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, January 27, 2009

The Oxford County Local Emergency Planning Committee met on Tuesday January 27, 2009 at Oxford County EOC in South Paris. The following were in attendance:

I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 PM by Chairman Scott Parker.

II. Approval of Minutes
Dennis Gray moved to accept the minutes and Allyson Hill seconded the motion. Vote: Approved

III. Old Business
NIMSCAST – 15 out of 36 towns had rolled up to the County to be eligible for NIMS compliancy.

IV. New Business
a. Treasurers Report
Michael Hatch motioned to accept the Treasurers Report and Dick Knight seconded the motion. Vote: Approved

b. Chemical Spill Report
LEPC spill report consisted of three items reported directly to the EMA office via Brad Frost. Kara also supplied the group with the DEP report for the year. Kara also noted that even if there is just a threat of release (i.e. accident, truck rollover, etc) the DEP should be called. She also wanted to spread the word that snowmelt on outside tanks will take the filter off the tank. There were many such calls last spring. Be advised to put filter protectors on above ground storage tanks or remove the snow from around the tanks, and pass this information along.

c. Training Scheduled for January/February
Mike Hatch reports that his Ops Level training focus is back to the basics, looking at the hazards within the towns. He also noted that the number of Ops level responders has dropped in the last few years.

d. Exercise Programs – 2008 & 2009 Western Maine Regional Exercises
2008 – Giving the group 12 mths to work out the issues identified through the exercise and to fully implement the improvement plan
2009 – This exercise is coming together. The most recent event was the orientation night that was attended by approximately 30 leaders. Ray Seames gave an overview of the 2003 rail incident in West Paris.

February 7^th-- S. Paris Fire Dept., 8am-5pm Table Top/Response
May 9^th – S. Paris Fire Dept., 8am-5pm Table Top/Recovery
August 16^th—Oxford Plains Speedway, 8am-3pm, Full Scale Exercise
August 23^rd – Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, 8am-3pm, Full Scale Exercise

e. Exercise Programs– EHS Facilities
EHS Facility Plan Reviews – Facility plan reviews were conducted in early November. All plans were found to meet the guidelines on the LEPC Plan Checklist and were mailed to each EHS facility for their signature. Any changes to contacts or other information would be appreciated.

f. Decon Strike Team #4
We have a one year commitment to get the team up to speed. If we are not able to live up to the MOU that the team has with the state, we may have to give all the equipment back to state level for redistribution. The main issue with the DST is lack of personnel. The DST has the opportunity to play a large part in the upcoming Full Scale Exercise.

g. CAMEO TTT/Advanced CAMEO Training, June 2009
Teresa attended the CAMEO TTT from October 28-31, and was informed she had passed the test in early December. Congratulations Teresa!

Teresa has applied for a scholarship to attend the Advanced CAMEO training on June, 8, 9, & 10 in Boston. We will be looking for approval of room and board funds at our March meeting.

h. Open Office Days/Tier II
Currently have 4 new facilities on board and already paying fees. 5 other new facilities were identified and previously contacted, sometimes on multiple occasions. If they do not contact us prior to the March 1^st reporting deadline, Teresa will be forwarding their information to the SERC. Open office days are scheduled for February 10 & 12, where facilities can come and get assistance filling out their Tier II reports. Facilities are please we are offering local assistance and are even asking us to help them fill out their reports for facilities in other counties.

i. Homeland Security Grants FY2008

j. NEPW AAR
This was the first event that has gone beyond one operational period in several years. It was a five-day event with 9 operational periods. All but three of the fifty-three departments that assisted were volunteers. It illustrated the need for depth and to know the talents of folks who mutually support you. It also validated the training that has happened over the last ten years; folks are working from the same basis and were able to move into and out of positions seamlessly.

k. IMAT Status
The team is soon to have an MOU with the State, which will in turn allow the team a budget and give them reporting requirements. The team is now looking to fill specialty positions. You need not be a first responder to join the team. For instance, someone who works in a factory in inventory control would be useful in logistics or a banker or office manager would be useful in finance.

l. Elect Chairperson
Allyson nominated Teresa Inman. Ray Seames noted that it was good to have two faces from our office recognized at state level. Rich Hatch and Dick Knight seconded. Vote: Approved.

m. Elect Treasurer
Scott Parker nominated Allyson Hill. Kara Walker seconded. Vote: Approved

n. 2009 Meetings

o. Location and Timing of Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 31^st at the County EMA Office.

Other Items:
Michael Hatch reported that SMH is looking to set up a HAM Radio Technician class in late February/early March

 Sue Gammon of Oxford County and Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District spoke to the group in regard to forming a better alliance between farmers and first responders and helping farmers to be better prepared for emergencies and disasters. Farmers need an easy to understand form and template to create a plan. Due to quantity levels and farm exemption they are not required to report their chemicals to the state. Sue has spoken with Scott and Robert Gardner and will soon speak with Joanne Potvin looking for support. A workshop that brought farmers and first responders together would benefit both parties. Most firefighters do not know about storage containers or chemicals stored on a farm. Sue is looking to develop workshops for first responders and farmers and hopes to at least prompt the farmer to create a map of their farm and the chemicals on their farm for local fire departments. There is also the potential for a farm exercise once planning is in place that could also include our county CART team.

She has also spoken with the Coop Extension about Farm safety workshops and the Board of Pesticides about the potential to offer pesticide credits to farmers for workshop attendance. It was noted that it was essential to explain to the farmer why we need the information. The workshop would focus on educating both farmers and first responders as opposed to bringing farms into any kind of compliance.

Sue is looking into grant sources and is looking for an in-kind match from local LEPC’s, whether it be help with training, space for meetings, etc. There are 300+ working farms in Oxford County; she will primarily be looking at crop and dairy farms. Potential presenters are the Board of Pesticides, Coop Extension, LEPC HazMat Instructors. Potential for regional workshops, maybe 2 or 3 per county. Sue welcomes any ideas or suggestions anyone may have. Scott said he would like to have her come to the Fire Chief meetings within the county and present this idea to them. Ray Seames commented that he would really like to see Fire Chiefs and farmers in the same room learning from one another. Soil and Water Board of Directors would really like to see this happen.

p. Adjournment
Scott Parker motioned to adjourn the meeting. Allyson Hill seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 5:38pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Allyson Hill

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