Subject: PSARC Minutes
Enclosure (1) Members in Attendance
(2) Treasurers Report (3) Communications Plan
The PSARC meeting was called to
order at 1020, 29 June 1991, in the EMA offices in the courthouse in Lewistown,
Pa. The meeting was opened and introductions made.
The minutes of the board meeting
were read by Ken and accepted as read.
See enclosure (2).
Announcement at beginning of
meeting: July 2 meeting in Harrisburg - FEMA and PEMA development of U S &
R Teams. Irv supplied details presented in FEMA/PEMA packets of 17 June 1991.
IRV - Eastern meeting attended by
approximately 22, with speakers from the Coast Guard on hypothermia and
liabilities.
JOE T. - West; Seven member
organizations attended. U S & R was discussed and the group was addressed
by a representative from Westinghouse on U S & R Development Committee. The
next meeting is scheduled for 27 July 1991 at Kooser St. Park.;
KEN - 11 May - Six groups,
including members of WEST attended. Information was presented on past
litigation, liabilities, standards and guideline development. A need for
individual membership was discussed. Cave and BAR resources for Central Region
were explored.
Discussion was opened with a presentation
by Andy Appel who presented the pros and cons of incorporation. Andy explained
how incorporation effects personal versus business liability. Incorporation
does involve an expense consisting of legal fees, set-up expense and
maintenance fees. Incorporation will protect individual member organization
from direct economic liability, but will not provide protection if the
organization is involved in a particular search. Incorporation will protect
non-profit EMS type organizations-business. Discussion followed indicated that
standards were needed based upon what we have now, development of a definition
of a "Team"; chain of liability (example) local team - PSARC - PEMA -
The state; and standards versus certification.
IRV commented how incorporation
will change tax liability, that the impact of the by-laws will change from
informal interpretation to absolute interpretation, a corporation is a
"person" and therefore the individual organization and collective
agents can be sued.
Andy continued the discussion of
liability versus "the reasonable man action".
Peter pointed out that even though
there maybe no standards now, ASTM is slowly developing and will eventually
adopt nationwide standards. Andy suggested a reason for incorporation is to
further PSARC as an educational organization.
It was discussed that PSARC would
not be liable during this process of developing standards and guidelines as we
are NOT attempting to portray ourselves as a certifying organization.
Jim Howley made a motion to
incorporate PSARC, Irv seconded the motion. The motion was tabled while the
board reviewed applications of two teams for membership. WEST was accepted as a
new member and Northeast SAR as a renewal. The motion to incorporate was then
passed by unanimous vote.
The meeting broke into an informal
working lunch at 1152. The following points were discussed:
- The question of PSARC becoming an
operational organization that is actually involved in search.
- It was noted that no purpose for
PSARC is included in the constitution and/or by-laws.
- Discussion continued on a
definition of standards and the necessity of standards for PSARC operation.
Operational standards for commonality and protocol within the state and between
states might be helpful. Minimum standards versus establishing a model that the
state will eventually mandate was discussed. Several members recommended
selecting preexisting guidelines and accepting those as standards.
- A state wide mutual aid agreement
might be helpful and dedicated state wide communication frequencies would be
helpful.
- Marion suggested that a team must
have written standards, either their own or others accepted with minimum
service performance standards and an explanation of understanding between the
service and the provider. She pointed out that it helps to develop PR if a
selection of standards is available to send with inquires about the
`team, and that it helps to
"elevate" other persons as they attempt to gain training and
experience.
Open Forum For Discussion of
Mission Problems:
Bruce Barton introduced a search
for discussion, questioning if Pennsylvania State Police or anyone must respond
for a competent adult
that ohm family feels may ho lost.
The consensus is that this is a
agent? The local municipality is
the responsible agent unless it is a multi-jurisdictional then the county
becomes the responsible agent. Legislation from the past was discussed and
education of the responsible authority and the "sale" of our services
to the responsible party is imperative.
The board met with PEMA and is
helping to identify resources for them. The new PSARC resource form was
modified to conform to the PEMA resource form and PSARC is continuing to help
with its distribution. Discussion followed on "What Constitutes a
Team", and this was tabled for further discussion at a later meeting.
