Committee on Public Safety and Security
HELD IN THE CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE ON THE 8TH FLOOR OF THE MICHAELIAN OFFICE BUILDING, WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.
October 23, 2006
Committee members in attendance: Chairman William Burton and Legislators Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Vito Pinto, Bernice Spreckman, and Gordon Burrows.
Also attending: Department of Emergency Services: Commissioner Tony Sutton and Carl Tramontana.
Minutes
Chairman Burton called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Anthony Sutton, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services, explained the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to the Committee. A copy of the handout provided is on file for review.
NIMS brings emergency responders from local municipalities, county, state, and federal levels together in order to ensure that every organization responding to an emergency is working together. It is required that all of these jurisdictions adopt and comply with NIMS. The county is responsible for collecting compliance information from our local municipalities, and compliance is required in order for us to receive federal funding for several programs.
Commissioner Sutton told the Committee that any person who can respond to an emergency must have had training and have taken a test either online or through a program. That person must also receive a certificate. The Department of Emergency Services provided three information sessions about NIMS requirements for the municipalities, all of which were well attended.
Commissioner Sutton said that even with the information session and notices of federal requirements, the Department is having trouble getting every County municipality to comply. He said federal agents will be in to check for all of the certificates in 2007 and 2008, and funding can be withheld if all of the certificates are not completed. The deadline was in September, but the county has not received any information from Peekskill yet.
Chairman Burton asked for a list of the municipalities who have not complied by district so the Legislators can talk to their local departments. Commissioner Sutton agreed saying that it may help.
Commissioner Sutton also stated that the Legislators should take the 700 test to become emergency responders and to see first hand how the process works. The test can be taken anytime online, and Commissioner Sutton can be available to help everyone with the test.
Legislator Burrows mentioned his idea of an emergency booklet for all county residents to have containing contact numbers for all types of situations. Commissioner Sutton explained that while it is a good idea, it would be hard to have a booklet that covers every specific situation for each municipality in the county. He said the booklet would have to be generic for everyone. He stated that it is most important to have timely information when an emergency occurs.
A conversation ensued regarding Con Edison and their response to recent storms and high winds. Commissioner Sutton stated that there was a conference call between Con Ed and the local municipalities due to the high winds. Con Edison has a setup at 60 control. He also stated that Con Ed is adding 75 phone lines to their answering system to improve their communications with their constituents.
The Committee then discussed radio communication systems with Commissioner Sutton. The County OEM is connected to RACES for communication.
Chairman Burton recently met with the Amateur Radio League and asked the Commissioner about their system. Commissioner Sutton stated that RACES does not hold the ARL in high regards. Chairman Burton requested a meeting with RACES to be set up through the Commissioner.
The Committee briefly discussed the Mohegan Tie Lines. Commissioner Sutton is going to check with Verizon and have them change the tie line to county ownership at a discount.
The Committee asked if we can use Lightpath and Commissioner Sutton explained that yes we can, but it is $1000 more a month so it is not cost effective. He suggested a partnership between the Mohegan fire, police, and other departments, but a partnership is not wanted.
There being no further business before the Committee, Legislator Pinto offered a motion that was seconded by Legislator Spreckman that the Public Safety and Security Committee adjourn. The motion carried at 9:55 a.m.
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