Present:   Tom Burdette, Mike Hackworth, Roger Simms, Barry Thorn,Paul Calkins, John Irwin,  Janet Stanovich, Lynn Vaughn, Chris Dragoo, Denny Litten, Stu Tanner, Mike Vaughn, Ed Guzman, Dick Rekart, Jerry Thompson, Dave Wolin                                                                

Meeting called to order:  0735 hrs by Ed Guzman

Minutes:  January, 2006 minutes approved.   Motion – D. Wolin; Seconded –  S. Tanner

Dave Wolin introduced Mike Hackworth from the Sierra Star.  He and Dave went by the storage container to take pictures.  In the future, each agency will be individually contacted if / when they have information to give Mike about their participation in emergency preparedness. 

Discussion and Round Table:

Chris Dragoo supplied copies of the “After-Action-Report” (from the December 8, 2005 Disaster Drill Exercise) to the committee members. 

Chris also handed out pamphlets for the Pandemic Flu & Mass Casualty Surge  Conference to be held on February 23, 2006 in Visalia .  This conference is geared to provide information for hospitals, managed care, clinics, public health, etc.,  throughout Region 5 ( Fresno , Kern, Tulare , Merced , Madera , Kings, & Mariposa Counties). 

  Also, on February 24, 2006 there will be a work day – follow-up from (2/23/06) held at Valley Children’s Hospital.

Chris reported on the Spring ’06 Disaster Drill 2006 -  This year for the drill we will join in with Valley Children’s Drill Exercise – to be held May 12, 2006.  The focus of the drill is now based on the questions: “What is the most likely thing that will happen in your area?”  Pandemic Flu is big in the news – all agencies will look at this. 

Because of the time frame involved – joining forces with Valley Children’s seems to be the best solution in meeting the needs for our location as well.  Chris will be a part  of the planning committee; and suggests that we have a delegation from our committee present.  However, at this time she is not sure how many people will be able to participate in the actual exercise – due to space, roles, etc.  She will keep us posted.  As for the Fall ’06 Disaster Drill Exercise – that is in the planning stages also. It will be a functional plan.  Perhaps we can get more people trained in moulage techniques to help expedite the process of preparing the victims involved in a drill using severely injured victims.  She will talk with Tony Misner about moulage courses.

Chris will be at the Chukchansi Health Fair next week and will be doing flu shots. They have a lot of flu shots available; give her a call if you need one.

Janet Stanovich acknowledged and thanked Sierra Ambulance and American Red Cross  for their contributions made to the Search and Rescue Teams (SAR) during the past month.  Sierra Ambulance has supplied a SKED Stretcher (designed to be used as a light-weight portable litter); and the American Red Cross has supplied two blankets and a first aid kit.  This equipment will be kept in the SAR 1 unit – ready for the next call-out.  Thank you Sierra Ambulance and American Red Cross!

Also, Janet reported that the Search and Rescue Newsletter is again being published and if any committee member wants to receive it, let her know.  The newsletter will eventually be available through email – after the data base is created/updated. There will also be a section informing the SAR members about the Emergency Preparedness Committee’s future trainings in the community.

The resource volunteer committee met and has decided to concentrate on developing the current resource volunteer list of names collected during 2005.  It is important to keep this group active.  Janet said that Barry Thorn will cover this in more detail.

There was brief conversation among the members – mention was made that Chukchansi Casino is having their yearly health fair on 2/15/06.  It will be looked into to see if the Community Response Team shall set-up a booth.

The climate control for the storage trailer was discussed - this is for non-perishable medical supplies and so forth…this is a community cache.  All agencies should be responsible in maintaining up keep.  We will need to inventory equipment and we all need to pitch in.  Further discussion posed the question, “How will this trailer be moved?”  There are several mass casualty tents available that are intended to act as a secondary hospital (weigh about 700 lbs.)  At this time Sierra Ambulance and  Oakhurst Medical Center have put in nearly $800 out-of-pocket for the storage site.

We need to find out the name of the moisture-absorbent powder – T. Burdette and D. Wolin will get back with C. Dragoo about the name.

Roger Simms reported about the fire at the Comfort Inn in Oakhurst.  This happened on Sunday, February 5, 2006 (Super Bowl).  Eight units, the lobby, and the manager’s apartment were lost during this event.  At this time the investigation indicates that  wiring is responsible.  Two or three units were smoke-related damage; the others were  fire-related damage.  Nearly 25-30 people responded to the scene – this included both paid and volunteer staff.  They did a great job!  Because there is no sprinkler system at this time, the Comfort Inn cannot be open for service. 

Roger further reported that brush piles are a big concern, especially with all that is happening down South.  The fires in the South were caused by the aftermath of a  control burn…the Santa Ana ’s winds caught it.

Regarding a vehicle accident on Hwy 41 near Rd. 223:  a vehicle went over the side, about 100-150 feet down.  A little girl (also injured) crawled to the top of the road to get help.  The fire crew is thinking about getting a plague made for her.  J. Stanovich suggested to call American Red Cross and have the little girl’s name included as a candidate for the ARC Heroes Award (in March).  It was also suggested to call CHP to see if they have any type of award to present.  Roger will check this out with the agencies.

