Deane Adam American Red Cross

Anna Bathon NationsBank

Tim Bonno Southwestern Bell

Wendy Borowsky Emerg. Animal Rescue Svc.

Valerie DeMesa-Bruemmer

Dean Donley Guardsmark, Inc.

Patsy Duncan Steamatic Catastrophe Svcs.

David G'Sell Express Scripts, Inc.

Dara Hoffman United Animal Nations EARS

David Hughes Graybar Electric

Linda Jensen Southwestern Bell

Herman Kriegshauser Kriegshauser Mortuaries

Neil Kurlander Maryland Heights Police Dept.

The regular general business meeting of the Mid-America Contingency Planning Forum was held at Steamatic Catastrophe Services of St. Louis on Thursday, June 18, 1998, at 3:00 p.m.

President Tom Roeseler welcomed all members and guests and thanked them for attending. The next order of business was a review of the May meeting minutes that were handed out as members signed in. There being no concerns expressed, the minutes were app roved as presented.

Mr. Roeseler welcomed all new members to the meeting and requested that anyone who had brought individuals to our meetings and that person has joined the group, they should notify Angie Swartz and she would include their name on the list for the quarte rly drawing. Our application form will be revised to include a referral line to cover this in the future.

An update on the 1998 Program took place, and all members received an updated schedule at the sign-in table. The location for the August meeting has been confirmed at the American Red Cross location. A topic will be decided upon at the next Board meeti ng scheduled for June 19.

Comments on the upcoming Fall '98 DRJ Conference were made. If you plan to attend, identify yourself as a member of the MCPF and receive a 10% discount.

There being no further business, the meeting moved on to the featured presentation. Tom Roeseler introduced the group to Mark Rocco (General Manager of Steamatic St. Louis) and Terrell Phillips (SVP of Steamatic Corporate HQ, Fort Worth, Texas). These gentlemen provided a brief history on their company, both globally and locally. Steamatic consists of three divisions -- Environmental Services; Catastrophe Services; and Carpet, Upholstery, Drapery.

Several components together determine the cleanup method used. Use of deodorization eliminates smells throughout the offices, but this should be started on the first day after an event or as soon after as possible. Crime scenes can be cleaned after an investigation is completed. Dehumidification is another feature available; and various testers are used throughout a facility to determine the level of humidity.

Steamatic has a 98% success rate for cleaning computers. Documentation can also be retrieved. A sister company -- BMSCat -- provides this restoration among other services. If a restoration provider is not immediately available, it is suggested you plac e damp documents in a freezer to stop any further damage.

Archivists recognize sublimation as the only restoration method to use for historic documentation.

FM200 - the Halon replacement -- can be used in occupied spaces, dissolves into the air, and is harmless to humans; however, it is also more costly than Halon.

Various methods of blasting were discussed. Sand blasting is a good method but is not good for the lungs. CO₂ is expensive but non-toxic. Sodium has limited waste to the item and is non-toxic. Steamatic has a video on blasting available.

Early response is a must! You may want to consider and Steamatic encourages having a restoration contractor as a representative on your emergency response team. Some points to consider:

* Identify ahead of time any ultra-sensitive items or areas and documents to be restored.

* Tailor your response to your needs and adjust at the scene and the event.

* Establish an Emergency Response Agreement ahead of an emergency.

* Restoration companies can work with local authorities when a crime scene has been identified.

Following the presentation and meeting, Steamatic invited all attendees to tour their facilities and participate in their "Taste of Missouri Wines" reception.

The next meeting of the MCPF group will be held on Thursday, July 16, 1998, 3:00 p.m., at MasterCard International in West Port. The featured topic will be Plan Exercise Design and Implementation presented by Randy Till of MasterCard.

This meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Recorded by: Anna M. Bathon

Secretary

Office: 314/466-3509

Fax: 314/466-3921