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North American Fire Training Directors Annual Fall Meeting October 8-11, 2003 Salt Lake City, Utah SLC Hilton Hotel and Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, Provo, UT. Get PDF Thursday October 9, 2003 Opening of Meeting and Self Introductions Mr. Dunkle announced that NAFTD president could not attend due to illness in the family. VP Dunkle stood in for President Piskura. Mr. Dunkle noted that there would be several changes to the agenda. UFRA Director, Steve Lutz welcomed everyone to Utah and to the NAFTD Conference. (note: in the NAFTD binder that was distributed by UFRA, there is a new Fire Code inspector's Guidebook. In the back there is a website for ordering from ICBO. That website is incorrect. Instead of www.icbo.org it should not be www.iccsafe.org Mr. Lutz introduced Steve Johnson, Training Program Manager and chief coordinator of this conference; Lance Wollebaek Assistant Director of Training; and Terry Spoor, Associate Director of UFRA; and Melinda Hill, Administrative Assistant to Steve Lutz. Mr. Dunkle asked for a round-table of introductions from all present. A list was passed around for everyone to correct or update their information. Introduction of Guest Speaker, Denis Onieal, Superintendent, NFA Mr. Onieal (NFA) addressed training issues, Department of Homeland Security, and budget cuts. Strategic Issues Handouts: NAFTD Responding to Questions and Programs for Our Firefighter Customers Request for Proposal 1.b Denis Onieal: Where does terrorism training belong? Centralized Federal Training delivery? Decentralized training delivery with centralized development? DHS is spending $5 billion to setup WMD terrorist academies. ODP is not only funding training, they're funding for back-fill over-time. Agencies are sending their people to New Mexico for training. Standards Denis Onieal: It looks like the process for NIMS and NRP will require participation. You will not be eligible for disaster funds unless you comply. You, as State training systems, need to identify your strategy. Develop and distribute courses to deal with WMD's. Federal terrorism training is a business operation. Dick Jaehne (IL): The Illinois Fire Service is seeking to get the "biggest bang for the buck" including certification, college credit, and OSHA requirements. You should think about keeping the inclusion of accrediting agencies as cooperative efforts. Ralph Brown (OK): ODP in Oklahoma is being forced to use programs that don't meet NFPA standards ODP is Taking Control Jeff Gleason (LA): In 10 years it is predicted fire departments will be run by local ODP's. We need to bust butt right now to keep ODP or State Police from taking control Where does NFA fall? How do we get money back? National Fire Academy Lobby There is duplication of efforts. We can set the standard. Dick Jaehne (IL): There are members of the consortium - our CFR 920, etc. We don't coordinate and get certifications and take the tests for State and Federal training. From Response to Prevention Denis Onieal: The government has m oved beyond RESPONSE (their PDD39). Their shift has gone to PREVENTION. We need a goal to collectively work together so FF's have to take courses only once. What are Consortium Courses? Dick Jaehne (IL): University-based courses. A recent Illinois newsletter describes more than $5 million in overtime and backfilles. ERTBC is going online ERTBC is going online. How do we get it to every state? Art Cota (CA) - Challenge: People are following the money. We do what we think is collectively the best. Collaborate with other groups IOC: We should reach out to others. We need collaboration with other groups. Gary Wilson (MO): Where is NFA in all of it? Credentialing Denis Onieal: DHS Presidential Directive 5 GI Bill Analogy Denis Onieal related the analogy of the GI Bill for war vets. Those who went to school on the GI Bill went to accredited institutions, but the schools weren't established or accredited by the Federal government. Those who were among the wounded were told they must go to Veteran hospitals run by the federal government and that they must use the federally run medical system. The point is that we already have various states with well established educational academies and other institutions. There is no need for the federal government to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to create a whole new system. Federal Disaster Funds Used for Credentialling Federal Disaster funds will be used to influence credentialing. We need to get a system designed, up and running. Record