Volume 20 Number 1

 

DISTRICT 1

West Florida Regional Planning Council

Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa , Walton and Washington Counties

 

The District 1 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met October 18, 2006 in Milton , Florida . Primary discussion focused on a recent hazardous materials incident in the City of Milton, and the need to make site visits to facilities in the region for several purposes, including identifying non-responding facilities located in non-hazardous materials-capable fire districts, helping to ensure the awareness of each other's capabilities/limitations/plans, and promoting information sharing so facilities can make the best judgment about their own response role.

 

The need to conduct site visits and coordinate with facilities was identified and subsequently became the basis for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Planning Grant for 2006-2007. Out of 998 facilities that report hazardous materials to the LEPC, 370 contain quantities of extremely hazardous substances that exceed the threshold planning quantity. Since 276 of the 370 facilities that store or use extremely hazardous substances are government-owned, the project will focus on a selection of government-owned Section 302 facilities.

 

Hazardous Materials Awareness level training continued in full-force with 490 persons trained in the fourth quarter bringing the yearly total for the 2005-2006 HMEP training grant to 1,036 people. Additionally, a Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) class is being planned for March of 2007. The Training Subcommittee is also currently engaged in revising and considering additions to its goals and priorities which range from quality assurance for the training program, to Board of County Commissioners outreach and other projects.

 

Other LEPC staff activities include beginning the process of planning and executing a full-scale and tabletop exercise on behalf of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force and to meet the LEPC biennial exercise requirement in 2007. Staff also continues to conduct Section 302 facility hazards analyses.

 

The next District 1 LEPC meeting is scheduled to be held January 17, 2007, at 10:00am CST.

 

DISTRICT 2

Apalachee Regional Planning Council

Calhoun, Franklin , Gadsden , Gulf, Jackson , Jefferson , Leon , Liberty and Wakulla Counties

 

The District 2 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) held its quarterly meeting October 18, 2006 at the Tallahassee Fire Department Training Division classroom.

 

The LEPC sponsored an 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher course December 1, 2006 with 20 participants in attendance. In addition, the District 2 LEPC is coordinating with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to sponsor a 40-hour Law Enforcement Clandestine Drug

 

 

Laboratory course. The course has yet to be scheduled, but participants will be required to become members of the Regional Response Team that responds during Clandestine Drug Laboratory incidents.

Staff met with the Tallahassee Fire Department and a training provider to develop a strategy for sponsoring one or more Clandestine Drug Laboratory Awareness/Operations courses for the District. The courses will be held in early 2007 and funded by a combination of Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant training funds and Tallahassee Fire Department training monies. Staff has also been in contact with the Gretna Volunteer Fire Department about providing a 4-hour Hazardous Materials Awareness course and potentially an 8-hour Operations course.

 

Staff developed and completed a “Facility Hazards Analysis Summary” for the 05-06 HMEP grant planning project. The summary included information (e.g. – facility name, address, extremely hazardous substance inventory, potential health hazards, total exposed population, etc.) for Section 302 facilities within the district. The summary will be distributed to fire departments throughout the district.

 

Staff is continuing to work to complete the 2006-07 hazards analyses for Calhoun, Franklin , Gadsden , Gulf, Jefferson, Liberty , Leon and Wakulla counties. In addition, staff is working on a district-wide hazards analyses database that will be distributed to all District 2 fire departments upon completion.

 

Staff attended a hospital hazardous materials decontamination exercise which involved the mass decontamination of ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. The exercise was also designed to test procedures during a shift change. The exercise was successful and a similar scenario is being considered for the District 2 biennial exercise.

 

The next District 2 LEPC meeting is planned for January 17, 2007 at 10:00 am ET at the Tallahassee Fire Department Training Division classroom.

 

DISTRICT 3

North Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Alachua, Bradford, Columbia , Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton , Lafayette , Madison , Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties

 

The District 3 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) last met November17, 2006 at the Columbia County Emergency Operations Center .

 

The LEPC is using Hazardous Materials Awareness Week as the focus for a public-private sector outreach and education campaign. The LEPC is asking 55 municipalities, 11 counties and 11 school boards to join in proclaiming the week of January 21-27, 2007 as Hazardous Materials Awareness Week. Local governments are being encouraged to send employees to Awareness Level classes being scheduled in each county and a Hazmat Boot Camp will be offered which will include photo opportunities for the media. A “What Facilities with Chemicals Need to Know about the LEPC” seminar will also be offered.

