LEPC Region III Minutes 2017 May 4

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE – REGION III 824 Clark Avenue Yuba City, CA 95991 (530) 822-4809/FAX (530) 822-7561

MAY 4, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Tehama County Sheriff’s Department 2280 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff, CA 96080

Present: Agency:

Brian Abeel CalOES-HazMat Unit Wayne Brazelton CalTrans Lee Brown Sierra County OES Gary Cantwell (On Phone) Yuba County Environmental Health/CUPA Rod Daugherty Tehama Co. Sheriff’s Office Lauri Dilworth Tehama Co. Environmental Health Eric Ewing Lassen County OES Russ Fowler Butte County HazMat/CalFire Bill Fuller (Chair) Yuba City Fire Dennis Garton Tehama Co. Board of Supervisors/RTTAC Theron Hurlbert Tehama County HAS James Moore (On Phone) Susanville Fire Josh Nicholas State Fish & Wildlife/OSPR Erica Olsen CalOES/HazMat Unit Lori Pini CalOES Inland Division Susanne Rohner CalTrans Ruth Ann Rowen St. Elizabeth’s Community Hospital, Red Bluff Jason Schroeder Regional Water Quality Control Board Matt Shobash Red Bluff Fire Lindsey Stanley (On Phone) CalOES Inland Division Dale Stultz State Fish & Wildlife/OSPR Amy Travis Glenn Co. Sheriff’s Office/OES Jacob Volkov (On Phone) CalOES/CSTI Scott Zaitz Regional Water Quality Control Board

I. Call To Order: 10:00 AM

Sign in & Introductions. The January 5, 2017 LEPC-Region 3 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved. Scott Zaitz made the motion to approve the minutes and Suzanne Rohner provided a second and the motion

1 | P a g e passed unanimously. The agenda was also reviewed for any changes or additions needed, but no changes were offered.

II. Cal OES Update/HMEP Grant

Brian Abeel (CalOES HazMat Unit) and Erica Olsen CalOES/HMEP Grant Administrator provided updates on CalOES activities and on the upcoming HMEP Grant process.

Erica Olsen (CalOES/HazMat Unit) reported that the deadline for submitting an application for HMEP Grant funding is July 31st. She indicated that she will be attending the NASTTPO annual conference in May 8 -11. She indicated topics of discussion will be state-wide projects and the administration of Federal grants. The National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) is made up of members and staff of State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), various federal agencies and private industry. Members include state, tribal or local government employees with Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know (EPCRA) program responsibilities, such as health, occupational safety, first response, environmental, and emergency management agencies.

Brian Abeel reported that the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) is creating a strategic plan, objectives and development plan for itself and how it will operate. Additionally, the SERC is finalizing their membership process. At its last SERC meeting, there was a discussion about how the State could meet the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requirements for regional HazMat response plans. The State had started the process of having a committee composed of State, Federal, LEPC and local agencies develop a template of a regional HazMat response plan that would be used by all six LEPCs in the State to create a standardized regional plan. LEPC-Region 3 was selected to conduct a pilot project to take the template and build a regional plan using it. An initial draft of Region 3’s plan was developed but, due to funding issues, finalization of the plan was not completed. At the most recent SERC meeting, CalOES is now suggesting that State compliance with EPRCA can be achieved by having the individual County area plans standing alone. In the case of LEPC-Region 3, having thirteen (13) individual area plan put together in a binder constitutes a regional plan. Bill Fuller mentioned that he had a problem seeing 13 individual area plans acting as a regional plan due to the duplication of information, lack of connecting resources that are shared amongst some of the plans, and the information not being in a usable, user-friendly format for regional response.

Abeel reported that the SERC discussed CalOES supports to the LEPCs though nothing was finalized at the meeting. He also reported on the LEPC webpages that appear on the CalOES website. There are individual webpages for each LEPC which can include a list of LEPC officers, LEPC Bylaws, current meeting agenda, a repository for past meeting minutes, and other information related to the individual LEPC. Bill Fuller indicated that he would be working with Lindsey Stanley on providing the documents to be housed on the site.

Abeel reported that the next SERC meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 26 at CalOES. He also reported that the LEPC Chairs meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 6 at Continuing Challenge in Sacramento. This year’s Continuing Challenge has moved from the old Radisson Inn over to the Doubletree by Hilton Sacramento, 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815. The Chair mentioned that LEPC-Region 3 has approximately 20 people who have received tuition grants through CalOES/HMEP Grant to attend, and they should be receiving information about their selection.

