Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee

Actions of Committee

The meeting was called to order by Chairman O’Donovan at 10AM and introductions were made. Dan noted that Mike Keane, our colleague, friend and vice-chairman of LEPC, passed away on December 3rd. The vice-chair vacancy will be addressed at the next LEPC meeting in March 2013. Mike will be missed by all.

· The September 19, 2012 LEPC Meeting Minutes were approved.

· A review of the “Active Shooter” full scale exercise conducted on October 16th at the Jefferson County High School was given by Tim Wilder. A lively discussion followed. The topic was particularly timely given the recent school shootings in Newtown, CT.

· Alerting Committee:

Dan O’Donovan advised that Appalachian Electric Cooperative has turned down the LEPC’s request to include a notice on their monthly billing statements relating to NIXLE. Brad Phillips suggested that this was most likely due to the AEC Boards’ concerns about endorsing a commercial enterprise such as NIXLE and that there were other alternatives available as respects getting the word out to county residents. These alternatives include use of the press, EMS billing statements and the Jefferson County official web site.

· LEPC Donation to Jefferson County Emergency Services Building:

Chairman O’Donovan proposed that LEPC purchase and donate a weather station for the County’s Emergency Operations Center. The cost of the equipment is $987.75 and would be paid out of LEPC’s fund balance of $5,920.47.

The motion was approved.

A second motion calling for the purchase of a leaflet display stand to be placed in the public reception area of the new building at cost of $182.50 was also approved. The display stand would be utilized by E-911, EMA / EMS and other appropriate organizations to provide brochures and literature to the public on matters relating to safety, preparedness and the like. The display stand would also be available for use at public events such as the annual Preparedness Fair.

A third motion was made calling for the purchase of an LEPC banner (2’ x 6’) at a cost of approximately $60 for use at public events. This motion was also approved.

· Emergency Support Functions 4 (Firefighting) and 10 (Enviornmental) were reviewed by Chief Turner.

· The 2013 LEPC meeting dates were set as follows:

March 19; June 18th; September 17th; December 17th will all meeting taking place at the County Health Department Building in Dandridge and commencing at 10AM.

· Other Issues / Concerns

Bob Crane, Area Coordinator for TEMA, reminded members that TEMA stands ready to assist with Incident Command training including ICS-300 classroom instruction but that a minimum of 15 students would be needed. He also advised that a weather exercise would be held February 18-23 with a communications element on the 19th.

Andrew Stepheson, ARC advised members that the Red Cross had various classes available including Disaster Mental Health for first responders.

Dan O’Donovan requested that J Ray Walker (or designee) brief the members on Rescue Squad capabilities and operations at the next LEPC meeting

George Mathews, NOAA / NWS will make a presentation at our next meeting.

· The meeting was adjourned at 11AM