BAMSAR MINUTES
Minutes of the January, 2007, BAMSAR meeting, held at Mastic Beach. Thanks to Chief Capersino and his dive team for their hospitality.
Present: Hagerman, South Country, Bellport, Brookhaven, Mastic Beach, Mastic and Center Moriches.
Excused: Ed Michels (EHTMP), Jim Bowra (SCSD) and Coast Guard.
Old Business:
Dive Rescue 1 course was discussed. We’re looking at the possibility of holding it from the 17th to the 20th of May. We’re checking with Jim Bowra, to be our instructor again, this year. Hagerman, Bellport, and Center Moriches anticipate placing students in class, pending the approval of their respective chiefs. A reminder that OSHA is now requiring that a chest harness, as a safety item , be supplied to the diver, for the tending line carabiner to be clipped into, instead of clipping it to the BCD.
Tabletop drill: No report. John will check with Sector L.I.S.
Surfboat operator class: No report. John will get back with Ed Michels, closer to spring.
Rescue Boat Checklist: Requested info from Lt. Tsairis, via e-mail, this evening, just prior to meeting time, too late for him to answer, today.
YMCA Pool will be open, some time in March. Bill Biondi will let us know when, and what kind of access we’ll have to it.
New Business:
Officer elections were held. Re-elected to their positions, were: Tim Dahlen, President; Bill Biondi, Vice President; and John Foley, Secretary/Treasurer. Congratulations to all.
Treasurer’s report given; we’re in good shape. Dues notices and meeting calendars will be going out with the meeting minutes. Dues will be payable up to, and including, the March meeting.
The Sheriff’s Marine Division has asked if the Chiefs of BAMSAR units would write letters to Sheriff DeMarco, expressing the need to have the Sheriff’s boat kept on patrol, until at least early November, instead of taking it out of the water in mid-October. The prime fishing season starts about mid-October, and lasts into November. Hauling the boat early, will decrease protection on Shinnececk and Peconic bays, and increase response time.
Mastic Beach, Mastic and Brookhaven, have all upgraded their underwater communications systems, utilizing common equipment (“Buddy Phone” system), and a shared communications frequency. They can now interface hard-wired comms (Mastic Beach and Brookhaven) with wireless comms (Mastic).
Mastic has also acquired a JetSki, for use in the surf, or a quick-dash rescue.
Bellport has a new fire/rescue boat, a Parker, model 28-30, currently in-water, and berthed at the Bellport Village Dock.
A suggestion was raised, to invite all the BAMSAR chiefs, and the chiefs of departments that surround them, to a breakfast get-together, some time in April. More on that, next month.
Training:
Brookhaven is hosting an ice rescue course on the 18th of February, from 0800-1600, at their firehouse. Given by Lifeguard Systems.. Cost per man, is $125.
Mastic has secured the use of the Lab pool, for Sunday, 14 January, from 0900-1200. Please contact Bob S., at 767-0407, for further info. All attendees over the age of 16 must have a picture ID, in order to access the Lab.
Bayport is hosting an Ice Rescue Technician 2 course (Lifeguard Systems), on 10 and 11 February, at their firehouse.
If anyone has, or knows of, any training going on that may be of interest to the membership, please feel free to send notice of the training to either the BAMSAR webmaster@bamsar.org, or to the Secretary, at o_foghladha@yahoo.com.
Next meeting: Thursday, 08 February, 2007, at 1930, at Brookhaven FD.
Anyone needing directions, please contact the Secretary. Any unit that is unable to host their assigned meeting, please contact the Secretary.
Any corrections, additions, or questions; please contact the Secretary.
Respectfully,
John Foley