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Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Chairpersons/Staff Contacts Meeting Synopsis

Local Emergency Planning Committee

Chairpersons/Staff Contacts Meeting Synopsis

Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Carr Building

3800 Commonwealth Boulevard , 170M

Tallahassee , Florida 32399

April 12, 2007

In Attendance:

George Danz, Chairman

Manny Cela

Richard Delp

Debbie Thayer

Richard Smith

Chris Rietow

Edye Rowell

Dwayne Mundy

Jeff Alexander

George Weiss

Milton Hill

Michael Arnold

Jennifer Hobbs

Bill Lofgren

Bruce Porter

John Gibbons

Chris Bushman

Kathryn Boer

Chairman Danz called the Local Emergency Planning Committee (Committee) Chairs/Staff Contacts meeting to order. Introductions followed the Pledge of Allegiance as well as a moment of silence in memory of Ms. Teri Hunalp, former District 6 Committee staff. All in attendance were welcomed.

Training Task Force (Task Force) Update – Chief Don Perdue

Mr. Don Perdue reported that there were three presentations during the Task Force meeting. The first presentation was an overview of the E-Plan system developed in partnership with U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Texas at Dallas . The E-Plan system is web-based, is capable of storing fixed facility hazardous chemical information, is compatible with Tier2Submit, CAMEO fm , RMP*Info and is free to first responders. It also contains an individual chemical search capability that can be used in transportation accidents. Next, the Florida Hospital Association provided an update of ongoing training for “first receivers” including core competencies and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Best Practices. The final presentation demonstrated an easy-to-use responder tool called the (Smart Chart) currently used by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. This four-step system is a quick guidance tool used in a hazardous materials incident to assist first responders in making quick, informative decisions regarding personal protective equipment, isolation areas, hazards, reactivity and more.

Mr. Perdue stated that the Task Force held a workshop on the previous day to begin the process of developing a strategic plan which will identify goals and objectives for the next five years. Of the projects currently proposed, the Task Force will identify specific tasks associated with each project. Upon completion, the strategic plan will be submitted to the State Emergency Response Commission (Commission) for review.

Mr. Perdue reported that the Task Force had two recommendations to present to the Committee for approval to forward to the Commission. The first recommendation is that a follow-up letter be sent from the Commission to the Domestic Security Oversight Council requesting resolution of a designated radio frequency for the hazardous material response teams. The second recommendation was to prepare a certificate of appreciation and letter recognizing Ms. Eve Rainey's efforts and accomplishments while working with the Task Force.

CAMEO Issues – Mr. Tim Date

Mr. Date reported that the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency released an updated version of CAMEO fm in February. He briefly described the types of updates and how the update affected CAMEO fm .

District Reports

In addition to the Hazmatters, the Districts reported the following:

District 1: Ms. Deborah Thayer reported that the district recently held a CAMEO fm class. She also reported that the Committee is working on their plan update. Ms. Thayer added that approximately twenty-one facilities will be contacted as they work on the Hazardous Material Emergency Plan planning project, Section 302 Facility Outreach. She added that the LEPC will conduct their biennial exercise during June and it will be a table top exercise. Finally, Ms. Thayer announced that Mr. Jerry Levins of the West Florida Regional Planning Council retired, and Mr. Bruce Thompson will take over the hazards analyses updates.

District 2: Mr. Chris Rietow stated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed the CAMEO fm course on July 31-August 2, 2007 at the Tallahassee Fire Department Training Division classroom. Mr. Rietow also stated that they are coordinating with Wakulla County to schedule Awareness and Operations Level training.

District 3: Mr. Dwayne Mundy reported on a recent chlorine release in District 3. He also reported that an article he prepared regarding Florida 's Hazardous Materials Awareness Week was published in the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's newsletter.

District 4 : Mr. Jeff Alexander reported that District 4 will be hosting a 16-hour Spill and Leak Control course in May, 2007.

District 5: Mr. Michael Arnold reported on upcoming courses which include a Clandestine Drug Lab course as well as a 40-hour Emergency Medical Response to Hazardous Materials Incident course to be offered April 30-May 4, 2007. Mr. Arnold stated that their Local Emergency Planning Committee is also updating their emergency response plan.

