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STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION (SERC)
TRAINING TASK FORCE
Department of Environmental Protection
Carr Building , Room 170M
3800 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee , Florida 32399
July 13, 2006 9:30 am
Members present:
Don Perdue, Chairman
Richard Delp Richard Smith
Ernie Hiers Douglas Wolfe
Greg Lee Dan Wouters
Kenneth Smith Rand Napoli
Mike Jacobs
Also in attendance was Ms. Susan Schell representing the Florida State Fire College and Mr. Tay Rucker representing the U. S. Department of Transportation, Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training.
I. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
Chairman Don Perdue called the meeting to order and requested everyone in attendance introduce themselves.
II. 2006 STRATEGIC PLAN ACTION ITEMS
Chairman Perdue went through the 2006 Strategic Initiatives Table and received updates to various projects (see below).
Publications:
Availability of sample plans and SOPs/SOGs
The TTF is researching the availability of a secure portal to place guidelines, procedures and other sensitive documents where first responders can go to one location and have access to this information. They had previously discussed THREATCOM which is a system used by FDLE, but this system is mainly used to send alerts and is not for storing documents. The Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) system was developed and should be available soon which will allow those in Florida who have domestic security responsibilities to have one website to post and exchange information related to threats. Documents can be posted in separate files and be exchanged easily. The major concern with this option is that access must be approved by each region's Regional Domestic Security Task Force Chair. This item is still being researched for additional options.
Standardized Facilities Inspection Document
This document may be developed and stored in a secure central database along with photos of critical items of concern (i.e., shut-off valves). Currently, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is working towards establishing a statewide hazards analyses CAMEO database. Once this is established, this document could be stored with that facility's information.
Hazardous Materials SOP Pocket Guide for Hazardous Materials Teams
A funding source has been identified through the Florida State Fire College (FSFC) to develop this pocket guide. A planning meeting with the FSFC is being scheduled for this summer to develop a strategy for this pocket guide.
Systems and Relationships:
Radio Communications Capabilities
Recently, the Health Medical Communication Network met with Interoperability Communication Committee of the State Working Group (SWG) for Domestic Preparedness to develop and implement a strategy to ensure that hospitals have the ability to communicate to field personnel. Within the next three months, a system should be in place to tie all counties together through a motor bridge system for EMS and fire.
Coordination of Various Groups Providing Hazardous Materials Training
The FSFC distributed a document on the FCDICE database which provided step-by-step instructions on how to register as a training provider in their system. Although there are limitations, FCDICE can be used to track individual training and/or to locate a particular type of training. Once a provider is registered in the system, he/she will receive a provider number which will be used to enter training information for students. When entering the information, the provider must enter student information, numerical grade and pass/fail. You must be registered as a provider to view all providers that are in the system. The list of providers is currently over 30 pages. It was recommended that all LEPC staff register as training providers to access the overall list and, with assistance from FDEM, consolidate a list of Awareness and Operations Level list of training providers. It has not yet been decided who will be entering student information for training that the LEPCs coordinate. For any questions regarding FCDICE, please contact
Ms. Susan Schell of the FSFC.
Training:
Revise Florida Awareness/Operation Program
Instructor and Student Activities Manuals reviewed and video is being filmed. Product will be complete by the end of September.
Training material to address new and non-routine hazards faced by first responders and skilled support personnel.
Clandestine Drug Lab Training – The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) continues to conduct training sessions around the state. There were approximately 13 classes scheduled, primarily focusing on law enforcement although hazmat teams were also invited. Curriculum will be forwarded to TTF members to review.
Alternative Fuels- The SFMO is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a strategy for this training. There are a couple of programs being developed at the national level. California continues to be the lead on hydrogen fuel; however, there are now hydrogen fuel vehicles and fueling stations in the Orlando area.
Pipeline Emergencies Training – The SFMO along with the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted a pipeline safety stakeholders meeting in Saint Petersburg Beach regarding pipeline emergencies. The meeting was attended by pipeline operators/owners, first responders, health agencies and local emergency planning committee representatives. The DOT has requested assistance from the SFMO to link first responders with pipeline operators/owners. A meeting with the Board of Directors of the Florida Pipeline Association is scheduled and the goal is to develop a strategy for a regional training program.
In addition, the State Fire College will host a free Pipeline Emergencies Train-the-Trainer program on August 23, 2006.
Training of Hospital Emergency Department Personnel
The TTF received a request to review the Hospital First Receivers Course recently developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for possible recommendation to the SERC to include in the SERC Training Guidelines. The Florida Department of Health has also requested that the Florida Hospital Association and the health subcommittees on the SWG review this document. The TTF decided not to make any recommendation at this time.
Facilitate training of all major hazardous materials facility operators in the National Incident Management System
This item was tabled until the October meeting.
Updates:
Terrorism threat response
The NFPA472 is under major revision and a draft has been released for comments. This document greatly impacts this project so there are no recommendations for training at this time.
