MRPC News Release
April 21, 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Tammy Snodgrass or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
DIXON FIREFIGHTERS PARTICIPATE IN PROPANE EMERGENCIES TRAINING
Training funded by an MREPC grant
VICHY—Seventeen area firefighters, including several from the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, participated in a propane emergencies bobtail training on April 15 in Vichy. The eight-hour course was conducted by Kraig Bone of Local Emergency Training Specialists LLC of Cadet.
The session, which included both lecture and hands-on training, was made possible through a grant from the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee. The April 15 training was hosted by the Vichy Volunteer Fire Department and was one of six fire departments approved for a $1,000 grant for hazardous materials training.
The MREPC offers grants annually to fire departments in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Osage and Washington counties. Only fire departments were eligible to apply, and they were encouraged to develop county-wide training opportunities involving all emergency response agencies, explained Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission.
“One of MREPC’s goals is to provide training on hazardous materials emergency response, and the grant program provides funds for local responders to use for hand-on classes like this one,” said Tammy Snodgrass.
Those firefighters participating in the April 15 training at Vichy were:
From the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District: Terry Crawford, William Sinden Jr, Ethan Goodman, Richard Vengels, David Gray, Shawn Stewart, Gerald Brady, Scott Brueschke and Stephen Sinden; and
From Vichy Volunteer Fire Department: Troy Warth, Donald Chambers, Ken Ramsey, Scott Lunceford, Mike Prigge, Russell Otis, Todd Stulce and Leroy Thomas.
The training was open to all area fire departments.
“We appreciate the grant funds, and without them, we can’t afford this type of training,” said Vichy Fire Chief Don Chambers. “The instructor did an excellent job; he’s knowledgeable and able to explain things and keep it interesting.”
The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee periodically coordinates and offers education and training opportunities for emergency responders in the region. The purpose of the committee is to work with local governments as well as the private sector to maintain plans responsive to chemical hazards, which seriously threaten the area. Dawn Warren, Gasconade County Emergency Management Director, chairs the group. The committee meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public.
The next round of fire department grants will be announced later this summer.
The next meeting of the MREPC is planned April 26 at MRPC. Persons needing more information about the MREPC or chemicals in the region may contact Meramec Regional Planning Commission at (573) 265-2993. The planning commission, a voluntary council of local governments serving the Meramec Region, provides staff support for the local emergency planning committee.