State Emergency Response Commission

for

Hazardous Materials

Department of Environmental Protection

Douglas Building

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard

Tallahassee , Florida 32399

October 5, 2007

The State Emergency Response Commission ( SERC ) for Hazardous Materials met on

October 5, 2007 in Tallahassee , Florida . Those members present were:

Craig Fugate, Acting Chairman Nancy Stephens

Greg Lee Ozzie Morris

Richard Ward Cindy Gennell

Richard Smith George Danz

Tom Mason Steven Dwinell

Michael Jacobs Mark Tumlin

Also, in attendance was Mr. Ken Carr representing the Florida Department of Transportation, Ms. Terry Joseph representing the Florida Regional Planning Councils Association, Ms. Allison Odyssey representing Space Florida , Mr. John Sherry representing the Florida Professional Firefighters, Mr. Eric Hamilton representing the Petroleum Industry and Mr. Jim Staves with the Environmental Protection Agency Region VI.

Mr. Fugate called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Fugate then addressed the first item on the agenda, the approval of the July 13, 2007 meeting minutes. A motion was made to adopt the minutes as presented, seconded and passed unanimously.

The second item on the agenda was the approval of the new member and alternate member appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committees. Mr. Henry Turner referred the Commission to Memorandum # 23-07 and all related materials. He stated that all nominees met the Commission's guidelines and approval was recommended. A motion was made that all nominations be approved; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The third item on the agenda was the Thomas Yatabe-SERC Award nominations and nominations for Certificates of Appreciation. Mr. Tim Date referred the Commission to Memorandum # 24-07 which was reviewed and recommended for approval by the membership committee. Mr. Date stated District 7 staff informed him that one of their nominees Mr. David Buchanan with American Compliance Technologies, Inc. was left off the list. A motion was made to approve the list as presented; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. A motion was made to add Mr. Buchanan to the list of nominees; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Finally, a motion was made to approve the amended list; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Next, Ms. Ashley Sanders spoke on Local Emergency Planning Committee Plans approval and referred to Memorandum # 25-07. Ms. Sanders stated the Local Emergency Planning Committee plans were found to be in compliance with the Local Emergency Planning Committee hazardous materials plan criteria and are recommended for approval. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously.

Next item on the agenda, Mr. Donald Kunish introduced Mr. Jim Staves with the Environmental Protection Agency Region VI. Mr. Staves gave a presentation about the E-Plan Program. Mr. Staves stated that the Environmental Protection Agency developed E-Plan in cooperation with the University of Texas . Mr. Staves noted that E-Plan is an information system that first responders may use in emergencies. E-Plan is used for emergency contact and hazardous materials information that is accessible through the Internet. The goal is to supply available facility and hazardous materials data to emergency responders. E-Plan contains Tier II data, Risk Management Planning information, and chemical hazards data. The system is designed to accommodate facility response plans, LEPC plans, and area contingency plans. E-Plan delivers federally mandated information at no cost to first responders. E-Plan already contains more usable data on chemical facilities and hazardous materials than any other information system, with detailed information on over 72, 000 facilities and 21, 000 unique chemicals. Mr. Staves contact information is Staves.james@EPA.gov , 214-789-3417.

There was discussion regarding the security of the system and Chairman, Fugate requested Mr. Kunish develop a list of pros and cons about E-Plan to be presented at the next SERC meeting.

Next, Mr. Doug Wolfe provided the Training Task Force (TTF) update to the SERC. Mr. Wolfe stated that the Florida Fire Chiefs' had postponed the Special Teams Conference until next year due to the impact of budget changes. Mr. Wolfe then stated that a draft of the TTF's membership guidelines and policies was presented to the Training Task Force for review and discussion. There were several changes made with guidance from legal counsel, and it was decided that a revised document would be brought back to the Training Task Force at the next meeting in January 2008.