Keeping Systems We need record keeping systems: In Ctober we'll begin. Bob is going to manage that task force. Systems of Accreditation: NBFSPQ, IFSAC, IAAC Local people need to decide that by keeping local records: USFA will have three meetings and a final report by February on Credentialing for the Fire Service. Art Cota (CA): acquisition, utilization, information, evaluation, source are key elements. To my knowledge, there is no national credentialing for law enforcement and construction trades; their union card is all that is needed for credentialing. Compliance Dick Jaehne (IL): There is a difference between credentialing and accreditation. There is a difference between regulatory standards and volunteer standards. Compliance will be related to funding Programs Review Denis Onieal: The NFA Programs office is doing a complete review of courses. Some may be dropped, some may be added. Denis Onieal will send an e-mail with the list of classes. NFA Security Changes Art Cota (CA): There are some new, more stringent security changes on the NFA campus because it is only two miles from Camp David Credentialing: Board of Visitors Firefighter Credentialing Meeting Robert Bennett Trade Program Manager - NFA: Bob handed out an agenda for the Firefighter Credentialing Meeting Agenda for the first meeting. See handout, or contact Bob for a copy. Presentation of Agenda Oct 28-31 with 28 and 31 as travel days. Nov 18-21 with 18 and 21 as travel days. Dec 9-12 with 9 and 12 as travel days. First meeting review mandage: a National Credentialing system. Denis Onieal: Background info: six presentations. Developing the framework for a national credentialing system. What do we know at this point? Second meeting will be to work it all out and send in a submission. Third meeting will be for tweaking. Bob Bennett (NFA) has a list of invitees. Travel will be by reimbursement. Invitational letters went out by e-mail today, October 9 2003, and will go out by hard copy soon. Dick Jaehne (IL): What are we asking IFSAC and Pro Board to present? Baseline drives the effort Perhaps there needs to be a 5th presentation: Credentialing and Reciprocity Bob Bennett (NFA): There will be assignments after the first meeting. Jeff Gleason (LA) and Gary Wilson (MO) wil need to have info before the first meeting regarding what the credentialing meeting will be about. Regional Delivery Training Bob Bennett (NFA): Need a list of your facilities and budgets, regional delivery statistics. 6101 students trained There were lost opportunities for classes Regional program needs to be supported. Bob Bennett (NFA) has a final management plan Jones and Bartlett Publishers Katrin Beacon hand outs: Field Guide to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Response; 2003 Public Safety Catalog Hydraulics; interactive CD; bank of formulas IFSTA - Fire Protection Publications Janet Maker: IFSTA and FPI operate as non-profit organizations, but do profit from the sale of books. Tech Rescue; Industrial; Video clips that complement SCBA customized for Essentials; Clip Art for Driver Operator and Aerial Safety Officer; Alabama Study Guide; Test Prep. VP Tim Dunkle (PA) asked Janet Maker to make sure everyone at IFSTA knows NAFTD appreciate their willingness to host the NAFTD website. IFSAC handout Rich Hall: Hand out: Update to the IFSAC Accreditation Congress: Update to the NAFTD The IFSAC 2004 Annual Conference will be held in Oklahoma City, OK Wed April 21 - Sat April 24 2004. at Renaissance OKC Convention Center Hote 10 N Broadway Oklahoma City, OK 73102 PH (405) 228-800 Reservations 1 (800) 468-3571 Tim Bradley will be chair. Transportation will be provided. Room Rates: King, Single and Double: $99.00 + 10.375% tax. IFSAC Handout Degree Assembly Degree Assembly (31 members) University of New Haven is newest member 458K+ in registry For every level a person is accredited to, they receive another seal (?) NAFTD Financial Report Randy Novak: handed out the financial report Royalites from FPP @ OSU Motion to accept Mortion accdepted unanimously Elections Committee Report VP Tim Dunkle: committee consists of Adam Thiel (VA), Ken Brasco (NC), Randy Novak (IA). They will count the ballots and report the information on Saturday Audit Report Tim Dunkle: Art Cota (CA) and Ed Roper (SC) will preform the audit on saturday. Membership Record Report Ed Roper (SC): Current NAFTD membership stands at 39 US States and 8 Canadian Provinces. Website Report Dick Jaehne (IL): IFSTA is the new host for NAFTD's website. The ListServe website is going to be great. If you want something on