LEPC

The LEPC meets on the third Wednesday of the month in the Municipal Building basement conference room at 10AM. Meetings are open to the general public.

Local Emergency Planning Committee

Meeting Minutes May 16, 2002

Meeting Location: Maple Glen Center, 12-15 Saddle River Road

Attendees: Jocko J. Tahvanahan of Sandvik, Jay Bender of FL Fire and Rescue, David Ripoli, Administrator and Steven Carroll of Maple Glen, Councilman Caan and Weinstein, Kate Humble and Janet Carretero of Kraft Foods/Nabisco, Bob Csigi of FL Board of Education, Ira Marks of FLOEM and Denise DePalma of the FL Health Dept.

The meeting officially began at 10:20 a.m.

Introduction: Ira Marks opened the meeting with a welcome to all attendees and a thank you to Maple Glen for hosting the meeting, as well as providing refreshments. Mr. Marks facilitated the meeting in the absence of Joe Rubin and Tom Metzler.

1. Disaster Exercise: Garden State Plaza, Paramus, June 2, 2002 from 8 to 11:00 a.m.

All LEPC members were invited to participate in the drill as an evaluator, a victim, etc. A description of the event planners, participants and scenarios was presented. The date of the post critique is to be announced. A group discussion ensued surrounding the disaster exercise.

It was announced that there will be a table top exercise in Paramus on Monday, May 20, 2002. All wanting to participate in either the disaster exercise or the table top drill were urged to see Ira at the end of the meeting.

2. Emergency Phone System Status: Operational as of May 1, 2002 in Fair Lawn, Saddle Brook, Paramus, Closter, Tenafly and Rutherford. A press conference was held with all of the towns to inform residents that the system exists. Individuals with unlisted phone numbers are urged to call in their phone number, street address and zip code to either 201-398-9800 or our local OEM office. A discussion and overview of the system ensued.

3. Walk-through: It was requested that three nights of walk-through be coordinated on any week, except the first week of the month, by Fisher, Sandvik and Kraft Foods/Nabisco to accommodate the drill nights of the fire and rescue departments.

The drill nights are as follows:

Fire Co. # 2 and 3: Mondays

Fire Co. #1 and Rescue: Tuesdays

Fire Co. # 4: Thursdays.

Walk-through schedules will be shared so that LEPC members, Mayor and Council, Department Heads, Police and Ambulance workers could participate as well.

Emergency Plans for Fisher, Sandvik and Kraft Foods/Nabisco will be reviewed in the Fall.

A. DePalma and Marks gave a brief review of items learned at the ICPC Conference held at the end of April. The title of the conference was, “Responding to Mass Casualty Incidents.” Credit was given to Tom Metzler for his part in arranging the conference, along with the ICPC.

B. Bender announced that he will be offering his assistance to the new Adult Medical Day Care Center at 24-24 Broadway in developing an emergency plan. It was suggested that Marks attend the meeting with Bender to offer LEPC advice for an evacuation plan.

C. Maple Glen brought up their concern regarding the protocol for a 911-Ambulance call. To prevent a future problem, suggestions were given on how Maple Glen should proceed.

Nabisco advised on the status of their protocol change to reflect transport for non emergency life threatening calls by a cab.

Tom reported that LEPC President Joe Rubin (Merck Medco) was out of town and unable to attend.

Attendees: Tom Metzler; OEM, Ira Marks; OEM, Bob Jones; Children Therapy Center, Jay Boiwans, SK Energy & Chemical; Allan Caan and Steve Weinstein, Council Liaison; Denise Depalma, Health Dept; Jay Bender, Fire Prevention/Rescue; Bill Duron & JT, Sandvick; Janet Carretero, Nabisco; and Steve Caroll, Maple Glen Nursing Home.

1. Reverse 911: Contracts have been signed and the system should be activated on/or about May 1, 2002.

2. OEM Budget: Director Metzler advised group that Current & Capital Budget review has been completed. The shelter program has been partially funded for budget year 2002. Funding has been provided for cots and blankets. Tom hopes funding for trailer will be approved in 2003 Capital Budget. Money was approved for replacement ballistic vests for auxiliary officers and additional portable radios and pagers.

3. Tom asked LEPC members to participate in drill to be held on June 2, 2002 by Paramus OEM, Fair Lawn OEM, Maywood OEM, Rochelle Park OEM and River Edge OEM. The exercise will be held at the Garden State Plaza and will test many aspects of emergency planning and response.

