The May 1995 quarterly business
meeting of the Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Council (PSARC) was called to
order at 12:15. The official business meeting was called to order a bit later
than scheduled due to lengthy committee reports and discussion.
First order of business was to
appoint a "Chairman for the Day" due to the absence of President
Peter McCabe and Vice President Martha Geary. A motion was made by Irv
Lichenstein, seconded by Any Appel and Roy Keiser, all in favor, none abstained
to appoint Rose Keller, Secretary, to chair the meeting.
Quorum: Nine organizations
represented by delegates were present, minimum quorum to conduct business is
seven organizations. Attendance: See Attachment #1.
The group observed "A Moment
of Quiet Reflection" in honor of the Victims of the April 19 Oklahoma City
Federal Building Bombing and the efforts of all rescue personnel participating
in the recovery effort.
It was observed the new format for
committee meetings prior to business meeting is going well. Following are two
suggestions by the body to further improve the new format:
1. Start future business meetings
immediately following the individual committee meetings, not at a specific time
on the agenda. This will allow flexibility in the agenda schedule to lengthen
or shorten the meeting as needed.
2. Open the business meeting, then
give committee reports. This will allow any motions to be voted on while the
reports are being given and will eliminate having to "rediscuss" the
topic.
Irv Lichtenstein moved that the
minutes be accepted as published, second by Andy Appel, none abstained, all in
favor.
Due to the absence of Treasurer
Greg Sassaman, there was no Treasurer's report.
Due to the absence of President
Peter McCabe, there was no President's report.
EAST: No report
CENTRAL: Ken Snyder requested
slides of "your team in action" and specialty services provided by
SAR teams to develop an educational presentation program. Ken also announced
that he is moving to Florida in the beginning of July and the central region
rep position will be vacant.
WEST: No report NORTH: No report
OLD BUSINESS: Committee Revorts: Committee meetings took place from 09:00 to
11:30. The following is a list of committee activity reported.
Jim Hill, Chair
Report was given by Andy Appel (Jim
Hill left prior to the report.) Committee addressed an issue brought to the
attention of the Board by Irv Lichtenstein at the January 1995 Board meeting
regarding the inconsistent use of the term Vice President-President Elect in
Article 4, Paragraph 4, Sub Section B of the By-Laws. It was recommended by the
committee to remove the term Vice President/President Elect from this section
of the ByLaws and eliminate the automatic succession of vice president to
president; all positions Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President are
to be elected positions. A motion will be made on this later in the general
business meeting.
Steve Houck, Chair
Suggested PSARC develop a style of
preprinted letterhead for all official correspondence which would be controlled
by tha Board. Pre-printed letterhead would eliminate trying to work with the
different fonts and printer capabilities of individuals. Steve requested that
anyone having E-mail or Internet capabilities contact him. The issues of how
computer viruses operate and security of information on a computer network was
discussed. As the idea of tying teams together through a common computer
program develops, it was stressed that teams not having computer capabilities
would certainly continue to receive information through the postal system.
Another issue covered was that of
teams which have not paid their dues and continue to use the PSARC radio
frequencies. If teams have not paid their dues by the end of the first quarter
business meeting they are no longer considered PSARC member teams and loose the
rights and privileges of being a member. It
was suggested that when sending the annual due renewal notices that teams be
reminded of the benefits and second notices for late dues be sent by registered
mail. A motion on this would be made later in the business meeting.
It was also suggested that steps be
taken to add the word "Incorporated" to the PSARC radio license.
Don Scleza, Chair
The Membership Committee sent out
two information packs teams to potential PSARC member teams.
Vicki Coup, Chair
Vicki was not present at the
meeting. However the committee did meet with the following report. Tlte
committee will write a letter to teams in the Western region asking for
nominations for a Board of Director member from their region. The letter will
also include a form to be completed to illustrate experience, training,
personal references, etc. It was determined that a director position is needed
from the West to comply with the By-Laws which state that each region should be
represented by a director.
Also discussed was election of
President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer this fall to take effect at
the December Annual Meeting. It was recommended that a similar letter be
drafted to advise all teams of this and to request nominations.
The staggering of new Director
positions was also discussed. It was suggested that the length of terms be
based on number of votes received.
Ken Boyles, Chair
Not present at meeting, no
committee report.
Ron Wisbith, Chair
Not present at meeting, no
committee report.
Tom Hirchak, Chair.
