| NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY BOARD OF VISITORS MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 NATIONAL EMERGENCY TRAINING CENTER BUILDING H, ROOM 300 Call to Order and Attendance: The meeting of the National Fire Academy (NFA) Board of Visitors (BOV) was called to order by Dr. Robert Fleming, Vice Chairperson, at 8:30 a.m. on September 5, 2002. Each BOV member was introduced. The following NFA BOV members were present for the meeting: Dr. Robert S. Fleming (Vice Chairperson) Professor Rowan University 1406 Heather Lane West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380 Art Cota, Division Chief State Fire Training P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, California 94244-2460 Ms. Helen Johnson Executive Director State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas 807 Stark Street Austin, Texas 78756 Warren McDaniels, Fire Chief New Orleans Fire Department 317 Decatur Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 Donald R. Oliver, Fire Chief Wilson Fire/Rescue Services 307 West Hines Street Wilson, North Carolina 27893 Mr. Robert J. Sledgeski Secretary/Treasurer Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734 1202 Ridgely Street Baltimore, Maryland 21230 Mr. Gary Tokle National Fire Protection Association 1 Batterymarch Park Quincy, Massachusetts 02269 The following member was not present for the meeting: Mr. Donald Bliss Acting Director New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management State Office Park South Concord, New Hampshire 03301-3809 -2- U.S. Fire Administration staff in attendance included: Mr. Dave Paulison, U.S. Fire Administrator Mr. Charlie Dickinson, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration Dr. Denis Onieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy Dr. Kirby Kiefer, Deputy Superintendent, National Fire Academy Ms. Cindy Wivell, Office of the Superintendent, National Fire Academy The agenda was reviewed briefly. It was noted that the Alternate Member declined the appointment last week. There is no decision yet as to whether that position will be filled. REVIEW CHARTER Copies of the current BOV charter (March 2002) were distributed. Dr. Denis Onieal reviewed the charter with the BOV members. He discussed that an annual report is one of the responsibilities of the BOV Chairman. Dr. Onieal also stated the salary and expense money is limited. Where there is crossover into other U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) divisions, the BOV will interface with the appropriate USFA staff. One example is working with the National Fire Programs Division. The BOV is value added to USFA. Even if it were not directed by public law, the BOV would exist. Mr. Gary Tokle said that it is his hope that management will seek the BOV members counsel. Mr. Charlie Dickinson stated that programs/projects need to tie into USFAs operational objectives. USFA is in the process of focusing energies to meeting those. Ms. Cindy Wivell was identified as the Secretariat for the BOV. The roles and responsibilities of that position were reviewed. Serving as the Designated Federal Official is U.S. Fire Administrator Dave Paulison. He will be attending most of the BOV meetings. In his absence, either Mr. Dickinson, Deputy Administrator, or Dr. Onieal, NFA Superintendent, will serve as the Designated Federal Official. USFAS FUTURE Mr. Paulison stopped by the meeting to discuss his vision of where USFA is heading and how the BOV members can help the organization get there. He asked for their assistance, to include thinking about better ways to deliver our training. Federal training should be under one umbrella, teaching off the same page. Mr. Dickinson added that within each BOV members own travel, work and projects, and everyday experiences, the members can find out from constituents and others in the fire service what they want to see in the Academys curriculumwhat do we need to be teaching? Some of the points that Mr. Paulison made include: * USFA is looking at counter-terrorism training. * The fire service needs to be prepared and ready for all new responsibilities. -3- * We need better ways to provide training. * It is important to improve this Academy in the area of preparation by training more people so they will know what to do in a time of terrorism. * Eventually all of FEMAs training should reside at this Academy and not be split up. * The role of the BOV members is going to expand. * There are pros and cons to centralizing training or decentralizing and controlling what is being taught in the courses. Mr. Dickinson stated that all training here is very attuned toward disaster training. At a future meeting, Mr. Paulison would like to have a discussion with the BOV on the training delivered by NFA. With the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) now part of the U.S. Fire Administration, Mr. Tokle asked about the EMI Board of Visitors. Mr. Paulison responded that it is hoped that the EMI Board will be reconstituted, and operate similar to NFAs BOV. What about having a combined board? There are no current plans to do so. Mr. Dickinson added that the transition of the reorganization of USFA has been great. Mr. Tokle suggested that there be a 1-day joint meeting of the NFA and EMI Boards of Visitors. Mr. Paulison also announced that Frank Cruthers will be the new Fire Chief in New York, effective September 10. RESPONSIBLITIES AS SPECIAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES A video was shown to the members on ethical responsibilities, with advice on how ethics laws apply while employed by the Federal Government. Along with the video, handouts were given to the BOV members. Dr. Onieal gave an example and explained the seriousness of this situation. Finally he stated that if any problems were to arise, to please contact him with the issue; and it will be addressed to the ethics committee. ELECTION OF BOV CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON Dr. Robert Fleming opened the floor for nominations for the position of BOV Chairperson. Chief Warren McDaniels motioned that Dr. Fleming be considered for Chairman; Chief Don Oliver seconded. As no other nominations were received, the nomination for Chairperson was closed, and Dr. Fleming was unanimously voted as Chairman for the coming year. The floor was then opened for nominations for the BOV Vice-Chairperson. Mr. Tokle motioned Chief Oliver as a nominee for Vice-Chairperson; Ms. Helen Johnson seconded. The nomination was closed after no other nominations were received. All members voted unanimously for Chief Oliver as Vice-Chairman. -4- CONCLUSION/CLOSING Dr. Onieal announced that he would be distributing handouts for the below-listed items at the Stakeholders Meeting. Copies were given to each BOV member. * Admissions data. * Long-Term Evaluation Summary. * Upcoming course development/revision. * Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education proposal on Professional Development for the Fire Service: Transforming to a National System (education and training systems working together). Similarly, EMI has curriculum developed for an emergency management degree, but no mechanism such as the State training system to work with. FUTURE MEETINGS The next meeting is scheduled for October 7-8 at the National Emergency Training Centerarriving October 5; attending the Memorial Service in Washington, D.C., on October 6; and departing October 9. Dr. Fleming would like to set the dates for future BOV meetings at the October meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 a.m., September 5, 2002. Members were scheduled for portraits and to have ID badges made. The BOV members were invited to attend the Stakeholders Meeting, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on September 5. | |
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