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Spring Meeting at the FDIC
March 19, 1999
State and Provincial Directors/Representatives in attendance:
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
President Steve Edwards welcomed members and guests. A roster was circulated for update. A review of the meeting agenda was conducted with no new business items to be added.
President Edwards introduced and thanked Peter Hodge, Conference Coordinator of FDIC, for his hospitality and support. Peter welcomed the NAFTD members and committed to continued support. Illinois recently held a State Fire Instructors' meeting and Peter provided two free passes to FDIC in return for a set of Training Officer Association mailing labels. Peter asked all member to keep in touch (peterh@penwell.com).
Robert Johnson, Vice President of Fire and Emergency Television Network (FETN) was introduced and explained the dramatic changes that are currently taking place to improve their product. They are returning to incident-based programming and training, rather than the "talking heads" approach of the past. American Heat, FETN's sister network, will begin a "Classic Fires" segment to analyze lessons learned from fires of the past. NAFTD membership concerns include the aggressiveness of FETN sales people and courtesy notifications to state training agencies when FETN personnel come to a state to present programs. Mr. Johnson invited state and provincial training agencies with training programs that would be of use to FETN to contact them to discuss the possibility of the programs being used for broadcast purposes.
Boone Gardner of the Internaitonal Society of Fire Service Instructors (IFSFSI) briefly updated the NAFTD members on recent challenges and activities. ISFSI is out of bankruptcy protection and doing much better organizationally and financially. ISFSI has partnered with Firehouse Magazine to conduct the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore during the month of July. They will soon offer a Fall Conference, Boone invited state directors to contact him regarding this effort. ISFSI's mission is to help develop the fire instructor. They want to partner with any organization to accomplish that end. Boone invited NAFTD members to attend the ISFSI Board meeting Thursday, 7/22/99 in Baltimore. Boone invited members to stay in touch with him at boone@firehouseexpo.com.
Don LeBlanc of NFPA briefed members on current NFPA activities in the professional qualifications, haz mat, fire service training, and SCBA areas. Don serves as the Pro Board executive director. Don requested feedback about whether or not to hold th Pro BOard advisory committee at an upcoming national conference.
REPORT OF OFFICERS
President's Report (Steve Edwards)
Basic objectives over the past several months has been to improve the FEMA relationship and to establish a relationship with the National Domestic Prepardness Office NDPO). A number of state directors met with FEMA Director James Lee Witt in late January. Director Witt is gaining a real understanding of the role fire service plays in the FEMA misison. A shift is occurring in FEMA to value the fire service role more fully. A full report of this meeting was previously mailed out. We stated our position that FEMA grants for firefighter training should come directly to the state fire training agency. Director Witt has taken flack from emergency managers who don't like state training to get theis money directly. We need to give him credit for sticking with us on this important issue.
Rich Marinucci will be working for FEMA for 6 months to develop a plan to implement the Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations. Rich is currently the Fire Chief of Farmington Hills Fire Department and the immediate past president of the IAFC. He has been in contact with NAFTD regarding issues and NFA issues.
Steve Edwards will mee with Tom Kuker of the Justice Department on April 2, 1999 to establish a dialog and help him understand the state fire training infrastructure and how we can assist the DOJ in getting training resources to fire departments.
Steve Willis will lead a NAFTD task force to develop evaluation criteria for NFPA 1001 JPRs. This is a cooperative partnership that we have entered into with the NFPA and they have contributed $3,500 to NAFTD to cover travel costs and expenses for the committee.
Steve Edwards on behalf of the NAFTD membership congratulated Dick Arwood on his excellent report on state training programs. The report has very helpful data that all can use to advocate issues at home. Dick provided a brief overview of the rport late in the meeting.
Steven Edwards and Bruce Piringer attended the Fire Service Leadership Summit meeting held in Virginia. This group consists of fifteen national fire service organizations who meet twice per year in an attempt to develop a consistent position on national fire service issues. The following actions occurred at this meeting:
Director Witt is asking all fire service agencies to sign a joint resolution to support FEMA's Project Impact. A press conference will be held in Washington DC in conjunction with the CFSI Dinner on April 21, 1999. This is a great opportunity to get the fire service more closely integrated into Project Impact. NAFTD will be a signatory to the agreement.
