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July 6, 2007 REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE OFFERING TRAINING GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee is once again accepting hazardous materials training grant applications from local fire departments, announced Kraig Bone, newly elected chairman of the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee. The committee held its regular quarterly meeting on June 27 at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission in St. James. The MREPC has set aside $7,000 and is offering grants to fire departments in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Osage and Washington counties. The maximum grant request is set at $1,000, and no match is required. Only fire departments are eligible to apply. Those fire departments who do not have a current data sheet on file with MREPC are ineligible for grant funding. Those applying for grant funds are encouraged to develop county-wide training opportunities, focusing on hazardous materials and involving all emergency response agencies, explained Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2007, for applications. Successful grants will be announced in September. All projects must be completed by May 31, 2008. In other business, Kraig Bone of Washington County was elected chairman, replacing Dawn Warren who resigned from the committee to head up the Missouri Emergency Response Commission, the state entity that provides oversight and funding to local emergency response agencies. Bone has been a member of the MREPC for several years, is a volunteer firefighter and is a certified trainer. He also represents emergency management on the Meramec Regional Planning Commission board. The committee re-elected Margaret Biolsi to serve as vice-chairperson for another term. The group approved its 2007-2008 budget. The group anticipates revenues of $31,500 and projects expenses to be $34,945, including the $7,000 budgeted for fire department training grants. The difference will come from reserves. The committee also approved submission of MREPC annual report and updated hazard materials response plan to MERC. Members of the Sullivan Amateur Radio Club were in attendance and shared their willingness to help with emergency situations. Snodgrass encouraged emergency response agencies to complete an online training needs survey being conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency and made committee members aware of a train-the-trainer workshop for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The class is planned July 27-29 at MRPC, and registration is required. 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 that seriously threaten the area. The committee meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public. Persons needing more information on the MREPC or chemicals in the region may contact MRPC 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. |