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HVBF Monthly Meeting - Facilities,
Security, Transportation Roundtable Host: Loyola College in Maryland Attending: Elwood Bannister, Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company Capt. Mark Warren gave the monthly public safety report. Lt. Marty Lurz is off preparing for his oral board review for the rank of Captain. Precinct 7 has seen an 8% decline in major crimes year to date. This is the best performance in the County. Mark continued with other stats that reflect the hard work done in the precinct to make our workplaces safer. There will be a greater police presence in prominent shopping areas now that the holiday season is approaching. Mark commented on several recent incidents and reminded us that immediate call to 911 when an incident is observed leads to timely intervention. If it involves a vehicle, get the license number and identify the vehicle if you are able. Continue to control access to your businesses, know who is on your premises, use I.D. cards if possible and challenge those who do not appear to belong. For regular tips see Business Beat at the Baltimore County Police Dept in the Members section of our website www.hvbf.org. Woody Bannister of the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company, our first responder, led us in a discussion on fire safety. The area covered by the company is from Padonia Road to Belfast Road and from Butler to Jacksonville. Eighty volunteers man the station. Woody introduced Jim Carter who is one of those volunteers. Jim is retired having formerly served as chief engineer on a super tanker and volunteers each morning as the driver of the new 2005 ambulance that was here for us to examine after the meeting. We are fortunate to have such dedicated and professional people as our first responders. Woody and his volunteers make regular visits to childcare centers, senior centers and businesses to talk about fire safety. Businesses should have a pre-fire plan. Visits by the CVFC to your company will familiarize them with your operation and any special circumstances such as hazardous materials or critical data centers. A plan of your building with areas of special concern should be filed with CVFC. You are invited to visit the station that is located on York Road and Ashland Ave behind the Saab dealership. It has spacious facilities available for your special events. There are regular fund raising events scheduled by the station. The annual golf outing is very popular. A fund drive is made only once per year and only by mail. You are encouraged to respond to enable them to continue to serve you. Woody presented the Forum with a book on the history of the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company printed on their 100th anniversary. Woody has been serving there for 50 of those years. The Forum presented Woody with a check to help with their mission. The company is looking for help in updating their website and providing maintenance as needed on their computer equipment. If you can help, please contact Woody at 410-887-1851 or 410-472-4760. Mark Hubbard, Division Chief of the Baltimore County Fire Department, represented the Office of Emergency Management with an update on homeland security issues. Mark outlined the homeland security responsibilities of the office. These have included regular drills on mass casualty events such as the one conducted at the Hunt Valley light rail station. Part of the mission is to provide back up power support to hospitals and 911 operations as well as urban search and rescue. Randall Scott of SHA gave the monthly road report. For up to date information on road closings and construction visit www.mdroads.com. The Roundtable welcomed J.B. Jennings, Delegate from the 7th District to the Maryland General Assembly. J.B. is on the Environmental Committee and is the owner of Maryland Feed company in Hereford. |