April 28, 2011
Garnett, Kansas
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met on April 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with the following members present: Marvin Grimes, Anderson County Emergency Mgmt; Robert Robbins, Anderson County EMS; Kristie Kinney, City of Garnett; John Alford, EKAE; Jessi Zillner, Anderson County Communication Center; Bob Palmer, Lybarger Oil; Cheryl Strobel, Apple Bus Co.; Mike Thweatt, Kansas Highway Patrol; Jolene Alexander, USDA – FSA; Scot Brownrigg, Anderson County Sheriff; Nate Cunningham, Anderson County EMS/St. Rose; Troy S. Hart, Garnett Fire; Trent McCown, KDWP; Don Nungesser, Anderson County EMS; Leslea Rockers, East Central KS Agency on Aging; Kevin Ryan, KDOT; Pat Tate, Public Safety; and Oscar West, EKAE.
Absent: J.D. Mersman, Anderson County Fire/Emergency Mgmt.; Kelly Meyers, KSANG; Margo Williams, Anderson County Hospital; Diane Bertone, SEK-Multi-County Health Department; Alan Quaintance, School District # 365; Michelle Miller, Anderson County Public Information Officer – Road Dept.; Jim Manning, KDWP; Glenn Mudd, Beachner Grain; Christina Rush, Anderson County Hospital; Don Blome, USD #365; James K. Johnson, Anderson County Commissioner; Freddy Partida, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.
CALL TO ORDER
Robert Robbins, EMS, Committee Vice-Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
John Alford reported that the minutes of March 31, 2011, indicate that the Ethanol Plant would have no lost time for 16 years, and that number should be 6 years. A motion was made by Scot Brownrigg, seconded by John Alford to approve the minutes of March 31, 2011 with the above correction made. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Marvin Grimes reported that the training exercise will be May 16, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. consisting of a school bus hitting a Beachner Grain anhydrous tank. Evaluators are needed for the training exercise and if anyone is interested they should contact either Marvin Grimes or Robert Robbins. Robert Robbins reported that he spoke to Kenny Kellstadt, high school Principal, and he approved the student’s participation. He is waiting on the drama club to see if they will serve as patients on the bus. It was noted that the band concert is the same date. Marvin Grimes reported that residents have not been approached yet concerning evacuations. He said we may need to close Highway 169 and he will discuss that with Kevin Ryan.
Discussions were held concerning the radio frequencies that the helicopters are using. At the next county leadership meeting, it will be decided what frequency to use.
John Alford reported that he talked to the Ethanol plant manager and the old church furniture building can be used as an emergency shelter. Pat Tate asked whether the building was fully operational. John Alford said there are bathrooms, showers and electric as long as there is power in the city. Building temperatures are maintained at 65-degrees and there is radiant heat through the floor. He also has two (2) air meters to use to check confined spaces if needed. They have to be recalibrated for temperature changes and the battery is good for 12 hours.
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS
Marvin Grimes reported that the county-wide training exercise will be May 16th at 6:00 p.m. at Beachner Grain, as discussed earlier.
Marvin Grimes reported that the fire department will tour the Ethanol Plant and have a training night at the plant, to set up the fire trucks and shoot water on the structures. John Alford said J.D. Mersman plans to drive the aerial truck around the grounds and check ladder spans on the fire truck.
Pat Tate reported that the new Police Chief will start on May 9, 2011. He said the new chief has good experience and is knowledgeable.
Pat Tate reported that there was an anhydrous odor at the new hotel from residue at Beachner Grain, that the City fire department responded to. The department used water to diffuse the odor.
Kristie Kinney reported that April 30, 2011, the City will have a Lawnmower Derby at the Optimist field at 2:00 p.m. to raise funds for the Garnett 150 celebration. Advance tickets can be purchased now at City Hall for $5, and the tickets will be $10 the day of the event. Children 8 and under are free.
Kristie Kinney reported that the recreation center will be open on May 2, 2011. Current offerings include the following:
Gym – Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, and a walking track.
Game Room – Pool Table, Ping Pong, Foosball Table, and Air Hockey.
Weight Room
Student Lounge
Once fees have been finalized, brochures will be available. As donations come in and money allows, activities offered at the recreation center will be expanded.
Kristie Kinney reported that biscuits and gravy will be served at the fire station from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011, during Square Fair.
Kristie Kinney reported that Leon Graves, historian, will be speaking on Arthur Capper at the Archer Room at 2:00 p.m. on May 14, 2011. This is free to the public.
