The Board of Directors convened at
0952 in the social room of the Fame Fire Company 2 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania
on December 19,1987. The open matter from the previous meeting, the true nature
of SAR K-9 Service's organization was discussed. Bruce Barton provided a copy
of the current Bylaws of SAR K-9 which were read into the record. As SAR K-9
has resolved an internal problem with organizational versus individual members
by eliminating the organizational category of membership. This resolved the
concern of the Board. The Board adjourned at 1000.
The regular
quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council convened at
1005 hours on December 19, 1987 at the Fame Fire Co. 2 in Lewistown, Pa. Twenty
persons attended, representing 12 member organizations. The minutes were
approved as previously published (Barton, Sassaman).
The Secretary discussed
the schedule for approving the mail ballot provisions to be added to the Bylaws
prior to the elections at the end of 1988. Mail ballotting will require
approval at the Spring meeting and result in nominations being closed at the
Fall meeting to allow for the mailing of ballots. Possible text was discussed
and a formal proposal will be drafted for the Spring meeting.
The Secretary brought
to the floor the information concerning the 9-1-1 bills pending in the
Commonwealth's Legislature and the proposed job protection for emergency
volunteer workers bill.
On a motion by Barton
and Sassaman the Council voted unanimously to support the 9-1-1 bill with the
concern that all emergency service providers would be given access to the
resulting dispatch centers. A letter will be sent by the Secretary so stating
the views of the Council.
On a motion by Hebard
and Barton the job protection bill was also supported with the concern that
lost person searchers would also be covered.
John Kihl reported
on the activities of the State Rescue Task Force. The reestablishment of PEMA
in accordance with the Sunset Law also reestablished the Office of Fire as a
line item in the Commonwealth's budget for the first time since it was moved
from the office of the Governor to PEMA. This will reduce PEMA control over the
State Fire Academy, and related matters.
There will be a meeting
of the Rescue Task Force on January 8 at the Fire Academy.
The EMS
Communications Committee has been active with all state agencies. The
Pennsylvania State Police have become cognizant of the problems caused by
personnel operating on other than police frequencies which are installed in
their cruisers for interoperability purposes. Standard Operating Procedures are
being developed to alleviate the problem. A statewide major incident tactical
frequency plan is being developed, including an on-scene to EOC channel(s).
A proposed
definition of a Sprecial Response Unit (SRU) will be discussed at the January
Task Force meeting. This definition will cover services not furnished by
"road" units, state training, and certification. The SAR Council's active participation
and unified stand on the issues has resulted in respect for our 1 year old
organization.
On a motion by
Kihl, seconded by Barton, the Council voted to unanimously support the concept
that EMT's and Paramedics should be allowed to train and function as EMT's and
Paramedics primarily as a member of any Special Response Unit or rescue unit as
defined by Act 45. There apparently has been a movement to limit training and
practice to over the road transporting units. As wilderness lost person search
units Council members do not transport patients beyond the roadhead where they
are transferred to conventional ambulances. Any such limitations on practice
could endanger patients far from the road.
Jack Grieff and
Joe Thrash were added to the Training Committee. All units were asked to send in
their training schedules and to indicate whether the events were open or
closed.
The PAEHSC has established
a computer bulletinboard for its members and committees to use. The system is
located in Pittsburgh. EMSI will be sponsoring its first conference in March
and there will be a SAR track at the PAERMS annual meeting.
A pilot rescue report
form has been published by the Rescue Task Force and copies are available.
The Treasurer reported
that a share account with draft priveleges was opened at the Pennsylvania State
Employees Credit Union. As of the time of the report cash on hand and on
account totaled $135. With that news the meeting recessed for lunch.
After reconvening Greg
Sassaman presented a summary of the DER analysis of missions reports submitted
to date. Council members were reminded that prompt filing of reports was
necessary to build up the statistics and justification for lost person search.
The President
established an Ethics Committee with Kevin Parkes, Chairman. The President and Secretary
will sit ex officio and Joe Thrash will also be a member.
It was reported
that Lt. Col. Schuler, CAP has been promoted to wing commander, PA. Wing CAP,
succeeding the late Col. Milano.
A proposal from
the PR Committee is attached to these minutes. The Training Committee proposed
that the Council meetings be expanded from Saturday morning to a full weekend
on the following basis: Saturday morning Board and General Meeting to conclude
by lunch, a Saturday afternoon classroom training session, and a Sunday morning
practical session. Depending on location a Friday night or Saturday night
social could be held.
On a motion by Joe
Thrash and Greg Sassaman the Council endorsed the offering of the Managing
Search Operations course package byNotherast Search and Rescue in the near
future.
A motion to
establish annual dues for member organizations was made by Bob Elwig and
seconded by Tom Hirchak. Following discussion the motion was pased establishing
dues for 1988 at $25 per organization, due January 1 and payable by the March
26, 1988 meeting. The location of the March meeting is to be established in the
Harrisburg area, close to the Turnpike.
There being no further
business the meeting adjourned at 1415.