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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 2011GRANT COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT/DISASTER SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING GRANT COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER Lancaster WI 53818 August 08, 2011 The Grant County Emergency Management/Disaster Services Committee was called to order August 08, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman John Patcle. The following members and personnel were present: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT/DISASTER SERVICES COMMITTEE: Larry Wolf, Pat Schroeder, Steve Adrian, Vincent Loeffelholz, Lester Jantzen and Robert Scallon GUESTS: Steve Braun, Emergency Government, Sheriff Keith Govier, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, Chief Deputy Jack Johnson, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, Grant County Coroner Ron Sturmer, Kelly Bird, Grant County Sheriff’s Department and Julie Loeffelholz, Recording Secretary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meeting was called to order by Chairman John Patcle. Steve Braun verified the agenda has been posted by the County Clerk at the Administration Building, Courthouse, and also on the county Website. Vince, second by Lester, motioned to approve the agenda as mailed. The minutes were approved in motions by Pat and second by Steve. All above motions carried. The Monthly Director’s Report was given by Steve Braun. Under Old Business Steve discussed that the 2011 Declaration for snow was closed out and all checks have been mailed to Grant County municipalities. We still have much ongoing work from the 2010 flooding and continue to send out checks as the work is completed. We are seeing a few snags with some projects as the change in scope of work or cost overruns make the paperwork harder and take longer. This is especially true with Beetown Township and several pending projects, one from 2004. Under New Business, Steve sent around photos of the response to the East Dubuque flooding. The regional swiftwater team, made up of firefighters and EMT’s from Grant, Crawford and Lafayette Counties participated in evacuat ing residents from their homes. Steve commented that he is very proud of the response effort. The group from Darlington Fire Department had just completed operations level training the week before and melded together with the technicians to make for a gr eat response. This is a capability that our department has worked hard to develop for the region. Steve passed around a copy of a news release on recruiting EMT s for Grant County that he had sent to the local newspapers. He discussed how short-handed many of the county ambulance services are and that a class is starting next Monday. He provided his outreach materials to all departments the county to personalize and use for their own recruiting efforts. Steve noted that the department was not submitting a public property request this year, as most equipment needs have been addressed through various grants. Grants: Steve is still waiting for information regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. We have been waiting about four months for the materials to come out. Steve and Jack are looking at the county paging system and have some concerns about the age of the equipment and the inability to make repairs should the system fail. It is nearing the end of its useful lifespan and the technology is very old. Steve recommended writing an AFG grant to help replace the system. There would be a 10-20% match on the requested funding needed to upgrade the system, which is estimated around $200,000. Motion by Pat, second by Lester to start c ollecting information for the grant to include costs and begin writing the grant if the application period opens before the next meeting. Motion carried. Public Forum: Steve Adrian brought up a concern about Steve Braun's position as emergency manager conflicting with his duties as Lancaster Fire Chief. The issue at hand was a concern between the City of Lancaster and the County over emergency responders signing a waiver to gain entry to areas of the county fairgrounds. Steve Braun felt that there was not a conflict of interest. He simply reported to the fair board that the Fire and EMS departments and the city insurance representative had an issue with the waiver and asked the fair board to work with the concerned insurance companies and legal counsel to find a solution that was agreeable to all parties. Steve Adrian requested that the item be placed on next month's agenda for discussion. Motion to approve bills by Larry, second by Vince. Motion Carried. Motion by Pat, second by Lester to adjourn the meeting until September 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the lower level of the Law Enforcement Center.