Wyoming Office of Homeland Security

The meeting included committee and agency updates, focusing on personnel changes, committee leadership, and refocusing on equipment, training, and coordination with Regional Emergency Response Teams. Legislative financial support was discussed, including a request for funding to support the SERC. Grant and FEMA program updates covered topics such as the Western States SERC meeting, EPA training and exercises, and potential changes to the Clean Water Act. RERT and LEPC updates were provided, highlighting training activities, responses to incidents, and collaborations among counties. WOHS updates included RERT funding and reminders for LEPCs to submit exercises and updates. Old business included Tier II filing fees and SERC goals, objectives, and strategic plans. New business addressed meeting dates, the annual report, and filling Energy and Trucking positions.

The meeting included discussions on vacant positions, partner reports from local, county, and federal entities, and updates from the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS). Topics covered ranged from regional emergency response team activities and FEMA training to EPA regulatory changes and Tier II filing compliance. The commission addressed old business, such as attendance thresholds and Tier II filing fees, and new business, including strategic plan updates and the HMEP grant. Committee assignments were made, and closing remarks focused on funding for in-person meetings.

The meeting included committee reports from the Legislative Committee, which discussed support for Homeland Security, the federal disaster threshold, preparedness grants, and state statute clarifications. The All Hazards Response Committee focused on RERT priorities and goals. The Education and Outreach Committee aimed to improve communication with LEPCs. Wyoming Office of Homeland Security Updates included discussions on federal grant reimbursements, funding for recovery in burn areas, BRIC projects, and potential changes to preparedness grants. The RERT Status was reviewed, including legislative funding for hazmat vehicles and bomb team equipment. Commodity Flow Studies were discussed, including plans for studies in Teton County and Regions 5 and 6.

The meeting covered financial updates, including revenue, expenditures, and the ending balance. Various reimbursement requests were approved, categorized as consent list items (under $10,000), high-cost requests (over $10,000), training funding, and equipment loss/damage. Discussions included updating travel reimbursement policies for council members, addressing a sheriff position vacancy, and planning for future events such as a new sheriff's meeting/orientation and the ICAR event in 2025. The council also discussed allocating a portion of rental car fees and the status of a helicopter in Teton County.

The meeting covered sub-committee reports on equipment and facilities, training, protocol and procedures, and local management. Discussions included a survey on court security equipment, a training program outline, recommendations for court security policy and practice, and the establishment of local court security management committees. Funding issues, including a contingency fund for high-profile cases and reimbursement for administrative and travel costs, were also addressed. Legal issues discussed included the legal basis for screening people and their belongings, and the rules prohibiting guns in courthouses. Comments from the public included concerns about training, manning, funding, and jurisdictional responsibilities.