HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Government Committee 07-26-95Emergency Government
July 26, 1995
PRESENT: Art Jacobson, John Mortensen, Charles Mehls, - County
Board; Jack Colvard, Pam Benson - Emergency Governments
Bruce Brantner - Emergency Communication; Marcia Ivy,
Bernadine Mortensen - St. Croix County American Red
Cross; Carolyn Krieger - St. Croix Health Center; Don
Richardson - American Heritage Care Center, Mike Smith -
Baldwin Care Center; Glenda Zielski - The Lutheran Home,
Jeannette Herald - Park View Home; Michelle Sherley -
Hudson Medical Center.
The meeting was called to order at 9:11 a.m. by Chairman Jacobson.
The agenda was adopted on a Mortensen/Mehls MOTION. The June 20,
1995 minutes were amended by Mortensen, by adding American to the
St. Croix County American Red Cross and by adding a comma after
Salvation Army under #3 of New Business. The amended Minutes were
then approved on a Mortensen/Mehls MOTION.
UNFINISHED BUSINESSo
1. Nursing Home Disaster Planning within the County: Colvard
stated that all nursing homes/hospitals in the county need
workable emergency plans referencing evacuation,
transportation, sheltering and feeding of residents. Carolyn
Krieger brought a copy of a generic plan on emergency planning
and passed out copies. Copies of other counties' nursing home
emergency plans were also passed around by Colvard.
Colvard spoke regarding shelter facilities and how nursing
homes/hospitals need to share their emergency plans with all
local responders and the local American Red Cross unit. That
way the expectations of help will match the capabilities of
responders. Current laws should be incorporated into plans
and updated as needed.
John Mortensen discussed last Mondays table -top exercise, in
River Falls, and how problems and events identified in the
scenario would relate to emergency planning at the nursing
homes/hospitals.
Marcia Ivy stated that one person at each facility should be
in charge of updating the emergency plan for that site.
Provisions would have to be made for special diets, medication
administration, and medical records for evacuated nursing
home/hospital residents. Nursing homes/hospitals would be
required to provide personnel to assist in caring for
evacuated residents. Richardson mentioned that laundry
facilities may be needed. Mehls was interested in how many
facilities had residents on more than one floor.
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Bernadine Mortensen mentioned that the St. Croix County
American Red Cross is planning to update its list of
volunteers by November, 1995.
Colvard stated that formal mutual aid agreements are needed
between facilities. Also, planning is necessary between local
elected officials, facilities, emergency medical services and
other organizations, e.g. the American Red Cross.
John Mortensen stated that transportation to shelters would be
a prime concern. Mehls addressed that ambulances may only be
able to transport 3 or 4 persons at a time. Also, that each
nursing home would need one person to write down names of
those persons evacuated and when/where they were taken.
Firefighters may be needed to drive while EMS personnel are in
back with evacuees. Other possible means of transporting
residents could be the Department on Aging vans, St. Croix
Industries' vans and school buses. Discussion followed
regarding including those departments at our next planning
meeting. Later, Mehls also mentioned the need for a status
board and/or map board for emergencies and that it would be
good to schedule an exercise at one of the nursing homes.
Communications and using RACES members was then discussed.
Colvard stated that all RACES members would be wearing ID
badges and that RACES members are sanctioned by the State
Department of Emergency Government and activated by the county
emergency government office.
Jacobson then spoke and it was decided that our next meeting
regarding nursing home disaster planning would be held on
10/25/95 at 9:00 a.m. All nursing homes are to have an
emergency plan by then and should send Colvard these plans,
for review, before the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Updating RACES communications: Bruce Brantner stated that the
County Road N tower site is in the process. of being dismantled
and the RACES antenna needs to be taken down. The new water
tower near the Government Center is seen as a good new
location. Bruce Brantner is working with the City of Hudson
on this relocation. There would be approximately $500 in
labor charges to remove the old antennae and coaxial cable,
and $300 in labor charges for reinstallation.
A packet radio system is now installed at the Health Center
and would be better if relocated to the Government Center.
This removal could be done by volunteers. An antennae could
then be purchased for $150 and coaxial cable for $200.
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Colvard stated that there was $1997 in the budget for New
Equipment, which could be used towards these expenses.
On a Mehls/Mortensen MOTION $1200 was allocated from the New
Equipment budget towards relocation and new purchases of RACES
equipment.
2. Tentative budget recommendations for 1996: Colvard handed out
copies of the tentative 1996 budget and that was gone
over. New equipment that Emergency Government would like
includes a 3 1/2 inch computer drive for $150 which will be
compatible with what the regional director has in Eau Claire.
With a 3 1/2 inch drive a disk could be sent to Eau Claire and
then printed there, saving considerable mailing and copy
expense. Also, Emergency Government's CAMEO program has
graphics and mapping capabilities which would be greatly
enhanced with a color printer for $600. Both of these
purchases, the 3 1/2 disk drive and color printer, would be
reimbursed 50% by SARA after October 1, 1995, for a net cost
of $375.
Other budget items discussed were overtime, health insurance,
and staff development.
The next Emergency Government Committee meeting will be on
August 11, 1995 at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of final 1996
budget approval.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m. on a Mehls/Mortensen
MOTION.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Mehls, Secretary
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