Barry Thorn (County OES Coordinator) reported that he will be addressing a Chamber mixer to be held at Sierra Sky Ranch and will speak about Community Response Team and Disaster Drill Exercise.  Ed Guzman requested that Barry also inform people about using the green address signs that the local volunteer fire departments make.

Janet Stanovich (American Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator) reported on the upcoming November 2, 2005 meeting Volunteer Training update.  This meeting will be an overview about the Community Response Team; Disaster Drill Exercise; and Emergency Preparedness Trainings.  The meeting will be held at Community Medical Center .  There were 120 letters mailed out and several letters have been hand delivered to local businesses informing them about the meeting.

Sharon Martinez (American Red Cross Director Emergency Services) reported that to-date 118 families have relocated here (221+ people).  There have been 150 volunteers deployed and there will be a first debriefing session scheduled for the first of these support groups who are returning from Katrina event.  Sharon stated that it is time for “communities coming forward to support their own…”   Some displaced families are waiting to return home to LA.  County Social Services and Mental Health have been assisting these families.  It takes time to locate permanent housing…housing ranges from 2 weeks to 30 days in hotels.

Rhonda Catherina ( Community Medical Center ) reported on the Disaster Drill exercise to be held on December 8, 2005 – to create an environment to close access out of Oakhurst.  The goal at the end of this is to establish the beginning of our own evacuation plan.   The drill will consist of a table top exercise  - followed by drill with victims.

Barry Thorn (OES) reported that he and John Somerville ( North Fork School ) looked at the storage unit on the school grounds.  Barry also mentioned that the grants will hopefully go to EMS response team and volunteer program.  After the drill we will have a really good start for our resource list.

Jerry Thompson (RACES) will spend the upcoming weekend supporting a Fresno endurance bike run to Mariposa and back (200 miles) beginning at 0400 – 2400 hours.

Ed Guzman (Sierra Ambulance) reported for Shirley Finneman (PUBH) that she will be preparing a letter to be sent to local groups requesting blankets, etc. for church group shelters.

Ed reported (not yet official) they would be switching dispatch service from CDF to EMS Regional Dispatch in Fresno – primarily financial – not because of service.  Rate increase from CDF will double beginning 01/06.  Using Fresno dispatch will be at no cost to Madera County .  This change will bring the three-county regions under “one roof”.  This will also increase SAS technological capabilities.  The target date is Jan. 06.  MED 14 channel will be used exclusively – 451.425.  

Stu Tanner (Explorer Post Mariposa) – went to YHS FFA for sponsors to work with SPCA about providing shelter.

Sharon Fitzgerald (SPCA) reported that after the North Fork fire they were overwhelmed – no cooperation from Madera County .  They had to scramble to find location for displaced animals.  After this fire, they put together an operation plan offering location, facility, etc.  Transportation has proven to be the biggest issue.  They are accepting donations for crates, etc. – the storage building has exceeded its limits and they now have a second storage facility.

It was mentioned that the Mariposa Fairgrounds could also be used in the time of an emergency.

Mike and Lynn Vaughn (Animal Rescue) supplied an email address in which the whole program is about emergency evacuation: altalomaridingclub.com

Next Meeting:  November 10, 2005 Sierra Ambulance Training Headquarters - 0730 hrs.

Meeting Adjourned at 0845 hrs.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Stanovich