Oakland Mills may host task force practice drill

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

It seems Henry County has proven to be a favorable place to serve as a training ground for an elite search and rescue team based out of Cedar Rapids.

Iowa Task Force 1 (IA-TF1), a volunteer-based urban search and rescue team, has reportedly shown interest in holding a full-scale search and rescue training exercise at Oakland Mills. Henry County Supervisor, Marc Lindeen, spoke of the recent news at Thursday?s Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting.

?Walt Jackson (of Henry County Emergency Management) has informed us that the search and rescue team has shown interest in coming to Henry County, specifically to Water Works Park because satellite signal is very weak there,? said Lindeen. ?That is something they look for when they train, as it gives them the opportunity to use their equipment to the fullest.?

IA-TF1 specializes in confined space rescue, swift water rescue, urban and wilderness search and rescue, and canine-assisted search and rescue.

Last month, the team visited the county to speak with local law enforcement, emergency management personnel, firefighters and county conservation employees, and give informative demonstrations of their capabilities.

Lindeen went on to say that cultivating strong working relationships with organizations like IA-TF1 are highly beneficial, and commended Jackson on his work in that regard. According to Lindeen, Jackson has also just recently earned certification in several areas that will allow him to teach a myriad of emergency management training courses.

?Walt and the rest of the Henry County Emergency Management team are gaining a lot of great connections throughout the state and have really been willing to try new things that will benefit the county as a whole,? said Lindeen. ?That is something we as a board of supervisors are very appreciative of.?

Also on the agenda for discussion during Thursday?s meeting was a brief word from Lynn Whaley regarding an inquiry about a county waste contract.

Whaley, who has approached the board several times over the last week regarding the contract, offered his thanks for their help in answering his questions.

?After speaking with the board and with the county attorney, I was able to get the answers to the questions I had. I understand what the waste contract states in terms of the contract?s policies and termination date, and I want to thank you all for taking the time to meet with me,? said Whaley.

Whaley also stated that he intended to approach the board at the time of the contract?s next termination date to request an opportunity to bid on the contract.

The last business item on the board?s agenda was a review of a general relief program ordinance.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will be in session again on Tuesday, July 17, at 9 a.m. All meetings are in the Henry County Courthouse.