Personal Protective Equipment
Mr. Don Hewitt from the Inter Agency Board gave a presentation regarding the standardized equipment list (refer Other Business below).
Needs Analysis:
NIMS compliance in hazardous materials response
The SERC has previously adopted a resolution endorsing the NIMS concept. At this time, there is no plan to revise the National Response Team's NRT-1 Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide this year.
The federal government has issued recommendations for required training and training is ongoing around the state at all levels and disciplines.
Some of the things that the state has done (or is in the process of doing) include revising Florida's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) to address NIMS requirements; revising Florida's Administrative Rule 9G-6, the development criteria, submittal, review and adoption of the local CEMP; requiring counties to complete a self-assessment of their program utilizing the web-based National Incident Management Capability Assessment Support Tool; incorporating NIMS into training and exercise curriculums; and distributing the revised Field Operations Guide (FOG) which incorporates the NIMS concept.
A lengthy discussion ensued about what is being done to ensure NIMS compliance at the local, state and federal levels. Concern was raised about how this could jeopardize funding and if the deadlines are “concrete.” It is a common belief that a “good faith” effort to comply with NIMS will be recognized at the federal level.
Emergency planning and response software
This item was tabled until the October meeting.
Surveys
The TTF is requested to focus on the non-traditional responder training such as public utility workers, etc., to determine what training needs still exist. Chairman Perdue requested that the TTF consider this item and e-mail Sheri Powers with suggestions.
Funding:
Emergency Response Guidebook and NFPA Training Cycles
This item was tabled until the October meeting.
Standards and Certification:
Medical Protocols for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
This item is addressed regionally and each Local Emergency Planning Committee can obtain the protocols for their region.
Define Tox-Medic
This item will be impacted by the release of NFPA473 which is under major revision and should be released in January 2007. The new requirements will change competencies of whether or not the patient presents the risk of secondary contamination or not and whether they are basic life support or advanced life support.
III. REASSESSMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAMS
The Invitation to Negotiate a contract to reassess the hazardous materials teams that were assessed in 1999/2000 will be posted on the Department of Management Service's website Monday, July 17 and will close August 4, 2006.
The Type II Hazardous Materials Response Resources Assessment Tool was e-mailed to all TTF members for review and comment. A motion made, seconded and unanimously approved to recommend the SERC adopt this tool as an addendum to the original assessment tool with the following revisions: refer to the original SERC hazardous materials assessment tool, remove certifications and funding terminology from the document, remove the numerical values of the columns from the document, include NFPA473 training requirement and adopt all previous corrections (strike through and underline) reflected in the last draft distributed.
IV. Issues for SERC
The following items were endorsed by the TTF and will be taken to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Chairs/Staff and the SERC for endorsement:
V. FLORIDA STATE FIRE COLLEGE (FSFC)
Ms. Susan Schell of the FSFC provided an update of the Bridge Program for the Technician Level certification. To qualify, one must have completed at least 50% of HazMat I and II to take the 104 hour program (2 ½ weeks) which makes them eligible to take the State Certification Exam. Instructors must be Florida certified and have attended the IAFF HazMat Train-The-Trainer. Students must successfully complete a pre-test the first morning of information covered in Hazmat I and II. The FSFC requests the deadline for this bridge program be set for May 2007 for all training to be complete and testing completed by June 2007.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to recommend to SERC to approve this bridge program.
VI. FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR HAZMAT RESPONDERS (FLAHR) UPDATES
Other than the Assessment Tool discusses above, FLAHR has been working to establish dates for their 2 ½ day workshop which will probably be held sometime in October in the Orlando area.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Don Hewitt of the Inter Agency Board (IAB) gave a presentation regarding the Responder Knowledge Base program of the Memorial Institute for Prevention of Terrorism in Oklahoma City . The IAB is organized into four committees and five SubGroups that are chaired by a First Responder, supported by a Federal Co-Chair, and staffed with subject matter experts in that SubGroup's area of interest. Each SubGroup is responsible for maintaining its subsection of the Standardized Equipment List (SEL). The IAB's role is to ensure that equipment listed on the SEL has credibility or standards, and if not, will push for the development of standards to certify equipment that first responders are purchasing. Once a piece of equipment is published on the SEL, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopts this list which is then called the Authorized Equipment List (AEL). DHS grant funds can be used to purchase equipment from the AEL. To find out more information, please visit www.iab.gov .
Mr. Tay Rucker, HAZMAT Safety Assistance Team, U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration gave an overview of the resources available from his office. Mr. Rucker is the Region IV liaison for U. S. DOT and provides training and information regarding hazardous materials and transportation. He distributed an information package regarding his program as well as a couple of compact discs containing training modules, presentations, and various documents including the 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook.
VI. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING – October 5, 2006, in Tallahassee .
VII. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.