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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-06-28-JSBCC-min.pdf rsscc Fri( A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating, Committee was held at Hanscom Field on Thursday , 28 June 1973 Colonel Sigurd L Jensen , Jr , presided The meeting was called to order at 7 30 p m PatIce la pASF Cr✓nM Attending , in addition to Colonel Jensen , were John B Finigan , Concord John K Damon , Concord Laurence A Murray , Concord Paul J Flynn, Concord Tow" Whir Robert D Parks , Concord General Otis M Whitney , Concord Chandler J Blackington, Concord David Moffitt , National Park Service Colonel W W Parker , Fort Devens Lt Robert Lee , Fort Devens Lt Jamie Brandt , 1st Coast Guard .District Nicholas Scurto , Hanscom Field Major Donald G Rhoads , Hanscom Field John F Coughlin, Hanscom Field Colonel Jensen opened the meeting by reading a letter from Dr Edward G Toomey of Concord, who offered professional assistance during the 19 April 1975 observ- ance Colonel Jensen read the reply he had made to Dr Toomey , and passed both pieces of correspondence to the medical sub-committee for reference Colonel Jensen then called for a reading of the minutes of the last previous meeting which had been held on 26 April 1973 Mr Parks of Concord moved that , because of the length of the minutes and the fact that they had been widely circulated earlier , the secretary dispense with the reading Mr Murray of Concord seconded the motion which was passed by voice vote Colonel Jensen then called for sub-committee reports Robert Parks of Concord reported that his Hospitality Committee had not met formally since the last general meeting ^' He said that he had met with several agencies recently to explore food service possibilities .A problem which suggests a major expense has emerged That is a need for refrigerated trucks to pick up box lunches for the parade participants on Friday, 18 April 1975 and deliver them on Saturday, 19 April He asked whether the military might help in this matter Colonel Parker of Fort Devens said that the Army had some refrigerated vans He would check their availability and get back to Mr Parks Colonel Jensen said that the Air Force had such vehicles which he believed could be provided Mr Parks asked that both Colonels keep him advised Mr Scurto of Hanscom Field reported for the Construction Committee He said that his committee has had only three members available But that they had met during the period Working with statistical estimates the sub-committee projected 250 thousand as the possible 19 April 1975 crowd Concord believes that it can handle the comfort needs of 12 ,000 parade participants , but needs added facilities for the crowds Committee is looking at trailers and possibility of building 100 toilet facilities at from 1 to 3 sites Mr Scurto said that there was no Army or Air Force money available for that construction project , but that there was considerable expertise on hand Lexington had advised the sub-committee that it needed no help in this functional area When Concord 's needs are definitized , the sub-committee can move out positively Colonel Jensen asked Mr Scurto whether the sub- committee considerations were limited to one or more systems Mr Scurto said that they covered the state- of-the-art spectrum from half-moon stalls to trailers to trenches Minds are wide open , and no insoluble problems are anticipated Paul Flynn of Concord , who heads up the Medical and Public Safety Committee of that Town said that his units would meet on 19 July and hopefully would be better able to define requirements from their deliberations John Finigan of Concord said that the Town was in the process of determining exact parade routes When this was completed , requirements would be forth- coming He set September 15 as the target date 2 Chandler Blackington of Concord , a member of the Medical sub-committee , said that the unit had not met during the period , but that the Town ' s needs were beginning to crystallize as problems come into sharper focus Colonel Parker of Fort Devens said that his organization had been considering some of Concord ' s medical needs Nothing has been finalized He suggested that the medical function had tremendous flexibility He suggested that the Mass and New Hampshire National Guard authorities be queried about the availability of helicopters Mr Blackington said that Concord was concerned about the tourist load The Red Cross had pledged first aid support but preferred not to transfer patients from one point to another There will be a need for ambulance service from first aid stations to field hospitals Emerson Hospital authorities have expressed some concern about, the possibility of a medical emergency at a critical juncture in the observance This emphasizes the need for specially trained resources ; patrol craft for the river , scuba divers , etc Lt Brandt said that the Coast Guard might be able to bring in craft and trained divers , but definite requirements must be made forecast early to cover logistics problems Colonel Parker