January 26, 2012

Garnett, Kansas

 

 

 

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at    10:00 am with the following members present: John Alford, EKAE; Jolene Alexander, USDA – FSA; Marvin Grimes, Anderson County Emergency Mgmt; Brianna Hiles, SEK Multi-County Health Department; Jeff Hupp, Anderson County Sheriff; James K. Johnson, Anderson County Commissioner; Kristie Kinney, City of Garnett; Dave Kueser, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline; Trent McCown, KDWP; Jim Manning, KDWP; J.D. Mersman, Anderson County Fire/Emergency Mgt.; Keith Peine, Kansas National Guard; Kevin PeKarek, Garnett Police Chief; Robert Robbins, Anderson County EMS; Leslea Rockers, East Central KS Agency on Aging; Christina Rush, Anderson County Hospital; Kevin Ryan, KDOT; Mike Thweatt, Kansas Highway Patrol; Oscar West, EKAE; Jessi Zillner, Anderson County Communication Center.

Guests, Lester Welsh, Anderson County Road & Bridge and Mike Steedley, Anderson County EMS were present.

 

Absent: Don Blome, USD #365; Vern Brown, Advocate Newspaper; Nate Cunningham, Anderson County EMS/St. Rose School; Troy Hart, Garnett Fire; Michelle Miller, Anderson County Public Information Officer – Road Dept.; Glenn Mudd, Beachner Grain; Don Nungesser, Anderson County Coroner; Bob Palmer, Lybarger Oil; Alan Quaintance, USD #365; Cheryl Strobel, Apple Bus Co.; Pat Tate, Public Safety; Margo Williams, Anderson County Hospital.

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

J.D. Mersman, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. 

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Jim Johnson, seconded by Dave Kueser to approve the minutes of October 27, 2011 and December 15, 2011. Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

CHAIRPERSONS REPORT

J.D. Mersman, Chairperson, welcomed new members and guests Dave Keuser, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline; Keith Peine, Kansas National Guard; Mike Steebly, Anderson County EMS; and Lester Welch, Anderson County Road & Bridge.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

Lester Welsh provided an update on Rainbow Bridge. Crews are pouring the approach and dirt work this week. Next week they plan to complete the guardrail. They are hopeful that construction will be finished in two (2) weeks.

 

The committee reviewed the Anderson County Emergency Operations Plan which will be done yearly. Brianna Hiles will coordinate contacts with SEK Multi-County Health Departments to see what resources they can provide; animal control will be handled by Shannon Blocker at the Extension Office; FEMA supplies potable water and Keith Peine can coordinate with the Kansas National Guard for potable water sources; morticians and coroners can assist with victim identification; work with Don Nungesser on the emergency contingency plan he has for the hospital; SEK Multi Health Department assist EMT’s  providing prophylaxis and triage of patients; evaluation of drug safety will be coordinated with the pharmacies; SEK Multi Health Department will serve as a liaison with Emergency Management and KDHE on evaluation of food safety; SEK Multi Health Department will provide a list of contacts to Emergency Management for backup in the event unavailable during an emergency.

 

Jessie Zillner reported that the GIS maps are loaded in the dispatch system. Marvin Grimes reported that the State has a truck where they will come help map everything for communities. Jessica Fry with the State has been very helpful in getting the dispatch system set up.  

 

NEW BUSINESS

Marvin Grimes reported that the high school government class is getting involved in Emergency Management. On Monday, February 6, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., there will be a NIMS training with an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the positions will be filled. All positions in the EOC will be filled and the kids will shadow to learn the process.

 

Marvin Grimes reported that Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Mutual Aid training will be held in Topeka that he and J.D. Mersman will be attending. He reported that he has invited             Sheriff Hupp, Police Chief PeKarek, and City Clerk Kinney to attend with them.

 

J.D. Mersman reported that this Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Methodist Church, Red Cross will be training on setting up a shelter in an emergency. The morning will consist of training and the afternoon will be a table top exercise. Terry Vaugh and the Red Cross will coordinate the training.

 

Marvin Grimes reported that there was a fire at the Greeley service station Tuesday. There were two (2) Greeley firemen on the scene when Garnett arrived and Lane provided mutual aid. He thanked the sheriff and Kansas Highway Patrol for handling traffic control.

 

Marvin Grimes reported that there will be an open house at the new Colony fire station this Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The new station also has a community safe room. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served.

 

Marvin Grimes reported that Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline donated a ¾ ton truck to Anderson County Fire Department and thanked Dave Kueser for that donation.

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS

Keith Peine reported that the Kansas National Guard has large generators that would be capable of providing power to the water plant in an emergency. He said the National Guard Center in Topeka has a list of equipment that can be utilized.

 

Mike Thweatt reported that the Kansas Highway Patrol will be celebrating their 75th year anniversary this year.

 

Jolene Alexander reported that they are working on the 2010 crop losses and 2012 farm program signup with the Farm Service Agency. The signup deadline is June 1, 2012, for SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program) and DCP (Direct and Counter-cyclical Program).  

 

Trent McCown and Jim Manning reported that they have been clearing trees off the trail.

 

J.D. Mersman reported that our exercise worksheet shows that our next exercise is a table top exercise on medical surgical and public information for food borne illness, scheduled for April 26, 2012. Brianna Hiles will check with the State to see if they have any training information.

 

J.D. Mersman reported that he and Brianna Hiles attended the planning programs with Homeland Security in Topeka, so they are both trained on how to run exercises. They had a table top exercise with the sheriff’s department and detention center. They are planning a full scale fire department exercise with an evacuation plan.  

 

The next meeting will be March 29, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center training room.

 

There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Jeff Hupp, seconded by John Alford to adjourn at 11:35 a.m. Motion passed.

 

 

 

_____________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Kristina L. Kinney, Secretary