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Aug. 22, 2008 Homeland Security Committee Awards More Radios ST. JAMES—The 24 emergency response agencies that previously received narrowband hand-held radios from Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee will now each receive one more radio, the HSOC decided at its July 17 meeting. Each agency initially received two Motorola portable radios along with two batteries, a charger, carrying case and remote speaker microphone. Radios were programmed with state and federal interoperability channels as well as mutual aid channels. Agencies receiving an additional radio are: Cuba Police Department, Crawford County E-911, Steelville Police Department, Missouri Baptist Sullivan EMS, Sullivan Fire Protection District, Salem Police Department, Conway Volunteer Fire Department, Nebo-Falcon Volunteer Fire Department, Region I Homeland Security Response Team of Rolla, Missouri S&T Police Department, Crocker Police Department, Dixon Police Department, Dixon Fire Department, Pulaski County Ambulance, Maries County Sheriff’s Department, Laclede Office of Emergency Management, Lebanon Rural Fire Department, Sleeper Volunteer Fire Department, Eldridge Fire Department, St. John’s EMS, Vienna Fire Department, Leasburg Fire Department, Maries County Emergency Management and Bourbon Fire Department. The Region I HSOC formed an interoperability committee and asked all emergency response agencies to complete surveys to determine what agencies were without narrowband capabilities. Those agencies that requested interoperability grant funds in 2006 and 2007 were awarded radios as were those agencies that completed surveys and lacked any narrowband capabilities. With additional radios available, the committee recommended providing those same agencies with an additional radio. “Our goal is to bring all agencies up to a minimum level of interoperability. It will take multiple years to do so, and the committee is focusing on the neediest agencies first,” said Amy McMillen of Meramec Regional Planning Commission. “There is still time for agencies to complete the survey in order to be considered for future awards.” Emergency response agencies can contact McMillen at 573-265-2993 or by email at amcmillen@meramecregion.org. In other business, the HSOC expanded its board to include a seat for a hospital representative. The group also discussed the need for representatives to serve on the HSOC, especially to represent schools, counties and police chiefs. The board also heard reports from Jaclyn Neylon of the Missouri Hospital Association and Paula Woodsmall of the Department of Health and Human Services and heard an update on grant projects. The HSOC and MRPC will also be working with counties to complete the National Incident Management System (NIMS) report on a regional level instead of each county completing the report individually. That must be accomplished in September, and county emergency management directors will be asked to supply information for the report. Under a contract with the State Emergency Management Agency, MRPC acts as the HSOC’s administrative entity and fiscal agent. The Region I HSOC, established along the boundaries of the State Highway Patrol Troop I, includes Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties. Jurisdictions represented include emergency management, police chiefs, sheriffs, fire, county health departments, homeland security rescue teams, public works, mayor/city administrators, county commissioners, private industry/public utility, emergency medical services, 911, volunteer groups and schools. Paul Rueff of Rolla, representing the Phelps County Disaster Committee, serves as chair, and Linda Hanrahan, St. James Ambulance District, is vice chair. The HSOC also includes ex-officio representatives from various agencies, including Missouri State Emergency Management Agency Area Coordinator, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Water Patrol, Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Science & Technology, Mark Twain National Forest, United States Geological Survey, National Park Service and United States Department of Agriculture. Three counties in the Meramec Region—Gasconade, Osage and Washington—are served through other regions. Gasconade and Osage counties are a part of Troop F, which is being coordinated by the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Ashland while Washington County is a part of Troop C, which is coordinated by the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Perryville. |