Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Round Table!! ... Avagene Moore: Today's dialogue is led by Phyllis Mann, President Elect of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). Glad to see you back for your monthly Round Table, Phyllis. ... Avagene Moore: Please remember to remain orderly during our session. Input a question mark (?) if you wish to speak. Phyllis will recognize you but hold your question or comment until she does. .... Avagene Moore: Any URLs are live links ... Avagene Moore: Just click on them and they will come up in your browser window ... Avagene Moore: Phyllis, I will turn the session over to you now. Phyllis will announce the topic for today. Phyllis Mann: Thanks Avagene and welcome to all. Today we are just brainstorming.... Phyllis Mann: we are talking about Standards in Emergency Mgmt. both NFPA 1600... Phyllis Mann: and FEMA/NEMA's now IAEM accreditation program... Phyllis Mann: First I want to start with who may have a concern re standards in EM lets open the chat Avagene Moore: Submit a ? if you wish to speak (question or comment) and wait for Phyllis to recognize you. David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Kay what about your state. Is there much discussion re either standard Terry Storer: ? Phyllis Mann: David after Kay EKH: We're working on state cert. for EM, but not a program cert. Phyllis Mann: David David Crews: Is 1600 just a local standard or is it going to be a universal EM standard for all three levels of EM? Phyllis Mann: I have found universal Phyllis Mann: Terry David Crews: ? EKH: ? Terry Storer: Here in the Southern 1/2 of Illinois most of our EM's are retired folks who are into a 2nd. career. There is little to drive them to seek certification. How will they be affected. Phyllis Mann: David after Terry Phyllis Mann: Terry are they paid? I am not sure what 2nd career has to do with following a standard Phyllis Mann: David David Crews: How will it apply at the Federal Level? Is FEMA going to adopt? FEMA also has a large irregular work force that is mainly retirees and little money for training! Terry Storer: Yes they are paid, but most are appointed and not from emergency services backgrounds. Phyllis Mann: Kay EKH: Under NFPA 1600, does a local jurisdiction have to adopt that to apply? Phyllis Mann: Terry in most states the EM has to go through the FEMA PDS series etc. then they should if not done develop a local em program Avagene Moore: ? Phyllis Mann: NFPA is voluntary but not sure what accreditation will look like... Phyllis Mann: Avagene Avagene Moore: I believe some distinction has to be made here. Although certification, standards, accreditation are linked, they are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. Jim Mesite: Sorry, I haven't looked at the NFPA 1600 yet. Is successful participation in SLA a consideration? Will it be part of Program Accreditation? Phyllis Mann: It is my understanding today the NFPA 1600 standard could be the foundation for accreditation but good point Avagene David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Jim there is no forced compliance to NFPA it will be voluntary Phyllis Mann: David David Crews: Many of the full time FEMA employees do not have the PDS or any type of certification. Compared to local EMs FEMA is way behind! Phyllis Mann: David, here is the dumb question of the year.... Phyllis Mann: a. why not? b. they are not a program they are sections within a program Jim Mesite: I understand that, Phyllis. But is the State and Local Assistance Grant Program part of it? 'Seems to me the SLA system drives our program, and should be a major consideration in accreditation? Phyllis Mann: Jim look into the future. I think they will be tied together Avagene Moore: ? David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Folks, why are we concerned about a standard in our business Phyllis Mann: Avagene then David Kevin Starbuck: ? Avagene Moore: The SLA program has changed perhaps more than anything else over the years. Standards and accreditation may finally give us a way to actually measure and define what a program is. We have an identity problem that we are slowly trying to overcome. Phyllis Mann: Kevin after David David Crews: Phyllis, I was a local coordinator. I am now a FEMA DAE. I am appalled at the lack of training and understanding of EM by many of the full time employees in the DFOs! There are only two CEMs in my region. One full timer and me! David Crews: At the Federal Level! Kevin Starbuck: The concern