HomeMy WebLinkAbout20103148.tiff THE WELD COUNTY REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD
TUESDAY, May 25th, 2010, 10:30 AM
PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE ROOM 1111 H Street
The Weld County Regional Communications Advisory Board met in session in on
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Public Works building.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Doug Rademacher. Present were board
members Doug Rademacher, Gary Barbour, Jim Burack, Carl Harvey, Roy Rudisill, Jay
McDonald, Ron Grannis, Mark Lawley, Hugh Kane, Juan Cruz, Robert Standen, Phil
Tiffany and Tim Zimmerman. Staff members present were Mike Savage, Dave Mathis,
Robert Olsen, Anne Mioduski, Heidi Gillespie and Susan Johnson. Dave Bressler
represented Rod Deroo and Jeff Odell represented Duane McDonald. Monica Mika and
Jerry Garner were also present
MINUTES:
Juan Cruz moved to accept the minutes from the April 27th, 2010 meeting. Carl Harvey
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Staff Report: Dave Mathis presented Dispatch stats for April 2010 [refer to Sgt.
Mathis' April 2010 WCRCC Monthly Report and Personnel Report as of March
2010].
2. User Surveys: The user survey was distributed; most agencies are satisfied or
very satisfied with the performance of WCRCC. Specific concerns will be
addressed.
3. MAC Exercise: The first MAC exercise was conducted in April, there was some
confusion among the law users whether to use MACS or MAC7, but overall the
exercise proved most agencies know where their MAC channels are and how to
use them. The radio protocol will be sent annually, and the drill will be conducted
annually as well.
4. Computer Upgrade update: Doug Rademacher reported that the RFP for the
computer upgrade is ready to go out to 14 vendors. The deadline to reply is June
14`h and screening will take place to determine which vendors will be asked back
for presentations. The formal selection board is yet to be determined and the goal
is to have the choice made by August 1s`
5. Siren Testing: Roy Rudisill researched what other counties do for siren testing
and suggests testing in March and October, when tornado season has passed. Each
community will be responsible for their own test, and communities that set off
their own sirens need to inform dispatch.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Fire Chief Protocols: The Weld County Fire Chief Association approved an
emergency protocol, Code 5, or emergency assistance necessary. Tim
Zimmerman moved, Roy Rudisill seconded a motion to add the Code 5 protocol
to the WCRCC Handbook. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Law radio status checks: Status checks for law are automatically programmed
into the computer but once an officer is code 4 it is a dispatcher's discretion
whether to re-check their status or not. It was suggested that a follow-up status
check be added to the WCRCC Handbook. The Board agreed that this would be a
good idea and referred it to the Weld County Police Chiefs meeting for further
comment.
3. Cost Share Memo: A memo was drafted [see attached Cost sharing memo dated
May 21, 2010] reminding all agencies of the cost-sharing plan adopted in 2009
and phasing in over 3 years. In 2011, a few more law and fire agencies will
contribute financially to the Center's operations. As preparations for the 2011 and
2012 fiscal budgets are considered, the Weld County Regional Communications
Center Cost Sharing Plan will be scrutinized to ensure the methodology used is
most equitable for all user agencies. Progress and anticipated changes to the cost
share plan will be communicated.
• After discussion, the following sentence was stricken to amend the
draft: "Weld County agreed to provide a credit of$10,000.00 per year
for all user agencies except the City of Greeley Police, Union Colony
Fire Rescue Authority, Weld County S.O., and Weld County
Paramedic Services."
• Gary Barbour moved and Carl Harvey seconded a motion to approve
and send the memo out as amended. The motion carried
unanimously.
4. Non-Compliance with Fire Apparatus Numbering: Jerry Garner and Doug
Rademacher have met to discuss agencies that refuse to follow the apparatus
numbering system. It has come to the attention of the commissioners that some
fire boards have voted not to comply with the numbering system.
• Doug Rademacher presented a draft of a letter [refer to May 21, 2010
Draft] stating that it is important that agencies conform to the
established, agreed-upon protocols and it requested that they
require compliance immediately.
• The Commissioners and Chief Garner are willing to meet with these
agencies, to get this matter settled.