Mr. Wolfe indicated that there are 17 on going projects. Mr. Wolfe distributed a color flow chart which indicated that all but one was now in the green, meaning every project had a person responsible for its progress and a tentative due or completion date. Mr. Wolfe noted that the Training Task Force is continuing to work on projects outlined in the flowchart. Mr. Wolfe pointed out that the Training Task Force is working on training standards for weapons of mass destruction capable hazardous materials response teams. Also, the Training Task Force is working to define “Toxmedic” in order to comply with requirements and certification for Paramedics in the State of Florida who respond to hazardous materials incidents.

Mr. Wolfe noted that Chief Michael Murphy is working on a flier to go out to facilities that addresses the importance of facility integration into the National Incident Management System. He talked about publications by the Florida Association of Hazmat Responders on operations procedures to include a pocket guide for field hazmat teams which is expected to be completed by January 2008.

Mr. Wolfe reported that the Training Task Force is working to update training guidelines and the assessment methodology for hazardous material teams. The revised assessment should be ready by next January. He then stated the Local Emergency Planning Committees are being asked to identify their top five training needs along with a list of resources used for teaching, both in house and from local resources, to be submitted to the Division of Emergency Management by December 1, 2007.

Another interest was standardized equipment training. The Training Task Force and the Florida Association of Hazmat Responders determined that there needs to be training on how to use this equipment so that teams throughout the state are all able to work and operate together whenever mutual aid situations arise.

Mr. Wolfe indicated that many first responders in the state missed an opportunity to make application for the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program grant out of the Department of Homeland Security. There were only 3 applications made state wide for commercial equipment provided free of charge to local responders. There is a need of educating through the Local Emergency Planning Committees about how to access the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program grant process.

In closing, Mr. Wolfe stated the Training Task Force is working on a template that all hazardous materials organizations can use which provides information and resources in coordinating outreach and preparedness activities with other community agencies.

Next, Mr. Tim Date addressed the financial status report and stated revenues and expenditures are in line with previous years and the programs are in good shape financially.

Next, Mr. Donald Kunish, referred to Memorandum #28-07, the Hazardous Materials Incidents Report and Table 1 that covers the spills that occurred within the past year that were evaluated to determine if they required a Section 304 investigation. Table 2 shows chemical releases that involved evacuations, injuries or deaths.

Next on the agenda, Mr. Sam Brackett gave an update of Staff Activities and stated there is a Planning and Evaluation Specialist position open. He then referred the committee to Memorandum #29-07 and stated there were various graphic forms attached.

Finally, Mr. Richard Smith stated that there are 23 positions authorized for SERC membership with 8 positions vacant. Mr. Smith asked what can be done to speed up the approval process. Mr. Fugate then indicated that the Division of Emergency Management has spoken to the Governor's Office about getting these and other emergency management appointments filled.

The offers by Northeast Florida and Southwest Florida to host the winter SERC meeting in January 2008 have been withdrawn due to costs for hotel space. As a result, Jennifer Hobbs announced that District 6 is willing to host the January meeting at the Cocoa Beach Marriott which costs $105 per night. Ms. Hobbs indicated she will also work on getting a tour of the Kennedy Space Center for the group during the period of their attendance. The SERC, agreed to the proposal.

Other Comments from the Committee

• Donald Kunish reported that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is opening up HAZWOPER for comments pertaining to program requirements. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting information and in put from emergency, response and preparedness agencies.

• Cindy Gennell indicated an interest in attending LEPC biennial exercises. DEM staff was asked to make SERC members aware of upcoming exercises.

• The Clean Gulf Conference and LEPC/SERC Conference are being held in Tampa November 14-16 and everyone was urged to attend.

• Chairman Fugate indicated that the National Response Plan is being transitioned into the National Response Framework and it is currently in draft and open for public comments. The website is Fema.gov and the comment period closes October 10, 2007.

Next Meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 11, 2008 at 10:00 a. m., Cocoa Beach Marriott.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a. m.