District 6: Ms. Jennifer Hobbs began by expressing appreciation for all of the support and acts of kindness shown by the Florida Division of Emergency Management staff and Local Emergency Planning Committee members during Ms. Hunalp's illness and passing. On behalf of Ms. Hunalp's family,

Ms. Hobbs thanked everyone for their support and thoughtfulness. Ms. Hobbs then reported that their training committee is planning an Incident Command class, a Propane class, a CAMEO fm class, and a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response class. Ms. Hobbs mentioned that their Committee is also conducting a full-scale and table-top exercise in Lake County during the months of May and June.

District 7: Mr. Gary Weiss represented District 7 for Mr. Chuck Carter. He had no additional updates and referred to Hazmatters.

District 8: Mr. Bill Lofgren reported that District 8 will be conducting a Clandestine Drug Lab class in conjunction with Pinellas County . Mr. Lofgren reported that Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has elected a new chairman, Mr. Scott Ehlers. Mr. Lofgren added that staff represented the Committee at meetings of the Tampa Bay Spill Committee and the U. S. Coast Guard Area Committee. Additionally, staff attended the initial planning session for Clean Gulf 2007 in Tampa and will be attending the second final planning session for the Clean Gulf 2007 conference. The Region IV Regional Domestic Security Task Force General Assembly meeting will be held May 1, 2007 at the Tampa office of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Mr. Lofgren added that the Committee's next facility hazardous materials planning outreach will be a 4-hour workshop on May 30, 2007, and will be geared towards hazards assessments. Additionally, the Committee will be hosting a workshop for the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Risk Management Planning outreach project. In closing, Mr. Lofgren reported that the Committee will host the first Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program Mobile Training Module in Pinellas Park on August 21-24, 2007. The course will update those wanting exercise planning and evaluator training and the Train-the-Trainer course.

District 9: Mr. John Gibbons reported that there is a Committee Plan update workshop scheduled for May 17, 2007. He added that Hazardous Materials Awareness Week activities in January went well. In closing, he announced that the Committee is beginning to plan for its 2008 exercise and has had positive feedback including two private facilities as well as local government entities.

District 10: Ms. Kathryn Boer reported that District 10 will be conducting a series of Incident Command System (ICS300) courses in their region, a Hazmat IQ class and some additional training courses. Ms. Boer added that the Committee coordinated a CAMEO fm training held in Palm Beach County . She also reported that Mr. Tim Date supplemented the training on the fourth day covering the scope of work in the Hazards Analysis Update contract and the data as it relates to CAMEO fm . Ms. Boer announced that the Committee will be conducting a biennial workshop/table-top exercise scheduled for May 31, 2007. Additionally the Committee's emergency response plan update is complete and has been submitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Ms. Boer announced that the Committee is conducting Community Workshops and Section 302 Facility Outreach.