Rescue specialist draft was
reviewed with minor changes made to the text. The standard committee will not
pursue developing the medical specialist standards at this time.
Equine Standards Sub Committee: Ire
Lichenstein, Chair/ Since the last PSARC meeting a revised draft of equine
standards was mailed to people on committee for suggestions and comments. There
have been no com ments received to date
Canine Standards Sub Committee: Pat
Hawn, Chair Not present. Board must clarify the purpose of the standards
committee if they are to develop an evaluation or just work with any revisions
to be made to the standards themselves. Will the training committee work
towards testing?
Jim Howley, Chairman
STATE WIDE TRAINING DRILL WHERE
Crystal Lake, Hughesville, PA WHEN: September
30 and October 1, 1995
Please mark your calendars and plan
to participate, more details will follow. There will be a charge for use of the
park. Interested participants can buy meals from the park if they do not want
to carry their own food. All the details will be forwarded to teams as the
drill develops. (The original date discussed at the meeting was Sept 23 &
24 it has since been changed to September 30 and October 1.)
Equine Emergency Rescue Training
July 22, 8:30-12:00 Limerick Fire Company, Call Ire Lichtenstein for more
information, see telephone numbers following: Please respond by July 10.
Managing Search Operation August 5,
6, 12, 13 19 Greater Philadelphia Search & Rescue, Call Ire Lichenstien for
more information, 215-233-3360 (voice) 215-233-2343 (fax)
Managing Search Operation September
16, 17, 30 October 1 Middlecreek Search and Rescue, Contact Randy Maurer (717)
733-1654 for more information.
Managing Search Operation October
7,8 November 11, 12 Mountain Valley Search & Rescue, Call Bryce Boyer (814)
692-.1060 for more information. Must Register by August 25th; cost of course is
$9.00 for small paper back book or $30.00 for large three ring binder book.
WEST reported nearly one search a week
for the last month. Reported a search for a nine year old boy which was a
runaway situation rather than a missing person. Subject later returned home.
There was an Alzheimer "walk away" which was picked up by a passerby,
and another search where a subject walked out to a containment team. There was
also a search for a 16 year old runaway who was fleeing from searchers; the
subject later returned home.
Ire Lichtenstein reported several
searches by GPSR; a 23 year old woman who got into a fight with parents and
left home, and a minor child who also had a parental dispute. Both subjects
were located and successfully returned home.
These "runaway" searches
brought up the topic of how search tactics change when you are looking for
someone who doesn't want to be found as well as questions of where do you draw
the line (in conjunction with police) in searching for a runaway.
Jim Howley reported on activities
in the north, where about three of their last five searches where resolved
before they got on scene. Also looked for a missing "paint-ball"
scrimmage participant in extremely rough terrain and very thick laurel, subject
was found later in the day. Also a search for a subject who was found in an
urban area hiding in a small barbecue grill.
Motion was made by Ire Lichenstein
that the Board be directed to develop a policy to notify teams which are no
longer considered members of PSARC that they are: (1) no longer members as of
the date of the letter, (2) no longer entitled to use of SAR council materials,
benefits, licenses or trademarks; and (3) welcome to reapply at their
convenience at any time for membership without prejudice. Seconded by Andy
Appel. A question for discussion was raised by Jim Howley that we should be
very careful in sending these letters because many times people change within a
SAR team and it is difficult for the right person to get the information. Also
the council has had situations in the past where dues have been paid and teams
are still listed as delinquent. All in favor, none abstain.
As discussed previously under
committee reports, Andy Appel made a motion that the term Vice
President-President Elect in Article 4, Paragraph 4, Sub Section B of the
ByLaws that the term "president elect be struck from the ByLaws. And the
sentence that follows relating to automatic succession of the Vice P President
i:, the slot of President also be struck. Seconded by Irv Lichtenstein, all in
favor, none abstain.
Ire Lichentstein reported he has been
in contact with Volunteer Firemen's Insurance and has been discussing SAR
insurance policies with them. They currently have accepted a SAR dog team on an
"experimental basis".
Finalize previous discussion of
jobs for newly appointed directors to have them represent their regions since
they are geographically specific. Regional representative positions could then
be eliminated using directors as regional contacts. Also consider changing the
term of directors from 4 to 3 years so that we can have two directors expire at
a time. Clarify the responsibility of the K-9 Standards Sub Committee in
relation to development of evaluation procedures.
Respectively submitted, Roseann L.
Keller Secretary