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Local Emergency Planning Committee
Minutes of June 15, 2006 meeting:
The LEPC meeting was held June 15, 2006 at the Holiday Inn, Ellsworth at noon. Chairman, Ron Roland opened the meeting following a luncheon with 17 present.
Ron reported that there is no current news from the SERC, as the meeting was canceled.
Old business:
The first item discussed as old business, was the JMPA web course site, which is charging for courses that were not developed with funding from Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Ralph Pinkham, Hancock County EMA Director, has been in contact with Darryl Lyon, the contractor who facilitated the Bucksport Drill. Darryl is currently serving in Iraq. Ralph has an email address for anyone who would like to send him their good wishes.
New Business:
Linda Feury, Hancock County Deputy Director, announced that there will be a new building in Trenton to house the Hancock County SPCA. This animal shelter will be a great asset to Hancock County. The Director Doug Radziewicz is looking for interested people who might wish to organize as a Disaster Animal Response Team. If any one knows of someone interested in participating, they can contact the EMA office.
Committee Reports:
Everett Beal reported for the EMCOMM/CERT team that the Hancock County ARES/EMCOMM/CERTs will be holding a Field Day at Lamoine Beach on the 24th and 25th of June.
Linda Feury reported for the plans review committee that the Verizon Plans were reviewed in May by Linda, representing the LEPC, David Jean, Verizon Environmental Manager and Ralph Pinkham, EMA Director.
Linda also reported for the Training Committee that an Operations level training was held at Bar Harbor Fire this spring.
The Program Committee would like any suggestions for a speaker for the November 16th dinner meeting. Contact the EMA office, if you have a suggestion. Linda would also like to here from organizations that wish to participate in the Public Safety Day, which will be held on October 22. The event will be co-sponsored by the LEPC and the American Legion Post # 207 auxiliary, in Trenton.
Ron introduced Ralph Pinkham, who than presented a brief program on “Lessons Learned at Penobscot Sentry 06”. Penobscot Sentry 06 was the full-scale regional exercise held May 8th at Bangor Air National Guard.
Following Ralph’s brief topic, Linda Feury presented a powerpoint program on “Pandemic Influenza Planning”. After the presentation, an open discussion was held to hear members concerns and suggestions on the topic of Pandemic Influenza and the planning process.
The meeting was then adjourned.
The next meeting will be August 17th, at which time Linda will present the results of the Pandemic Influenza planning for Hancock County.
Minutes of the February 17th, 2005 meeting:
The Hancock County Local Emergency Planning Committee met Thursday, February 17th at the Holiday Inn on High St., at noon. There were 15 members, 7 guests from Fire Service Agencies in Hancock County and our Guest Speaker, Paul Plaisted. Following a luncheon and introductions by those present, Paul Plaisted, of JPMA (Justice Planning and Management Associates), gave an overview of on-line training developed by his company, with the support of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Maine Emergency Management Agency and grant funding. The Internet-based training systems delivers training information to public safety agencies throughout the State of Maine. Public Safety organizations can register their agency and employees, who than use ID and password to access training modules on topics pertinent to their discipline, such as WMD/HAZMAT Awareness, Team Organization, Terrorism and CERT, Incident Protective Actions, Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Psychology, Grants (Fundamentals, Writing, Planning, etc.), Fire Safety, Fire Extinguisher basics, Medical Operations 1 & 2, Light Search & Rescue, and Elder Crimes (Financial Exploitation & Elder Abuse) After completing a class, the student can click the quiz icon to document their efforts. Paul showcased the online technology employed and outlined the training materials available to the student and how to register. The website address is: www.jpmaweb.com.
A brief business meeting was held following the program. LEPC Chairman, Ron Rowland open the meeting requesting the Secretary’s report for the November 18th meeting. A motion was made by Ralph Pinkham and seconded by Mike Hangge and carried to accept the minutes as written. Ron followed with an update on the SERC retreat and meeting. The Program Committee Chair, Linda Feury, announced that the next meeting would be May 19th at the Holiday Inn beginning at noon. She has requested a speaker from the DEP, who will speak on Chemicals in our Schools. Ron Rowland reported for the Plans Review Committee that Stinson Seafood has sent a notice that they are no longer an EHS facility. Linda Feury has requested the Hancock County Regional Response WMD/HAZMAT team prepare a letter to send to the facilities so that they will be aware of the Team and equipment in the area. Mike Hangge gave a further explanation that the team will not respond to minor spills. Discussion also included the possible fees that would most likely be charged for the team to respond to spills. Training Committee news included information on a possible T-T-T (train-the-trainer) WMD/HAZMAT Awareness class that may be scheduled in March and an update for the current HAZMAT Awareness trainers to bring them up to the current standard that includes the WMD Awareness info. Ron Rowland reported that the HAZMAT Conference this year would be held at Southern Maine Community College on May 25-26, with the SERC meeting to be held the May 24th. An election of a new vice-chair was held with Ralph Pinkham nominating Everett Beal and Mike Hangge seconding the nomination, Everett was unanimously approved to fill the position. The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes of the November 18, 2005 meeting:
The LEPC held it’s annual dinner meeting on November 18, 2004 at 5:15 PM at the Holiday Inn in Ellsworth.