Old Business: OEM Coordinator Metzler asked for comments on the Children’s Therapy Center Evacuation Plan. Several members indicated they had not received a copy for review. Copies were distributed and will by discussed at the May Meeting

New Business: Councilman Caan questioned as to whether the telephone alerting system could be used for a missing child. OEM Director Metzler advised that it could and that he had discussions with the police department about allowing all supervisors access to the system.

A video from the EPA was shown about the function of the LEPC. Janet Carretero (Nabisco) questioned if our walkthroughs could be more specific to chemical hazards on site. She expressed her belief that this would make walkthroughs more beneficial and more appealing to corporate management. The committee agreed.

Tom Metzler advised the group that the Fair Lawn PD will be sponsoring the International Police Chaplains Conference on April 29 & 30, 2002. The theme is Mass Causality Incidents. Registration is $100.00.

Denise DePalma reported that the Health Advisory Group met and had concerns about daytime EMS response (meeting minutes attached). Tom Metzler responded that the borough manager was aware of the situation and had a meeting with EMS. At this point OEM has been requested to allow EMS to resolve the problem of daytime response. Tom indicated that he will write a letter to the health advisory group.

Election of President 2002: Nomination of Joe Rubin by Jay Bender second by Don Scales. Motion to close nominations by Sheri Adler, second by Jay Bender. Joe Ruben elected to third term by unanimous vote.

Attendees: Tom Metzler; OEM, Ira Marks; OEM, Don Scales; Fisher Scientific, Tom Gerlach & Linda McIntyre, Kodak; Sheri Adler; Fair Lawn TV, Wendy Dabney; Chairperson Fair Lawn Environmental Committee, Bob Jones; Children Therapy Center, Gloria Schoenfeld, EMS; Jay Boiwans, SK Energy & Chemical; President Joe Rubin, Merck Medco; Allan Caan, Council Liaison; Denise Depalma, Health Dept; Pam Mamo, Fire Dept; Jay Bender, Fire Prevention/Rescue; Bob Csigi, Bd of Education; Bill Duron & JT, Sandvick; Anthony Serrao, Police Dept; Jannet Carretero & Kate Humble, Nabisco

1. FEMA reimbursement for expenses resulting from Fair Lawn response to WTC has been received.

2. Reverse 911: Program moving along. Waldwick and Oradell dropped out of regional plan. Edgewater, Saddle Brook and Rutherford still pending. CAN has expressed interest in proceeding even if all towns do not participate.

3. EOP: County awaiting completion of updates on health and social services annex. Anticipate completion be end of week. Upon approval will complete CD program.

4. Sandvick Evacuation and Hazmat Drill: Metzler complimented Sandvick on the improvement made to their evacuation plan since last exercised. A facility evacuation drill conducted in October and a response exercise in November was very successful.

5. Fisher Scientific: Walk-through tours will be conducted for emergency responders, LEPC members and elected officials during the month of January & February. Police officers can participate during the midnight shift to maximize those participating.

6. Child Therapy Center: Copy of evacuation plan passed out for review and discussion at the March meeting. Positive of WTC attack more facilities working with OEM on EOP.

7. Terrorism Task Force: Some recommendations already implemented. Many sub-committees hard at work. Survey beginning after 2/1/02

8. Toyota Donation: Glen Toyota has donated a brand new full size Toyota pick-up truck to the rescue squad. 1/2 of the cost will be paid by Glen Toyota, balance by Rescue Squad Association. Borough will insure.

9. Captial Budget: Hoping to secure sheltering trailer this year. Paramus has already completed project. New truck will be used to tow trailer.

10. FEMA has produced a flip chart for Emergency Response to Terrorism. Fisher Scientific will donate copies to be placed in Emergency Vehicles for first responders.

New Business: Janet Carretero (Nabisco) questioned as to the location of evacuation shelters. OEM Director Metzler explained that the high school will serve as the primary shelter. However, the emergency plan has the town broken down in to quarters with primary and secondary shelters identified. The new sheltering plan will improve the communities ability to set up relief shelters in bordering communities if necessary.

Sheri Adler (Fair Lawn TV) asked how emergency broadcasts will be posted on Channel 66. Metzler indicated that he was provided three contact telephone numbers of parties who will come in and post emergency messages. Additionally, Metzler indicated that he is trained to post message also but would rather focus his attention to his responsibilities.

Wendy Dabney (Chairperson, Environmental Committee) advised of child safety seat program. Will provide information to Channel 66.

OEM Director Metzler thanked the local industries for their continued support of OEM programs. He advised that Nabisco donated $500.00 to the Reverse 911 fund.