 

The LEPC trained 190 students in Awareness, Operations and Technician level classes in fiscal year 2005-2006. Technician level classes included IAFF 160-hour, HazMedic, Air Monitoring, Ammonia and Chlorine Response, Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO)/Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) and Boot Camps based upon skills listed in the State Emergency Response Commission Competency Check-Off.

 

Training goals for fiscal year 2006-2007 include conducting at least one Awareness Level class in each of the eleven counties as well as a Train-the-Trainer course. The LEPC will continue holding Boot Camps and will take them on the road this year. A one-ton chlorine system and a dome from an anhydrous ammonia rail car will be added to the Boot Camp. Training will be conducted on using the new features in CAMEO and ALOHA that allows modeling for a variety of fire and explosive risks. HazMedic training will be expanded to include decontamination at the scene through hospital care. The LEPC is working towards Florida State Fire College approval as a training provider for the IAFF 160-hour technician class.

The LEPC conducted three strategic planning break-out sessions to identify priorities that responders and emergency management must quickly address in making shelter-in-place versus evacuate decisions and a report will be presented at the next LEPC meeting.

 

Staff activities included teaching two CAMEO and ALOHA for Technicians classes in Gainesville and the hazards analyses updates for six counties. Staff helped teach a Chlorine Response class at the University of Florida TREEO Center and continues to provide administrative support to the North Central Florida Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. Staff submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation on proposed changes to the fee system that funds the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant planning and training programs and the need to provide additional funding to LEPCs.

 

The next LEPC meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., February 16, 2007, at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida . A behind the scenes tour of Shands focusing on hospital care of contaminated patients will follow the LEPC meeting.

 

DISTRICT 4

Northeast Florida Regional Council

Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau , Putnam and St. Johns Counties

The District 4 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting was held

November 14, 2006 at the offices of the Northeast Florida Regional Council, Jacksonville , Florida .

 

Mr. Patrick Bonar, Proprietor for Bonar Engineering Incorporated, has been nominated to receive the State Emergency Response Commission's “Thomas Yatabe Award” for outstanding performance and tireless dedication to Florida 's hazardous materials program. Mr. Bill Douglas, Flagler Hospital , and Mr. Quin Romay, Putnam County Emergency Management, have been nominated to receive Certificates of Appreciation. The persons receiving these awards have made planning and execution of LEPC events seamless and successful and we thank them for their continued efforts.

 

Staff will conduct the 2006-2007 hazardous analyses for six counties that include Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau , Putnam, and St. Johns .

 

Staff is collaborating with the Fernandina Beach Fire Department to provide a 160-hour Hazardous Materials Technician Course to begin during late December 2006 or early January 2007. A Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Course is planned for December 2006.

 

The LEPC chose “Commodity Flow Study” as the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant planning project for fiscal year 2006-2007.

 

The next meeting of the LEPC is scheduled for February 14, 2007 at the offices of the Northeast Florida Regional Council.

 

District 5

Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council

Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion and Sumter Counties

 

The District 5 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting was held at the Lake-Sumter Community College October 18, 2006. Mr. Milton Hill was re-elected as LEPC Chair and Joe Schenk was elected to the Vice-Chair position. Sumter County Emergency Management, Sumter County Fire Services and Marion County Fire Rescue all provided equipment for an interactive display at the meeting.

 

Mr. Joe Schenk indicated that the 2006-2007 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant contract training schedule will be finalized at the January LEPC meeting. Suggested training includes a Methamphetamine Laboratory Awareness class, an Executive Planning Course, a National Incident Management System class for elected officials, a Hazardous Materials Technician class, a HazMedic course and an Air Monitoring Specialist class.

 

Staff has submitted the hazards analyses for Sumter County to the DEM and will continue to work on completing the Levy County hazards analyses.

 

LEPC staff attended the Hazardous Materials Response Team assessment for the Citrus County Fire Rescue, Station 91 team located in Homosassa. This review was conducted by Response Technologies Corporation which serves as the designated contractor for the DEM/ State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) Hazardous Materials Team Re-assessment process.

