Minutes – Local Emergency Planning Committee
June 19, 2002 – 9:00 a.m. KPB Assembly Room Borough Building, Soldotna, AK
Present at meeting:
Billy Harris, Public Ron Rogalsky, Alaskan Command
Jonathan Pedersen, Public Rick Warren, Agrium
Mike Munger, CIRCAC Victoria Askin, CISPRI
Tom Bowman, AST Sue Hecks, S.O.S./Seldovia
Mary Jane Hanley, SOA Public Health Kay Steele, KPB OEM
Chris VanAlstine, 103rd CST Tod Perkins, 103rd CST
Tracy Manolakis, Tesoro Mike Tauriainen, Public
Jeff Tucker, CES Michael Tilly, Kenai Fire
Doug Newbould, USFWS/KNWR Lisa Grubl, BPXA
Paul Richards BPXA Shirley Gifford, Soldotna PD
Tim Crozer, Icicle Seafoods David Squires, Seward FD
Len Malmquist, CES Bonnie Hanson, KPB OEM
Robert Painter, Homer FD Dan Gregory, Nikiski FD
Chair Harris called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Harris stated that the LEPC has done well at public education and has made other accomplishments. He said he recently read the bylaws and there is responsibility that the LEPC doesn't have the authority to enforce. He stated that the emergency plans should be reviewed. An evacuation plan has been prepared.
Introductions took place.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Meeting of March 20, 2002
Malmquist motioned to approve the minutes of March 20th. Hecks seconded. Squires had one change; Mike Chapman was incorrectly listed as Homer PD and should be Seward PD. The motion passed with the amendment made to the minutes with none opposed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Harris added the agenda item Annual Election between numbers three and four.
Askin motioned and Malmquist seconded to approve the agenda as amended. There were none opposed.
ANNUAL ELECTION
Malmquist asked Harris if he would be willing to continue as Chair. Harris replied that he would. Tauriainen nominated Harris for the Chair position. Bowman seconded and asked for unanimous consent. The motion passed.
Harris nominated Jonathan Pedersen to serve as Vice-Chair. Pedersen accepted the nomination. Malmquist seconded. Unanimous consent was requested by Hecks. The motion passed.
NATIONAL GUARD – Capt. Chris VanAlstine
Capt. VanAlstine did a PowerPoint presentation (attached) explaining the operations of the 103rd Civil Support Team. They are a 22 person team that are ready to respond by air to any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high energy, explosive event in support of the Incident Commander. They are located at Ft. Richardson.
REPORTS & INFO
The Ninilchik Fair will be held August 17th – 19th. The earthquake cottage will be at the Fair and help with that as well as the booth is needed. A signup sheet was circulated.
OTHER BUSINESS
Membership
Phil Nash has stepped down from Commander of the Alaska State Defense Force. Malmquist has retired from Chief of Central Emergency Services. Malmquist motioned and Tauriainen seconded to accept Phil Nash's and Len Malmquist's resignations. There were none opposed.
Jeff Tucker is replacing Len Malmquist as Chief. Gifford motioned and Tauriainen seconded to accept Jeff Tucker's application as primary member, and Chuck Kopp's application for 2nd alternate for Mike Tilly. There were none opposed.
LEPC Budget
Harris referred to the budget breakdown on the Agenda. Starting July 1st there is $9,850 available. Most of this will be spent on handouts and giveaways for the booths. Out of the full amount the LEPC receives, most of it funds a portion of Hanson's salary.
Harris said that ADES is planning on cutting the LEPC/SERC meetings to two meetings a year.
Harris felt that the unspent DOJ funds should go directly to the LEPC's.
OEM Coordinator's Report
Henry said that on Monday and Tuesday a training session had been held at PRISM - "Law Enforcement Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction". Sixteen people attended representing a number of agencies. An FBI representative from Anchorage was present.
MEETING FOCUS: The Forgotten Victims
Harris said he approached Pedersen with the animal annex and asked if he could help shoulder the responsibility of completing it. He's hoping to have the annex completed within the year.
Pedersen introduced and showed a video produced by the Humane Society of the United States – "The Forgotten Victims".
There was discussion that animals are not allowed at Red Cross shelters, and that many people are reluctant, or will refuse, to leave their animals behind.
The general consensus of the committee was to proceed in the direction of completing the animal annex.
The following points / needs were discussed:
1. Site Selection
2. Equipment Location
3. I.D. Equipment
4. Review Existing Plans / Equipment Nearby
5. Staff / Volunteer Locals (Vets)
6. Survey of Citizens / Pet, Livestock Owners
7. Owner I.D. / Pet I.D.
8. Integrate with State Plan
9. Liaison with Outside Agencies
10. Safety of Handlers
Steele explained that Linda Athons has had to step away from the project.
Harris said that some research has been done and that there are some people that are very receptive to assisting during a disaster, but that may not be willing to help in the planning.
Manolakis asked if rescue would be part of the plan. Pedersen responded that we would shelter the animals, but it would be other agencies such as the Humane Society that would assist with rescue.
Pedersen asked the committee to brainstorm and think about what area they would be interested in working with.
Gifford suggested developing a brochure that shows where people's pets are going to be taken. This could also answer other questions they might have. Pedersen agreed that the biggest fear is that of the unknown.
Pedersen said he would get the "whiteboard list" out to everyone (10 items above).
Groups will be formed at the next meeting to work specifically on some of the above-mentioned areas.
NEXT MEETING DATES
Full Committee – Wednesday, September 18th, 2002, 9:00 a.m. – Assembly Chambers
Executive Committee – Tuesday, September 3rd, 2002, 2:00 p.m. – Conference Room "C"
Pedersen stated that if there are some that are interested, special meetings may be held in the interim.
ADJOURNMENT
Malmquist motioned and Beeman seconded to adjourn. There were none opposed. The meeting was adjourned.