Oxford County
Emergency Management Agency

PO Box 179, 26 Western Avenue
South Paris ME 04281
Ph 207-743-6336 FAX 207-743-7346 oxctyema@megalink.net
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8am-4pm

LEPC Minutes, July 28, 2009

The Oxford County Local Emergency Planning Committee met on Tuesday July 28, 2009 at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. The following were in attendance:

I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:06pm by Chairperson Teresa Inman.

II. Approval of Minutes
Kara Walker moved to accept the minutes and Dick Knight seconded the motion. Vote: Approved

III. Old Business
None

IV. New Business
a. Treasurers Report
Scott Parker motioned to accept the Treasurers Report and Bob Hand seconded the motion. Vote: Approved

b. Chemical Spill Report
Report provided by Kara Walker, DEP.
Kara also reported via email on July 29 that the Stoneham dump truck incident was reported to the Portland office, but had not yet been entered into the DEP database. Kara spoke with one of the responders involved and he indicated that the responders from Oxford County did an excellent job with their overall response, boom deployment, etc

c. Training Scheduled for August/September
OHCHS is a Point of Distribution (POD) center for water, flu vaccine, etc. The National Guard and State Police will be exercising this distribution site on August 13th. They have plans to include a riot scenario.

d. Exercise Programs – 2009 Western Maine Regional Exercise
The Red Cross will take the lead in managing the shelter at OHCHS with our County CERT members acting as the Red Cross support team. Our ARES Team will provide local and state communication and OXCART will shelter pets.

August 23rd – Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, 8am-1pm, Full Scale Exe/Sheltering
September 27th—Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, 8am-1pm, Full Scale Exe/ACS
October 18th—Oxford Plains Speedway, 8am-3pm, Full Scale Exe/Response

And LEPC members who are interested in participating in the exercise as a shelter client, please contact our office.

For the August 23rd portion of the exercise we will be using the state created scenario which is based on an ice storm during the 2009/2010 winter. County teams will receive notification 3 days prior to a sheltering need and placed on stand-by.

On September 27th first responders and Stephens Memorial Hospital will exercise using OHCHS as a overflow medical facility based on MCI at the local speedway. This is the first time ACS has been exercised in the state of Maine.

The final portion of the exercise will be held at the speedway on October 18th and will involve a hazardous chemical and a MCI. No full scale exercise will be hosted by Oxford County in 2010. We will participate in a tri-county exercise with York and Cumberland Counties in 2010.

e. Exercise Programs – EPA Tabletop at Rumford Power
There was an initial planning meeting in June with Jim Gaffey of the EPA. The next meeting is scheduled for August. The exercise will be held in November. This is an EPA sponsored and run exercise.

f. Tier II Update
The only facilities that have not reported for RY2008 are McDonald’s and they have been contacted. Once they report Oxford County will be at 100%. The only missing TRI is for Saunders Bros and the state is following up with them.

g.  H1N1 Update
Summer camps around the state have had cases of H1N1, but have managed those cases for the most part onsite and no children or counselors were sent home. Projections for the fall and winter flu season have led to an upcoming summit on August 20th in Augusta. The summit will review the actions and response in Spring 2009 to the outbreak and plan for the next year to mitigate and respond to H1N1 and seasonal flu based on lessons learned.

h. IMAT Status
We have a 15 person team and all members have been credentialed at state level. We have just purchased 3 cell phones and have a go-bag at the EMA office. Most recently the team was deployed to the mill fire in Lewiston and a fire in Dixfield.

i. Location and Timing of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on September 29th at 4pm at Hebron Academy. An IMAT meeting will be held at 2pm prior to the LEPC meeting.

Other Items
Dick Knight noted that 11 folks passed the HAM radio Technician course offered at the Oxford County EOC.

Michael Hughes reported that Hebron Academy has implemented the changes suggested from the facility tabletop in 2008.

Kara Walker stated that they now have one additional responder in Portland. The individual transferred to Portland from the Bangor office.

Dennis Gray reported that Oxford County United Way received double the amount received last year in food pantry, etc grants totaling over $66,000 for 2009.

Homeland Security Guidance should be coming out at the end of August.

Nancy White, School Planner in our office, is willing to help with updating Hebron and Gould Academy plans.

Bob Hand reports that all is well at PACE. They have had a few flu cases, but unsure whether seasonal or H1N1 and have taken the precaution of masking patients on their way in and providing private rooms while in the hospital.

Brad Frost stated that NEPW is taking Bancroft and their insurance company to court in hopes the Paris will receive reimbursement for fire costs.

j. Adjournment
Dick Knight motioned to adjourn. Bob Hand seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:50pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Allyson Hill

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Last modified: 10/26/09