Minutes of the February, 2001, monthly BAMSAR meeting, held at Brookhaven Firehouse.
Present: Bellport, Brookhaven, South Country, Mastic Beach, Center Moriches, Coast Guard Group Moriches, Eastport,
Westhampton Beach, and guest, Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance.
Minutes of last month's meeting accepted. Treasurer reports $1007.20 in account.
Due to upcoming commitments, Bob Jaeger has asked for someone to take over the Treasurer's job, starting in June.
Jim Vaz was asked to take that responsibility until regular elections are held.
Old Business:
Dive Rescue International course: Number of members that will be attending: Westhampton Beach- 6+, Mastic Beach-
6+, Eastport-5, Brookhaven- 4, Mastic- 6, South Country Ambulance- 4, and, pending approval, Center Moriches- 2,
Westhampton Ambulance- 2. Southold has accepted our invitation to participate and will let us know a.s.a.p. on
how many attending. Tuition is $285 per student, payable to Dive Rescue International. Contact J. Foley (e-mail:
o_foghladha@yahoo.com) or T. Dahlen (e-mail: Crusader30@aol.com) for copies of the program information guide.
New Business:
T. Dahlen, J. Foley, and W. Biondi will ask to have an audience with Dave Fischler concerning the status of the
County's involvement in dive rescue. We've heard some rumors and conflicting reports, and want to clear things
up. We'll report our findings a.s.a.p.
BAMSAR Resource Updates are due now! I have only received updates from Center Moriches, Coast Guard Group Moriches,
and South Country Ambulance. I need these updates A.S.A.P., as the list must be out by March first. Please get
them in as fast as you can. Thanks.
Critique of water rescue in Westhampton Beach:
Background: Westhampton Beach FD was called by the Village Highway Department, via the Village Police, to a tidal
pond, where, what looked like a pair of boots, were next to a hole in the ice. WHBFD and Westhampton Ambulance
responded. A modified BAMSAR response was called for, which resulted in responses by Eastport and Mastic dive teams.
On entry onto the pond, WHBFD diver observed a refreeze situation. A pair of wet sneakers were found on the shore,
and a remote-controlled toy was found by the hole. WHB Command then decided to go to recovery mode, and transmitted
a signal 4. The divers were ordered to continue to gear up, but respond slower. Police were dispatched to the
schools in order to account for all students. The Police found the two children safe- they'd fallen through the
prior evening, and had gone home after falling through. All units stood down, and debriefing was held at WHBFD.
Lessons: 1) Unit ID numbers of all dive units in BAMSAR need to be distributed to all BAMSAR Chiefs and water
rescue supervisors. (John will do this in conjunction with resource updates.) 2) IC's must ensure that County Control
calls the Coast Guard for all our responses, especially if the rescue is in tidal waters. 3) The use, by IC's of
the generic "Command", or "BAMSAR Command" is encouraged at all incidents. 4) Control of all
non-essential personnel must be accomplished by roping area off, at least 20 feet from the water. Anyone inside
this zone must wear a PFD or diving gear. 5) A scribe must be appointed who will record all actions, decisions,
divers, etc., as they happen at the scene. 6) The use of small, hand-held radios, such as the new "family"
(or FRS) radios, is encouraged, especially if low-level security is needed. These units have up to 14 frequencies
and up to 32 privacy codes.
Request for membership:
Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance wishes to join us. This request to be acted upon at next meeting.
Training:
Search Patterns, given by Coast Guard Group Moriches, on two dates:
6 March, 2001, at Mastic Beach, 1930- 2100.
22 March, 2001, at South Country Ambulance barn, Seeley Street,
Brookhaven (diagonally to rear of Brookhaven FD), 1930-2100.
Ice Rescue (DRI certification course), held by South Country Ambulance, at their
barn, weather permitting.
Public Safety Diver 2, given by Southold FD, from 16 through 20 May, 2001.
Dues:
Dues notices have gone out. Brookhaven, Center Moriches, Mastic, and South Country have responded so far.
The next meeting will be held on 08 March, at North Patchogue, 1930 hrs. Anyone needing directions, please contact
the Secretary, John Foley, at 878-9217(H), 344-2350(W), or e-mail: o_foghladha@yahoo.com.
Thank you to Brookhaven for hosting this month.
Any additions, corrections, or questions, contact the Secretary.
John Foley