Conference Call Minutes September 5, 2008

[ktho...@uccfla.org]

Florida VOAD Conference Call – Tropical Storm Fay
September 4, 2008

PRESENT:
Rev. Mr. Marcus Hepburn, Catholic Charities/FLVOAD Chair
Karen Hagen, American Red Cross/FLVOAD Vice Chair
Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Florida Conference United Church of
Christ/FLVOAD
Tara Duval-Good, Florida Interfaith Networking in Disasters (FIND)/
FLVOAD Treasurer
Joyce Jacobs, Harry Chapin Food Bank
Craig Vanderlaan, Adopt a Hurricane Family/Crisis Housing Solutions
Tom Willey, Levy County CERT
Danielle Kearney. Lutheran Disaster Services
Nick Simoncini, The Salvation Army
Cindy Huddleston, Florida Legal Services
Pauline Tracy, Sarasota COAD
Jamie Mahcceo, Sarasota COAD
Aaron Funk, Rainbow Rapid Response
Jim Stencel, Second Harvest Food Bank
Scott Jager, Christian Contractors Association
Scott Lewis, Eagles Wings
Kathy Broyard, Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network
Liz Lee, United Way/Brevard Long Term Recovery Coalition
Ken Skalitzky, FEMA
Keith Carson, Knights Hospitallers
Pam Garrison, Florida Conference United Methodist Church
Alix Stayton, Operation HOPE
Marion Sortore, Sarasota
Marilyn Swanson, Florida Conference United Methodist Church
Tim Dinan, Catholic Charities Central Florida
Robert Rathbone, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
Association (DERA)
Krystal Hutchinson, Lake and Sumter Emergency Response (LASER)
Anita Cocoves, MIND (Martin Inter Agency Network for Disaster)
Alex Amparo, Volunteer Florida/ESF-15
Merrilee White, Volunteer Florida/ESF-15
Sheree Fugate, Volunteer Florida/ESF-15
Richard Dahmer, Daily Bread Food Bank
Michael Tart, LASER
Cicero Hartsfield, Volunteer Florida/ESF-15
Susan Zuber, FEMA
Griselle Hernandez, Florida Conference United Methodist Church/CREW
Lynn Cameron, Neighbors4Neighbors
Ellen Wallace, Volusia Interfaith Networking in Disasters (VIND)
Maryann Luther, VIND
Lesli Remaly Nutter, Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN)
Fred Visser, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
Mary Visser, CRWRC
Steve Irwin, Convoy of HOPE

Marcus Hepburn welcomed the group on the call. The emphasis for the
call is on future operations and unmet needs. The agenda changed in
that there are three weather disturbances of various intensity. We
have recovery for Fay, Hanna of the coast and hurricane Ike. The
agenda is in three parts to focus on each of the events. Concern is
for what might make Ike of concern and call on catastrophic planning
which was conducted over the past 18 – 20 months with FEMA.

FAY RECOVERY ACTIVITIES
ESF-15
Cicero Hartsfield reported the state is getting tele-registration data
information for those registering for disaster assistance. This is
providing new information on pockets of damage and teams are being
sent out to do new damage assessments. This is causing a re-visit to
counties not declared for IA. Total registration for IA is 9,308 as
of close of business yesterday

There was flooding in the DRC in Lamplighter in Brevard County so the
DRC is closed. They are opening a DRC in TLH today, Hendry and Duval
tomorrow. Assessment teams are revisiting Glades County for an IA
declaration. There are 20-32 Community Relations teams in the
fields.

There was a housing meeting in Lee. There were 110 families being
assigned case workers. They are trying to address duplication of
services. Florida can get more funds for mitigation. There is an
issue with debris removal, this is being coordinated with the JFO.
The Public Affairs Officer is addressing misinformation.

FEMA
Susan Zuber went to the LTRO meeting in Lee regarding those in the
shelters from two mobile home communities. FEMA is sending people in
to hep with applications. Theya re looking at the future of the two
mobile home parks. Getting the DRC staff to send out information
regarding daily registration numbers and the funds approved.