is not a standard, the concern is that a standard is coming from a primarily Fire Service organization. Why is IAEM or NEMA not leading the way with their own standard instead of NFPA? Jim Mesite: David: That is one REASON States and IAEM are into certification and accreditation: To encourage hiring governments to include or consider them as qualifications. Many of our counterparts in Finance, Public Affairs, etc. are recognized for theirs, and we are not unless an outgoing EM Coord. or State Director makes sure its on the Position Announcement Avagene Moore: Uh, oh, we have momentarily lost Phyllis. here she comes. Avagene Moore: Phyllis is having problems. Kevin, the NFPA as a standards setting body is not just a fire service organization. They are made up with diverse representation and includes emergency management types. IAEM and NEMA are not a standards setting body. Phyllis Mann: sorry folks I got knocked off Avagene Moore: (Phyllis, was trying to respond to Kevin's concerns while waiting for you.) Phyllis Mann: After today, please go to the NFPA site it will help Kevin Starbuck: Regardless of the make up, NFPA is still viewed by the Fire Department as a fire services organization. Avagene Moore: http://www.nfpa.org Avagene Moore: Hard copy of draft standard can be requested through mcurtis@nfpa.org . Phyllis Mann: Lets get back on track I am still waiting why are we concerned re a standard in EM? Phyllis Mann: We have must do i.e. Planning Preparedness Response and Recovery don't you all do this now? Phyllis Mann: How do you set your goals and to what standard? You have your LEPC, mine is different but I have one. I report to my elected officials Phyllis Mann: but who in fact holds us local directors accountable before the disaster strikes? Phyllis Mann: Kay help me out here Jim Mesite: ? EKH: on the issue of standards and accreditation.... Phyllis Mann: Russell you still a local director who holds you accountable EKH: FEMA had standards which have needed to be reviewed & updated. Terry Storer: ? EKH: Should that be our responsibility?... Phyllis Mann: Jim then Terry Russell Coile: The Governor's Office of Emergency Services has all sorts of annual requirements... Russell Coile: for counties and cities who receive FEMA's Emergency Management Assistance... Russell Coile: financial grants for half of the salaries of Emergency Managers. Everyone else... Russell Coile: falls in a black hole ! Phyllis Mann: Jim then Terry Jim Mesite: As a local Coordinator, I am only really accountable to my immediate boss, in whatever organization EM is in. In our case, it is now in the Sheriff's Office and I report to the Emergency Services Division Commander, who is also the county fire marshal. It is up to US to get our bosses educated in what we are supposed to do, and how SLA works, etc. Phyllis Mann: So Jim are you saying you and your boss sets the standard for EM in your community? Kevin Starbuck: ? Phyllis Mann: Terry the Kevin Russell Coile: I report to my City Manager who is the "Director of Emergency Services". Jim Mesite: Sadly, if an EM Coord's boss doesn't know how SLA works, but the EM satisfies whatever other whims the boss comes up with, one could actually fail all requirements of the SLA, and unless the State Coord/OEP/OEM director says something, the EM could still get a great evaluation, promotion, etc. That's called Local Control , and isn't ALL bad. Avagene Moore: ? Jim Mesite: Yes, Phyllis. Does that work differently in some jurisdictions of the rest of you?? Phyllis Mann: I think each of us should look at the recommended standard from NFPA and see what it is and more importantly how do you currently measure up to the standard. I think most of you will be surprised Phyllis Mann: Avagene EKH: ? David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Kay after Avagene Avagene Moore: There have been and always will be variations in reporting and where the EM program falls within the local government structure. The problem is that it is hard to identify what the program is across the board -- the program differs from county to county and state to state. Phyllis Mann: David after Kay EKH: We're getting off track...has anyone actually read the draft 1600 that came out? Kevin Starbuck: ? Russell Coile: I am ashamed to say "no". Phyllis Mann: Out of the 13 on line, would you send me a pvt message yes/no read the NFPA standard Phyllis Mann: David your turn then Kevin David Crews: Accountability and compliance are key critical issues. Who ensures compliance