APRIL 27, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer, Chair; Rick McQuaid; Joanne Romano (7:35 p.m.); Douglas Sutton (7:40 p.m.); Phyllis Bolden (7:40 p.m.)

STAFF: Michael Dolhancryk, Director Emergency Management

GUESTS: Peter Wien, Blue Ribbon Advisory Board

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:30, by Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer. It was noted that the Committee did not have a quorum.

The rules were suspended to permit Mr. Wien give the Committee a status report from the Youth Services Bureau.

REPORT BY THE BLUE RIBBON ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Wien reported that the Blue Ribbon Advisory Board is forming a committee and has a letter from the Mayor that will go out to all members on the Committee. Waterbury runs the best youth services department. He noticed that Waterbury has a strong Board of Directors. Mr. Wien said that they plan to require attendance at their meetings; the focus is for the youths. The youth board will only work if the members are involved.

Ms. Romano arrived at 7:35 p.m.

The Board plans to meet once a month. Mr. Wien stressed that they want the Board to focus on the youths.

Mr. Sutton arrived at 7:40 p.m.

Mr. Wien pointed out that 8 of the 12 members of the board are past members. The Board members are:

Elaine Anderson
Darlene Young
Tony Di Dona
Rick Fuller
Candace Mayer
Maria Lopez
Mike Mocciae
Rhonda Collins
Shirley Sarkin
Cera and Mark Suston
Rick McQuaid

Mr. Wien said that he plans to make a report to this Committee each month.

Rev. Bolden arrived at 7:45 p.m.

Mr. McQuaid said that the Mayor made a good choice in choosing Mr. Wien as the Chair and that he looks forward to working with him. Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said that she was glad the Mayor had a listening ear; she suggested that he appoint Mr. Wien to that position.

Mr. McQuaid suggested going into the three high schools and conducting a youth forum, starting with Briggs High School. He added that he would like to see student representatives from the three high schools on the Board.

Mr. Wien thanked the Committee for all of their efforts which allowed them to get to this point.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 23, 2006

The following correction was made to the minutes:

Page 1, under Youth Services…fifth paragraph. Correct sentence to read: Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer called Mr. McQuaid so that he could be included in the discussions.

** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

FIRE DEPARTMENT

SOLE SOURCE

Mr. Dolhancryk said that this was a request to purchase a hydraulic lift system. He said that it matches the system currently in place.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that Chief McCarthy and Chief Rilling send their regrets; they are attending an awards ceremony.

** MR. SUTTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NIMS DISCUSSION

Mr. Dolhancryk explained that Renbar Kennels of New Milford, CT is a sole source provider for training three new dogs and their handlers. The kennel meets all of the national certifications and the cost will come out of the asset forfeiture account.

Ms. Romano asked what happens with the dogs once they can no longer be of service. Mr. Dolhancryk said that when the dogs retire, they live the rest of their lives with their handlers and their family.

** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE A SOLE-SOURCE PURCHASE ORDER NOT TO EXCEED $14,000 TO RENBAR KENNELS OF NEW MILFORD, CT FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF NORWALK POLICE SERVICES K-9 UNITS AND HANDLERS IN THE K-9 HANDLER PATROL UTILITY/NARCOTIC DETECTION TRAINING PROGRAM
FUNDS TO BE DRAWN ON ACCOUNT 03000-2660, ASSET FORFEITURE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NFPA 1600 DISCUSSION

Mr. Dolhancryk summarized the Telestaff program, which will automate the manpower accountability.

** MR. SUTTON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A TRANSFER IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,338.41 FROM THE ASSET FORFEITURE ACCOUNT INTO A PROJECT ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE THE TELESTAFF AUTOMATED STAFFING AND SCHEDULING PROGRAM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT

This item was not discussed.

OTHER BUSINESS

Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Dolhancryk pointed out that the finest fire department in one of the best prepared cities in the United States was overwhelmed by 911. A problem that New York had was that for over 30 years they never used mutual aid. A major problem was that there was no way to mesh with the local resources.

Out of that disaster, came the NIMS (National Incident Management System). This system is a replay of a military system where a certain number of people are assigned to perform certain jobs.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that one of their problems is that the transit bureau has bus routes for disabled people, but that information is confidential.

A table top emergency exercise is planned for June. A full scale functional exercise is planned for October. The scenario they are using is that there is an explosion on a commuter train on a Wednesday during the afternoon rush hour. As the responders arrive, they find a second device. If this were to actually happen, the areas around the rail line in New York and Connecticut would come to a stand still. Twenty six separate agencies will participate, including the FBI and the state police.

The October exercise will demonstrate that the Fire Department will be in command, but when the second device is found the question will be who is then in command. The hospital will accept 50 casualties and will check communications with other hospitals. The hope is that when this exercise is done they will have a county communications program in place.

NFPA 1600 DISCUSSION - continued

Mr. Dolhancryk said that the response force is excellent, but they are worried about the City’s ability to recover on the administrative side.

Over the next year to 18 months all of the departments in the City will be working on defining their core services. He said that he would like to see the City NFPA 1600 compliant within the next two years. As a result of being compliant the City’s insurance rates could be reduced.

Emergency Preparedness - continued

Mr. Dolhancryk said that the initial plan called for all of the stock piles to go to the Health Department. The revised plan calls for the hospital to get the first supplies so that the staff can be inoculated. Then the Health Department, First Responders and their immediate families will be inoculated.

The trunking system is like a telephone system. There are 20 channels that are available. A system of that size would allow everyone to have their own frequency and provide redundancy.

There are 3 – 4,000 trained First Responders in Fairfield County. The concern is that the command staff may not be able to reach them.

The Committee was invited to observe the June table top exercise. Mr. Dolhancryk said that he will continue to provide information to the Committee.

Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said that she is very concerned about the public. Ms. Romano suggested holding a town meeting where the public will be provided with information. She asked Mr. Dolhancryk if he would be willing to talk to the NEON board. Mr. Dolhancryk replied that he is concerned about underserved groups.

Rev. Bolden said that the housing communities all have tenant association groups and they would be more than willing to meet with Mr. Dolhancryk.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that they are trying to find a place to store 3,000 cots, which is two tractor trailer loads. Rev. Bolden suggested storing them at the shelter. Mr. Dolhancryk said that the schools will serve as shelters during an emergency and the schools do not have any storage areas.

Rev. Bolden said that people living in low-lying areas in South Norwalk do not know the evacuation route. Mr. Dolhancryk explained that everyone would be notified by television, radio and reverse 911.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that he would be very willing to speak to any groups or churches.

Ms. Diane Lauracella, representing the League of Woman Voters reviewed her credentials.

Mr. Lauracella suggested that the function of the LEPC be revisited. She said that they have been disrespected and feel frustrated.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that they are not going to be a part of safety because the unions will not permit their involvement. He said that when they first started, they were an adversarial group.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that they are not disregarding the group. Both Chiefs meet with him on a regular basis and the Fire and Police departments hold joint staff meetings. Both Chiefs have been at all of the LEPC meetings.

Rev. Bolden said that the First Responders have a tremendous responsibility. She is concerned that they may not have all of the equipment they need.

Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer suggested that Mr. Dolhancryk make a presentation to the Committee followed by a presentation to the Common Council.

Mr. Dolhancryk suggested that the Committee set aside the fifth Monday of the month for presentations and training. He said that it is important for each group to know why certain decisions are made.

ADJOURNMENT

Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said that she is very concerned about emergency preparedness.

Rev. Bolden brought in boxed meals to show the Committee. They were distributed to residents during Hurricane Rita.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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