Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
Chairpersons/Staff Contacts Meeting Synopsis
October 4, 2007
In Attendance:
George Dan, Chairman
Manny Cela
Richard Delp
John Gallagher
Richard Smith
Chris Rietow
Edye Rowell
Dwayne Mundy
Michael Arnold
Joe Schenk
Jennifer Hobbs
April Raulerson
Mike Linkins
Chuck Carter
Scott Ehlers
Bill Lofgren
Bruce Porter
John Gibbons
Chris Bushman
Kathryn Boer
Heather Golightly
INTRODUCTIONS
Chairman Danz called the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Chair/Staff contacts meeting to order and requested a moment of silence for servicemen in combat and for Ms. Sheri Powers' family. Introductions followed the Pledge of Allegiance and all in attendance were welcomed.
Mr. Tim Date mentioned the Inaugural Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Chemical Emergency Conference collocated with the 17 th Annual Clean Gulf Conference to take place in Tampa , Florida , at the Tampa Convention Center November 14-16, 2007. Mr. Date encouraged all Local Emergency Planning Committee members to attend the event. He emphasized the conference will bring together key regulatory, operational and response personnel to discuss topics on hazmat spill preparedness and response and other issues concerning chemical emergencies, as well as provide opportunities for networking.
Mr. Date also introduced new staff members, Mr. Byron Underwood, the Bureau Chief for Preparedness and Ms. Donna Ray, of the Technological Hazards Unit.
TRAINING TASK FORCE UPDATE Mr. Doug Wolfe
Mr. Doug Wolfe reported on the following items discussed at the Training Task Force meeting. Mr. Wolfe announced that the Training Task Force worked on the Training Task Force's membership guidelines. Mr. Wolfe mentioned that revisions were needed to the guidelines before forwarding the guidelines to the State Emergency Response Commission for review. Mr. Wolfe noted that the Training Task Force is continuing to work on projects outlined on the flow chart. Mr. Wolfe pointed out that the Florida State Fire College has established continuing Refresher Competency examination for HazMat technicians and the Florida Association of HazMat Responders (FLAHR) Conference scheduled for November was postponed due the impact of budget changes.
NATIONAL EXERCISE SCHEDULE SYSTEM Ms. Linda McWhorter
Ms. Linda McWhorter gave a presentation on the National Exercise Schedule System. Ms. McWhorter explained that the National Exercise System serves as a management tool and reference document for exercise planning. The National Exercise System is generally taught during the toolkit portion of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program training. She noted that the National Exercise System is an on-line system that is designed to allow users to schedule exercises, and allows the users to view exercise reports for better synchronization with other federal and state agencies and volunteer organizations.
Ms. McWhorter explained that there were several roles in the National Exercise Schedule System. Ms. McWhorter noted that Mr. Michael McCarty and she have Exercise Administrative Authority. Ms. McWhorter explained that the Exercise Administrative Authority personnel have authority over all exercises and users within the scheduling domain. The authority allows designated personnel to oversee the exercise calendar, delete and approve exercises to be placed on the National Exercise Schedule System.
Ms. McWhorter pointed out that the Exercise Scheduler has the ability to create new exercises. She noted that the Exercise Scheduler can only modify or delete any exercise that was created by the scheduler. Ms. McWhorter stated that the creator of the exercise has the ability to designate an individual as the Exercise Point of Contact. The Exercise Point of Contact has view only access to the National Exercise Schedule System.
HOMELAND SECURITY EXERCISE AND EVALUATION PROGRAM
Ms. Linda McWhorter/Mr. Bill Lofgren
Mr. Bill Lofgren reported on the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program and discussed the differences between the old training program and the new training system. Mr. Lofgren pointed out that the new Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program goes into more in-depth material on exercise planning. The exercise planning module has a building block approach in which is a template outlines everything that needs to be accomplished. Mr. Lofgren stressed that correcting deficiencies will be tied to receipt of receiving funding. Mr. Chris Rietow then provided a brief summary of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program course held in Local Emergency Planning Committee District 2 (Tallahasse) area. Mr. Rietow stated that the new training program is capabilities based planning rather than outcome based. Ms. McWhorter mentioned that there will be a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program class October 22-25, 2007 in Tallahassee sponsored by the Department of Health. Ms. McWhorter stated that there are several class slots still available.
NIMS AND NIMSCAST Mr. Morgan Franklin
Mr. Morgan Franklin presented a report on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The National Incident Management System enables responders and authorities from different jurisdictions and disciplines to better work together within a consistent framework for incident management. Mr. Franklin indicated that all federal, state, tribal and local entities, private sector and non-governmental personnel with a direct role in emergency management and response must be National Incident Management System and Incident Command System trained. This includes all emergency services related disciplines such as emergency management, hospitals, public health, fire service, law enforcement, public works/utilities and other emergency management response, support and volunteer personnel.