added that Fort Devens has resources well -trained in the functional area , but that training is scheduled well in advance It could be that training commitments might cause some conflict , but he was confident that the Town ' s needs could be satisfied Paul Flynn of Concord was called upon to report for the Communications Committee Colonel Jensen complimented Mr Flynn on the content and clarity of a memorandum that had been circulated among the members of this sub- committee He said that it was an excellent information distribution vehicle Mr Flynn stated that he needed a National Guard member for the sub-committee, which was in the process of planning establishment of a viable network Lexington is checking its needs The Coast Guard has no communications equipment available for use There has been no feedback from the Navy, but the committee would maintain contact Army and Air Force are checking their stocks Mr Flynn expressed the hope that by August he would have a firmer handle on his requirements and that it would then be possible to 3 develop an internal network which would assure integration of the operation Lt Brandt said that the Coast Guard maintains large , capable mobile command units , which , if the need were for base units , might be used These are maintained at Wildwood, N J Colonel Jensen stated that Hanscom Field had a Disaster Control Vehicle and that his Security Police would come equipped He suggested that several large contractors might be asked to lend equipment for use during the observance Mr Flynn said that he might ask James Viggiano to head up the Communications sub-committee He asked Mr Murray of Concord to contact the National Guard relative to appointing a member Mr Finigan said that safety problems would be aggravated during the parade period There is a need for a solid water safety program to include river patrol He asked whether the Coast Guard might study the situation , project problems and suggest solutions Lt Brandt had reservations , since the Concord River is not under federal jurisdiction However , the U S Power Squadron might be able to perform on a voluntary basis Mr Finigan agreed and asked Lt Brandt to make the contact , asked that legal ramifications be considered and analyzed and that a memorandum be furnished the Town so that proper steps can be initiated Mr Flynn said that he would work with Lt Brandt on the project He suggested that an observer be assigned to watch the action on Concord River next April 19 , as a dry run process Mr Finigan then addressed the general subject of military administration as it applies to the making of commitments He said that in his view there were several ways that commitments can be obtained, including 4 ( 1) Written submission of specific requests for support , which are forwarded up through military channels for Pentagon approval , or (2) Written submission of specific requests for approval of and formal reply from local military commander, or (3) The age-old Yankee practice of stating your needs informally to the local authorities , discussing them candidly, and agreeing with a handshake on what can and will be done He said that he has always favored the handshake method , and he still does He respects the credibility of local commanders , and is confident that their promises are always valid , and are always delivered He is satisfied with the system of working with the military on the local level , and hopes to keep negotia- tions a family affair He asked that any cost estimates that are placed on facets of logistic support be made known to him at an early date so that the towns can take whatever funding action is required Colonel Jensen and Colonel Parker both agreed that things are best worked out at the local level , and that Mr Finigan had a valid point If any financial require- ments emerged , they would be relayed to Mr Finigan at an early point in time They hoped, however, that all support functions could be provided from military resources No problems were immediately obvious Lt Brandt agreed, and said that any minor problems would be made known as they developed Colonel Jensen called for statements of new business Lt Brandt reported that Rear Admiral Elmer Pearson would be the new Commander of the 1st Coast Guard District The Admiral is an engineer , responsive to community needs and very interested in the Bicentennial activities Mr Finigan suggested that it might be appropriate to invite members of the Boards of Selectmen from Concord and Lexington to the September or October meeting so that they might observe our method of operation and to see how we are analyzing problems Colonel Jensen suggested that the meeting be set up as a form of briefing from the Committee to the Selectmen 5 -1• 5 Mr Parks suggested that we do this in October, and that the Committee dry run their presentation during the September meeting There being no further business , Colonel Jensen set the date for the next general meeting, Thursday, July 27 , 1973 , at the Officers ' Club , Hanscom Field The m g . journed at 9 30 p m RD LASEN I' il nel , i Chairman 6