Amy Sebring: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum Round Table! Amy Sebring: For the benefit of our first-timers, when you see a blue Web address, you can click on it and the referenced Web page should appear in a browser window. Amy Sebring: Right before we begin the Q&A portion I will review how to submit questions. Amy Sebring: Before I introduce our special guests today, I would like to mention that Phyllis Mann, IAEM President Elect is usually scheduled for this day ... Amy Sebring: however, Phyllis was in Washington D.C. yesterday, testifying before Congress about Y2K readiness ... Amy Sebring: Avagene, and many of our EIIP friends were there, and according to Ava, Phyllis did an outstanding job, so much so, that she was applauded by individuals in attendance ... Amy Sebring: and was asked the most number of questions by the Congressmen! So we will excuse her for today. Amy Sebring: We ARE pleased to welcome two gentlemen from IAEM Region II today, who are from the New York City area ... Amy Sebring: First, Kenneth D. Honig, CEM, EMT-P has more than twenty years of experience in EMS, law enforcement, fire fighting, and emergency management and is currently the Senior Course Coordinator for Critical Incident Management and Training Associates. Amy Sebring: Welcome Kenn and say hello please. Kenn Honig: Good Afternoon (or morning) as the case may be... Amy Sebring: Next, Zachary Goldfarb, BS, CEM, EMT-P is a deputy chief with the City of New York (NY) Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service Command, currently assigned to EMS Division Three in Brooklyn. Amy Sebring: Welcome Zach. Amy Sebring: Zach is using HTML interface today ... Zach Goldfarb: Good day to all! Amy Sebring: Zach and Kenn are going to tell us about a mentoring initiative being sponsored in Region II. Thank you both for being here today, and I understand Kenn will start us off. Kenn Honig: The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is the professional organization representing members of the emergency management community, since 1952, across the United States and around the world... Kenn Honig: Through political contacts, and public education our mission is to effectively serve the emergency management community through professional excellence, by providing a forum for information and technology transfer... Kenn Honig: IAEM is divided into eleven regions. Region 2 represents New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Over 1700 professionals in the US and around the world are represented... Kenn Honig: The Certified Emergency Manager program is the first nationally accepted credential for the emergency management professional. The CEM credential was developed in association with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CEMs come from all disciplines: Fire, Police, Medical, Public Works, Education and others... Kenn Honig: CEM Requirements include a minimum three years of Emergency Management Experience, Professional References, Education, 100 hours of emergency management and 100 hours of general management training, at least 6 significant contributions to the field of emergency management, a comprehensive essay, and a written exam. Kenn Honig: The International Association of Emergency Managers Region II Mentoring Committee was developed in order to assist members who are considering or are in the process of pursuing the Certified Emergency Manager designation. Zach Goldfarb: Good day again, and welcome to today's Round Table discussion. The topic for the day is Mentoring. My name is Zachary Goldfarb, and I'll be speaking with you about a mentoring program for Certified Emergency Managers (CEM) that we have established in IAEM Region II. Zach Goldfarb: Some two years ago, during the tenure of then- president Thomas Metzler, the leadership of Region II met to discuss strategies for member recruitment and retention. While many options were debated and considered, the focus returned to the CEM program. Clearly, we thought, one of the most valuable benefits of being a NCCEM (at the time) member would be an opportunity to prepare for, and participate in, the CEM program. Zach Goldfarb: Recent information has shown that less than one-third of the individuals nationally who request CEM applications actually complete the application process. A member survey conducted in 1997 by Region II reinforces those findings, with only 32 percent of respondents having reported completing their applications. Why, one wonders, would people invest in an application process, yet not follow through on the certification? Zach Goldfarb: No doubt, there are several explanations. These reasons range from not appreciating the complexity of the application or its requirements, to underestimating the time required to merely compile the records needed. J Mesite: ? Zach Goldfarb: Some members, who would otherwise be excellent CEM candidates, simply were not able to document their application packages in a way that the CEM Commission found favorable. In one case, an applicant's failure to write his essay eloquently (30 years out of school) led to his application being returned. Amy Sebring: (Hold up just a bit J. We will get to questions in just a moment.) Zach Goldfarb: We felt that one of the most value-added benefits we could offer to the members of Region II (which would in turn benefit the organization as a whole) would be to facilitate their CEM application process. In keeping with our organization's Strategic Goal number three, "fostering leadership development," Region II established a CEM Applicant Support Committee, which I chair. Zach Goldfarb: The mission of the committee is to provide information, peer support, and mentoring to both original and re- certifying CEM applicants. The committee's goal is to increase the