HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.23 LEPC MinutesPage 1 | 2
Knox County Local Emergency Planning Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 22, 2024
Regular and Annual Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brock Schmitt, Randy Hovind, Jim Cueno, Jared Hawkinson, Mandy Dixon, Kevin Legate, Tyler
Nelson, Richie Springer, David Buchanan, John Seitz, Russ Idle and Jenni Moser.
LEPC Chairman Brock Schmitt called the Regular Meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the April 25, 2023 meeting were reviewed by Chairman Schmitt.
Springer made a motion, seconded by Dixon that the minutes as presented be approved.
Ayes: Brock Schmitt, Randy Hovind, Jim Cueno, Jared Hawkinson, Mandy Dixon, Kevin Legate,
Tyler Nelson, Richie Springer, David Buchanan, John Seitz and Russ Idle
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
TIER II REPORTS
Schmitt showed the Committee the newly launched IEMA website that lists all Tier II reported
locations by County. Knox County has 49 reported, of which 21 are inactive. Most of the
inactive ones are no longer in business. The rest did not submit their Teir II reports.
Schmitt stated he can open the business it shows what they have reported and includes a site
plan showing where the chemicals are stored. He said this is a huge asset to our Hazmat team
when making responses.
HAZMAT TEAM
Schmitt stated the team is in a good position to make responses. Illinois has 18 teams currently.
Only three of the teams are not from the Chicago area.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORT – None
KNOX COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (KCEMA)
• Chief Hovind, KCEMA Coordinator stated he is working on a full scale exercise. Mini
training exercises were held in March on NIMS and ICS 100.
• Allure Facilities is looking at having a full scale this year. Hovind has been working with
Joe Rundle to get this set up.
• GFD’s Captain Grodjesk
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o assisting with EMA training and developing the exercises.
o Attended Region 2 meeting. Reunification of schools was discussed. This would
take the pressure off of schools. EMA would take over as they already have set
up in place. Chief has not seen the plan yet. When he receives it he will share it.
• COOP – training between the City and County for when there is an event having a plan
in place.
• Chief will attend the April 24th County Board meeting where a mutual aid agreement
between the County and Williamsfield School District regarding electric school buses.
The electric buses do not work well in really cold weather. Any personnel or damages
to equipment by responding agencies would be reimbursed through FEMA.
• New required reporting to be completed with and storms coming through the area. All
online.
GALESBURG/KNOX COUNTY DISPATCH
Wednesday, April 24th the Galesburg/Knox County Dispatch Center will be transitioning to the
Statewide AT&T ESInet (Emergency Services IP Network) for 911 phone services. Previous testing
went well. No major issues are expected. This is a major milestone towards upgrading to Next
Generation (NG) 911 and is also State mandated.
GALESBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT (GPD)
GPD & GFD will be transitioning to Starcom radios. Sherrif is already using it. Starcom is very
expensive, so most volunteer departments will not be able to get it. There is also a lot of
infrastructure work to be done.
OTHER BUSINESS
Duane Ratermann from Knox County Highway suggested that LEPC look into joining IPWA.
Cost is $250 per year. Discussion was held on how IPWA would benefit the county.
INCIDENTS & RESPONSES
Chairman Schmitt informed the group regarding when Galesburg Fire Department (GFD)
responded to a call on February 8, 2024, to a hazmat release incident at the State of Illinois
owned facility located at 3150 Log City Trail.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Chairman Brock Schmitt and seconded by Russ Idle to adjourn the meeting
at 2:35 p.m. The vote was unanimous.
NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Galesburg City Hall, 55 W Tompkins St, Galesburg, IL - Erickson Conference Room