Kristie Kinney reported that the swimming pool will open for the season on May 28, 2011.
Jessi Zillner reported dispatch is going through the hiring process right now.
Jessi Zillner reported that she and Bob Wedel, Head Jailer, are working on submitting a grant for a records management and jail management program to be integrated, in order to be interoperable with other counties.
Leslea Rockers reported that she is with East Central Kansas Agency on Aging which services six (6) counties, including Anderson County. They do all the in-home services for people over 60 years old.
Cheryl Strobel reported that school will be out May 26, 2011. John Alford asked whether that included the two (2) extra snow days, to which Cheryl replied that it did, because school originally was supposed to be out on May 24th.
Scot Brownrigg reported that on March 24, 2011, there was an 8-hour active shooter training exercise at the high school with the Sherriff Department and Garnett Police Department. The previous evening Nate Cunningham, EMS, presented mass trauma care training on gun shot and stabbing wounds, to train officers to keep themselves or someone else alive. This training was used during the March 24th training where they fired paint balls for their shooter training.
Don Nungesser reported that EMS and the hospital are preparing for the upcoming disaster drill.
Troy Hart reported that using the old Church Furniture Factory for a shelter, as discussed by John Alford, is a good location, because it is one of the closest locations to the substation and Power Plant.
Nate Cunningham reported that the hospital has their annual Healing for Health Walk this Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Robert Robbins added that they will also be selling BBQ this year.
Trent McCown reported that they are spraying weeds and ATV’s are being used on the trail now. In June, the City has the Bike Across Kansas (BAK) coming through Garnett and there will be a lot of bicyclists in town. Mike Thweatt asked the route they will be coming to town on, to which Trent McCown replied that he didn’t have that information. Kristie Kinney reported that the map shows their route coming in on 7th Street, but some may come in on Highway 31. Marvin Grimes reported that he has spoke to a gentleman in charge, who said they are going to suggest the riders go from Burlington to Waverly, and then come into Garnett on Highway 31, but there is a possibility that some may come in on 7th Street. Robert Robbins stated that years ago when they were here they came into Garnett on 7th Street. Marvin Grimes stated that they are talking about possibly 1,000 people coming into town. Robert Robbins said he read in the Burlington paper that the number of participants was maxed out and he said you can look on their website to see the number of participants that they allow. They will be staying at the high school overnight and this is their last stop on their ride. They will head to Lacygne, Kansas from here.
Kevin Ryan, KDOT, reported that he has a list of their available equipment to use in a disaster. Marvin Grimes said he will get the list to J.D. Mersman.
Marvin Grimes reported that Sunday evening, the fire department went to Franklin County to help with their tragic fire. He said tonight, Pizza Hut is going to donate 20% of their proceeds to the family and the firemen will be waiting tables. There will be fire trucks there and he asked Don Nungesser if the hospital would like to bring an ambulance out, to which Don replied they would. Marvin said they will be at the Pizza Hut at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. tonight, depending upon the number of people there. He reported that there were 500 people at the vigil the night following the fire and most of those people said they would come to the Pizza Hut. He said Pizza Hut is expecting many more people as well. He said Law Enforcement may have some parking or driving issues in that area. Cheryl Strobel reported that a Facebook page indicated the Pizza Hut will start this at 11:00 a.m.
Pat Tate reported that there are some traffic issues at the detour on Highway 59 south of town and KDOT has called a few times in the last couple of days because people are driving around the barricades and they are tearing up yards. He said if anyone drives around the barricades and they don’t have any business there, officers will be writing tickets. Barricades are at 6th and Maple Streets and 7th and Maple Streets. Cheryl Stroble reported that the school buses are going around the barricades and she asked whether that was okay. Pat Tate replied that the school buses have a reason to go through there. He said a lot of people are going through there and then they have to turn around in people’s yards. Cheryl Stroble said she hopes she is not tearing up anyone’s yard, because they have to turn around too. Pat Tate said all the traffic seems to take the short cut on Main Street by the Ethanol Plant, rather than to the detour to 6th Street. He said a lot of tickets are being issued on Main Street because motorists are not adhering to the speed limits. With the construction, it will take emergency personnel a little longer to get south of town.
The next committee meeting will be May 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center.
There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by
Troy Hart, seconded by John Alford to adjourn at 10:30 a.m. Motion passed.
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Kristina L. Kinney, Secretary