| EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES |
Cape Canaveral Chapter of the
American Society of Safety Engineers
American Society of Safety Engineers
Gateway to the Final Frontier
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| MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES |
Cape Canaveral Chapter ASSE
Monthly Membership Meeting Minutes
28 May 2008
The monthly membership meeting of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of American Society of
Safety Engineers was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at Kay’s Barbeque in Cocoa, FL.
President Marty Berry led the pledge to the flag and Treasurer Steve Phillips presented the
invocation, followed by the introduction of 26 members and guests. Attendance list
provided at end.
President Berry presented news and announcements as follows:
Advised attendees of a safety presentation and pamphlet available on the HQ ASSE
website of ‘Parents Guide to Safety for College Students.’ He said it contains a checklist for
children going away.
Briefed new technical standards being released.
He also said there is a new section on the HQ website to answer technical questions of
members.
Vice President Gary Thigpin announced the June meeting will be of ideas brought back by
attendees to the June PDC. The Sept 08 general membership meeting will feature a nurse
presentation of defibrillators, and the Oct 08 general membership meeting will feature a
briefing on the Space Shuttle booster recovery ships, Freedom Star and Liberty Star by
their safety manager.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Tim Kozusko, from the United Space Alliance Wildlife
Management Office at KSC. He briefed ‘Safety Around Wildlife.’
He first described how Merritt Island including KSC was formed, using several pictures
showing dune lines from hundreds and perhaps thousands of years ago. He showed how
the central Florida coastline has changed several times, and how 10,000 years ago Florida
was twice as large as it is today. Striation marks across Merritt Island also show the
coastline was further inland than it is today. He stated it was easier to work around wildlife
than against them. Ninety-percent of KSC is undeveloped. IT is a 140,000 acre wildlife
preserve. Merritt Island has more endangered species than anywhere else on the North
American continent. The area is managed with controlled burns. Endangered species
residing here include scrub jays, gopher tortoises, alligators, ospreys, rattlesnakes, boars,
and many others.
He provided safety advice when interfacing with FL wildlife. He said a common myth is to
run in a zigzag pattern from alligators. One should run in a straight line, as alligators do not
chase their prey down. He showed how rattlesnakes are difficult to see on a bed of dried
leaves. He said to avoid them if at all possible. Persons encountering wild boars should
stand their ground, and they will most likely leave. Otters have also been seen in ditches
on the wildlife refuge, and are extremely mean street fighters. They should be avoided.
State fish and wildlife personnel must do all of the removal of protected species. Road kill
patrols should be notified to remove any dead animals. This moves the food supply of
turkey vultures and limits their population in the area.
He said that individuals should be aware of the areas they frequent. They should ‘own their
space,’ by walking and acting like they belong. Animals sense ownership of space and will
leave the area.
If bitten or scratched by wildlife on KSC, seek medical attention, as wildlife are extremely
dirty and carry many germs which can cause severe infections. Individuals should not feed
any wildlife.
Burmese pythons are migrating from the Everglades. None have been found in our
immediate area yet. Beagles are used to sniff them out.
He showed the difference between a coral snake and a king snake. The cliché ‘red
touches yellow, kills a fellow’ refers to the red bands touching yellow bands, and is the
markings of the poisonous coral snake.
He concluded his briefing and answered several questions from the audience. He said to c
all the USA wildlife office at 861-5881 or CCAFS duty office at 853-5211 with any wildlife
issues.
President Berry gave a speakers gift of a certificate. A formal gift was declined.
The 50-50 drawing of $38 was won by Jim Davis. The illuminated Space Shuttle statue
door prize was won by Roosevelt Solomon. A $20 gift certificate to Kay’s Barbeque was
won by Alan Valesteros.
An announcement was made of the local veterans chapter giving out 10 $2,000
scholarships. Applications are available at the Merritt Island Veterans Center or from their
website: www.americanvet.gov.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.