On Friday, January 13, the Wetzel County Emergency Planning Committee met at the Mollahan Center at the 4-H grounds for their quarterly meeting.

Present for the meeting were several members from different agencies, including Harry Kernan,Wetzel County Fire Association; Greg Morris, Wetzel County Commissioner; Aaron Goddard, Antero; Casey Durdines, EQT; Carla McBee, Wetzel County Commissioner; Gary K. Clayton, DOH; Robert Henry, WVPSC; Christine Mitchell, Hope Gas; Jessica Davis, Wetzel County Commission; Melinda Sampson, UM211, Mitch Guiler, WTHD; Sam Myers, Antero; Larry Jay Thomas Wetzel County OEM/E-911; Steve Yoho, Wetzel Co. OEM/E-911; Norma Ritz, Wetzel Co. OEM/E-911.

The meeting convened at 10:45 am with Vice President Aaron Goddard calling the meeting to order in the absence of President Larry Couch. Preious meeting minutes of August 5, 2022, were approved.

Emergency Management Director Steve Yoho gave the treasures report showing a current balance of $6,936.28. $68.72 was paid to Ogden Publications (wETZEL cHRONICLE) for a notice of meeting ad in the classified section.

Under old business, it was mentioned to let President Couch know if there have been any changes in your organizations, so the membership list can be updated. Also work to complete the LEPC book that is now required by the state for all LEPCás. The state advised that instead of a book they now want everything to be scanned in and sent electronically. The LEPC are also required to submit notices of their meetings to the Secretary of State to be put on their website.

There have been new updates on the Commodity Flow Study other than unexpected materials are being transported through our counties by road, rail and river. No updates are reported on the Hazard Mitigation Program required by Belomar.

Under New Business, The LEPC website with contact information for each countyás contacts was requested by Christine Mitchell, of Hope Gas. Director Yoho advised that he receives a small booklet with that information and would share. Further, Deputy Director Thomas advised that there is a website with a link to that information: emd.wv.gov

Also under new business is was told that Wetzel County has four (4) Hazmat Technicians with Radio Activity specialty, and Director Steve Yoho is one of them.

The CAMEO software program a computer-aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) was explained to the group. It was also brought up that the status of EMT staffing in Pine Grove is currently unknown. Mutual aid with other counties and boardering states was also discussed.

It was mentioned that Westfall Towing a new towing service located at the former 84 lumber yard in New Martinsville hads advised industry of their towing equipment and capabilities.

Jay Thomas, OEM Deputy Director will receive his cerification as an Emergency Manager on February 10, 2023.

Ms. Sampson, of United Way, fgave out handouts providing information about dialing 2-1-1 to connect to local services and programs that can help homeowners experiencing difficulty.

Antero Resources will be having two full-scale exercises, November 16, 2023 and November 18, 2023. The next meeting of the LEPC will be held on April 14, 2023. Information will be posted on the bulletin board in the lobby of the Wetzel County Courthouse for the public to view.