Minutes – Local Emergency Planning Committee
March 19, 2003 – 9:00 a.m. KPB Assembly Room Borough Building, Soldotna, AK
Present at meeting:
Jonathan Pedersen, Public Michael Tilly, Kenai FD
Ryan Deines, ConocoPhillips Sue Hecks, S.O.S.
Mike Munger, CIRCAC Annette Hakkinen, ARC
Billy Harris, Public Daniel Gregory, Nikiski FD
David Gibbs, KPB OEM Scott Elmer, Homer FD
Tom Bowman, AST Shirley Gifford, Soldotna PD
Ron Rogalsky, Alcom Evy Gebhardt, United Way
Doug Newbould, Kenai NWR Chuck Kopp, Kenai PD
Lois Johnson, CPGH Betty Glick, KPB Assembly
Bonnie Hanson, KPB OEM
Harris called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m.
Introductions took place.
MINUTES
Hecks motioned and Hakkinen seconded to approve the minutes of December 3, 2002. The motion passed with none opposed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Harris removed Animal Annex from the Reports and Information. Newbould asked that Caring For The Kenai be added under Other Business. Tilly motioned and Elmer seconded to approve the agenda as amended. There were none opposed.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Harris said that at the present time a plan is being formulating. Gibbs added that curriculum that is Borough specific needs to be developed. The federal curriculum is based largely on urban areas.
OEM Coordinator’s Report
Gibbs talked about the recent disaster including the Anchor Point fires and power outages. The Borough activated a limited EOC and sent a PIO to HEA to help disseminate information. The Red Cross opened a warming shelter. 38 people went to the shelter and two were housed overnight at the Nikiski Fire Dept. Gibbs said that the OEM is in the process of gathering damage assessment information. A permanent hot line (262-2098) has been set up. There was thought to be very little damage to public facilities, with the exception of Homer Electric Association, which sustained approximately $197,000 in damages.
Gibbs said that the mobile command vehicle was expected around the first week in April. It will then have to be outfitted with communications equipment. MOU’s will need to be prepared between the Borough and those entities that may use the vehicle in the future.
Gibbs is also working to increase zone training and ICS training. The initial ICS training will be for Borough personnel with later training to include non-Borough personnel.
OTHER BUSINESS
Membership
The applications included David Gibbs, as a replacement for Jan Henry, and Shannon Donnelly as an alternate for Ryan Deines. Darell Jelsma submitted a letter of resignation as he has retired from the transportation industry. Gifford motioned and Bowman seconded to approve the applications and the resignation. There were none opposed.
Harris stated that there are two vacancies on the LEPC; transportation and media.
Gifford said that Phil Hermanek from the Clarion visits her station, as well as Kenai each morning and he seems interested in the LEPC. He may be at the Rotary meeting the following day.
MEETING FOCUS – Public Information Program (PIP)
Pedersen was excited about the attendance at the LEPC special meeting that had been held. He had asked the members to think about questions that the public might be asking regarding emergency preparedness and response. Mike Tilly and Chuck Kopp have been working on Powerpoint presentations that demonstrate why there is a need to prepare. He’s hoping to put together groups of five people that will take the presentation to various locations. He felt the group would include medical, military, public safety and a member of the LEPC that would essentially act as program coordinator for that group.
Tilly said that he took the information for the presentations from a FEMA guide for citizen preparedness. He presented “Are You Ready?” and distributed hard copies of five of the six presentations.
Gifford had put together a separate presentation. Gifford said that they will give the presentations at the Soldotna Rotary Club the following day.
Newbould said that the Caring For The Kenai program has been in place for approximately 12 to 13 years and involves Peninsula high schools. The program used to be mainly for ideas to help the environment but has changed to include disaster mitigation. Last year the LEPC awarded a radio flashlight combination kit to the 1st prize winner. The winner had designed a web page about flooding. Newbould said that there were a lot more mitigation ideas this year. It was agreed that the LEPC will give a prize for the best idea.
The Public Education Program was discussed further.
Tilly stated that the Borough Assembly members will be touring the PRISM facility and invited the LEPC members to participate if they wished.
Harris said that the Home Show is coming up.
The LEPC bylaws will be sent to everyone for their review prior to the June meeting.
NEXT MEETING
The Full Committee will meet Wednesday, June 18th at 9:00 a.m. The Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, June 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Gifford motioned and Hakkinen seconded to adjourn. There were no objections.