MINUTES

Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 13, 2010
MRPC Office
4 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO 65559  

CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Kraig Bone called the October 13, 2010 meeting of the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee Meeting to order at 12:25.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Margaret Biolsi, Phelps County Industry; Kraig Bone, Washington County Industry; Dan Dyer, Gasconade County EMD; Doug Drewel, Maries County Associate Commissioner; Larry Flesher, Sullivan Fire; Buz Harvey, Phelps County; Robert Hutson, Crawford County Emergency Management; John Lucas, Caledonia Fire; Ken Ramsey, Maries County EMD; Deborah Rhodes, Phelps County Health Department; Shirley Stulce, Crawford County Health Department; Andrea Rice, Osage County EMD/911; Darrell Skiles, Dent County Presiding Commissioner; Robert Williams, Rolla Fire & Rescue; Michael Dixon, Belle Police Chief.

MEMBERS ABSENT:
Bob Baldwin, Cuba; Andrew Careaga, MS&T; James Gamache, Gasconade County; Sheila Gaughan, Washington County Health; Jane Jadwin, Dent County Health; Allen Kimrey, Salem Police/EMD; William Patt, Steelville Ambulance; Les Murdock, Cuba EMD; Bruce Parton, St. James Fire/EMD; Ron Smith, Rolla Fire & Rescue;

STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT:
Michael Bonham, Maries County Sheriff; Dan Babcock, Phelps County Red Cross; Tammy Snodgrass, Jessica Mattingly, Cheryl Dupes, Richard Cavender and Amy McMillen of MRPC; Brian Nickerson, MERC; Stewart Darrah, Maries County; Dave Clifton, Maries County Asst. EMD; Matt Jackson and Brad Barton, Washington 9-1-1.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Tammy Snodgrass asked that Amy McMillen be added to the agenda to share information on the upcoming Region I HSOC annual meeting. Andrea Rice made a motion to approve the amended agenda for today’s meeting. Margaret Biolsi seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ken Ramsey made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2010 MREPC meeting. Margaret Biolsi seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORT:
Cheryl Dupes reported on the statement of revenues ending September 30, 2010. The reports shows revenues over expenses at $9,920 year to date.

The balance sheet shows a total liabilities and fund equity of $40,027.28.

Bob Hutson made a motion to approve the financials. Larry Flesher seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:
HMEP grants and the Training Survey

Tammy Snodgrass reported on the 2011 HMEP Grant Application and the process by which staff received input from emergency response agencies on what training they wanted for 2011 by distributing a training survey and holding a public input meeting. Ms. Snodgrass went through and explained the application page by page.

She stated that she received 22 responses back on the training survey – the largest response to date. The responses were compiled to create a list of classes. She stated that she made every effort to schedule classes in as many locations as possible in order to serve more responders.

She also explained that as the survey was mailed out before staff had received the 2011 grant application, there were a few discrepancies. However, she was able to make adjustments for that and substituted similar classes for those that were requested but not available this year. A meeting was held on October 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm to allow responders to provide input into the application. Five people from three different agencies attended. The grant application was reviewed at this meeting as well. There was a good discussion over the classes that are available and wanted. Those attending asked that more classes be provided that are specifically for EMS. Radiological classes were brought up as a desired class in the survey.

In regards to the Drug Lab Technician class, Ms. Snodgrass asked for input on how many people might be willing to travel to Jefferson City for a week for the class. It was decided to ask for tuition for 10 people on the application.

Michael Dixon made a motion to approve the application. Robert Hutson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Ms. Snodgrass also made the comment that the state will coordinate the scheduling and trainers for all the classes. She also reminded the committee that they had agreed that for any funds that would flow through the MREPC, they would not accept without a financial assistance agreement that included terms and conditions.

Report on general staff activities
Staff completed the annual report and Tier II funding application and submitted those documents to MERC along with the updated plan. Funds have been received for the Tier II. Staff has completed the review of the hazmat plan, including putting it into the template required by MERC. The plan was submitted to MERC for review at the end of August. Mr. Nickerson had completed his review of the document and Ms. Snodgrass had responded to some questions he had. All that was left to do was get approval from each of the county governments, including their signatures on the acceptance page and submit that to MERC. Other activities since the last meeting has been the training survey, working on the HMEP application, and holding the training meeting for responders.

NEW BUSINESS:
Amy McMillen
Amy McMillen discussed the upcoming Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee Annual Meeting on October 28, 2010. This event is scheduled from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Ms. McMillen discussed what was on the agenda for the day and invited all to come. She asked that if people were interested in attending, to please RSVP so that she could plan for the noon meal.

Ms. McMillen also discussed the need for representatives from different disciplines to serve on the Region I HSOC. It was also announced that the Region C HSOC annual meeting would be held on October 27, 2010 in Farmington.

Radiological Response Training
Tammy received information on the availability of a radiological response training class being provided at no cost through a grant from the Department of Energy. It is a 16 hour ‘beginner’ class that is for fire, law enforcement and EMS. Chief Williams volunteered to host the class in Rolla. Ms. Snodgrass asked the group if they wanted to allocate some funds for advertising the class to improve participation. Michael Dixon made a motion to spend up to $700 for advertising expenses promoting the training Andrea Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

REPORT FROM SEMA REPRESENTATIVE:
Brian Nickerson stated that the MREPC hazmat plan had been reviewed. He was pleased with how it looks. He also reminded the committee that the chemical suicide class was free, they just needed to request it if they wanted additional classes held in the region.

REPORT FROM MDNR REPRESENTATIVE:
No report.

OTHER BUSINESS
Kraig Bone stated that he and Tammy are always looking for guest speakers. If you know of anyone in your area who would be a good speaker, please let either of them know. Amy McMillen offered to provide information on Region I HSOC grant projects.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS:
The next MREPC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

ADJOURNMENT:
Buz Harvey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John Lucas seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:17pm.

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Kraig Bone, Chairman Date

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Attest Date