At the recommendation of the interoperability communications subcommittee, the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee will request proposals for an interoperability radio communications assessment.
The assessment will review and analyze existing radio systems used by area fire, law enforcement and EMS and make recommendations and provide direction on what equipment is needed to improve the interoperability across the region. With this information, Region I could complete its interoperability plan and use future grant dollars to purchase needed communications equipment.
So far, the HSOC has awarded 98 hand-held, P-25-compliant, narrow-band radios to fire departments, emergency medical services, public health, law enforcement and emergency management agencies in Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties.
Local agencies were asked to complete a brief survey to determine need. Those that responded and lacked narrow-band capabilities received radios.
“The assessment would help local decision makers decide what radio equipment is needed next and who needs it,” explained Amy McMillen of Meramec Regional Planning Commission, who provides staff support to the committee. MRPC serves as the HSOC’s administrative entity and fiscal agent.
The group also heard a report on the Internet-based Emergency Response Information Plan (ERIP) from Paul Rueff of St. James, who is now serving as a special volunteer advisor to State Homeland Security. Rueff will be introducing ERIP to school districts in an effort to encourage them to develop a response plan.
“It is up to the district to participate,” said Rueff. “The school district can hone this plan. They can make it as simple or as complex as they want.”
The benefit of getting the local plan into the statewide system is that, during an emergency, local response agencies could assess the information—such as school building floor plans—to help them better deal with the emergency, Rueff explained.
“Site data is most important to emergency response community,” he added.
A meeting is planned later this year for local school administrators.
In other business, the Region I HSOC:
• Elected Jon Ayres, emergency management director of Laclede County, to serve as vice chairman of the HSOC. He replaces James Morgan of Crocker, who left the board.
• Approved MRPC to complete the annual National Incident Management System (NIMS) report to SEMA for all counties within Region I.
•Heard a request from Jack Raetz of the State Emergency Management Agency requesting that emergency response agencies complete SEMA’s training survey so the state will have a better of idea of training needs as it plans upcoming training.
“What you see in the way of training next year in Region I will be a result of this survey,” Raetz explained.
•Discussed hosting an annual meeting to showcase Region I HSOC purchases and encourage participation of all jurisdictions involved in the HSOC. The event is tentatively planned for Oct. 22 in Lebanon.
The Region I HSOC will meet on July 23 at 2 p.m. at MRPC. Chaired by Linda Hanrahan of St. James Ambulance District, the Region I HSOC was established along the boundaries of the State Highway Patrol Troop I and includes Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties.
Jurisdictions represented include emergency management, police chiefs, sheriffs, fire, county health departments, homeland security rescue teams, public works, mayor/city administrators, county commissioners, private industry/public utility, emergency medical services, 911, volunteer groups, hospitals and schools.
For more information, contact Tammy Snodgrass or Amy McMillen at MRPC at 573-265-2993.