Steven Edwards attended a tri-lateral (USA, Australia, New Zealand) emergency management conference in New Zealand at the invitation of Director Witt. This trip gave Steve a chance to build more support with the Director of fire services' role in helping FEMA be successful. In the next 16-18 months, we have a great opportunity to continue our efforts to get the fire services into the core of FEMA's mission.
Vice President Report (Steve Lutz)
At our last meeting we voted to send a strong message to both IFSAC and the Pro Board that we urge those two agencies to work toward closer relationships, more coordniation and possibly a merger. While some issues are non-negotiable, Steve believes that both agencies are working toward a possible solution.
Secretary Report (Steve Willis)
Roster is being circulated for attendance and to make any appropriate address changes, etc. Minutes of 10/15-17/99 meeting are available if you need them.
Treasurer's Report (Randy Novak)
Randy provided a written financial report.
NAFTD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Nominations and Elections (Rick McCullough - unable to attend)
Rick could not attend. Annual meeting will begin on October 21, 1999 in South Carolina. Nominations in accordance with our by-laws must be made by July 21, 1999. Ballots must be mailed out by August 21, 1999. Ballots must be returned by September 21, 1999. Officers will take office at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
Finance Committee (Adam Piskura - unable to attend)
The books will be audited at the annual meeting. President Edwards thanked Randy Novak for his efforts in getting our organization tax status in order. Randy will try to get the dues notices out by early July so all can be paid up by the October meeting.
Membership (Joe Murabito)
Joe reported we have 39 states and 12 provinces currently paying dues. Three other states have expressed interest in joining. Several people mentioned that they thought they were paid up because they had been receiving the mailings. The staff at MFRI have generated a draft certificate of membership to be sent to each member agency after they pay their dues. Also a cerfiticate of appreciation of application that we can use has been developed.
NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY REPORT
Dr. Denis Onieal introduced Wayne Powell, Ed Kaplan and Becky Ryan of the NFA staff. Denis credited Doug Williams with working within FEMA to get the terrorism money sent directly to state training agencies.
Dr. Onieal has listened to our concerns and discussed the following:
- Standards: NFA has started to reference the standards. We've asked that NFA list the standards that are covered by their courses. Dr. Onieal asked state training agencies to provide their standards people assist the NFA in identifying the proper material.
- We need more courses, courses that fit our schedules, courses relevant to our state and local needs. Dr. Onieal suggested that NFA adopt a process of endorsement where NFA would apply a list of criteria that are necessary for NFA endorsement. States would submit their best courses to an evaluation board that would apply the criteria and recommend whether the NFA could endorse the curriculum.
Dr. Onieal suggested that NAFTD develop a plan for NFA endorsement of state/local courses. NFA endorsement could assist in the reciprocity from state to state. Denis suggested we establish a goal of 20 courses per year for endorsement. The next step may be having NFA attempt to get college credit for courses.
NFA is developing an upgraded data management process that should help with state reporting to NFA.
Terrorism classes: States need the classes so we can execute the $40k grant. Can states request an extension? (Becky Ryan will check). The courses are being finalized. In-services and train-the-trainers will be conducted as soon as possible. Steve Edwards is working for more flexibility to use the money for other anti-terrorism courses in addition to NFA courses. $40k grant runs out Sept 30, 1999.
IAFC VOLUNTEER CHIEF OFFICERS SECTION
John Buckman discussed the training program that is available entitled "21st Century LEadership & Administration in a Volunteer Organization." John Buckman brought the student manual for this course. (Contact John at germanfd@aol.com for copy). The NVFC expects to receive around $80k per year from Pierce and some of that money will be used to deliver this 12-16 hour course training. Each course is responsive to student needs and they are willing to do a train-the-trainer spproach. Approximately 15 students will be needed as a minimum to start a course. This represents a good opportunity and John can be contacted for further information.
NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Frank Livingstons, Chair of the NFAAA Board of Directors introduced the alumni association. The promary focus of the association will be to help develop resources for fire service customers, especially resources for NFA. NAFTD requested more information on NFAAA mission, goals and the scope of their efforts.