ListServe, or need to update infor, send and/o email Dick Jaehne Canadian Perspective John Vokes (British Columbia): June 18-20 there was a committee meeting in New Brunswick. No funding problems due to no money!! They have no federal funding. Issues: Employment BC transferring funding to those who have certificates No shortage of students Brochures from other schools that are only $400+, so they must be subsidized Lots of interest in Fire Officer training; High turnover for next three to five years. Driven by pension formulas Saskatchewan sees no value Accreditation: confusion about value and about competing bodies. Manitoba Forest Fires: Credentialing John Vokes: Manitoba: One complete village burned; 300+ homes. A lot of people showed up with no training experience. ICS must be taught, adopted and developed in British Columbia Engines deployed for combat, chemical biological, radiological, microbiological CBRM trailers are being parked, but there is no traiing, so no one will use them 2,600 military forces brought in to help fight fires. British Columbia hosts next NAFTD meeting Cathy Lange (BC) handed out brochures. After discussion about the date conflicting with the National Firefighter Memorial Services, it was decided that the dates would be changed only if it did not cause a great hardship on Cathy because she has worked hard to get the venue established. Next meeting: Sept 30 - Oct 2 (subject to change) INN at Westminster Quey. John and Cathy will keep NAFTD members apprised of any changes. Organization Activities Dick Jaehne: Handout of Illinois Homeland Security Training: What is available? How to get the training? NAFTD Constitution VP Tim Dunkle: Article II Mission Statement: Proposal to change Article II "Focus the combined, diverse talents and resources of our members to achieve a safe environment through enhancing and supporting the role of training and education for the fire and rescue services." to four bullet items: To be recognized as the primary point of state, provincial & territorial fire training contact for the federal government To help state, provincial & territorial fire training organizations improve/establish best practices, and advocate for fire training, education, information & research. To be a representative at the national level for federal homeland security policies, programs, & resources related to fire & emergency services training & education. To provide strategic planning base to plan, communicate, and advocate the value of state, provincial & territorial fire training systems There was discussion about whether this should remain as four bulleted items. Art Cota noted that the 1st mission point and the 3rd seemed to be the same. Dick Jaehne explained the difference between being a point of contact and actually being a representive with a seat at DHS. Art Cota proposed a motion to accept the change to include the bullets. Rick Mason seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Dick Jaehne pointed out that the Fire Act Grant is no longer called that any more; its called Homeland Security Article IV: Add the word "Organizational" to the beginning of the paragraph and change the second word Membership from capitalized to lowercase membership. Motion to accept by Ivan Nevil, seconded by Art Cota, passed unanimously. Article V: Officers: Combine paragraph three with paragraph two and change "The President shall preside in absence of the President. " to "The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President." Add a new paragraph 3 to read, "In the even that the office of the Vice-President is vacated for any reason, the President shall appoint an interim Vice-President to serve until the next Annual Meeting. Art Cota presented a motion, and Lois Hartman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Article VI: Elections and Voting: Paragraph three "The consitution may be amended by at any meeting..." remove the word by from the sentence. Rick Mason motions, Art Cota seconds, motion passes unanimously. NAFTD By-Laws: Article 1. Membership 1.1 Add the word "Organizational" to the beginning of the paragraph and change "Membership" to "membership" 1.5 "Voting privileges are limited to members who are paid in full as of the annual meeting for the current fiscal year as defined by July through the following June." 1.5 Delete the words "as of the annual meeting. Now reads, "Voting privileges are limited to members who are paid in full for the current fiscal year as defined by July through the following June." Art Cota presented a motion to make the change, Rick Mason