Regarding the bomb threat, Fresno Bomb Squad was called in to investigate.  All that is known at this time is that they were here from about 3-6 hours- could be a delivery hoax.

Mike and Lynn Vaughn reported on the progress they are making in volunteer recruiting for “Triple E” large animal evacuation.  They have been very active in attending meetings at the (i.e.) Backcountry and SAR meetings spreading the word.  YLP has offered the use of its arena in the event of a disaster; as well as Mariposa Fairgrounds.

Mike and Lynn asked if we know who contact person with the Madera County

Fairgrounds are – E. Guzman will call on their behalf and check with the Ag.    Commissioner.

The Sun & YLP will be doing an article, as well as Sierra Star about the “Triple E’s” activities.

The Vaughn’s also thanked B. Thorn and P. Calkins for supplying the information about the CARES Program.  They are hoping to get in one or two more mock evacuation trainings before fire season hits.  They will also be meeting with the SPCA for “cross-over” work with small and large animal rescue.  How to tag the animals is something to look into.

Stu Tanner mentioned that he was not at the last months meeting due to his attending the Western Fair Association Conference in San Diego .  Animals were the key topic of discussion at this event. 

Stu further reported that J. Thompson and D. Rekert installed an antenna at the

Mariposa Fairgrounds (2 meter-440 low band)…simplex not yet tested…but they picked up the Deadwood repeater. 

Dick Rekert reported on the antennae working well at the Mariposa Fair grounds.  They are also working with American Red Cross to get antennae drops in shelters, etc.

J. Stanovich asked Dick Rekert (ARES) and Jerry Thompson (RACES) to explain the difference between RACES and ARES.  RACES is called to action by OES when there is a declared emergency.  ARES is an emergency service, however, they operate at any time.  They also do events such as SAR and Parades. 

Dave Wolin reported that the first newsletter has been sent.  There have been a few “bad” email addresses, but we hope to get these updated.  In the overall Community Response Team Resource Volunteer List of names collected, we were supplied with 60-70% emails.  Hard copies will need to be sent to other.

Tom Burdette reported that the next SPCA meeting will be held next week and he has been actively working on learning more about disaster preparedness in relation to animals.  He has been looking over the State website – found that U.C. Davis has a great deal of info about emergency planning. 

Tom also commented on ways in which to create awareness and to reach people about the scope of the problem in Madera County …. a mailer to be inserted into the phone book (for example).  Further mentioned was the fact that the impact for animals is greater than for people.  The need for resources will be tremendous.  We need to educate people as how to feed, care, sanitation of animals which are rescued.  It may prove too helpful if we can locate other counties’ emergency plans for animal  rescue / evacuation.  These are areas being checked out in order to make a stronger animal rescue plan. 

Denny Litton and John Irwin reported on how Mountain Christian Center is beginning to put a plan-of-action in place to get their members trained; and the facility ready for an emergency event.  They have had Andrews Electric check out the generator.  They are now waiting to get together with American Red Cross to begin Shelter Operations walk-through, training and preparations.

Barry Thorn gave an update on Board of Supervisors rectifying the sand bag issue for emergency.  Barry will be meeting with the RMA Director next week to get sand bags. They should be free….a bout 20 per household.  There will be about 5 locations where sand bags will be made available.  Stations 12/& 19 will have sand bags for their use in an emergency situation.

We will have an overview on the ICS/SEMS/NIMS for the Resource Volunteers

recently recruited.  It will be held on Monday, March 27, 2006 at the Oakhurst

Community Center at 1800 hrs – 2000 hrs.  It is important that we continue to build  this group up.  Keep them focused and interested through trainings, disaster drills, etc. We will hold off on continuing to recruit new people at this time, as the existing list of  names will grow by word-of-mouth.  For example, as we train churches and members, more people will join the forces.  So, at this time we will wait until after the March 27^th date before planning another recruitment session.

Barry reported that a resource tracking system ($33,000) if a program that he hopes will be set in place in the near future- this will depend on the “Gang of Five”.  This system would accommodate the entire County and keeping track of the resources each agency has on hand.  We will be the model on the West Coast.  The name of the company that has this tracking system is called – ALERTS. 

Again, it was mentioned that FEMA has an online self-education testing for IS (IS 700) courses required of all emergency management personnel.  This training will help when going for Federal funding, etc.

The reverse 9-1-1 and grants are still programs that are works-in-progress. 

GIS – there will be a meeting at the end of the month designed to show us how to set the system up.  IT will be in charge.  The County will look at getting a GIS

Coordinator to work it.  This will be a useful tool when it is finally up and running.

Paul Calkins is continuing to work with American Red Cross (ARC) and their Service Delivery Plan.   ARC Heroes Breakfast is March 29, 2006.  ARC is really working on getting their Shelter Ops plan in order. Also in the works MOUs with counties; pushing the NIMS; working with Fresno and Stanislaus Counties.

Ed Guzman reported that the switching of dispatch centers – there were a few glitches, but all is working well.  This change cleared up a lot of space on the CDF side.  Even though this change occurred, we still have common radios and the availability to communicate with ground crews.  We have a GPS capability - via the internet –  will track the ambulance units.

Next Meeting:   March 9, 2006 Sierra Ambulance Training Headquarters - 0730 hrs.

Meeting Adjourned at:   0855hrs.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Stanovich