Avagene Moore: Amy, will you please introduce our SALEMDUG guests? Amy Sebring: Thank you Ava. We are very sorry about our server problem last week, but we are still amazed that in almost 3 years of doing this, we have not had more problems than we have. Amy Sebring: You may recall that Preston Cook and Walter Green were with us in a session last summer as they began work on developing a Technology Certificate in Emergency Management. They are back with us today to bring us up to date. Amy Sebring: A background page is available from http://www.emforum.org/varena/000329.htm Amy Sebring: Preston Cook is the current President of the State and Local Emergency Managers Data Users Group, SALEMDUG. He is also the Communications & Warning Coordinator for Orange County Florida. Amy Sebring: Walter Green is Assistant Professor, University of Richmond, and his background includes 28 years of experience in emergency medical services, search and rescue, military disaster preparedness, and the management of large scale operations. Amy Sebring: Preston, did you want to say a few words about your upcoming conference ? Preston Cook: Thank you Amy Preston Cook: Hello My name is Preston Cook, I am currently serving as President of SALEMDUG Preston Cook: Thank you for this opportunity once again. Its always a pleasure to join such wonderful discussions Preston Cook: I would just like to invite you to our 15th Annual Conference which will be April 23-26, 2000 In Orlando Florida. Please visit our Website at http://www.salemdug.org for additional information... Preston Cook: We have a very nice line up of people to talk about technology in Emergency Management I would love to see you there. Preston Cook: I will be quiet and let Walter speak Amy Sebring: Walter, we would be pleased to hear about your progress now if you are ready. Walter Green: I would like to thank everyone for staying for this quick make-up session ... Walter Green: In early 1999 the State and Local Emergency Management Data User's Group (better known as SALEMDUG) started to look for options to recognize people who had expertise in both emergency management and technology. This certification program is the result ... Walter Green: It is intended for two types of people ... Walter Green: Emergency Managers who use and manage technology as part of their day to day and emergency operations ... Walter Green: and technology experts who work in emergency management ... Walter Green: The objectives of the CTEM certification are to ... Walter Green: identify individuals in emergency management who understand, use, and can manage technology programs, ... Walter Green: Provide incentives and recognition for increased inclusion of technology in state and local emergency management programs, and ... Walter Green: Establish emergency management technology as a legitimate specialty within the profession of emergency management ... Walter Green: Our intent has been to establish a certification method that fairly tests expertise in the rapidly changing and wide variation in technologies in use, ... Walter Green: Assures experience and expertise in emergency management, ... Walter Green: And offers reasonable assurance that those certified can manage technology projects and programs ... Walter Green: The result is a four component process. Each component contributes a maximum of 200 points (a possible total of 800) with 600 points being required for certification ... Walter Green: The first component is experience. Points are assigned for years of service, training and education, professional memberships, certifications, etc. ... Walter Green: Both emergency management and technology qualifications are included in this -- for example, a CEM is worth 25 points and a MCSE 30 points ... Walter Green: The second component is a 100 question, open book examination that must be completed in 2 hours. The test covers broad, general knowledge of the entire field of emergency management ... Walter Green: We chose an open book test because that is how most of us work -- if we don't know it we grab the "book" on the subject ... Walter Green: But the time limit means that to get the highest possible score, you had best come in knowing a reasonable amount about emergency management ... Walter Green: The third component is a requirement to demonstrate mastery of a specific technology. This can be demonstrated either by vendor certification and training or ... Walter Green: by submitting materials that show you actually can use the software or remote sensor or other technology ... Walter Green: The final component is a requirement to demonstrate the ability to manage a technology implementation project in your agency ... Walter Green: Again this can be met two ways. Either submit a complete description of a project you have managed or ... Walter Green: Complete a written scenario that asks you to describe how you would manage a technology implementation ... Walter Green: The actual application walks you through what you need to submit and how to meet the requirements for each component... Walter Green: Theoretically you can earn the needed 600 points by the application and its attached documents alone ... Walter Green: However, most people will have to take the knowledge examination. It is first being offered on Monday morning at 8:00 am (yes, yes, I know, unfair) at the SALEMDUG conference ... Walter Green: For those who wish to do the implementation scenario, that will be offered at 10:30 am ... Walter Green: So what does this cost? The application packet costs $25.00 by check or money order made out to SALEMDUG. Mail the request to: Walter Green, P. O. Box 799, Glen Allen, VA 23060 ... Walter Green: We can supply the application as a paper copy or e- mail you a Word 97 file ... Walter