Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting:  February 24th, 2021 via zoom

Members present: Yvette Fleming, Harry Kellogg, Roger Lindgren, Marie Versen, John Higney and Owen Polifka

Emergency Preparedness Resource Persons (EPRPs) (Training session curriculum agenda)

A subcommittee met and formulated a curriculum agenda for the training session which has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 at 6 pm.  Yvette will introduce the newly appointed EPRPs at this training session.  She has previously distributed packets containing training materials for this session to the members of our committee.  Similar packets will be given to each EPRP along with materials that they will provide to their respective residents.

Two approaches will be presented to the EPRPs regarding their initial meeting with their residents:
1. The EPRP would actually schedule a face to face meeting, party or event in which the details our neighborhood program is discussed along with distributing various items and literature described below.
2.  If they so choose, the EPRP could drive to each of the homes in their region (door to door) and provide the information and materials to their residents in that manner.

Items or Concepts to be discussed at the upcoming EPRP training session:

To Go Bags:
The EPRP participants will be given list of various suggested items to be included in a bag designed and prepared ahead of time to be taken with in the event that there is reason to evacuate. Personal items and documents are suggested by FEMA.

Household Emergency Plan:
The EPRPs will suggest that their residents formulate their own emergency action plan designed for themselves and there family’s needs which includes any special needs persons or pets.  This will help ensure that an emergency is dealt with as rapidly as possible.

Regional Maps:
Each EPRP will be provided with a map that represents their region along with the names and addresses, phone numbers, email addresses of the people (households) included in their region.  Additional maps to be provided would include that of the sanitary district as well as source supplies locations and suggested escape routes.

Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) Action Plan:
An overview of our committee’s Town of Bell Emergency Action Plan will be discussed as well as how to access it.  (The Town’s Website, Post Office).  It will be noted that this plan is our community’s first ever formal such plan.  An overview of the town’s EPC survey results will also be provided to the EPRPs for their own reference.

Incident Command System (ICS):
Harry will present the concept of an Incident Command System and how it is already in use with regards to our local EMS and Fire Department.  The ICS would be utilized by our community in the event of an emergency or disaster especially if additional assistance isn’t available from other agencies due to an extensive event.  The Incident Commander would likely be determined by the type of emergency or disaster that presents itself.  The DNR as well police departments also employ the ICS concept.  He will highlight various principles of this concept.  These might include participants reporting to only one supervisor in the ICS chain of command, how the chain of command is formulated or utilizing common terminology among the participants to prevent confusion.

Community Emergency Response Team  (CERT):
We will encourage the EPRPs to independently take the FEMA CERT course which addresses practical issues relating to the incident command concept.

Warming Station:
We will discuss such issues as a designated warm environment in the event of a polar vortex type power outage.  Since the Red Cross has deemed our Community Center as an official Red Cross Safe Shelter, the center would suffice in that capacity and would be listed on the Red Cross website as such.

Additional Materials:
 Additional literature to be provided to the EPRPs include a guide to explain and access the FEMA mobile app.  Information on the features of the NOAA National Weather Service and how to obtain a NOAA weather radio will also be discussed.

Flip Charts:
 The EPRPs will also be distributing two flip charts as well as self address refrigerator magnets.  One of the flip charts will be addressing measures to be taken in the event of a disaster.  The other flip chart deals with various first aid or medical issues.

Next Meeting:
Thursday, March 25th, 2021 at 6:30 pm via zoom

Respectfully submitted,

Owen