La Paz County Emergency Management

Captain Stephen Biro

1109 Arizona Avenue ? Parker, Arizona 85344

(928) 669-6141 ? Fax (928) 669-2008

Emergency Management Services

Meeting Minutes – May 14, 2003

Attendees: Steve Biro (La Paz County/SO), Karl Hartmetz (Parker FD), Charlie Philpot (Buckskin FD),
Greg Bachman (Bio Terrorism), Mike Tomlinson, (La Paz County/PW), Mimi Valle (La Paz County/EMS),
Ed Jaakola (Qtz. PD), Gary L. Worz Sr. (Qtz. PD), Greg Bachman (Bio Terrorism), Murrell Rodgers (La
Paz Co. Animal Control), Lisa Rakoczy (La Paz Co. MIS).

Meeting called to order by Capt. Steve Biro at 0910 hours.

Emergency Management Updates:

?? Capt. Biro will be issuing 20 handheld radios to ICS staff, Volunteer, SAR should we have an
emergency. These radios were purchased through a Grant to enhance / establish
communication between departments in an emergency. These radios have been pre-
programmed with 10 channels.

?? Radios have been issued to the following individuals: Capt. Biro (EMS/ Sheriff), Mike
Tomlinson ( Public Works), Greg Bachman (Bio Terrorism/Health), Huey P. Long (Board of
Supervisors) , Mimi Valle (EMS Admin Assistant), Curt Bagby (Haz-mat Response), Don Davis
(EMS). The rest of the radios will be issued according to the emergency or need. For further
information contact Capt. Biro.

?? Karl Hartzmet is doing research on purchasing a portable repeater to use in conjunction with
the handheld radios, once again this will be purchased through state grant funds to enhance /
establish communications between departments.

?? The Search and Rescue (SAR) Communications Van will also carry the rest of the 20 radios in
the event of an emergency. Therefore making them accessible to any EMS department in the
county.

?? There will be select trained personnel working the SAR Communications VAN. If you are or
know of anyone interested in volunteering to work with the SAR Comm. Van. Please contact
Karl Hartzmet at 928-669-2281.

?? Capt. Biro passed around (SAR’S) Influenza Like Virus information for everyone to read.
Copies were made and will be available to anyone requesting the information.

?? La Paz County EMS will be printing an Emergency Preparedness Guidebook. It will be

available online in the Emergency Management Website under Current Events. A hard copy
will be available upon request. Please contact Mimi Valle at 928-669-2720.

?? La Paz County Animal Control is still in the process of working on an Animal Emergency
Response Plan. He is currently looking for volunteers to assist in the event of an emergency.
If you or if you know of anyone that would like to assist in putting the plan together or
volunteering please contact Murrell Rodgers (La Paz County Animal Control) 928-669-8774 or
Mimi Valle (EMS Admin Assistant).
?? CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) we have 22 trainers in the county ready and
available to start training. They are: ( Greg Bachman/Bio Terrorism, Ralph Beard/PFD
Chief, Anjelica DeLeon/9-1-1 Dispatcher, Chris Chambers/BFD, Ronnie Clouse /EFD,
Richard Gilbank/BFD, Don Haggen/SAR, Chris Harper/CRITPD, Karl Hartmetz/LPCSO &
PFD, Clyde Hentzen/LPSOD, Hal Hudson/Chief EFD, Bryan Irwin/SAR, Manual
Lerma/LCSOD, Robin Martinez/CRIT Fish & Game, Charlie Philpot/Chief BFD, Paul
Rothacher/PFD, Mimi Valle/EMS, Carl Vernoy/EFD, Cathleen Watters/LPCHD, Dianna L.
Williams/EFD, Jim Wooddell/SAR&Citz Corps, Gary S. Worz/QTZPD.

?? Citizens Corp Council Meeting Scheduled for May 29, 6:00 pm at Board of Supervisors main
conference room. For additional information please call Mimi Valle at 928-669-2720.

?? Equipment Wish List, Capt. Biro needs wish list from all of the Fire Departments. Grants
coming up that will allow La Paz County to purchase some equipment.

?? Emergency Alert System (EAS) La Paz County will be signing an agreement with Mohave
County EMS in order to establish an EAS in the county. The final draft will be available for
reviewing by the end of May 2003.

?? La Paz County EMS is working on a Terrorist Plan for the county and a Mass Fatality Plan.
For those who need additional information on the Bio Terrorism Plan the county has please
contact Capt. Biro due to security issues. La Paz County’s Haz-Mat 6 /Terrorism Team is
going through additional training to better prepare ourselves to handle Terrorist related
emergencies.

?? MIS-Lisa Rakoczy is currently in the process of updating EMS website with training
information, current events, Terrorist Status Alerts, so please continue to monitor the EMS
website( www.co.la-paz.az.us ) on a weekly if not daily basis. Should you have any problems
accessing the website or have any other computer/software questions please contact her at
928-669-4469.

VHS and CD’s Available for personal or department training:

Emergency Management has a list of Weapons Of Mass Destruction videotapes and Interactive
CD’s provided by The US Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Domestic Preparedness
(OPD) and from “Live Response ”. These Videotapes and CD’s will assist in the training and
preparation of personnel responding to threats or acts of terrorism involving WMD. Please
contact Capt. Biro or Mimi Valle if you would like to borrow any of the video’s or cd’s.

Next EMS Meeting: To Be Announced

Meeting Adjourned: 1010