Minutes of the June meeting, held at Bellport. Thanks to Chiefs Dan and Doug Harrow for their hospitality.
Present: Bellport, South Country Ambulance, Patchogue, Mastic Beach, Center Moriches, Eastport, Westhampton Beach,
and our guest, Blue Point.
Excused: Group Moriches, and Mastic.
Treasurer's report: $1941.70 in account.
Old Business:
Further discussions were held regarding the Bayport drowning incident. A bill is before the County Legislature
to mandate cooperation between Police and Fire on all water rescue calls.
New Business:
South Country was asked if they could set up a seminar on hypothermia and how to properly re-warm a person suffering
from injury due to cold. This would be in the October time frame. Greg said it would be no problem.
A suggestion was made that each individual unit voluntarily do patrols out on the water on weekends, in order to
raise public awareness of our capabilities, do a little P.R., and show boaters and others that we are there, and
available. This may help Group Moriches, as well, as it will add eyes and ears to assist in their mission. All
agreed that this was a good idea. It was further suggested that we do this, wearing sort of a uniform. The uniform
could be as simple as a golf shirt (with your unit, or BAMSAR logo on it), with a clean set of jeans, or, it could
be as elaborate as a Class "B" uniform. Whatever is most comfortable and professional looking. This,
again, was well received.
A motion was made, seconded, and carried, to reimburse the two divers from Blue Point, who will be paying for the
Dive Rescue I course out of their own pockets.
The Coast Guard has unofficially scaled back the patrolling of safety zones, due to budget problems. We could offer
to help them out in this.
Training:
Dive Rescue I class: Members attending from each unit will be held to this commitment. So far, we have a total
of 16 divers: Center Moriches, 6; Westhampton Beach, 3; Blue Point, Mastic Beach and Eastport, 2 each, Mastic 1.
An invitation will be sent to Southold FD, via e-mail, to see if they have any interest. Vouchers for those participating
must be sent to Dive Rescue International by no later than 30 June. DRI will bill you at the end of the course.
Dive Rescue II class: So far, we have 3 members each, from Mastic and Westhampton Beach, attending.
This class will be published nationally, at the end of July. Course is two weekends- 13, 14, and 15 September (first
part), and 11,12, and 13 October (second part). Cost is $625 per man (owing to the fact that this is over two weekends,
and not over 5 straight days).
Please!! Send the Secretary any updates in your equipment inventory, so he may update both our inventory list,
and the list maintained by the Coast Guard.
Next meeting will be hosted by South Country Ambulance, on Thursday, 11 July, at 1930.
Any additions, comments, or changes, please contact the Secretary at 878-9217 (Home), or, e-mail: o_foghladha@yahoo.com.
John Foley,
Secretary