EOC Committee

Town of Swansboro Emergency Operations Center Committee April 27, 2022, Special Meeting In attendance: Paula Webb, David Degnan, Ken Jackson, Jennifer Ansell, Brenda Pugliese, Commissioner Larry Philpott, Commissioner Jeff Conaway, Dusty Rhodes, Roy Herrick, and Junior Freeman. Laurent Meilleur arrived at 3:30 pm. Members absent: Alex Wood and Russ Davis. ********************************** Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 2:33 pm. Committee’s Purpose Mrs. Webb gave an overview of the committee’s purpose which was to review and provide recommendation back to the Board of Commissioners on Emergency Operations Center location and design. Transparency/Conflicts of Interest References Documentation was provided to be reviewed by all members for the committee’s requirements under the open meetings law (NCGS 143-318.9 & 10) and conflicts of interest (NCGS 14-234). Committee Discussions Fire Chief Dave Degnan shared that the Town’s current Emergency Operations Center (EOC) location at the Public Safety Building would not withstand anything above a category 2 hurricane. As a result, a MOU with the Swansboro United Methodist Church had been established for use of their facility. The basic function of a EOC was for housing of essential personnel during an event/disaster. The facility would need to withstand winds at 135 mph. The EOC could be a stand-alone structure only for the purpose of utilizing during an event/disaster or could be a facility that accommodates the policy and fire department year-round with the EOC contained within the facility. Committee member shared what they envisioned for an EOC, and majority felt the final result should be a facility that house the public safety department with EOC facilities in the Swansboro area. The committee was reminded the cost of the entire project; site prep, architectural design, construction, contents and if needed, property acquisition, had to be performed within the $6 million budget. Furthermore, the committee was asked to consider other options besides constructing a new public safety/emergency operating facility. Page 1 of 2 Mrs. Webb shared a copy of the Wooten proposal for a EOC that provided to the Board of Commissioners to the committee. Commissioner Philpott shared that the concept was not supported by the Board of Commissioners, and it was expressed that they wanted to explore all options before making a final decision. During discussion, the option of hiring a consultant to help with site requirements and in determining the size of the building vs. the budget and viewing area EOC’s was desired. Mrs. Webb was unsure if the provided SCIF funds could be used for a consultant, she would research and provide details at the next meeting. Additionally, further information on the growth rate of the White Oak Fire district was requested. Mr. Degnan would provide growth rate details at the next meeting and see about scheduling visits to area EOC’s Committee Chair & Vice Chair Commissioner Larry Philpott was appointed as Chair and Commissioner Jeffrey Conway was appointed as Vice-chair. Committee Meeting Schedule A regular meeting schedule of the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 3:00 pm was established for the committee. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4 pm. Page 2 of 2