MINUTES
REGION I RHSOC MEETING
Thursday, October 18, 2007
2 p.m.
MRPC, St. James
Call to Order: Chairman Robert Hutson called the October 18, 2007, meeting of the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee to order at 2:14 p.m.
Committee Members Present:
Bob Hutson, Debbie Rhodes, James Morgan, Charles Witt, Paul Rueff and Linda Hanranhan, Darrell Skiles
Visitors and Staff Present:
Zada Farris, and Jim Pasley, of SEMA, Paul Fennewald, Department of Public Safety- DHS, Edna Bridges, Red Cross; Jim Lundstad, Missouri Department of Public Safety; Terry Brown, Dent County Medical Reserve Corps; Deborah Hobson, Salem Memorial District Hospital; James Remillard, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I; Jesus Gomez , Ex-officio ; Alan Cortirent , Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Lawson Smith- Pulaski EMD; Russ Canton; U.S. Geological Survey; Byron Burke, Dent County CERT; George LaJoie, Air Evac Life Team; Brad Nash, Dent County Fire District; David Finch, Missouri Department Public Safety-Homeland Security; Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC; Bonnie Prigge, MRPC; Christine Sorbello, MRPC.
Approval of Minutes:
Paul Rueff moved to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2007 meeting, James Morgan seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Membership Turnover and Introductions of New Members:
Bob Hutson, Chairman thanked the committee for allowing him the opportunity to serve as chairman for RHSOC committee. Tammy Snodgrass, of MRPC, updated the present committee members and discipline and meeting attendees regarding the members that would be stepping down in their board positions and opened the floor for new nominations. Mrs. Snodgrass suggested each of the attending disciplines communicate to their peers the need for nominations and participation on the committee and respond back to MRPC the nominations for primary and alternate positions.
Nomination and Election of New Vice Chair:
Bob Hutson will be stepping down as Chairman as his term has expired. Paul Rueff will be moving into the new Chair position. Paul Rueff opened the floor for new Vice Chair nominations. No nominations were made at the meeting, Paul Rueff tabled the Vice Chair Election to next meeting.
Paul Fennewald suggested that the committee contact other volunteer organizations for recruitment opportunities including the police and sheriff associations to assist in filling positions within the committee.
Paul Rueff requested that the Pledge of Allegiance be added to agenda for all future RHSOC meetings.
Update of FY06 Grant Expenditures to Date:
Tammy Snodgrass of MRPC provided a document outlining all of the expenditures, and requested and approved projects from FY06 and the status of procurement, MOU’s and other projects and funding from FY 06 Grant.
Mrs. Snodgrass also updated the committee on the need for FY07 for all MOU’s and Agreements for equipment housing, maintenance and licensing requirements for future will need to be made during the application process. If a separate agency or jurisdiction will be housing any equipment a letter of agreement for responsibility will need to be submitted with the FY 07 local application.
Jesus Gomez, Emergency Management (EOC) mentioned that Fort Leonard Wood will be available for housing the VEMAT trailer. Staff will follow up with Mr. Gomez to finalize location and agreement.
FY07 Regionalization :
Zada Farris provided an update on the 2007 Grant year. The grant formula for 2007 was consistent with the 2006 grant funding formula. The formula is calculated by population/county/ critical infrastructure. The grant award for Region I for FY 07 is $305,123.20. This is the grant award less the 3% M & A. The FY07 grant consists of five investment justifications including Agricultural Risk, Medical Surge, Interoperability, Mass Care and Interoperability 911. Zada referred the RHSOC committee to contact the regional planning commission to obtain the exact investment justification detail. The grant cycles are for FY 06 all allocations must be exhausted by June 30, 2008 and all funds allocated for FY 07 are required by deadline of June 30, 2008. The regional planning commission deadline to submit area applications is February 29, 2008.