Mr. Franklin noted that Homeland Security Presidential Directives require Federal Departments and agencies to make adoption of the National Incident Management System by state and local organizations a condition for federal preparedness assistance. Mr. Franklin stated that the National Incident Management System Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMCAST) is a web-based self assessment instrument for state, territorial, tribal, and local governments to evaluate and report their jurisdictions achievement of all the National Incident Management System activities. He explained that using the NIMCAST will assist the emergency management communities with compliance with the National Incident Management System requirements.
Mr. Franklin referred the Committee to two handouts on the National Incident Management System. One handout dealing with the 2007 and 2008 State Agency Requirements and frequently asked questions on the National Incident Management System. The second handout summarizes the on-going National Incident Management System Implementation Activities Schedule by fiscal year.
DISTRICT 4 LEPC EXERCISE OVERVIEW
The District 4 Local Emergency Planning Committee exercise presentation was rescheduled until the next meeting.
DISTRICT REPORTS
District 1: Mr. John Gallagher reported that there were 21 hazards analyses site visits conducted this quarter and the Local Emergency Planning Committee will be doing a Pipeline Security briefing.
District 2: Mr. Chris Rietow reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee is preparing a 48-hour Fire Chemistry class and conducting Awareness classes.
District 3: Mr. Dwayne Mundy reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee received the Gas Pipeline presentation and is conducting Operations Level Training classes registered through the Florida Fire College .
District 4: Ms. Heather Golightly reported that staff attended the updated training for the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program hosted by District 2 Local Emergency Planning Committee.
District 5: Mr. Michael Arnold reported the Local Emergency Planning Committee has collected approximately two hundred fifty Tier Two submissions from local businesses in completing the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Planning project.
District 6: Ms. April Raulerson reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted a HazMat IQ class to efficiently and safely respond to hazardous materials emergencies. Ms. Raulerson also reported that the LEPC conducted First Responder Awareness for Clandestine Lab Operations training.
District 7: Mr. Chuck Carter reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted a HazMat IQ class and he passed out a flyer produced by the LEPC as an information tool on When a Hazardous Materials Disaster Strikes.
District 8: Mr. Bill Lofgren reported that staff attended the Region 4 Division of Emergency Management meeting in Wauchula , Florida . Mr. Lofgren also attended an Ammonia Siren Warning briefing at the Port of Tampa . Mr. Lofgren indicated that planning is underway for two exercises. The first exercise is the closing of the Port of Tampa scheduled for the spring of 2008 and the second exercise is the Local Emergency Planning Committee Biennial exercise with a HazMat component.
District IX: Mr. John Gibbons reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted a HAZWOPER Technician Level Refresher class and planning is underway for the Biennial exercise.
District X: Ms. Kate Boer reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted a HazMat IQ class.
District XI: Mr. Manny Cela reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted an 8-hour Chemical Compatibility and Storage Class. The class covered the proper storage and chemical compatibility of hazardous materials.
OTHER BUSINESS
1) HMIS Distribution - Mr. Donald Kunish provided the LEPCs with a compact disc containing the Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) database. Mr. Kunish announced that he has received a promotion and that Mr. Michael Younger will now be providing the compact disc at the quarterly meetings.
2) Hazardous Materials Awareness Week Mr. Tim Date mentioned that Hazardous Materials Awareness Week will take place January 21-25, 2008. Mr. Date asked the Local Emergency Planning Committees to consider ideas on how to promote this annual event locally and forward their plans to the Division of Emergency Management.
3) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Award Mr. Tim Date announced that the new Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant award has been received and funding is at the same level as previous years.
4) How-to-Comply Manuals Mr. Bill Lofgren inquired about when the new How-to-Comply manuals will be available. Mr. Don Kunish replied that there is no estimated time frame on when the manuals will be available. Mr. Kunish pointed out that the manual was available on the Division of Emergency Management website.
5) Incident Command System 449 Class Mr. Byron Underwood announced that the ICS 449 class which is train-the-trainer program for Incident Command System will be held in the Division of Emergency Management Regions. The Region 4 meeting is scheduled for January, 2008; Region 5 meeting is scheduled for March, 2008; Region 7 meeting is scheduled for April, 2008; and Region 9 is scheduled for September, 2008.
6) Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Executive Director Mr. John Gibbons announced that the Regional Planning Council's Executive Director David Y, Burr passed away.
ISSUES FOR THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION
Chairman Danz asked if there were issues to be taken to the State Emergency Response Commission. Mr. Bruce Porter mentioned that several of the positions on the State Emergency Response Commission are vacant. Mr. Porter inquired into what efforts could be taken to speed up the process. Mr. Underwood announced that several nominations have been submitted to the Governor's office for approval. No other business was identified requiring the State Emergency Response Commission attention.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business or discussion, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
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