seconded, motion passed unanimously. Article 3. Meetings Article 3 meetings 3.5 shall now read, "A quorum shall consist of 30% of the current dues paid members. Steve Lutz presented a motion to make the change, John Vokes seconded, motion passed unanimously. Article 5. Elections Article 5. Elections 5.10 "In the event that the office of the Vice-President is vacated for any reason, the President shall appoint an interim Vice-President to serve until the next Annual Meeting." NAFTD constitution provides this however it was felt that it needed to be included in the by-laws. Steve Lutz presented the motion to make an addition to article 5. John Vokes seconded, motion passes unanimously. Article 7. Standing Committees Tim Dunkle: Article 7 Standing Committes: 7.1 The Chair shall at a minimum appoint the following standing committees: 7.1.1 Nominations and election committees 7.1.2 Finance Committee 7.1.3 Membership Committee Discussion was to add three more committees: 7.1.4 Communications Committee 7.1.5 Legislative Committee 7.1.6 Conference Committee. Art Cota presented a motion to accept, Gary Wilson seconded, motion passes unanimously A discussion followed on the function of the Communications committee. Its function will be : strategic planning How do we publish constituencies? How do we advertise internally, but mostly externally to attract more members Address legislative issues. Selection of President and Vice President Gary Wilson (MO): Steve Edwards sent out a message on ListServe regarding a way of selecting the President and Vice President. Dick Jaehne read this email aloud. There was a recommendation to not modify the process of voting. Gary Wilson: There was a proposal to table this question for two years. Adam Thiel presented a motion to table the question of modifying the process of voting. Dick Jaehne seconded the motion. Art Cota proposed an additional modification in language that would say, "two consecutive full terms, and to have that in place thirty days prior to the next NAFTD meeting. After some discussion about the motion already on the floor and some other complications with making changes to the language, Arto Cota selected to take his amendment back, and moved to table the motion on the proposal to create an additional modification. Tim Dunkle declared the motion tabled and said the issue would be handed over to the Bylaws committee. Thanks to bylaw committee Richard Mason(NH) Adam Thief(VA) recognized the hard work of the by-laws committee. NAFTD Strategic Planning System Dick Jaehne (IL): Handout from NAFTD Strategic Planning System 7. June 03 Kansas City Read a list of NAFTD weaknesses Art Cota commented that, as an organization, NAFTD does not have a clear sense of goals and objectives. The group is reactive rather than proactive. The group should decide what it wants to accomplish within the next year. Dick Jaehne read a list of NAFTD strengths (not on handout). Under the list of Threats the question was posed regarding who each oragnization answers to. For instance, if an organization has to answer to a university, DPS, or other entity, are they automatically under DHS already? Strategic Initiative 1 "To develop and implement a program to enhance the stature and trust of state, provincial & territorial fire training agencies in the eyes of external constituent groups." The wording has changed (Dick Jaehne (IL) has changed this on his computer). See revised strategic plan. Constituent groups such as ODP, governors, IAFF who interface with us, but may be for or against us. Dick Jaehne did a database last year. Art Cota (CA) has info on a capability survey; what are the budgets, classrooms, props, etc. We're only shy about six members to complete the survey 100%. Strategic Initiative 1.b Adam Thiel (VA) ahs a document -- a request for proposal -- marketing plan Where do we get the money? We have $25,000 in bank If happy with this, where to go next? Since all states don't participate, the dues could go up. We must develop a marketing plan. Who is the marketing audience? Marketing within each state is already happening; there is a need to market federal entities. Idea of Great Brigade: All past NAFTD Presidents could help mentor new presidents and fire directors and ask governors to appoint. Then the newly appointed NAFTD President would report to the governor. Art Cota (CA): Focus on people within the state who have national authority. Initiative 1.a and 1.c Tim Dunkle: COncept of business plan links Initiative 1.a and 1.c. Put in an option of hiring a contractor. Change to Marketing and Business plan. Make 