Green: When you return the application, SALEMDUG members pay an additional certification fee of $50, non-members $100. So a SALEMDUG member pays $75 total, a non-member $125 ... Walter Green: We think this is a demanding certification of which you can be justly proud ... Walter Green: Thanks for the opportunity to present today. I will now turn this back to our moderator. Amy Sebring: Thank you Preston and Walter. We will take a few questions now. Audience when you are ready, please put in your question mark (?). Avagene Moore: ? Amy Sebring: Avagene. Avagene Moore: What type of reaction are you getting from the program? I realize it is new to your folks. Avagene Moore: How many do you expect to test? Walter Green: We have received a number of inquiries ... Sheena Vivian: ? Walter Green: and I know of at least three candidates for Monday morning testing so far. Amy Sebring: Sheena please. Amy Sebring: ? Amy Sebring: Sheena, if your question/comment is lengthy, please send it in in chunks. Sheena Vivian: As an emergency manager who does not also work in the technology area I would still be interested in taking the entry exam. Is this possible? Walter Green: Absolutely ... Bob Tabler: / Walter Green: I think the process would actually be helpful ... Bob Tabler: ? Sheena Vivian: How would one go about that? Walter Green: in structuring a program to increase your technology expertise. Walter Green: Just send me a note, a check, and we will send you the packet, and I will be happy to help you walk through the complete process. Amy Sebring: When you say open book, is there a particular book you have in mind? Walter Green: Bring whatever you want to ... ray pena: ? Walter Green: the questions tend to be structured around using knowledge to solve problems ... Walter Green: so if one is to bring a book I would suggest ... Walter Green: a good general coverage and maybe a couple of good cheat sheets on areas you know you are weak in. Amy Sebring: Bob Tabler next please. Bob Tabler: Is there an outline of the knowledge and expertise needed to get the certification? Walter Green: Yes, absolutely ... Walter Green: the application packet lays out step by step ... Walter Green: all of the components and the types of experience that satisfy them ... Bob Tabler: Where can I get that information - What books are needed Walter Green: we tried to make certain that it would help you organize your background experiences and materials most effectively. Walter Green: It sounds like there is interest in a study list ... Walter Green: which we had not anticipated ... Bob Tabler: Yes Walter Green: so I think we can generate that easily ... Walter Green: as we do have structured objectives for all of the parts of the written test. Amy Sebring: If you do Walter, let me know and I will post on the background page. Amy Sebring: Ray next please. Walter Green: Wilco! ray pena: Pardon the cynicism. I refuse to spend my own (or my county's) money on a CEM. Why should I spend it on this? Why can't I do (either) for free? Walter Green: Cynicism is justified ... Walter Green: but the reality for SALEMDUG as an organization is that ... Walter Green: it costs us money to establish and run the program ... Walter Green: including the award elements ... Walter Green: production costs of the test. etc. ... Amy Sebring: ? Walter Green: in an ideal world we would do it for free ... Avagene Moore: ? Walter Green: but the fee we have set is a reasonable one based on (1) our costs ... Walter Green: and (2) the potential benefits of outside verification of your expertise and credentials ... Walter Green: not only for your agency in assuring the public of the expertise of its staff but ... Walter Green: also for yourself in increasing the mobility of your credentials. Amy Sebring: Have you had a chance to discuss this cert. with NEMA's Technology committee? If so, reaction? Walter Green: I haven't, but we have discussed with a number of people in the technology industry and reactions have been very positive. Amy Sebring: I think this fits right in with their accreditation ideas. Avagene please. Avagene Moore: There are no free certifications that I know of. There is no way to run a program for free with any standardization of the outcome. I was on the CEM commission for 2 years. It is a costly and labor-intensive process. Very serious process. By the way, Walter and Preston, your fee is very reasonable. Walter Green: Thank you ... Walter Green: we tried to be. Amy Sebring: Any further questions? Sheena Vivian: ? Bob Tabler: ? Amy Sebring: Sheena, quickly please. Sheena Vivian: Could you post an e-mail address for Walter please. Amy Sebring: Walter, if you are willing, please put up your email address. Walter Green: home n0psb@aol.com (that is a zero) work wgreen@richmond.edu Amy Sebring: thank you. Bob please. Bob Tabler: Same question Amy Sebring: Ok, let's wrap ... Amy Sebring: Our thanks for Preston and Walter, especially for coming back today after the problem last week. Amy Sebring: Next Wednesday we will be celebrating National Volunteer Week in the Virtual Forum. If you have not already seen it, please check out our current newsletter available under Quick Picks for a piece on the national celebration. Amy Sebring: Our guest will be Jane Morgan from American Red Cross headquarters, who will be telling us about the ARC's role in crisis counseling. Jane has recently worked the Alaska Airlines crash, so that should be especially interesting. Amy Sebring: I would also like to take this opportunity to say thanks for two new EIIP pledges from Derri Hanson and Cristina Mooney... Amy Sebring: http://www.emforum.org/pledge.wav //bell Thanks Derri and Cristina! Amy Sebring: That concludes our session for today. Thanks to all of you for being with us.