Present:   Chuck Bump, Monika Lain-Shaw, Janet Stanovich, Mike Vaughn,        Shirley Finneman, Denny Leahy, Stu Tanner, Jeri Wicks, Bob Guldstrand,         Dick Rekart, Jerry Thompson, Dave Wolin, Ed Guzman, Roger Simms, Barry Thorn, Phil Hudecek, Bernie Smith, Lynn Vaughn  

Meeting called to order:  0730 hrs.

Minutes: March, 2006 minutes approved.

Introductions:

New Business:  

Shirley Finneman announced that she will be relocating for a three-year period and will not be able to attend meetings after this session.

Dave Wolin reported on Earth Day – Sunday, April 23, 2006 in North Fork .  He is planning to set up a booth and asking for volunteers to man the station.  Sierra Ambulance and CDF will also have booth space at the event.  Dave also wants to set a booth at the Peddler’s Fair on Memorial Weekend – wants to know if committee is interested in doing this event.  The Fall Festival held in Oakhurst will be another event to consider setting a larger display – incorporating more EMS agency booth assignment.  He wants to know if the committee is interested in participating in this event, as well.

Phil Hudecek from Madera County Environmental Health Department presented information about an Area Plan to incorporate all responding agencies.  The last update on this Plan was done in 1998.  Phil may be contacting individuals/agencies to learn how they plan to respond.  Perhaps they have written documentation of Plans to share.   The Plan will include each agency’s roles and responsibilities; training needs and monies required.  They are thinking about conducting update every three-years; eventually adjust to update on a yearly basis.  Hired a consultant to assist with plan – incorporating State response plan through State OES – evaluated every three-years.  They are required by the State to develop the Area Plan. 

Bernie Smith from Madera County Public Health Department presented information about Pandemic Flu and putting a plan together – they are mandated by the State to develop the plan.  The Public Health Department is looking at expanding its POD (Point of Dispensing) sites for mass emergency if the flu hits.  However, we may not have any vaccine for 6 months.  “We are on our own.”  The larger populated areas may be higher priority than smaller counties.  This is the reason for developing mass POD sites.  We have1 hospital = 106 beds county-wide.  As for Children’s Hospital, 18 counties are including this site in their plans.  Another thought- involves keeping people home and off the streets.  The flu could go in waves any where from 6-18 months.  Some of the POD sites possibilities: Chowchilla Fairgrounds Grounds, Community Care Center , Madera Fair, Ranchos, Chowchilla (Dr. Ritchey).  In regards to Home Health Agencies and Public Health nurses- they would set up triage sites to determine if who will go to hospitals, etc.  There are only 14 ambulances and only 7 are staffed.  The object is to keep people in their respective areas.  In regards to home health: stock up on own needs; 7000 people living in group-type facilities; setting up day care for responders; and Faith-based presentation (in August?).  When/if flu hits – it will be national event.

Ed Guzman commented: staffing will be an issue, need to be sure people will report to work the triage stations, for example.  Roger Simms commented: this is a dynamic situation – we need to communicate by any/all media sources.  Barry Thorn commented: that the reverse 9-1-1 communications will call 40 people per minute.  Training will be starting with dispatchers, etc.  

Discussion/Round Table:   

Julie Pardini reported that the ARC is planning for pandemic event.  They have opened flood shelters – especially in Firebaugh area.  ARC will not open shelter in if there is a pandemic event – encourage people to be prepared and to shelter in place. 

Chuck Bump (SO) reported on a snow training held for search and rescue personnel.  The training occurred at Cold Springs Summit area.  Teams were shuttled from Bass Lake Substation on quads; and then transferred to snowmobiles.  Teams built snow caves, and trained with avalanche equipment.  

Bob Guldstrand (Radio club) reported that there will be a Volunteer in Prevention meeting on May 5^th.  

Monika Lain-Shaw (Sierra Cares) reported that with the evacuation of 150 animals during the North Fork fire, the Sierra Cares group was established.  During a disastrous event, it is important to move the animals far enough away – to avoid moving them again.  

Barry Thorn (OES) reported about a tracking system ($30,000) will be a part of the NIMS requirements.   Volunteer ID- get people registered with this system – they would have access to their own personal record for updating purposes.   

Janet Stanovich:  (Community Response Team, SAR) reported on the project she is working on with Public Health Department in regards to special populations groups living in Madera County.  There is a Workshop planned in May – designed to bring agencies and care providers together to discuss emergency preparedness and special populations community needs.  

Dave Wolin:  reported that he has completed the CERT course through the Fresno County Citizen Corps Council.  

Next meeting:  Thursday, May 11, 2006 – 0730 hrs.  Sierra Ambulance in Oakhurst  

Meeting adjourned at:  0840 hrs.