BAMSAR MINUTES





Minutes of the March, 2004, BAMSAR meeting, held at Bellport. Thanks to Chief Harrow, Chet Kane, and Ron Moscalino for their hospitality.



Present: Patchogue, Bellport, Brookhaven, South Country, Mastic Beach, Mastic, Center Moriches, Group Moriches, Eastport/Southampton Chiefs, and Westhampton Beach.

Excused: None.





Old Business:

Recertification for the members of the 2001 DRI class will be due in May. DRI will send the mail-in forms. Cost to those recertifying is approximately $50. Tim to contact Trevor Aronson about a local member of the BAMSAR, such as himself, Mike Buckheit, or Paul Massey, or, Randy Randazzo from HDC, signing us off on our skills.

DR 1 course: Weekend of 21, 22 and 23 May. Tim to firm this up with Trevor, at DRI. Mastic Beach has offered to host. This will be nationally advertised. So far, preliminary attendance figures shape up as such: Patchogue: 2-3; Brookhaven: 6; Mastic Beach: 5; Mastic: 1; Westhampton Beach: 5.

DR 2 advanced level courses: We’d still like to get the swift water module. The course is 3 days. Columbus Day weekend (9, 10 & 11 October) is the anticipated date.

Please return your dues as soon as possible. Letters have been sent out to those who are in arrears.

Resource sheets have been sent out to all but the FRES Commissioner’s office (due to vacancy in the office).

Further discussions were held with Brookhaven as to the differences between the PADI Rescue Diver course and the Public Safety Diver course.



New Business:

A motion was made and carried to send County Executive Levy a congratulatory letter, introducing ourselves to him, and inviting him to a water rescue get-together on Saturday, 24 April. Tim will work with John on the wording.

A letter is to be sent to Sgt. Epp, SCPD Marine Division, Sgt. Andrejack and Jim Bowra, SC Sheriff’s Marine Detachment, asking if any of their people would be interested in the DR 1 or the swift water courses.

Discussion was held in reference to the need for a third Water Rescue Coordinator. Further discussions will be held later, when the new FRES Commissioner gets named.

Thank you to Dave Fischler, outgoing Commissioner, for his work with us.



Training:

Red Cross Lifeguard course being held at Brookhaven Lab, beginning Sunday, 9 April, and continuing for approximately nine weeks. Participants must be at least 15 years old, or older. Call Susan Dwyer at 344-3496, Tuesdays and Thursdays, after 4:30 p.m., for information and course fees. Lifeguard Certification will be issued at the completion of the course.

Boat-Smart (Boating Safety) Course to be held by the Moriches Bay Power Squadron, starting Thursday night, 18 March, at 1900, in room 147 of William Floyd High School. Cost for the books is approximately $25. Course goes for 3-4 sessions and includes NYS mandated Jet Ski class. Certificate will be given for completion of the course.

East Islip FD is hosting, on 19 March, a seminar on boat and marina fires, at their firehouse on Main Street. Starting time is 1900. $30/person in advance; $35 at the door. Call (631)581-9768 for info and registration.

Water Rescue “get-together” at either Cupsogue Beach, or Ponquogue Bridge, on Saturday, 24 April. We’ll do an equipment “shakedown” in preparation for the dive season. High tide is at 1116 a.m. Meet there at 1030. All welcome.



Next meeting: Center Moriches, Thursday, 08 April, 2004, at 1930.



Calendar 2004


April 8th Center Moriches

May 13th Westhampton Beach

June 10th (Open)

July 8th South Country

August 14th Patchogue

September 9th Eastport

October 14th Bayport

November 11th Mastic



Any corrections, additions, or questions; please contact the Secretary.



Respectfully,

John Foley