Brian Abeel discussed the status of the State’s Regional HazMat Team concept and reported on the State’s Team Typing recertification process. He said that there are 61 teams currently going through recertification. Abeel also mentioned that Elk Grove hosted an ammonia safety day focused on anhydrous ammonia safety for industry and community. He said that San Ramon would be hosting a similar training on August 1st.

2 | P a g e III. Presentation: State of the LEPC. Chairperson Fuller stated that he wanted to have a discussion on the goals and objectives and the operation of LEPC-Region 3 and to ask for direction from those in attendance on their expectations of the LEPC. He said that we get moving in a path and never stop to get feedback and re-direction as it relates to where efforts need to be focused and to evaluate how the organization is serving its participants.

Fuller asked if the meeting schedule and format were working and if any modifications were needed. People indicated that they were getting value from participating in LEPC-Region 3 and it was worthwhile traveling to the meetings in Red Bluff. On the subject of meeting schedules, there was a suggestion that the meetings be held quarterly, but others indicated that to be able to cover the information that is currently covered in every other month meetings in a move to quarterly meetings, we’d probably have to add one additional hour to the meeting. Generally, people felt that every other month meetings from 10 AM to 12 Noon were working. Remote participation in the meetings seems to be working too but having a consistent access process is necessary.

On the question of the content of the minutes, people indicated that the minutes reflect in some detail the content and flow of the meeting and allowed the reader to understand what was discussed. People said that they liked the more in-depth written minutes as compared to bullet points. Brian Abeel mentioned that the minutes from LEPC- Region 3 are probably the most in-depth of all the LEPCs. Fuller asked the question if the meeting was recorded as an audio file and posted to the LEPC webpage or sent directly to individuals by email, would they listen to it. The universal response was NO. They liked the brevity of the written minutes as compared to having to listen to a 2-hour audio file. Asked if they liked the updates from the SERC, EPA, CalOES Legislative & HazMat Unit, people indicated that they did.

Fuller asked for input on what types of training do people want to see brought the LEPC region. Training mentioned included HazMat Technician and Specialist course series, First Receiver awareness and operations HazMat-related training for the medical sector, and discussion about joint training for the region’s HazMat response teams. On the question of the types of presentations people would like to see put on at the meeting, a variety of topics were mentioned including search & rescue, presentations on common experiences/knowledge exchange (real-life incidents and responses/lessons learned), and HazMat related programs, services and tools.

Fuller indicated some of the issues that were facing LEPC-Region 3 currently and in the future that will need to be worked on and addressed by the region. Some of those issues are HazMat training courses with a preference to having said classes put on within the region, dealing with sustainable funding for HazMat training/certification in light of limited agency overtime/backfill budgets, finalizing the draft regional HazMat response plan into a usable, user-friendly document, creating joint training/coordination amongst the regional HazMat teams, create a HazMat mutual aid agreement for agencies within Region 3, LEPC outreach to the community and public-right-to-know, expand the use of HMEP Grant funds and other funding sources to address local and regional issues (i.e., HazMat Team workshops, training we provided on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Fuller also discussed the need to address leadership succession at LEPC-Region 3 so that there is continuity and focus in how LEPC-Region 3 addresses and advocates on behalf of first responders, public safety agencies, regional HazMat teams, regional training needs and funding and for the public’s safety and right-to-know. He mentioned that, due to changes in budget and staffing, CalOES/SERC support for the LEPCs have been reduced and the six LEPC Chairs have pushed for increased CalOES commitments to the LEPCs. He referenced that the issue is currently being addressed by CalOES and the SERC, but it is a matter that individual LEPCs need to advocate and push for some type of workable resolution. He said that the LEPC Chairs have stressed to both CalOES and the SERC that those who coordinate and participate in the LEPCs are “volunteers” and the success of the SERC/CalOES are directly connected to the LEPCs being successful.

3 | P a g e As related to leadership succession, Fuller mentioned that he is approaching retirement and would like to set a timeline for the selection of new officers for the LEPC and as such suggested the following tentative timeline.

June Proposed list of duties/responsibilities for key officers. Proposed officers/roles would be Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Program Chair. Volunteers to offer to step up to fill the above slots.

July Ballot to be developed. Voting, if necessary, sent out after the July meeting.

September Election result/appointment of new officers.

Fuller encouraged input, feedback and continued discussion on the above mentioned items.

