UAWG Subcommittee Chair Meeting Minutes

February 21, 2007

Attendees:Harald Flatoen, Jamie Moore, Paul Johnson, Kevin Pokorny, Bill Bowes, Maria Reiter, Gail Braun, Andrea Fox, Tim Carmody, Don Thorson, Bill Meyer, Phyllis Dutton, Mark Conrey

Recorded By: Andrea Fox

Topic / Discussion / Action
Meeting called to order / Don Thorson called the meeting to order at 8:00 am
Approve January Meeting Minutes / January meeting minutes were approved.
Discussion / Paul Johnson requested a voting record be kept on file. / Andrea Fox – Create tally sheet for votes.
FY06 OPPD Project / The State did not approve the FY06 OPPD Project. OPPD funds will be redirected to Planning, Exercising and Training (P-E-T).
FY07 IJs / Gail Braun and Andrea Fox are attending a State-sponsored training regarding the FY07 IJs. Guidance for FY07 will be distributed to the UAWG as it is available.
Bill Meyer reminded the group that sustainability is a key aspect of FY07 IJs.
Don Thorson discussed the following FY07 priorities:
1) COOP Plan / EOC Enhancement Project:
Have a professional plan prepared. Include Pottawattamie County. This project could include a Web-EOC, upgrade to the current EOC, and/or alternate EOC. Emergency Managers could visit model EOCs.
2) Critical Infrastructure:
Protection of large public events. Use lessons learned from full-scale exercise to enhance this IJ.
3) P-E-T:
Secure a firm to do a full-scale in May of 2008.
4) Interoperable Communications:
Wrap up loose ends and completeinteroperable communications projects.
Additional suggestions for FY07 IJs:
1) Bill Bowes - Build on the P-E-T IJ to make it discipline specific. Train each discipline. How does each discipline fit into the full-scale exercise? Use a graduated scale for the size of the incident.
Training / Take advantage of the Technical Assistance offered by DHS. Anniston also has a lot of great free training. Anniston staff will travel to Omaha.
Eventually the UAWG will have to submit proof ofNIMS compliance.
NIMS – Mike Kennelly and Randy Hoke will continue to assist with NIMS training.
Bill Meyer – UAWG training should be tied to the five-year calendar.
The training course catalog is on the DHS Grants and Training website
Tim Carmody pointed out that tabletop exercises are also very important.
Gail Braun asked that Citizen Corps is included in exercise planning. / Andrea Fox: Email link to T.A. website.
Andrea Fox: Discuss NIMS tracking with Mike Kennelly and Randy Hoke.
COOP / Paul Johnson asked if one COOP is needed, or one for each county. Don Thorson responded it may be logical to have one COOP for each county. The individual COOPs must be compatible. Douglas County is already working on a department-by-department basis to put together “mini-COOP” plans. A firm would likely prepare the COOP plans.
Bill Meyer – See FEMA’s COOP website for resources
Gail Braun noted the tri-county area also needs a mass evacuation plan.
A mass evacuation plan is a federal issue and a sheltering issue.
Don Thorson reported that Kansas City is interested in signing a mass-sheltering interstate agreement.
Discussion / Mark Conrey and Phyllis Dutton requested copies of the State’s Enhancement Plan.
Phyllis Dutton requested Critical Infrastructure guidelines for FY07.
Paul Johnson announced Joe Mastandrea, Sarpy County Emergency Manager, is moving to Florida.
Another possibility for an FY07 IJ is an Emergency Hotline. The Emergency Managers and the Non-Profits / Public Entities subcommittees will coordinate this IJ. / Andrea Fox: Email State Enhancement Plan to UAWG.
Andrea Fox: Find FY07 Critical Infrastructure guidelines.
Next Meeting / Large Group
March 15, 2007
9:00-11:00 am
Jesse Lowe, Omaha/Douglas Civic Center

1