A great deal of discussion on how
to attract new membership occurred. PREPLAN
This committee is collecting
information. Several teams are sending information for further review.
The By-Laws committee has begun to
communicate and will begin to rewrite the by-laws as we have agreed to
incorporate.
The Training committee has had some
meetings with the Fire Academy.
1. The Fire Academy has established
Grid Team instructor requirements.
2. They are requesting they we help
recruit eligible candidates.
3. Bruce Trego is point of contact
for further information.
4. The Fire Academy has identified
five search and rescue classes.
5. Instructor applications were
distributed for the Fire Academy.
6. A letter of request to keep
Bruce Trego as liaison from PSARC to the Fire Academy.
The Standards Committee is
collecting information and is requesting standards from any teams.
Joe Trash presented a draft
communications plan (see enclosure 3). Operational procedures and SOP will be
added once this plan is accepted. The committee is attempting to obtain state
wide frequencies and to secure licensing. PSARC will not purchase supporting
equipment. Teams will have to continue to purchase their own mobile and hand
held equipment. It was recommended that PSARC work towards dedicated radio
frequencies for search and rescue and develop a model plan for the
Commonwealth. Discussion followed, that perhaps mobile and stationary repeaters
may be needed. The members suggested that the committee investigate PEMA's
assistance in obtaining 155.160 and at least one other frequency. Brian
Greenway was suggested as a contact for frequency coordination.
Irv suggested development of a plan
of action to coordinate frequencies and to work closely with the by-laws
committee to comply with all legalities and licensing applications. Bruce
Barton made a motion to accept the plan as presented. Andy Appel seconded. The
motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Bruce Barton made a motion to apply
for coordination and licensure for 155.160 and 150.775 as minimum frequencies
and the funding necessary to fill as many frequencies of ''the communication
plan A thru I; a funding limit of
$350. was introduced to obtain the frequency 155.160 and any other frequency
available; PEMA was to be contacted and coordination made. Expenditure of funds
was to be made at the committees discretion. Roy Keiser seconded. The vote was
four to three. Motion carried.
The December meeting will be held
in Lewistown at the Fire Academy on 28 December 1991 at 1000.
Question to the general audience
was: Does anyone know what happened to drawings or plans to the PSARC patch? If
you do contact Peter McCabe.
To be appointed by Peter McCabe. To
develop a slate of candidates and publicize the slate on a time schedule for
election with the results announced at the December meeting.
The question was posed by Bruce
Barton as to "Why semi-annual meetings?". Peter explained that this
allows the board to conduct administrative business allowing regional meetings
to review the business and still have time for discussion for training, mission
critique, and presentation of topics of interest and education.
Motion to adjourn was made by Joe
Thrash. Seconded by Jack Humberson. Meeting was adjourned at 1525.
MEMBER ORGANIZATION
MarthaAnn Ackroyd SCSDSAR
Joe Thrash SCSDSAR
Irv Lichtenstein GPSR
Greg Sassman DER State Parks Cowans GAP St. Park
Marian Hardy Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S.
Jack Humberson Somerset Co. Sheriff "s Dept SAR SCSDSAR
Jim Howley Thornhurst Vol. Fire & Rescue Co.
Gayle James Strike
Bruce Barton Northeast Search & Rescue
Roy Keiser Strike
Norm Smith PEMA
Bruce Trego Mifflin Co. Specialized Search & Rescue
Brenda Pittman Lancaster Co. EMS/EMA
Karen Small Wilderness Emergency Strike Team
Ron Small Wilderness Emergency Strike Team
Lew Ibaugh jr. West 6-10 Lancaster Co. Emergency Mgmt.
Andrew Appel Wilderness Emergency Strike Team
Tom Glovier W.E.S.T.
Beth Zell Search & Rescue Dog Handler
Carolyn Kerns Vigilant SAR Saves Team
Ken Boyles Col Denning State Park
Tom Hirchak Keystone S.A.R.
Scott Wible Keystone S.A.R.
Peter McCabe ESAR 616