3-fold brochure. Group mutually agreed that a business plan was necessary. Referred this to the communication committee for implementation. Strategic Initiatives 2 To create a strong trusted, nationally recognized voice in the formulation of homeland security training plans, policies & priorities. Discussion Followed: New and compelling need for our dialog with federal level. Need for NAFTD to share info. Create a model and share with each other. NAFTD needs a chair at the table. How do you get a seat at the table? Where would the target area be in each state? Who's going to manage all the people running around? Where is the foundation? Group mutually agreed to this Initiative. Referred this to the Legislative and Communication committees for implementation. Strategic Initiative 3 Change wording to read; "Develop sustained funding sources to deliver training and develop infrastructure for state, provincial, and territorial fir training organizations. Wording change to strategic initiative 3 was mutually agreed upon. Referred to the Legislative Committee for implementation. How do we do this work? How much do we contract out? Have a program so people know who we are. Have a seat at the table. Get the necessary funding. Strategic Initiatives 4 Change wording of Initiative 4 to read as follows. "To attain federal government recognition that state fire training organizations are the primary source of fire service training and related training and education for emergency responders. Wording change was mutually agreed upon by the group. Referred to Legislative Committee for implementation. Keep contacts with federal links. Have regular communications means. Where do we get this, who will be the contact? Strategic Initiatives 5 Develop and foster strong trusted professional relationships with emergency responders and other fire service organizations. Discussion Points Have a contact list Do we have a permanent presence at the Chiefs convention? Do we have a permanent presence at IAFF? Do we have a booth or invitations to come? We must continue endorsement program? We must be on an interagency table? Stragic Initiatives 6 To have an active, representative membership that participates in the implementation of NAFTD strategic initiatives. The wording for Strategic Initiative 6 was changed by mutual consent. Referred to the membership committee for implementation. We have 60% now. We need people to work on committees and respond to NAFTD's needs. Go out and reach as many people one on one as possible. Strategic Initiative 7 To serve as a professional development resource for NAFTD members Discussion points on this Strategic Intiative We need to maintain ways we help one another Listserve: share curriculum We could mentor new directors. We need to provide training opportunities for our members. Strategic Initiatives 7 accepted as is by group. Referred to the membership and communication committees for implementation. Strategic Initiatives 8 To develop a sustained funding mechanism for NAFTD leading to a permanent NAFTD presence in Washington, DC. Revision: To develop a sustained funding mechanism for NAFTD leading to permanent NAFTD representation in Washington, DC. The wording for Strategic Initiative 8 was changed by mutual consent. This was referred to the Legislative and Finance Committees for Implementation Currently NAFTD only has a POX Box with a Washington, DC address. Someone contacts Adam, either Adam goes, or contacts someone else to go. NAFTD is looking for an active staff person as a presence in Washington DC to further their cause. Who should man the office? Should the Strategic Initiatives be Reprioritized? There was discussion that the Strategic Initiatives should be accomplished within a three to four year period, but did not need to be reprioritized. Gary Wilson proposed a motion to accept the eight initiatives as verbally edited, but in the current order. Randy Novak seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Reconvene Strategic Planning in Kansas City Tim Dunkle: More details will be issued regarding reconvening the strategic planning meeting in Kansas City. Formulation of committees Tim has started a list. On Saturday there will be more discussion about who will be participating on various committees. Credentialing Look at current systems, do what is necessary to match up. NIMS says FEDS will credential people. NAFTD credentials at state level for internal response; then accredit at federal level. David Hedrick: Volunteers are being weeded out of the potential resource. They have to jump through hoops