Minutes of the August meeting: Linda Feury announced that printed copies were available at the meeting, as well as on the website. It was moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes. Linda reminded members to sign the attendance sheet.
Financial Report: Linda Feury read the annual summary report showing the current balance in the Operations and Planning accounts of $17,717.34. Members approved the treasurer’s report as read.
SERC Meeting: Mike Hangge gave a report with information also provided by Ron Rowland. A draft copy of the new Commodity Flow Study of Hazardous Materials for the State was available for member to review. It was explained that the study focused on 30 chemicals that were identified and included primary and secondary travel routes by roads and rails. Distribution routes by air were not identified. The SERC is also working on redistricting which will be announced in the near future.
Mike started off introduction of the 22 members and guests in attendance, including guest speaker, Art Cleaves, Director of Maine Emergency Management.
Committee Reports:
Program Committee: Program committee chair, Linda Feury, reported on the program for the night, a panel discussion of Homeland Security, “Where we are 3 years after 9-11” from the State Level, provided by Art Cleaves, Director of Maine Emergency Management, the County level by Ralph Pinkham, EMA Director, and the local level by Ellsworth Fire Chief and Local EMA Director Robert McKenney. Mike Hangge, coordinator of the WMD/HAZMAT Regional Response Team and LEPC chair will facilitate the discussion.
The next meeting will be February 17th at the Hancock County Court House, Commissioner’s meeting room. The program has not yet been planned and the program committee will be glad to entertain suggestions for the program or speakers.
CITIZEN CORPS Committee: Rob Gaiser, chairman, was not present and has indicated, to the EMA office, that he doesn’t have the time to devote to the committee. Everett Beal reported for the EMCOMM CERT, providing an update of their activities regarding the new communication trailer, including an event November 20th at the Mall in Ellsworth, near Radio Shack. It was also announced that the trailer would be made available throughout Hancock County for any major events or response activities.
Gerry Keenan, a member of the State’s Citizen Corps Council, spoke about the State Medical Response Team. Art Cleaves spoke about this program as well and touched on the other area of Citizen Corps other than CERT, which is Volunteers in Police Service.
Plans Review: Linda reported that she reviewed the GM Allen plan in September and that no changes were made to the plan. We are also apparently not receiving all the updates to plans, as the State has received plans that have not been received by the County EMA office and visa-versa. Facilities need to know what changes have taken place in Hancock County that would affect their planning efforts. The existence of the new WMD/HAZMAT Team, based in Ellsworth, needs to be recognized as a response asset in the County. Linda also spoke on the 3-year phase in of electronic filing of chemical inventory reports. Last year was the first year of required electronic filing for EHS facilities, 2004 report year is the 1st year for facilities with 3 reportable chemical and 2005 will be for the remainder of the reporting facilities. A folder was provided with information on the reporting requirements, a fact sheet on Tier 2 and guidance on the software.
Training Committee: The training committee needs to set a training schedule in advance for next year and coordinate it with the FFA and include DOT, LEMA dir, & Red Cross in the awareness training.
Mike told members that the RRT with like to work with the hospitals and other local response agencies on training issues as well.
Linda made the list of standing committees available for members who would like to indicate their interest in serving on one of the committees. Also, She provided a copy of the membership list and asked members to making any necessary corrections to list. The SERC requires that the list be updated annually and submitted in July with along with other reports. Invitations for any persons present that are not regular members of the LEPC were issued and if interested they could indicate that by filling in their contact information on the membership list.
Old Business:Terry Grindle asked about the chemicals that Mike indicated were identified in the Commodity Flow Study that he was not aware were traveling through Hancock County. Mike said that the presence of Nitric Acid being transported across route 9 to Baileyville/Woodland.
Issues and updates: Prior to the election of a new chairman and vice-chair, Linda presented a powerpoint presentation on the LEPC, dealing with why the LEPC exists, and what are the roles and responsibilities of the LEPC are.
New Business:
It was explained that we would be electing a Chairman to serve 2 years and a Vice-Chair to serve 1 year. Our bylaws state that they will be 2 year terms with the Chairman elected in even years and vice-chair and secretary in odd numbered. Since we are electing them in the same year one will be for a 1-year term and the Chairman for a two- year term. This will hopefully eliminate a vacancy occurring for both in the same year.
Nominations opened for Chairman with the nomination by Ralph Pinkham for Ron Rowland with a second by Linda Feury. A motion was made and voted on to cease nominations and members unanimously approved Ron as chairman.
Mike Hangge nominated Dick Small as vice-chairman and members unanimously approved to have him assume the duties of vice-chair.
The meeting was then adjourned for the dinner. Following the dinner was a program, featuring a panel discussion of Homeland Security and where the State, Hancock County, and local response capabilities are three years after 9/11.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda M. Feury,
Secretary/Treasurer
Contact Information:
Hancock County Emergency Management Agency
Ralph E. Pinkham, Director
50 State St., Suite 4, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Office phone: 207-667-8126
Fax: 207-667-1406
Email the Hancock County EMA
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