IV. Subcommittee Reports

A. Training

Jacob Volkov (CSTI) reported that CSTI is installing a new Internet-based training system – more information to come. He also reported that HazMat Technician and HazMat Specialist course series training is being set up for Region 3 as part of Susanville Fire and Yuba City Fire hosting State Type 2 HazMat response vehicles. Dates for said training are as follows:

Susanville Fire HazMat Technician A-D July 2017 – September 2017

HazMat Specialist F-G October 2017– November 2017

Yuba City Fire HazMat Technician A-D February 2018 – March 2018

HazMat Specialist F-G May 2018

Fuller mentioned that Brian Heinz is under contract with CSTI to provide the training to both Susanville Fire and Yuba City Fire. He reported that Region 3’s HazMat teams (i.e., Shasta-Cascade, Butte County, Susanville and Yuba-Sutter) met in Chico on April 5, 2017 to discuss HazMat response, joint training opportunities, mutual aid, etc... One of the items discussed was, in light of the lack of training opportunities and our HazMat mutual aid expectations within a region as big as Region 3; we are pushing to have slots made available for Shasta-Cascade at the Susanville training and slots made available for Butte County at the Yuba City training.

It was mentioned that CSTI is scheduling an Outreach Instructor certification class in Riverside on May 10- 11. There will also be a Train-the-Trainer class in Redlands on May 22-25. Enrollment is through CSTI’s online registration process. It was also mentioned that CSTI has emergency management & terrorism and PIO training upcoming.

4 | P a g e B. Regional HazMat Response Teams

Butte County HazMat Response: Russ Fowler indicated that Butte County HazMat had nothing significant to report.

Shasta-Cascade HazMat Response: No report.

Susanville Fire: No report

Yuba-Sutter HazMat Response: No responses to report. The Yuba-Sutter team is working with CalOES/CSTI on a contract for training 17 new members of our bi-county HazMat Team, as part of Yuba City Fire hosting one of the State’s Type 2 HazMat response vehicles.

Agency Reports

CalOES: Ron Quigley (CalOES-Inland Division) introduced Lori Pini who is a new Emergency Service Coordinator working for CalOES-Inland Region. It was mentioned that Lindsey Stanley (CalOES-Inland Division) is now assigned to LEPC-Region 3. With Lori’s hiring, CalOES positions representing Region 3 are now fully staffed.

OSPR : Dale Stultz reported that OSPR and PG&E have hard copies of the Feather River Geographic Response Plan (GRP). He said that Union Pacific Railroad attorneys have not authorized release of the GRP for public review. He also reported that the Lake Almanor GRP is being developed in-house by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He said that the initial plan review is back to the contractor and a revised version should be back soon for additional review. Once completed, he said that the GRPs will probably be put under the Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA), which is an online mapping tool that integrates both static and real-time data, such as Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps, ship locations, weather, and ocean currents, in a centralized, easy-to-use format for environmental responders and decision makers.

Stultz indicated that OSPR is planning to create six (6) additional GRPs for the State by the end of 2018. These will be similar to the Feather River GRP. He said that two of the plans will be the Upper Sacramento River GRP which will cover the area from Box Canyon Dan on the north to Keswick Dam on the south. Stultz said that it will be at least 6 months before the plan is to the point where people can review them. He also said that there are plans for an additional GRP which will cover the Lower Sacramento River from the Keswick Dam on the north to the Delta on the south.

Stultz mentioned that OSPR will be working with the US Coast Guard and US EPA-Region 9 on boom training in Region 3 with Siskiyou County. Russ Fowler said that Butte County had US EPA-Region 9 provide them with boom training on Lake Oroville last year.

Joshua Nicholas (OSPR) mentioned that OSPR is also working in areas of chronic dumping problems involving petroleum.

CalTrans: Susanne Rohner reported that they had an incident on I-5 at Dog Creek involving a semi where the two fuel tanks were dumped and almost went onto the railroad right-of-way. She also reported that CalTrans staff had completed HazMat FRA/FRO training and that 90% of the staff was certified. She added that she will be an instructor at this year’s Continuing Challenge discussing Surviving Unplanned Deployments.

CHP: No report.

5 | P a g e CUPA: Gary Cantwell (Yuba County CUPA) said that CUPA is working on a disaster mutual aid agreement where environmental health/CUPA HazMat professionals can be called in to assist an agency respond to a large hazardous materials incident/mitigation.

RTTAC: Dennis Garton (Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center) reported that he is waiting for the new training course list to be made available.

V. Chairperson’s Report

1. Update on the Assignment of State Type 2 HazMat Response Vehicles to Region 3 2. Bylaws/Elections of Officers

VI. Public Comments

There were no comments from the public.

VII. Next Meeting

The next meeting of LEPC-Region 3 will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office in Red Bluff, CA.

VIII. Adjournment 11:56 AM

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