 

The Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council (WRPC) has contracted with Levy and Sumter counties for the completion of the 2006-2007 Small Quantity Generator program and the council accepted the (HMEP) grant contract with the DEM to provide hazardous materials planning and training activities in Fiscal Year 2006-2007. The LEPC chose “Quality Control of Submitted Tier II Forms” as the 2006-2007 HMEP grant planning project.

 

The next District 5 LEPC meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2007 at the WRPC.

 

DISTRICT 6

East Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Brevard, Lake Orange , Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties

 

The District 6 LEPC sponsored a Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) class September 6-8, 2006 at the Osceola County Emergency Operations Center in Kissimmee . Additionally, the LEPC sponsored a 24-hour “Decontamination of Chemically Contaminated Patients in the Hospital Setting” training class for health care providers September 18-20, 2006. The course was designed to provide assistance to hospital emergency departments in planning for incidents that involve hazardous materials and to improve their ability to safely and appropriately respond to these incidents.

 

Finally, District 6 sponsored a 40-hour “Emergency Medical Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents” training course September 25 -29, 2006. The course was designed to provide first-on-the-scene medical personnel with basic information needed to recognize, evaluate and treat patients involved in the release of hazardous materials. The course was designed for Technicians assigned to a hazardous materials response team or for others who may be called upon to respond to a chemical medical emergency.

The LEPC is preparing for this year's biennial exercise. The LEPC has decided on a tabletop format for the biennial exercise.

 

DISTRICT 7

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

 

The District 7 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) was held September 13, 2006 in Sebring. The meeting targeted election of new officers for the coming year. Current Chairman, Deputy Chief Mike Linkins was re-elected, Deputy Chief Dan Harshburger was elected Vice-Chair, Mr. Paul Womble was chosen as Exercise Chair and Mr. Gary Weiss was chosen as Training Chair. Additionally, Mr. Foster Thorpe will assume the responsibility of Membership Chair.

 

LEPC Staff provided direct assistance to two businesses in Polk County that did not understand the process of completing and filing Tier II reports. These meetings enabled both businesses to correct discrepancies and once again come into compliance.

 

The Okeechobee County hazard analyses reports were completed and submitted to the Division of Emergency Management for approval.

 

The LEPC also met November 8, 2006 in Sebring. The highlights of the meeting were to announce the State Emergency Response Commission's “Thomas Yatabee” award and Certificate of Appreciation nominees. Mr. Robert Kincart, President of American Compliance Technologies was selected as the “Thomas Yatabee” award nominee and Mr. Dan Noah from the National Weather Service, Ms. Christine Archer from Hardee County Public Health Department, and the Quick Response Team from Mosaic were nominated to receive Certificates of Appreciation.

 

The LEPC also began forming a committee to conduct the rewrite of the LEPC Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan. The goal is to have this plan completed by the end of May, 2007.

 

The next LEPC meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2007 in Wauchula.

 

DISTRCT 8

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas Counties

 

 

The District 8 Local Emergency Planning Committee met November 29, 2006.

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant training scheduled for 2006-2007 includes an 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher Course January 18, 2007, 3 consecutive one-day Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) courses for Technicians February 6-8, 2007 and a, no cost to HMEP, 3-day CAMEO Course taught by the Environmental Protection Agency February 27-28, 2007.

 

The LEPC continued the HMEP Planning Project with the second Facility Disaster Planning Workshop, held October 31, 2006 and a third workshop is scheduled for January 23, 2007. Several meetings were held attendant to the workshops and future workshops will include recovery efforts in the planning process. Additionally the Port of Tampa Siren Warning Briefings continued with one held at Harbour Island November 3, 2006. Two briefings will be scheduled for the Tampa Port Authority and one in Spanish for the Palmetto Beach Community Center .

 

The District will continue with How-to-Comply workshops scheduled in January and February in advance of the March 1, 2007 Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) reporting deadline.

 

A proclamation was approved by the LEPC and one was approved by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council recognizing Hazardous Materials Awareness Week which will take place January 21-27, 2007. A letter was sent to each city/county government in the region to request proclamations. Additionally, the third Disaster Planning Workshop is being planned for the week to also heighten awareness.

 

Staff represented the LEPC at the Tampa Bay Spill Committee meetings as well as the United State Coast Guard Area Committee meetings which met to discuss revision of the Area Contingency Plan. Staff also represented the District 8 LEPC at the semi-annual Regional Domestic Security Task Force General Assembly meeting held November 2, 2006.