Local Grant Application :
Tammy Snodgrass informed all agencies wanting to submit local application for consideration will need to be submitted to MRPC by November 26, 2007. A grant review meeting has been scheduled for December 11, 2007. Mrs. Snodgrass also informed the committee on the key points for completing their local application:
-Equipment purchases must be AEL approved equipment as outlined by SEMA.
- A letter of support from entity whom will be housing and maintaining any equipment purchased with HS grant funds.
-All training class room or exercises must be DHS approved and compliant with state requirements.
Bonnie Prigge stated for local grant applications being submitted for multi-jurisdictions to be outlined and stated in grant application for FY07.
Mrs. Snodgrass agreed to provide definitions with local application to all disciplines for local application.
Jim Morgan made a motion to accept the local application and Linda Hanrahan seconded. The local application passed unanimously.
Discussion of Discipline Groups:
Tammy Snodgrass urged the board and all attendees the great need for inter-discipline communications within Region I. Mrs. Snodgrass offered for MRPC staff to provide each of the disciplines with contact information including name, phone number and email. Open communications within each discipline is of great importance. The discipline and community involvement and participation is of maximum importance for sustainability and obtaining Region I goals.
Office of Homeland Security Update- Introduction of Chief Interoperability Officer-
Paul Fennewald from Missouri Department of Public Safety-Homeland Security thanked Bob Hutson for his contributions to the committee for Region I. Mr. Fennewald updated the committee on the levels of distribution for Homeland Security funds from Federal level to state Govenor’s, and that the governor through his advisory council makes the decision on how the funds get distributed regionally. Mr. Fennewald stressed the importance for all local community individuals to communicate with their elected officials on their concerns and suggestions within the region. The Govenor’s advisory council meets on November 9, 2007 and on the first Wednesday of every month.
Paul Fennewald Introduced Jim Lundstad as the new state Chief Interoperability officer. Mr. Lunstad has over thirty five years of service with the department of public safety. Mr. Lunstad stated that by Fall of 2008 $985 million dollars will be given to fifty states with Missouri receiving approximately $17.5 million to spend for interoperable communications on the state level. The plan is for a multi-jurisdictional approach. The state will be conducting as assessment from all current state agencies including Highway Patrol, Department of Health Services, Department of Natural Resources to identify the radio strength, channel, frequency capabilities. State Emergency Management Agency –Interoperbility Divison intends to have a state guideline available within 45 days to serve as a guide for local and regional interoperability planning.
Report from the Department of Health and Senior Services:
Paula Woodsmall from the Department of Health and Senior Services Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism informed the committee that the annex plan development is underway to provide a template for local planning for emergency response for special needs citizens within each community. The Department of Health and Senior Services is working to provide the special needs population with emergency preparedness and developing a multi-agency state resource center for self-sustainability and medical provisional care.
Information Sharing
Bonnie Prigge shared the announcement of NADO awards for the State Association recognizing SEMA for its regionalization project and accomplishments.
Alan Cortirent suggested that staff send reminder notices either by phone or email to encourage additional participation from all discipline involvement and meeting attendance.
Christine Sorbello shared that MRPC is coordinating with local disciplines to schedule the CERT trainings for each county within Region I. The goal is to have an experienced trainer partner with our local Region I Train-The-Trainer attendees for first initial training sessions. Any suggestions on local, experienced, and professional trainers for MRPC to contact are greatly appreciated.
Charles Witt informed the committee that the Interoperability subcommittee welcomes any pilot guidelines from the discipline groups for a more defined direction for Interop planning and equipment purchasing.
Bonnie Prigge suggested that the interoperability committee focus to cover the basic needs in the area as first priority and build upon the foundation moving forward as state guidelines are released and built upon.
Scheduled Meeting Dates and Deadlines:
Next homeland security meeting scheduled for January 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at MRPC, St. James.
Local grant applications are due to MRPC by November 26, 2007 by 5:00 p.m.
Grant review meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at MRPC, St. James.
Paul Rueff made a motion to adjourn; motion was seconded by Bob Hutson
Adjourn:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:43 p.m.
Minutes Approved:
Chairman Date
Vice-Chairman Date