Frank asked that each state training agency partner with NFAAA to recruit members, communicate with fire service members, support fire service efforts in general. Dick Jaehne expressed concern with Frank's filing of an IG complaint on Carrye Brown and James Lee Witt. Dick counseled a positive approach - such as the blue ribbon panel - rather than a negative approach like IG complaints.
DOJ - NATIONAL DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS OFFICE
Bill Terry of Maryland explained the National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) initiative for weapons of mass destruction. Gary Marrs of OK City and John Eversol of Chicago have joined the NDPO state and local advisory board and will be voices for th fire service. The WMD stake holders clearly advocated for a unified federal approach to this issue. Each region has a WMD coordinator, and they are supposed to have constant contact with the state and local emergency personnel.
B. Office of Justice grant money: All DOD training and equipment funding for state adn local will be rolled over into the DOJ. A total of $157 million total is being funneled to states thru the field officers to states -- either to the governor or state EMA.
C. IF you are not receiving the Beacon newsletter, (www.ndpo.gov) contact your FBI field office and request. The 1/22 issue lists WMD and FEMA coordinator for your region. We need to find a way to get info to each state in an expedient manner. Contact Bill @ 202-324-8186.
HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE at NFA
Ed Kaplan briefly described the agenda of teh upcoming 3 day Fire and Emergency Higher Education conference to be held at the National Fire Academy April 8-10, 1999. The conference will include an opportunity similar to TRADE to exchange information and data. Networks will be organized to facilitate future resource exchanges. Ed invited all state training agencies who are working with college level curriculum to attend.
NAFTD BUSINESS
B. Motion by Rick Mason (New Hampshire) and seconded by Randy Novak (Oklahoma) to endorse the $12.1 million enhancement to the FY 00 budget request for the United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy (brings USFA budget to $41 million, a 40% increase). We need letters to each state's congressional representatives to support this enhancement and the positive impact it can have in our states. Motion passed.
C. Motion by Vic Bergeron (Vermont) and seconded by Steve Willis (Maine) to support the "FIRE" bill (Fire Investment and Responce Enhancement Act (formerly the Pascrell Bill)). Motion passed.
D. Steve Lutz has been asked that we support the federal Volunteer Support Fund to enhance resources to small fire departments. Info will be sent with minutes.
E. Fall meeting will be October 21-23, 1999 in Columbia, South Carolina. Billy Frost will forward pre-conference opportunities and additional information. The first day of the conference will be for NAFTD business, with presentations and discussions with other agencies to be held on the following days.
ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY OF STATE FIRE TRAINING
Dick Arwood gave a brief overview of the study results. The entire report is available on Iowa FST's web page (www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/isufire/). Dick was presented with a NAFTD Certificate of Appreciation for his work on this effort as a token of our collective appreciation.
Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
The spring meeting of the North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD) was called to oder by President Steven Edwards (Maryland) @ 1:00 p.m. in Room 210 of the Convention Center. The Meeting was held in conjunction with the Fire Department Instructor's Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Joe Morabito, DE
Dick Arwood, IL
Steve Edwards, MD
Joe Hanson, NE
Greg Drew, OH
Steve Lutz, UT
Norm Thibodeau, NB
Dick Jaehne, IL
Glenn Pribbenow, KS
Greg Kirt, MI
Rick Mason, NH
Randy Novak, OK
Vic Bergeron, VT
Ivan Nevil, IN
Stever Willis, ME
Bruce Piringer, MO
Thomas Wutz, NY
Tim Dunkle, PA
Jack Fulcher, WI
- We need money: NFA has requested $25,000 per state to train firefighters using any NFA course and $5,000 to support the administrative personnel to deliver the training. Each state will be required to document who received the training. The data will be essential to future increases in this funding.
- We want to be involved in the NFA development process: Wayne Powell has chaired a group to look at how NFA develops curriculum and what process changes might be made. The draft plan will be sent to all state training directors for input.
A. The NDPO will be the field office for all WMD training, equipment, etc.
A. Motion by Tim Dunkle (Pennsylvania), seconded by Richard Arwood (Iowa) to set NAFTD membership dues at $75 per state and authorize treasurer to bill for dues. Motion passed.