• The Board agreed that the letter should be sent out to the Fire Boards,
not the Chiefs, because the Fire Boards direct the Chiefs in what to do.
5. Public Works Radio Training: Jay McDonald reported that he had used the
radio operation recommendations from the May 22"d tornado report to create
training for all of his public works radio users. Now that they understand the radio
system, they should free up resources for emergency responders during disasters.
Carl Harvey moved, Roy Rudisill seconded a motion to adjourn, motion carried
unanimously. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15.
Minutes recorded and submitted by Susan Johnson
DRAFT May 26, 2010
WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY
WARNING SYSTEM
OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS
Weld County Office of Emergency Management in coordination with the local
communities will tests the emergency warning sirens on the first Saturday of
March and October each year. If you hear the sirens at any other time, there
is the possibility of a weather-related or other emergency that could require
you to take precautions. For weather-related emergencies, the local
jurisdiction will communicate with Weld County Regional communications
Center to activate the sirens during a tornado warning if a tornado is
imminent.
Why can't I hear the Sirens in my house?
Weld County communities have installed outdoor tornado warning sirens
throughout the county to warn residents when they are outside of their
homes (in cars, back yards, ball fields, swimming pools).
How are the sirens activated?
Each community in Weld County is required to have an Emergency Operation
Plan. Each plan will identify the responsible agency or organization to
contact Weld County Regional Communication Center and request to have
the sirens in their community activated. Absent a plan, the identified
agencies are Law Enforcement, Fire, and Town Staff. Law Enforcement and
Fire Districts have the ability to communicate with Weld County
Communication Center via 800 MHz radio, Town Staff will contact Dispatch
via phone at 970-350-9600 option 4. If a community activates their Sirens
their "Severe Weather Plan" should be activated.
ALERTS TYPES TYPE OF SIGNAL
TORNADO r 10 sec on 4 sec off for three
NATURAL WARNING min
DISASTER ALERT
MAN-MADE MAN-MADE Reverse 911 from WCRCC
DISASTER DISASTERS
ALERTS (terrorism) or Local Emergency System
DRAFT May 26, 2010
What is a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch?
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch outlines an area where hail 3/4 inch diameter
or larger hail and damaging thunderstorm winds are expected to occur
during a three to six hour period. A Tornado Watch includes the large hail
and damaging wind threats, as well as the possibility of tornadoes.
What is a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning?
A tornado warning means that a thunderstorm or tornado has actually been
spotted, or is strongly indicated on radar by the National weather Services
and it is time to go to a safe shelter immediately.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE TO A SHELTER AFTER A TORNADO
WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED
Is there an "all clear" siren?
There is no "all clear" siren activation. The "all clear" was an old warning
from the 1960's that notified residents of an all clear from a nuclear attack.
The County and Local Communities, attempts to warn citizens of
approaching severe weather by activating the sirens with as much warning
as possible. Weather, and especially a severe storm, is unpredictable and
warnings may be immediate to an approaching storm. Storms traveling
through may have several lines of severe weather and as each approaching
threat reaches the towns throughout the County an additional siren
activation will be sounded.
How do I know if it is clear and safe to evacuate my shelter?
A portable battery operated radio can give you up to the minute information
and let you know when the severe weather has passed.
Keep listening to local radio broadcasts over the emergency alert system. Or
stay tuned to local television stations for warning information. Keep listening
to local radio broadcasts over the emergency alert system. Weld County
Office of Emergency Management encourages every Government Office in
the County and at the Local level to have a Weather Radio that will receive
Nation Weather Service warnings and updates.
DRAFT May 26, 2010
RADIO STATION'S
KFKA -1310 AM KUNC 91.5 FM
KOA 850 AM KUAD 99.1 FM
KCKK 1600 AM KPAW 107.9 FM
KCOL 600 AM KSME 96.1 FM
KGRE 1450 AM KVOD 92.5 FM
KHNC 1360 AM KCDC 90.7 FM
OTHER WARNING SYSTEMS
There are several warnings that individuals can receive based on email
systems and text messages. The Denver Metro News Channels offer
warning via email and text. There are several organizations that offer
warning via email and texting some will require a fee. For more info on
these types of warning search the internet for "Weather Warning via Text
Message"
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