The meeting was held at Billie’s Private Dining room and opened by Sarah Johnson, Chairperson at 7:30 am.
In attendance were:
We welcomed new member Gilbert Mehling who will be taking care of the LEPC website due to the departure of Curt Bury.
Mr. Mehling asks for new ideas for the website, if there is anything that we would like to see, frequently asked questions. It was suggested that perhaps we include information of the disposal of pharmaceuticals, hazardous materials and tires.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
2007 SERC Grant
There is currently 545.33 in the Treasury which includes the $500.00 we received from the approval of the grant. If we apply by December 1st we can ask for an additional $800.00.
HMEP Grant
Although we did not receive approval of the entire $5000.00 requested, we were awarded $4,200.00 for the Propane Risk Analysis. As a lot of organizations did not receive any funding, we were lucky to obtain these monies.
The funds will be used to conduct the Propane Risk Analysis that will make us aware of the major propane users, where the propane is stored, how much is stored and their emergency plans.
Cross Border Exercise
Barb Miller provided us with an update of the Cross Borders Exercise that occurred between Virginia and West Virginia, Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson Counties.
They tested the EOC phone system and radios which worked well. The only issues that arose were with parking and a few security issues with credentials.
13th Annual SERC Conference
Ed Smith reported on the information covered at the conference. It included: Propane Emergencies, Water System Threats, Need for better security around most water supplies, lack of back up generators, Communities Right to Know, National Guard SURF Program.
Other Business
NIMS 300 will be held at Customs on November 11th from 6-9 and December 1st and 2nd from 8-4.
Partnership meeting will be held on October 31 at 12 at the NCTC facility.
Commissioner Surkamp reported on the need for the Federal Secured Center that will allow employees to Telework.
Terry Mehling has been hired to fill one of the positions with the Department of Homeland Security.
Working on increasing time of green lights on Route 340 during weekends to help with flow of traffic and will continue to petition the Park Service to widen road to four lanes.
The Mutual Aid Agreement with Washington County Maryland is close to being completed. The agreement will allow Washington County to assist Jefferson County and vice versa during times of major events and disasters.
There will be a skeleton meeting to finalize the grant paper work for the Propane Risk Analysis at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Sarah’s office on December 19th.