HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Management and Communications 08-06-01AMMENDED AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING
TO: Thomas Dorsey, Chairman
St. Croix County Board
FROM: Chuck Mehls, Chairman
COMMITTEE TITLE: Emergency Management/Emergency Communications
DATE OF MEETING: Monday, August 6, 2001
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Community Room, Lower Level
Government Center
Hudson, WI 54016
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
DATE OF NEXT MEETING OPEN
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1) Voile Recorder - purchase versus lease
2) Review of Communication Director's Position Description
NEW BUSINESS
3) Introduction of the New Emergency Management Secretary
4) Disposition of old communications van
5) Re- channeling of Hudson radios
6) Review of hiring process for dispatchers
7) Emergency Communications - preliminary budget review
8) Purchase of automated defibrillator for Government Center
9) Update on Presidential Disaster Assistance
10) Participation in computer purchase assistance grant
11) Emergency Management - preliminary budget review
12) Director's Report - Communications Director
13) Director's Report - Emergency Management
14) Bills - Emergency Communications
15) Bills - Emergency Management
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOURNMENT
(This agenda not necessarily presented in this order)
SUBMITTED BY: Jack Colvard, Emergency Management - PHONE #3864719/3864718
Gary Kollman Emergency Communications - Phone #3864705
DATE: 07/24/01
Copies to: County Board Office
County Clerk
Committee Members
News Media/Notice Board
MINUTES
Emergency Management /Communications Committee
August 6, 2001
PRESENT: Chuck Mehls, Tom Dorsey, Art Jacobson, John Mortensen, Denise Bjerstedt — County Board; Jack
Colvard, Carrie Peterson — Emergency Management; Gary Kollman — Emergency Communications; Ron Volkert —
Sheriffs Department; Dick Trende — Hudson Police Department; Debra Kathan — Personnel Department
Chairman Mehls called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The Agenda was adopted on a Jacobson /Mortensen
motion.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 27, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. in Baldwin.
After review, minutes from the June 18, 2001 Emergency Management/Communication Meeting were approved on
a Mortensen/Dorsey motion.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Voice Recorder — Purchase Versus Lease
Kollman brought price comparisons to show differences between purchasing and leasing. Kollman
recommended the Replay System. It was decided that either way a maintenance plan would be needed.
Kollman will check with St. Paul to see if they could maintain the equipment. The committee approved on a
Mehls /Bjerstedt motion to set aside $60,000 to be put in the budget and have Kollman and Mehls work with
Rich Loney /Finance Department to decide if we should lease or purchase the equipment. The information will
be brought to the next meeting.
2. Emergency Communications Director's Position
Kathan brought the job description to the committee for approval. After approval she will bring it to the next
step. Hayes study will be used. Committee reviewed and discussed the description. Under Examples of Work
it states "Manages the staffing and use of the communication van" — this will be changed to "In compliance
with policy and procedures, manages the staffing and use of the communication van." The job description with
this correction was approved on a Mehls /Bjerstedt motion.
3. Ememency Management Secretary
Carrie Peterson, from New Richmond, was introduced to the committee as the new secretary for Emergency
Management. All members present introduced themselves and welcomed her.
4. Review of Hiring Process for Dispatchers
It was suggested that testing be done on applicants. We are finding a problem when the job is listed as part-
time /full -time. It tends to not attract the best applicants. It deters some of the better candidates who are
looking for full -time work. Kollman suggested testing the candidates first and then holding the interview. He
also said we should broaden the description — not limited to "experience in fire, medical emergency, or law
enforcement work." Bjerstedt suggested if they hire someone without the experience mentioned above, they
should spend time in each area or possibly a ride -along program.
5. Old Communications Van
Kollman recommends selling the van. Mehls asked if we should write up an ad or maybe go through the
internet, also see if the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) might be interested in the van.
Kollman will let them know before we run ad. He will also take an inventory of the equipment still in the van.
i
6. Re- channeling of Hudson Radio
The Hudson PD would like to have the remainder of their radios re- channeled. Several of the radios in their
cars have been completed but there are five mobiles and eight portables that still need to be done. These were
missed when their original radios were re- channeled when the County changed its' radio system several years
ago. The cost is approximately $190.00. On a Bjerstedt/Mortensen motion it was approved to pay for the re-
channeling of the radios.
7. Emergency Communications Preliminary Budget Review
The committee reviewed the budget. Kollman would like 150 hours per person for overtime instead of the
current 90 hours in the 2001 budget. This overtime would include training. Mehls suggested we try for the
Technical Lead Telecommunicator position again next year. Kollman brought up three problems in 2001.
These problems were overtime, the microwave, and equipping the communications van. On a
Motensen /Bjerstedt motion the preliminary budget was approved.
8. Director's Report — Communications
Kollman discussed the Glenwood City Power Outage — rodents chewed through the lines. All of the bills
turned in totaled over $1,700. All bills will be covered by insurance except for a $300.00 towing bill.
Kollman informed the Committee that each dispatcher has a new procedure manual, which they are responsible
for maintaining and keeping up -to -date. Three new policies have been issued so far.
9. Emergency Management Preliminary Budget Review
The committee reviewed the SARA budget. Colvard noted a.53% increase in the budget. He mentioned that
copying has increased. On a Jacobson/Dorsey motion the preliminary SARA budget was approved.
The committee reviewed the Emergency Management budget and approved the budget after receiving approval
to participate in the computer grant and discussion of the proposed defibrillator for the Government Center.
The budget was approved on a Jacobson /Dorsey motion.
10. Purchase of Defibrillator for Government Center
MehIs presented the idea of purchasing a defibrillator for the Government Center and estimated the cost at
approximately $2,200- 2,600. One question brought up was where would we put it in the Government Center. It
was suggested that it be placed in the health room.
Concerns about the PA system were discussed, about being able to contact individuals to operate the
defibrillator. Kollman will discuss the PA system with all department heads at the meeting on August 17. The
system may not be heard in all areas. Kollman will run a test throughout the building on August 20th. Any
problems should be reported to Kollman.
11. Participation on Computer Purchase Assistance Grant
Colvard would like approval to participate in a computer purchase grant to upgrade his 5 year old computer and
9 year old monitor. The grant is a 80% - 20% cost sharing grant. Participation in the grant was approved on a
Dorsey /Mortensen motion.
12. Update on Presidential Disaster Assistance
Colvard had pictures of the Siren Tornado. Mehls commented on the command center that no one was there to
greet and direct volunteers. Incident Command Procedures were not followed.
Colvard discussed the disaster assistance for flooding. All municipalities that had incurred damages have
submitted their cost figures and are waiting on the State and FEMA to submit checks for their damages.
Approximately $228,000 in damages was incurred by the St. Croix County Highway Department and four
townships in the northeast corner of the county for road damages due to the July 3 0` storm.
13. Bills - Emergency Communication
Bills were approved on a Mehls/Bjerstedt motion.
14. Bills — Emergency Management
Bills were approved on a Mehls /Bjerstedt motion.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 on a Jacobson/Mehls motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Carrie A. Peterson, Recording Secretary