District 11: Mr. Manny Cela announced that District 11 is considering hosting a Hazmat Challenge event. He also stated that the Committee has been approved for a custom-tailored Chemical Compatibility and Storage Course and that an ALOHA class will be scheduled later in the year. Mr. Cela reported that the Committee selected the Shelter-in–Place project as their Hazardous Materials Emergency Prepared-ness planning project. Mr. Cela also added that Committee member, Craig Marston, City of Key West Fire Marshal , presented a Shelter-In-Place seminar to personnel of the Monroe County School District . In closing, Mr. Cela stated that the District 11 hosted a Table-Top Exercise presented by CSX Railroad in March. Other Business Mr. Donald Kunish provided each Committee with a compact disc containing the Hazardous Materials Information System database. Mr. Kunish also introduced his new staff, Mr. Michael Younger, and announced that Ms. Shanti Smith has accepted a position with Florida State University . Mr. Kunish announced that the Risk Management Planning Program has scheduled preliminary training sessions throughout the state on how to complete a compliance audit for the program. Mr. Kunish added that more information on these training sessions will be forwarded to the Committees. Ms. Powers announced that there is additional training dollars from the 2006-2007 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant available to the Committees for training. A request for additional funds (including description of training course) should be submitted to Ms. Powers. Mr. Date also reminded the Committees to include any copies of subcontracts that may be entered into for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant contract for approval 30 days prior to the date of the training as well as the Plans of Instruction. Mr. Date announced that Mr. Sean Loughlin accepted a position with the Mitigation Section and Ms. Ashley Sanders has been promoted to fill the vacant position. Ms. Powers referenced a hand-out provided to each Committee Chair and Staff which gave an update on a bill introduced in the House and Senate to overturn a final U. S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that increases the eligibility of Form A reporting for the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). This bill will eliminate the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's authority to change the frequency of TRI reporting, require the use of Form R, and prohibit the use of Form A for reporting releases of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals. In addition, Mr. Kunish announced that the U. S. Department of Homeland Security released the chemical facility anti-terrorism standards which will require approximately 600-700 Florida facilities to complete a secure on-line assessment (‘top-screen') which will assist the U. S. Department of Homeland Security in determining the facilities' overall level of risk. Facilities that receive the high level of risk designation will be assigned a place in a tiered risk-based system. High-risk facilities will be required to conduct vulnerability assessments and submit site security plans that meet the Department's performance standards. Some general discussion followed regarding facilities that may be exempt.

Ms. Powers reminded the Committees that their emergency plan updates are due by June 30, 2007.

Ms. Powers then confirmed that the Florida Division of Emergency Management is undergoing a reorganization and referred the Committees to a draft organizational chart illustrating the proposed structure of the Division. The Hazardous Materials Planning and Prevention Section is now located in the Bureau of Preparedness under the direction of Ms. Carla Boyce. Ms. Powers advised that the reorganization is not final and additional changes may be made.

Mr. Lofgren shared that he attended the Florida Division of Emergency Management's area/regional meeting in his district which proved to be beneficial. He advised other Committees to participate in their area/regional meetings. There was some additional discussion regarding the Division of Emergency Management area boundaries and the possibility of the boundaries changing to coincide with the Regional Domestic Security Task Force regions.

Mr. Lofgren inquired if there have been any efforts to re-introduce legislation to provide worker protection for public sector employees. Ms. Powers responded that due to time constraints with the 2007 Legislative Session, she anticipated bills being introduced for the 2008 Legislative Session. Mr. Kunish volunteered to research if any legislation has been introduced on this issue.

Ms. Hobbs inquired on the status of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Storage Tank Inventory rule and the potential changes of the rule. Ms. Powers responded that there was a meeting with the Department of Environmental Protection's Storage Tank program and she would forward highlights from the meeting to the Committees.

Ms. Boer inquired about the Hazardous Materials Information System compact discs which includes a comment that all public records request should be directed to the State Emergency Response Commission. Mr. Kunish responded by explaining that the Commission is the official record holder and releases the Committees of the burden of having to release chemical and facility information from the database. In addition, the Commission would be able to provide more current data as the database is constantly being updated.

Ms. Powers referenced a memorandum prepared by legal staff that was distributed to the Committee Chairs and Staff prior to the meeting regarding the exemption of site plan maps from disclosure under the Public Records Act. She advised that after discussions with the Governor's Office of Open Government, it was determined that specific on-site locations of hazardous materials (site plans) provided for the Hazards Analysis purposes are exempt from public disclosure under the Public Records Act.

Mr. Alexander announced that the U. S. Department of Homeland Security is funding a Hazmat/Urban Search and Rescue conference/workshop in St. Petersburg on April 30-May 2, 2007. He also announced a terrorism conference that will be held in Tallahassee , May 3-4, 2007 at Doak Campbell Stadium titled “Dealing with Terrorism in the 21 st Century.” He encouraged anyone with a role in response or planning to attend.

Issues for the State Emergency Response Commission

The Committee supports all of the issues raised by the Training Task Force (see above). No other business was identified requiring the Commission's attention.

Schedule Next Meeting

The next Local Emergency Planning Committee Chairs/Staff meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2007 in Tallahassee , Florida .