HomeMy WebLinkAbout020915CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF FEBRUARY 9, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on February 9, 2015 in the
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor King called the meeting to order at
6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, Pamela Adams, David King,
Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Kris Nelson, and Catharine Robinson
absent.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Police Chief Conner Daily, Deputy Chief
Michael Evans, City Engineer David Peterson, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, and
City Clerk Joanna Sanders .
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
City Manager David Timmons gave opening remarks about the importance of
understanding roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency. He introduced
East Jefferson Fire and Rescue personnel present.
Director of Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management Bob Hamlin
gave an overview of emergency management. He talked about JPREP regular
meetings and the agencies participating in emergency management. Mr. Hamlin
covered the following topics: threat analysis covering the list of potential hazards,
expectations of the disaster environment, and requirements of the laws focusing on
the Federal Directive for coordination. Moving to the emergency management plan,
he noted it is a training guide for coordination.
Assistant Fire Chief Ted Krysinski gave an overview of the local, state and federal
relationship and how the federal government has addressed agency interaction
through the National Response Framework. He then reviewed the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICM). In talking about
the performance standards, he stressed that planning and training by fire and police
departments is ongoing and is based on the NIMS system. He reviewed the basics of
incident command coordination and the hierarchy of response.
Mr. Hamlin provided an overview of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
(IPAWS), JPREP Alert and Warning System (JAWS), and on-line resources for alerts
and warnings. He encouraged Councilmembers to subscribe to the Nixle text
messaging system and make inquiries as to Council roles in emergency situations.
City Manager David Timmons reviewed some of the responsibilities of Council in an
City Council Workshop Meeting February 9, 2015 Page 1 of 2
emergency are to report to him how and where to reach them, ensuring that
emergency measures, resolutions, and interlocal agreements are in place, and
supporting staff training. He reviewed short-term and long-term recovery effort
scenarios. There was a question about and a desire to build up the Council
contingency fund to address emergencies.
Mr. Hamlin introduced Public Information Officer with the Department of Emergency
Management Keppie Keplinger and reviewed individual assistance programs. At
some future time, there would need to be local discussions about individual
assistance. He urged Councilmembers to take additional training when it is offered.
In response to questions, Mr. Hamlin explained the All Hazard Alert Broadcast
(AHAB), which is primarily for tsunami warnings. Deborah Stinson then shared
information on the joint incident management team drills and coordination exercises.
She stressed that it is critical to understand, be available, and know your role and
limits of responsibility in the event of an emergency. The County Emergency
Operating Command (EOC) is the center for law and fire district coordination. Local
Incident Command Centers are also in ongoing communication with the EOC.
Deputy Chief Michael Evans reviewed scenarios where city and county coordination is
needed to address the defined emergency (phone lines down, water main breaks)
and the potential needs and resources to access depending on the severity of the
situation.
Mr. Timmons summarized the unpredictability of a disaster and urged personal and
neighborhood preparedness to sustain yourself for up to three weeks. There was
additional Council discussion about the need for shared staff resources in an
emergency situation and the priorities of health and safety over property repairs.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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