and if not why would governing bodies want a standard. Standards cost money! EKH: ? Phyllis Mann: David, don't standards also become a way of life? David Crews: Only if they have support! Jim Mesite: ? Phyllis Mann: Kay go ahead Kevin Starbuck: How exactly is NFPA 1600 going to improve professionalism in EM, beyond a standard set of requirements, especially since it is not mandatory? EKH: NFPA standards are adapted through local fire depts. Many local EM would not have input on adoption of 1600 at the local level. Phyllis Mann: Kay we do have input through our rep on the committee. Bill Appleby is now taking the lead I believe on this issue Avagene Moore: ? Phyllis Mann: Also they welcome comments Terry Blackmon: ? Phyllis Mann: Avagene Avagene Moore: Everyone can comment on the draft standard if you do so before April 2. David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Terry Terry Storer: So many of our locals use the State EMA as a source of their standards. If the State requests it then it is done. If it is not done then a state staff member knocks on your door and walks you through the process. The local governing body stays out of it. There are no standards only needs to comply with the paper work. You can do anything as long as you create the necessary paper trail. Phyllis Mann: David David Crews: I personally believe that EMs need qualification and Certification standards. I f they have that EM programs will improve through professionals! Phyllis Mann: Gee Terry that's sad. In WA we do not audit except by virtue of SLA Program Paper. I guess the bid audit comes the day of the disaster? Terry Blackmon: obviously the issue is what is the purpose of standards. We need to be careful to evaluate the impact on communities/counties that do not have a emergency management organization. Phyllis Mann: David I agree. But I feel that local govt. still have the right to hire... Russell Coile: ? Jim Mesite: ? Phyllis Mann: whomever they want as long as they can meet a specific standard in a specific timeframe. Most local govt. would welcome guidance on these issues. David Crews: ? Phyllis Mann: Russell then Jim Russell Coile: I agree with Terry Storer but feel that most of the paperwork is helpful. Phyllis Mann: David after Jim EKH: ? Phyllis Mann: David David Crews: The State of Kansas has an administrative reg. that requires all EMs to meet State Certification for Emergency Management. This put some compliance into the program. However, the State is not allowed to interfere with local jurisdictions - so there you go. A great program on paper! Jim Mesite: 1. The Standard right now, seems to me, is, loosely the Cycle: Preparedness, Response, etc. Dave: In many ways, we have to set our OWN standard personally. We are unique in County and city government and been my experience that we have to seek attention and notoriety - in a good way - if we expect to get our message across. Phyllis Mann: Kay EKH: We need to separate the individual from the program. If standards, existed, CEOs would have an evaluation tool to know if their EM is doing the job. Terry Blackmon: ? Phyllis Mann: Kay Jim Mesite: ? Phyllis Mann: Its almost time to go as we conclude, we need as a body to stay informed, read the issues and stay tuned for updates now back to Avagene Avagene Moore: Thank you, Phyllis and our audience for today's lively discussion. Very interesting .... Avagene Moore: If there are questions unanswered, we can hang around for a moment and take those ... Avagene Moore: Before we close, want to remind of you of tomorrow's panel discussion and next Tuesday's Round Table in the Virtual Forum. ... Avagene Moore: Tomorrow, we have a panel Project Impact Revisited ... Avagene Moore: Project Impact Awardees will be our speakers to tell us what they have accomplished this past year. ... Avagene Moore: Speakers will be Larry Deetjen, City Manager, Deerfield Beach, FL; Renee Domingo, Manager, Emergency Services Office, Oakland, CA; and Dave Jones, Meteorologist, NBC4. ... Avagene Moore: That is Weds 2/17 at 12: 00 Noon EST... Jim Mesite: 'Just want to say that EKH is right on the money. We need to sort out the individual from the program better. Avagene Moore: On Tuesday, Feb 23, 1: 00 PM EST, we will have another discussion about a global effort in the Pop Culture of Disasters led by University of Delaware representatives..... Avagene Moore: This formally closes our discussion today. Avagene Moore: Thanks to each of you for being here. Avagene Moore: Phyllis, you did a great job!