The regular quarterly meeting of
the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council was called to order at 1020 hours on
Saturday, September 30, 1989 by the President. The minutes of the previous
meeting were approved as published.
The Legislative
Committee, Chairman Ron Wisbith, reported that the state representative they
had been in contact with has not been responsive since the Legislature
reconvened. The DER liaison reported that they had not been approached for an impact
statement by the Legislature as yet. It was moved and approved that all member
organizations shall contact the state representative for their coverage area
and provide the legislators with a copy of the proposed bill and request their
support for its introduction and passage. A cover letter from the Council would
also be supplied.
The Training
Committee, Joe Thrash for Chairman Bruce Trego, reiterate its request or sample
forms from each member organization. The goal is to create a standardized mission
form package for all Council members to use, particularly on
multiorganizational missions. The second specific task is to develop a
standardized map reading and coordinate system. Each member currently has a
favorite system, whether overlays, military coordinates, rulers, or the letter
in the name system. The standard map is to be the 7 1/2" quad, with a
coordinate system to be determined.
Treasurer Greg
Sassaman submitted the financial report and copies were distributed to the
delegates present. Included was a list of the member organizations whose dues
were current and therefore eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
The Nominating
Committee, Chairman Greg Sassaman reported and nominations from the floor were
accepted The nominees are:
President: Irv
Lichtenstein (GPSR},
Vice Pres.: Bruce
Trego (Vigilant SAR) Irv Lichtenstein (GPSR) Secretary:
Tom Hirschak
(Keystone SAR), Irv Lichtenstein (GPSR)
3 Yr. Term on
Board: Martha Ackroyd (Somerset Sheriff SAR)
1 Yr. Term on
Board: Ken Boyles (DER), John Goulding (Md. ESAR 616)
Mail ballots will
be prepared and must be returned to PSARC by December 1, 1989 for counting at
the December 16, 1989 meeting.
Ron Wisbith reported that the final
artwork for the Council stationery, logo, and public relations material was
nearing completion. The first run of these items is being donated to the
Council by printing house. This task should be complete by December meeting.
Joe Thrash inquired whether there
was a central referral point for information about search and rescue in
Pennsylvania. It was noted that the Council was listed in various emergency
service directories and individual organizations were listed with NASAR and
local directories. However, there is no central referral point in the state as
yet.
It was proposed
and adopted that the incoming officers should convene meetings of the council
in each region of the state to broaden our contact with possible member
organizations. This practice
was followed during the formation of the Council and seems to be needed now
that the organization is organized. These regional meetings will either replace
or supplement to March quarterly meeting.
The December
meeting will be held at the State Fire Academy on December 16, 1989, convening
at 1000 hours for the purpose of counting ballots, installing the newly elected
officers, and the regular order of business.
Rescue 40 shipped two 30KW
generator sets to South Carolina following the hurricane. These were military
surplus units.
The International
Disaster Dog exercise was held in the Pittsburgh area after several delays and
relocations, including changes the day before the drill. Coordination is
improving but still needs help according to Wisbith of Rescue 40, the host
team.
Managing Search
Operations will be taught at Springfield Township High School Montgomery
County, PA) on February 17-18, March 3-4 under the sponsorship of Greater
Philadelphia Search and Rescue. Cost will $80 for the course, includes books,
lunches. Ken Boyles (DER), Joe Thrash (Somerset County Sheriff SAR), and Kevin
Parkes (SMRG) will be among the instructors. Application will be made to the
Pennsylvania State Fire Academy for sanction as the course is approved for
local level instruction.