 

Staff will attend the annual Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) Conference in Daytona Beach January 29 - February 2, 2007.

 

The next LEPC meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2007.

 

DISTRICT 9

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council

Charlotte , Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties

 

The District 9 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met December 1, 2006, at the offices of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. Mr. Tay Rucker of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration provided a synopsis of training programs and assistance the DOT offers the LEPCs, emergency responders, and local governments of the region. Mr. Rucker also applauded the LEPC for the work it is doing. He noted that he has attended other LEPC meetings and although Florida 's structure is a little different, the District 9 LEPC is conducting very valuable work.

 

The Committee agreed to provide a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Angie Osceola, formerly of Glades County Emergency Management and Mr. Tom Kochheiser , formerly of Hendry County Emergency Management. Ms. Osceola recently accepted a position with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Mr. Kochheiser is now employed with Flagler County . In another matter, Ms. Louetta Muller was elected Vice Chair of the LEPC for the 2006–2008 term.

 

The Committee approved its Hazardous Materials Tuition Reimbursement Program which will support the Committee's training initiative. The purpose of the Tuition Reimbursement Program is to allot a percentage of the annual LEPC training funds to compensate individuals for tuition costs associated with entering the specialty of Hazardous Materials Emergency Response.

The reimbursement program and application were also approved for notice on the LEPC's website.

 

Under the Committee's Hazardous Materials Awareness Week initiatives, an LEPC proclamation was approved and all activities are to be broadcast on the public television stations of the region. Additionally, Hazardous Materials Proclamations will be encouraged throughout the region from all political subdivisions and an Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act “How-to-Comply” Workshop will be conducted, January 26, 2007.

 

The next LEPC meeting is scheduled to take place February 22, 2007 and the scheduled meeting dates for the remainder of 2007 are May 24, 2007, August 23, 2007 and December 7, 2007.

 

DISTRICT 10

Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties

 

The District 10 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) last met November 2, 2006 at the Indian River Community College Chastain Campus, Stuart , Florida .

 

The LEPC sponsored Incident Command System (ICS) G-300 classes in St. Lucie County October 5-6, 2006, and in Indian River County at the Indian River County Sheriff's Office December 7-8, 2006.

 

The District chose “Community Workshops and Section 302 Facility Outreach” as the 2006-2007 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant contract planning project.

 

The LEPC Planning Sub-committee will meet prior to the next LEPC meeting to continue development of the scenario and to define the objectives for the Biennial Exercise. The sub-committee decided that the location of the exercise will be in Indian River County .

 

The 2006 LEPC Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan update was approved by the State Emergency Response Commission.

 

The Public Information and Marketing Sub-committee requested the outreach presentation for the district be reviewed and updated. Staff presented the updated outreach presentation to the LEPC and it was approved. This presentation will be used to accomplish the HMEP planning project and will also be available on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council District 10 LEPC website. The sub-committee will meet prior to the next LEPC meeting to discuss ongoing communications agendas for the region.

 

The next LEPC meeting is scheduled to be held February 15, 2007 at the Indian River Community College Chastain Campus, Stuart , Florida .

 

 

DISTRICT 11

South Florida Regional Planning Council

Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties

 

The District 11 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met October 25, 2006 at the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue & Emergency Management Operations Headquarters in Miami and a second meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2006 at the South Florida Regional Planning Council in Hollywood .

The LEPC Training Sub-committee met October 11, 2006 to discuss training courses that may be offered during 2007. The Subcommittee agreed to support offering the following training: a 160-hour Hazardous Materials Train-the-Trainer course, a Hazmat Challenge Event perhaps modeled after the LEPC District 6 events, an 8-hour Chemical Storage and Compatibility Course, using the Hazardous Materials training video for Hazardous Materials and HAZWOPER refresher classes and possibly a Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) course.

 

The LEPC has not yet made a decision on its Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant contract planning project. The LEPC put together a Shelter-In-Place presentation in 2005-2006 and that may be chosen as the planning project for this year. A decision should be forthcoming at the next meeting of the Planning Subcommittee in January 2007.

 

The first LEPC meeting scheduled for the new year is February 21, 2007.