Emergency Services Commission Meeting

January 11, 2023, 7 PM

In person at Laurel Police Department

Chair Carmen called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM, with the following members present:

Chairman Fred Carmen,

Commissioner Roy P. Gilmore.

It was understood that there would be no votes or decisions made since there wasn’t a quorum.

Also attending:

Chief Jim Codespote – Laurel Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Rajah Rose - Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad

Deputy Police Chief Mark Plazinski

Director Danny Selby –Fire Marshal and Permit Services

Assistant Director Christy Fang –Department of Public Works

Emergency Manager Christina L. Cornwell – City of Laurel Office of Emergency Management

Administrative Assistant II Laura Christoplos

The tour of the Police Department was postponed until there was better attendance, and the Deputy Chief was able to set up a simulation for the Commissioners and attendees.

Approval of the 2022 Annual Report was postponed until a quorum is present.

Discussion of goals and objectives was also postponed.

Staff Reports:

Christina L. Cornwell, Emergency Management:

Ms. Cornwell told the Commission about the new ARPA and Emergency Management employee, Maryam Ahmed.

Ms. Cornwell is working on updating the grants applications for this year. She will send out when they are ready and discuss at the next meeting. The amount will be the same as last year ($25,500) unless Ms. Cornwell requests an increase.

After some discussion Chief Carmen recommended keeping the amount the same.

Deputy Chief Mark Plazinski Laurel Police Department:

Deputy Chief Plazinski updated the commissioners on regional crime trends. Stolen vehicles are up 300% this year, mostly due to the Kia/Hyundai Tiktok challenge where, mostly high school students, use electronic charging cords to steal  these cars. Twenty one juveniles were arrested in Laurel during the month after school let out.

With the new laws there are no consequences for juveniles for this kind of behavior. Children under 12 cannot be charged except for murder.

This forces police to do their job in a much more reactive mode, even though proactive is much more effective.

There were 42 gun incidents, and 74 firearms confiscated in Laurel in 2022.

Deputy Director Christy Fang Department of Public Works:

Ms. Fang discussed the two projects that public works is involved in right now:

1. They are installing QR codes in each of the storm water drains. This will help with monitoring and notification of water levels.
2. They are getting the brine system ready to pretreat roads, which will use less salt than traditional methods.

Chief Jim Codespote, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD):

LVFD had elections Monday. Mr. Codespote is still the Chief, but there is a new Assistant Chief and other assistants. This has brought some younger people into leadership.

Their new ambulance will finally arrive in February after supply chain issues.

There are still major issues with staffing both here and at the County level.

Is it because of budget or lack of applicants? It is harder to find applicants who stick around.   

Deputy Chief Rajah Rose Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad (LVRS):

The Rescue Squad also had its elections. Chris Ruehl is now the Chief. Chief Arsenault is now retired. Eric Globerman is still the President.

Here too there are some younger folks moving up.

Because of a number of factors younger people are not going into the field as much as they once did.

Chairman Carmen opened and closed the General Public hearing at 7:47 p.m. with no one wishing to speak.

The next meeting will be virtual and is scheduled for March 15.

Ms. Cornwell will check to see if future dates have already been determined.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:57.

_________________________                                        January 11, 2023

Laura Christoplos Administrative Assistant II