to become part of the responsive corp. Bob Bennett: Self dispatching is a problem Dick Jaehne: What are the tasks, conditions and standards? Art Cota: What needs to be fixed? We must focus on the development of a credentialing system. Dick Jaehne: Qualification should be used not certification or accreditation. Ed Roper (SC): We have to follow NFPA standards at a minimum and go through the program to be a firefighter. Police are pushing the standard up. They get paid for good training, so do EMS. OSHA EMS NFPA WILDLAND Validate people that work in specific environments. Where you function and what level of skills you have should be a part of the certification. Terry Spoor (UT): Use caution. If the intent of this effort is to control self-dispatching (SHUN system) the first response is a local response to a local disaster. The feds role should be to assist the locals. NFIRS started out as a volunteer standard. It is no longer a voluntary standard; there is no funding for it. Butch Weedon (MT): Red card system is not applied consistently state to state. It is a competetive system. We're not calling indiviuals we're calling whole companies (batallions) to respond. Just because somebody carries a Pro Board or IFSAC certification doesn't mean they are still qualified, because perhaps they've not used their skills in a long time. Art Cota: How many people in your own state participate in certification? Its not all about certification; its about getting resources trained to move from point A to point B. We need a system. FEMA will call for a federal USAR team. Dick Jaehne: Individuals with specific skills create a specific team. How do we evaluate the people of those teams? They have to be "by name" trained. How are the teams set for deployment by EMA? Who has the list? Combined Agency Response State Team EMAC Deployment? Dick Jaehne: May have 60 people on their list. Task sheets are filled out and faxed to location. There is state authorized workman's compensation. We need to have feedback immediately. Emergency Preparedness and Response Use ListServe. Forewarn everyone who is not here today. Interagency newsletter, Law enforcement, ODP. Endorsement Peer Review Gary Wilson: Through email and a conference call, President Adam Piskura (CT) put together a list for endorsement review. Group of Directors: Jerry Schroeder (?), Randy Novak (IA), Mike Bracken (AR), Russell Strickland (MD). Field Training was not the kind of program we were looking for. What do we want to do with NAFTD program Need to decide how to use NFA money (grant). What is the endorsement for? Dick Jaehne: Disagrees with removing terrorism fire act. What is your relationship as an organization. Gary Wilson: As long as we can put up any course we feel is necessary, we shouldn't be restricted. Art Cota motioned to amend the current endorsement criteria to allow state training directors to submit any course for review and inclusion. They have to meet certain criteria--curriculum. Ed Roper seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. There is concern that NFA is getting in to firefighter training. Do you teach NFA training in your own state? Gary Wilson: Don't make it a paper chase. Make sure to include copyright releases. The Endorsement Committee will meet at the NFA Nov. 11 and 12. Programs need to be submissed by Nov 1. Provide all materials to Bob Bennett (NFA). A course form is needed for each curriculum. This your check list. Turn in a completed form. Syllabus for instructor qualifications. ACE course. Course references. Well written objectives. Test: if it is a certification process. Manuals: use as reference materials. If using visuals send them. If using copyrighted material, send the confirmation. You must purchase it. Send in care of Bob Bennett (NFA). Art Cota: Gary Wilson: Program NFA is doing reviews. They'll look at every course and evaluate against five-year objectives. Management Science may not be supported anymore. Adjourned meeting until 8:30 AM Saturday Oct 11, 2003 Reconvened for Committee Reports Election Committee Report 44 ballots submitteed; 40 eligible ballots, 4 inelligble due to not paid. Results: President - 40 votes for Piskura (CT), Vice President - 39 votes for Dunkle (PA) Write-ins - 0 votes Audit Report The finance records are all approprate and accurate. Committee recommends the following to occur: 1. Iowa needs to bill for mailing and other incurred expenses. 