Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2008
Present: Dave Kramer, Emergency Management; Bob Graham, Emergency Management; John Moss, CCVFD; Barry Coleman, LDS Church; Rick Alonzo, BFPD; Tish Lagerwey, CBP; Joel Minor, BFPD; Pat Warkentin, BFFD; Wesley Portry, SBFPD; Ken English, MSFD; Kevin Greenleaf, Kootenai Tribe; Brad Lowther, HMVFD; Regina Sherman, BVA; Anthony Compton, ARES/RACES.
Next meeting: January 7, 2009 0800, Bonners Ferry Visitors Center Meeting Room
He reminded everyone about the ICS-300 Class that will be held Dec. 13 & 14 in Sandpoint. A follow-up ICS-400 will be held Jan. 17 & 18, 2009 also in Sandpoint.
From Emergency Management: This is the time of year that the new grants come out, so they are busy with that. Even though, they are still dealing with the 2006 Homeland Security grant. Notice was given around the end of Nov. that the 2009 Emergency Management Program Grant was due the first of December. The county was given an extension to this unrealistic date, a 2009 Homeland Security Grant is also in the works with a lot of changes in the requirements.
Bob Graham has also met with the commissioners on the Fire Safe Program. Grant money is available for people that have cleared safe areas around their homes to guard against wildfire threats. Last year we did not get a lot of money, and what we did get was for communities rather than individual homes, this year we may getting as much as $250,000.00 for Boundary County. Some of the emphasis will be focused on the Eastport area, after the last exercise; they feel it may be a good community to use some of this money.
Operation StoneGarden: Is a federally funded grant designed for northern borders, the 2009 grant deadline is in Jan. the grant will primarily be directed through Border Patrol, they will be setting up a meeting with all the key players soon. This includes both overtime and equipment with emphasis on communications improvement.
2008 Homeland Security Grant Program: The application deadline is due in Jan. 2009. 25% of this money will be used for law enforcement.
Boundary County All Hazard Mitigation Plan: This plan was approved by FEMA. We are required to up-date this plan every 5 years. The LEPC is one of many groups that is designated to review the plan. Any changes that have been made to improve this plan must be documented. The Mitigation Plan is on the County Web site. Please take the time to review this.
Emergencies involving the Highway: Bob Graham and several others members met with ITD concerning diverting traffic on the Highway. ITD must be involved in this if possible. Try to get ITD to do the diversion if necessary. They try not to divert traffic at all and never divert truck traffic. It is the goal to meet with ITD and identify some alternate routes.
Reflective vests requirement: There are new requirements for the reflective vests if you working on or near a road or highway. Must meet Federal Highway Standards.
With the exception, that Firefighters may substitute there turn out gear for the vests.
Ken English: One of the roads being resurfaced is Roosevelt in Moyie Springs, thru a grant from the State Highway Dept. It is thought, that it will be able to be used as an alternate truck route.
Regina Sherman: Recently attend a Critical Incident Team Class in Ohio. She will be teaching a class in Sandpoint Feb. 9th-13th. 2 used ambulances were purchased recently. One will be used primarily for parts.
Barry Coleman: A new amateur radio class will start the first week in Jan. Also, Dave Kramer has asked Barry for input on Resource Typing for the County. This is to categorize, First Responders, county equipment and personnel. There are 120 resource checklist, Barry has agreed to look at this, and would appreciate your input.
This is part of the NIMS compliance requirement.
Brad Lowther: Inquiring about new gas monitors, John Youngwirth has been looking in to it. Hopefully, there will be grant money to cover them.
With no further business the Meeting adjourned at 0855
Minutes submitted by J. Jeske BFPD