AGENCY REPORTS
Griselle Hernandez from CREW said they still need volunteers to help
with tarping and assessments. This is for Hendry, Glades and
Okeechobee Counties.

Karen Hagen said Lee County is providing assessment of homes. Formal
assessments should be conducted in counties with FEMA, the county and
the American Red Cross. Karen will check on those counties.

Tropical Storm Hanna
Marcus spoke with folks in Brevard and they are experiencing rain and
winds. Merrillee White said they are not paying too much attention to
Hanna. The SEOC focused on Ike. The state meteorologist said the
storm is closer than anticipated. Concerned about the St. Johns River
Basin

Liz Lee said it is raining in Brevard County. One of the DRCs closed
due to flooding.

Susan Zuber said they will be pushing out information regarding Fay.
The staff is in COOP mode and need to address safety for staff until
Ike moves through Florida.

HURRICANE IKE
Marcus said there are people to speak regarding Catastrophic Planning.

Karen Hagen said FL is looking at components of the Catastrophic Plan
to address an impact from Hurricane Ike. They are looking at
operational elements to put over this event. Karen will send out
information

Evacuation decisions will be conducted based on clearance times.
There is a group of agencies looking at evacuation decisions. They
are talking about protective actions based on contra flow. This will
affect sheltering decisions. They are also looking at whether or not
the state will use buses for evacuations. There are also decisions
regarding hosts and risks shelters. These would be places those that
are bused and self evacuate could go. These decisions will be made
today.

They are looking at capacity for sheltering and feeding. Initially
there will be MREs, but consideration will need to be given for
preparing and serving hot meals. Evacuation for Monroe County which
declared a state of emergency. They are evacuating the Keys. There
are no shelters planned for the Keys, since there are no shelters to
withstand a Category 3 storm. Monday general population evacuation is
planned.

Miami Dade is completing special needs call down. There are mandatory
evacuations for some zones – A and B. It is estimated about 20% of
potential evacuees seek public shelter. Miami Dade is recommending
people shelter in county. In Broward County, they are looking at
evacuations for zone A and B for Monday 265,000 people. If sheltering
over a long period there will be need to provide additional training
to support shelter staffing.

ESF-15 REGARDING IKE
Merrilee said the track for Ike is moving farther south and will
affect how ESF-15 responds. Evacuation will cause impact in other
counties. All of volunteer centers and voluntary organizations will
be needed in impact areas as well as in host communities. Need ESF-15
agencies to remember the needs will be as great in impact areas as
well as in areas that are host communities

There is pressure to keep people in the state. Northern communities
will be affected in hosting evacuees.

Alex Amparo added the entire state is in the error cone for the
storm. At this point, we need to look at every county, especially in
SE counties where there is initial impact. Planning scenarios should
look at catastrophic planning actions statewide. The Governor will be
meeting with mayors and county emergency managers from Palm Bach
south. If there are resources that are needed make sure they are on
hand. Transportation and communications will be impacted. Count on
the things you have close visibility on.

FEMA REGARDING IKE
Ken Skalitzky said IMAC team being sent to FL on Sunday. Looking at
the storm closely and taking it seriously.

Merrilee said there is a complete set of notes from the cat plan
process posted that she assemble and make available.

There will be a final decision regarding the FLVOAD meeting on Monday
at 9:00 A.M. at noon tomorrow. The event at Marion Sortore’s is still
scheduled for Sunday.

Aaron Funk said Rainbow Rapid Response is focusing resources for
deployment here in FL in response to Ike. Aaron can be reached at
800-335-9941x1.

Focus for tomorrow’s conference call will be on issues regarding Ike.

Next conference call is Saturday September 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Call in number 800-320-4330 - Pin 897612#

Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson
Florida VOAD Secretary

Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson
Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Florida Conference United Church of Christ
6001 NW 8th Ave
Miami, FL 33127
305-758-4845 (office)
786-374-5542 (cell)
ktho...@uccfla.org