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Health Welfare and Public
Safety Committee Actions
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JUNE 22, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Rev. Jeannette Olmstead-Sawyer, Chair; Rev. Phyllis Bolden
STAFF: Michael Dolhancryk, Director Emergency Management
OTHERS: Tim Callahan, Director Health Department; Michelle DeLuca, Red Cross; Darlene Young, Weed & Seed
CALL TO ORDER
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer called the meeting to order, noting that they did not have a quorum.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 27, 2006
No action was taken due to a lack of a quorum.
NORWALK WEED & SEED EVALUATION
Ms. Young explained that this program is in its 10th and final year. One of the requirements is to conduct an evaluation of the program. The evaluation must be conducted by an outside source. Ms. Young explained that they have been trying to get an evaluator.
There was only one response to the RFP, Mr. Ivan Kuzyk. He has done these types of evaluations for the US Attorney’s office. The money for this evaluation will come out of the Weed & Seed budget.
Because there was no quorum present, Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said that this item will be discussed at the next meeting.
CHAIR REPORT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT – CONTRACT REVIEWS
Mr. Callahan said that he will bring this to the Committee in August.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer asked if the cases of STD had gone up. Mr. Callahan reported that the numbers are stable. A walk-in STD clinic is run everyday at a cost of $10.00. Rev. Bolden expressed concern that the cost would prevent everyone from using the clinic. Mr. Callahan said that if they are in school, they can go to the School Based Health Center at no cost.
Mr. Dolhancryk introduced Ms. DeLuca from the Red Cross. He said that at the last meeting, the Committee discussed Faith based emergency shelters. The Red Cross has made it easier to establish shelters. He said that he has 50,000 cots that are stored in the City as well as personal care items and blankets.
Ms.DeLuca distributed folders explaining what their chapter does. She said that they focus on the immediate disaster relief on behalf of their clients. Ms. DeLuca shared the lessons they learned following the 2005 hurricane season.
Rev. Bolden said that when she was in Alabama, she had to go to a shelter during Hurricane Ivan. She said that she was very impressed with how organized the Red Cross was.
Rev. Bolden said that a Fellowship meeting was held last week and the members were very interested in Faith based disaster relief. Ms. DeLuca said that the goal is for people to be self sufficient for 72 hours.
Rev. Bolden asked about communication. She talked about the blackout of August 15, 2003 when all of the cell phones stopped working. Ms.DeLuca said that they have a core of volunteers who are trained to use HAM radios. Mr. Dolhancryk said that the HAM radio operators would be located inside of the Police Station. He added that he could get six HAM radio operators to Norwalk within an hour.
Mr. Dolhancryk said that two satellite phones are on order. He said that he has a cell and others will be equipped with a GETS program, which has priority service.
Mr. Dolhancryk said that he and Ms. DeLuca along with the Fire and Police Chiefs would like to conduct a hurricane preparedness meeting in either July or August with this Committee sponsoring the meeting. Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer suggested scheduling the meeting for the fall rather than the summer.
Mr. Dolhancryk gave a power point presentation about the National Incident Management System. The primary purpose of this system is to allow the state and government to mesh their services.
800 MEGAHERTZ REBANDING
Mr. Dolhancryk distributed information about this item. He said that after six months of negotiations, Nextel has agreed to fund $42,000, which will pay for RCC to act as the City’s agent. He said that he needs permission from the Mayor as soon as possible to get this item on track.
FIRE DEPARTMENT – CONTRACT REVIEWS
This item was not discussed.
POLICE DEPARTMENT – CONTRACT REVIEWS
This item was not discussed.
EMERGENCY DISPATCH – CONTRACT REVIEWS
This item was not discussed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said that it has been a great job to work on this Committee. She said that she was glad that Rev. Bolden was involved in this Committee. She said that it is going to be great and that she hoped that everyone would stay committed to emergency preparedness.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer wished everyone all the best.
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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