2. Add President and Vice President to signature card. Allows for continuity if Treasurer is unable to do. Gary Wilson presented a motion to accept, John Vokes seconded. Motion passed unanimously. FESCHE An open discussion of FESCHE's professional development model occured. VP Dunkle appointed Cota, Lutz, Bracken, Mason, Jaehne to develop a pointer paper on professional development and CFOP. VP Dunkle thanked the members of the election and audit committees for their work and respective reports. Adjourned meeting until 8:30 AM, Saturday, Oct 11, 2003. Meeting Called to Order Steve Lutz thanked everyone for being there, and specifically Steve Johnson and Terry Spoor, his staff members. Homeland Security and Assitance to Firefighters Act Art Cota: Homeland Security has added public health to have opportunity to control CDS money with bio-terrorism money. ODP will not change peer review process Changes to grant recommendatations to NFA Must show where buying new equipment has tie in to DHS and WMD. There will be a series of questions to collect data. Does it conform to Homeland Security. If you do your grant presentation everything you now buy must tie in. Categories eliminate EMS. Goes under FF OPS Takes over FF OPS and Vehicles Fire boats will now be pumpers Everything will be p umpers. Aerials, Quints. Strict rescue units. Some communities have 1st suppressions land-locked. Class-A fire boat $250 for apparatus $750 for quints December will be the opening date for non-competetive grants for fire prevention. Training Section Art Cota: FF equip and OPS not too many changes Greater score will be given to those who have training component coming from National or State training component. Emphasis on state system EMS side Grant will stay pretty much the same May have a 45-60 day window $70 thousand for FF's never reached discussion. $750 thousand is there 1st of March is when they expect to have grants issued Final grant criteria is to be released the 1st of January NAFTD Pamphlet Passed out copies of a pamphlet that the President had had prepared for this meeting. A discussion followed on what to do with the pamphlet. Randy Novak: The pamphlet should be on the website. We have an offer from FPP to do layout of the pamphlet same as they did with out website. We should utilize the Communications Committee. Anybody can be on ListServe Nancy Kubalanza: We should put the federal areas/topics that we have a "part in" on the pamphlet back. Adam Thiel: There should be an emphasis on service. The strategic plan should be nonthreatening. We have partnerships with other organizations that we should not to be in competition with. Nancy Kubalanza: We need more statistics in the pamphlet and on the website. The endorsement program is because of this group. Annual Meeting Plan Book Acting upon a request from the President, Adam Piskura (CT), the need for an Annual Meeting Plan Book was discussed. Need to look at past hosts. Create a handbook to work from. How should activities go? The following committee was appointed to assemble an Annual Meeting Plan Book: Gary Wilson (MO), Randy Novak (IA), Lois Hartman (ND), and John Vokes (BC). If you think of something to put in the Annual Chair book, email it to Gary Wilson. Randy Novak: Show and tell the next day. Make the conference two days instead of three. Gary Wilson (MO): Do the conference during the week instead of the weekend. Can FPP subsidize scholarships for those whose budgets can't cover travel costs? Jeff Gleason (LA) Focus on the importance of the group. Lois Hartman (ND) Leave time for committee work. Jeff Gleason: make time to listen to what other agencies are doing. 2004 Annual Meeting and Conference John Vokes, Cathy Lange Denis Onieal: The dates for next year's NAFTD Fall Conference to be held in British Columbia conflict with US National Fire Prevention Week and the National Firefigher. Memorial. The question was posed as to whether to move back the date to September 28 through October 1. John Vokes and Cathy Lange will look into this. Since they have already blocked the Inn at Wesminster Quay for this even, and made the plans well in advance, it may not be feasible to change the dates. if this is true, then perhaps the conference willhave to be video taped for those who are unable to attend. John and Cathy will get back to Tim Dunkle next week. 2004 Annual Meeting & Conference will be September 28 - October 1, 2004. NAFTD President Adam Piskura Adam was unable to attend due to illness in the family. His father is dying of cancer and his mother is ill also. Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers. The group wrote personal notes to Adam and his family. These were collected by Melinda Hill (Administrative Assistant to Steve Lutz, taking minutes for this meeting). Melinda mailed them along witha c ard from UFRA staff members. Wesbite Resource for Critical Stress Tim Dunkle: www.firefighterministries.com is a website that helps provide local organizations with information regarding critical stress, spiritual and psychological resources. Best Practices Newsletters Gary Wilson: There is an article about forced debriefing and how it can cause more harm than good. To find out more contact: EMS Best Practices Inc. PO Box 927812 San Diego, CA 92192 Phone (858) 456-8600 Phone (858) 456-8625 Committees members solicited Tim Dunkle: Legislative - Ed Roper (SC) & Nancy Kibalanza (WY) Communications - Art Cota (CA) Conferences Finance - Lois Hartman (SD) & Ken Briscoe (NC) Nominations - James Litevich (VT) & Butch Weedon (MT) FPP Conferences Janet Maker & Mike Moore: FPP asking for representatives for IFSTA tests. Willing to publish about your organization. FPP conference July 11 through 15 2004 Oklahoma. Represenative in DC Ed Roper (SC): We need representation in WA DC immediately. Lois Hartman: How is NAFTD organized? Are we a 501 C3 or a 501 C4 Randy Novak: Officially we are neither. We need to write new articles of incorporation. Or fire as a non-profit organization. We must keep records. Incorporation Randy Novak: 501 CS is tax deductible, 501 C4 is a political arm, do we want both? To incorporate requires three years of financial records, which NAFTD did not have until Randy collectedthe information. We now have the capability to file for incorporation. Motion to pursue hiring an attorney to incorporate NAFTD. Ed Roper motioned. Gary Wilson seconded. Motion passes unanimously. Lobbyist or Staff in DC Should we have lobbyists in Wa DC? What about a full-time staff member to man the office? Randy Novak: We need to straighten out our state membership and get our incorporation settled first. Are NAFTD members prepared to pay more for dues? We have not yet used conferences as a source of income Does NAFTD need to find corporate sponsorship? The National State Fire Marshal's Association has sponsorships and they have a substantial bank account. They started out with only 50 people. It is not fair to ask Canadians to foot the bill of this function when it is US based. What does NAFTD want to be when it grows up? Does NAFTD want to become a lobbying group? Incorporation Randy Novak: There needs to be a mechanism of follow-up with the initiatives. We still haven't asked the tought questions. How many of your bosses would approve of what you do? We're all under different governance. Are you under a state college, a state fire marshal, or some other entity? Adam Thiel (VA): We'd be more powerful as an information exchange and let the other powers that be take the weight on the hill. We're concerned about grabbing on to Homeland Security, but that could change in a day. This could make it difficult for other agencies to work with us. We all have to justify why we're here. Ed Roper (SC): Denis Onieal looks to us. We have to represent training in its truest form to be the voice on the hill Randy Novak recommends taht the board work with the legislative committee. There will be a spring meeting at the FDIC on Friday from noon to five. Free to your director or send someone as an alternate. April 26 - May 1, 2004 meeting for NAFTD on April 30. FDIC has dates for the next 5-6 years. Ask Peter Hodge. Instructor of the Year Award Peter Hodge, FDIC will comp your instructor If you have Instructor of the Year awards, they will get free admission Furture NAFTD Meetings Plan on meeting at FDIC next spring, watch for location. 2004 Annual Meeting -- Vancouver British Columbia. 2005 Annual Meeting -- New York. Annual Meetings in the future: MAYBE: New Hampshire, Illinois, Tennessee Secretary Change Ivan Nevil: Annouced that he was retiring in April 2004; and therfore was resigning as NAFTD's secretary. VP Dunkle thanked Ivan for his service and asked if there were any volunteers to serve as NAFTD's secretary. Rick Mason volunteered. Annual Meeting Adjourned VP Dunkle: Asked if there was any further business to come before the organization. None being heard he called for a motion to adjourn the Annual NAFTD meeting for 2003. Rick Mason (NH) proposed a motion to adjourn this conference. John Vokes (BC) seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Melinda Hill, Administrative Assistant to Steve Lutz, will type up the NAFTD 2003 Annual Fall Meeting conference minutes and get them to Tim Dunkle within the next week. NAFTD P.O. Box 80065 Washington, D.C. 20018 naftd@fsi.illinois.edu