HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPC Minutes 2022.04.26Knox County Local Emergency Planning Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2022
Regular Meeting
Members Present:
Brock Schmitt, Randy Hovind, Jim Cueno, Barb Whedbee, Michele Gabriel, Mandy
Dixon, Mindy Pilger, Dan Robinson, & Jenni Moser.
LEPC Chairman Brock Schmitt called the Regular Meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the November 23, 2021 meeting were reviewed by Chairman Schmitt.
Old Business
Chairman Schmitt updated the committee regarding Galesburg Fire Department’s
HazMat training. Two additional firefighters will attend Rope Tech Class. This will bring the
numbers for the HazMat team back up to par.
MABAS – The budget has been greatly reduced to $3 million. The equipment is in need
of maintenance, new batteries, etc. Galesburg Fire will pay for some of maintenance to
keep the equipment functioning.
DRILL – Chief Hovind stated he is required to have a full scale drill every 4 years that covers
the 32 core capabilities. One of the biggest threats to Knox County is a terrorist event. He
plans to work with Knox College and include county partners. He stated that any training
event like this, he will have to complete an After Action Report.
MISC - He is working on a required report that details out the addresses for various state,
county and municipal buildings as well as schools, colleges, business. The report requires
information regarding the location’s structure, backup generators, etc. This has been a
huge task. Chief stated he pulled a firefighter that is on light duty onto this project to help
get it done.
New Business
IEMA’s EMPG Grant – New requirements for the County Grant is to compile task books for
each position. Those assigned to these positions are required to take classes and training.
At this point there are not instructors lined up to conduct the training.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORT – None
OFFICER ELECTIONS – Chairman Schmitt stated that he is working diligently to make the
Knox County LEPC validated. To do so, the LEPC has to be registered and Officer’s need
to be elected. Schmitt stated that positions had never been voted on before and the
KCLEPC had not been registered. He asked for volunteers to fill Chairman, Vice Chairman
and Information Officer/Secretary.
Chief Hovind stated that Schmitt is doing a fantastic job as Chairman and should
continue to do so. Mandy Dixon offered to fill an office as needed. Schmitt suggested
that she would be great as the Vice Chairman. Chairman Schmitt nominated Jenni Moser
as the Information Officer.
Chairman Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Barb Whedbee that the Officers be
filled as follows:
Chairman – Captain Brock Schmitt
Vice Chairman – Mandy Dixon
Information Officer – Jenni Moser
Ayes: Schmitt, Hovind, Robinson, Cueno, Whedbee, Pilger.
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN - Chief Hovind mentioned that the next HazMit meeting will
be June 30, 2022. If anyone is wanting funding, they are required to attend the HazMit
meetings to update the plan.
OTHER BUSINESS – TIER II reports were due on March 1, 2022. He received 52 reports.
Chairman Schmitt is working with Jim Cueno, the City’s GIS Coordinator to put together
a county wide map that shows where reported chemicals are at, what they are, etc.
Chief Hovind would like the LEPC to help all the agencies work together, less duplication
of efforts with tabletops, full scale events and other various training exercises. He would
like the committee to be involved in updating the EOP and the Hazard Mitigation Plans.
Michele asked when the Full scale event was going to take place. Chief stated it is due
in April of 2025.
Incidents and Responses
Chairman Schmitt provided details on an incident that occurred since the last meeting.
The moderately large incident was in I-74 between Knoxville and Galesburg. The liquid
was transported in unsecured containers in the back of a Budget rental truck. There was
not any labels on the containers to identify the contents. Luckily the liquid was not
extremely hazardous. He stated that this type of incident is occurring more frequently as
shipping costs keep escalating, more people are transporting materials illegally. They do
not have the proper training or documentation needed. Another problem is when the
shipping papers are in another language. Most of the time the drivers do not even know
what it is they are transporting. If the destination can be determined, then crews are more
likely to track down what the material is.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Adjournment
It was moved by Brock Schmitt and seconded by Randy Hovind to adjourn the meeting
at 2:51 p.m. The vote was unanimous.
Next meeting:
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Regular Meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Erickson Conference Room
Galesburg City Hall, 55 W Tompkins St, Galesburg, IL