Topic: Emergency Services Commission
Time: Sep 20, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 843 5568 5373
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Meeting ID: 843 5568 5373
Find your local number: https://cityoflaurel-org.zoom.us/u/kCfuTEdm
CITY OF LAUREL EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMISSION
8103 Sandy Spring Road,
Laurel, Maryland 20707
(301)725-5300-Fax (301)-490-5068
Emergency Services Commission Meeting
May 24, 2022 7 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Vice Chair Davis called the meeting to order, with the following members virtually present:
Chairman Fred Carmen,
Vice Chair Patrick Davis,
Commissioner Roy P. Gilmore.
Commissioner Wayne Dzwoncyk
Also attending:
Chief Jim Codespote – Laurel Volunteer Fire Department
Deputy Chief Rich Takacs – Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad
President Eric Globerman - Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad
Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill
Danny Selby – Fire Marshal and Permit Services
Christina L. Cornwell – City of Laurel - Emergency Manager
Discussion of the Janoske Property
Police Chief Hamill stated that the police department uses a formula of 2.6 officers per thousand residents, which is the national standard. There is a major assigned to review thesewho said that no issues arose for this project.
Fire Chief Codespote stated that their major concern is that it looks very tight in there and fire trucks would not be able to get in and out easily. His concerns are stated in more depth in the attached email.
Rescue Squad President Globerman agreed with Chief Codespote. Most of the townhouses are accessible by private alley rather than private road. The standard for a private alley
General Public Hearing
The General Public Hearing was opened and closed at 8:08with no one wishing to speak.
Plan Review
Rob Love, Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development requested that the Commission review the Janoske Property plan for 63 town house units. The plan should have already been sent to LVFD, LVRS, FMPS, and LPD. Comments need to be submitted by May 31. Ms. Cornwell will ask that the plan information be resent, since the Commission did not receive it.
The Commission cannot comment until public safety agencies have reviewed the plan and said they can support it.
The Commission decided to have a special meeting to review comments from the publc safety agencies. The date will be decided in the next 48 hours.
Staff Reports
- Emergency Management
The Van Dusen Dam Plan was approved by the Mayor and the Maryland Department of the Environment. It had to be done in the Maryland Department of the Environment template.
The Emergency Action Plans for all City buildings are done. There will be 2 drill per year to test City staff. One evacuation and and one shelter in place.
- Fire Marshall
We are working on Patuxent Greens, Laurel Overlook and the Janoske property, and getting ready for the Fourth of July.
- Laurel Police Department
Chief Hamill gave an update on the officer involved shooting a couple of weeks ago. The officer involved and his whole squad behaved heroically.
The police are seeing a lot of guns in Laurel, Prince George’s county, and the entire region. There has been a 27% increase in violent crime. Many of the suspects are youthful offenders who are armed. There are very little consequences for carryining firearms.
Commissioners commented that the bravery and outcomes of the officer involved shooting speaks to the training and professionalism of the officers who maintained firearms discipline.
- Public Works
Ms. Cornwell will follow up with DPW abut why they haven’t attended for the last 2 meetings.
- Laurel Volunteer Fire Department
LVFD has a contract on a new ambulance. They will use their oldest ambulance as a trade in. Supply chain issues are delaying it.
- Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad
LVRS is preparing for the Fourth of July event.
Recruitment and staffing takes up lots of time. Sixty percent of new recruits don’t make it through physical vetting.
The special meeting date will be determined in a day or so. The next regular meeting will be in July.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
_________________________ May 24, 2022
Laura Christoplos Administrative Assistant II
