the new Fire Station. Deputy Chief Van Camp addressed his question.

Member Fletcher asked about the ladder truck. Chief Van Camp addressed his question.

Commissioner Firstner updated the Board with the following information on growth in the City:

- District #1 growth is mostly residential.

- District #2 is seeing growth with small businesses and noted that Wawa opened week of April 28th with a massive turnout for their Grand Opening.

- District #3 is experiencing industrial growth along Ocoee Apopka Road, from existing buildings to industrial sites expanding. Commissioner Firstner explained upcoming growth associated with the Ocoee Regional Sports Complex.

- The City bought the Forest Oaks Golf Club and has contracted for six months with an established management company that will oversee the greens, reopen the restaurant and pro shop, and redo the greens and fairways. There will be a Request for Proposal soon for a permanent management company to take over in November.

- Regarding District #4, Chair Legvold mentioned he is receiving questions about Hackney Prairie Park being bulldozed. The playground has already been demolished. Commissioner Firstner advised he will request an update.