number of CEMs in Region II, and to facilitate certification retention as members approach their five-year anniversary dates. Zach Goldfarb: Information is provided to candidates in a variety of ways. These include developing an awareness of the CEM program and its benefits, showing individuals how they may qualify for application given their existing backgrounds, and sharing insight into application features that are considered desirable. Zach Goldfarb: Linking the applicant with an established CEM who has been "down the path" provides peer support. In that way, the CEM mentor is able to guide the applicant protégé in a one-to-one relationship, providing encouragement, moral support, document review, concept assistance, and facilitation of the process to the extent possible. Having "been there and done that," the mentor is in a position to reassure and encourage the protégé as the application takes its Zach Goldfarb: ... course for review. Zach Goldfarb: The committee works through a three-pronged approach. A cadre of peer mentors, who volunteer their time to work with applicants, was developed. The mentors establish initial contact, which may come about through referrals from others, information received from National IAEM Headquarters, or individual awareness of the program. Zach Goldfarb: During the initial contact, the mentor will assess the status of the applicant/application, in an effort to determine how best to help. For example, in the case of an applicant who has received a letter from the CEM Commission identifying deficiencies in an application, the mentor will review the application with an eye toward helping the applicant resolve the deficiencies. Zach Goldfarb: Often, the resolution may lie simply in addressing typographical errors, reorganizing material for clarity, or obtaining clearer prints of documents on official letterhead. Further, the committee mentors, based on personal experience and information received from the CEM Commission, have been able to identify optimal or most-desired features of CEM applications, and will guide the applicant toward success using those attributes. Zach Goldfarb: Second, the Committee has prepared informational material (such as this briefing) which has been disseminated to members of Region II through newsletters and at our educational sessions or monthly meetings. The information follows a similar vein, and is used to recruit mentors, inform applicants of our readiness to help them, and share updates as available from the CEM Commission. Zach Goldfarb: The Committee encourages all CEMs to volunteer to assist their peers in achieving this notable certification (after all, is not helping others what we do best?). It may help to remember that this counts as one of the six contributions to the profession required for one's own CEM re-certification. Zach Goldfarb: Please feel free to contact me at any time for more information, or if I can be of assistance. I can be reached via email at ZGOLD-NYC@Worldnet.ATT.Net, or by telephone at 1-888-605- 0651. Thanks for the chance to speak with you this afternoon. Amy Sebring: Thank you Zach for that excellent intro ... Amy Sebring: and we will now turn you over to our audience ... Amy Sebring: audience please enter a question mark (?) to indicate you wish to be recognized, go ahead and compose your comment or question, but wait for recognition before hitting the enter key or clicking on Send. Amy Sebring: Please indicate to whom your question is addressed. Ok, we are ready for your questions or comments. Kenn Honig: IAEM Region II can be reached at Region2@IAEM.com Amy Sebring: I believe J. Mesite had a question ... Amy Sebring: are you ready now J? J Mesite: ? Amy Sebring: go ahead please J. J Mesite: Writing! Amy Sebring: ok, we will wait for it ... Amy Sebring: Have you had anyone complete the process yet Zach? or are you just getting started? Zach Goldfarb: Amy, we have one successful completion following an initial rejection by the Commission ... Kenn Honig: There are also several persons from other regions who have approached us for help, and we are assisting them Amy Sebring: (J jump in when you are ready) Zach Goldfarb: ... and several others in the process at this time. No failures yet! (we don't do failures) Amy Sebring: I was going to ask you about that also Kenn ... Amy Sebring: do you think this will go National or should I say International? Kenn Honig: We have help other regions and there is talk of a IAEM committee to compliment the work being done by region 2 Zach Goldfarb: I think the concept is clearly transportable to any region, or internationally. We would be happy to share with others at any time. Amy Sebring: Zach, do you also assist with AEM apps? J Mesite: Thanks, Zack. Guilty as charged. I have a packet I have had for 1 1/2 years. Why would someone have the packet and not complete it? Matter of time and priorities. Some people put organizational/public and jurisdictional needs ahead of their personal goals. I did. Also, real emergencies and organizational turmoil (fighting for organization to survive political cuts) take precedence. I have vowed to complete the packet next month to try to get in for this year's class Amy Sebring: Zach, Kenn are the kinds of problems J mentioned typical of others you work with? Zach Goldfarb: J., I can completely relate. Being a professional procrastinator as well, I waited for a long time to submit my own, and barely made it under my deadline... Kenn Honig: December 31 at 5pm if I remember Amy Sebring: What kind of feedback are you getting from mentorees Kenn and/or Zach? Zach Goldfarb: However, from my experience, I got a good sense of what it took to help others .. and that led to the concept of this committee. Of course, we would be happy to help you too, if you'd like. Kenn Honig: Those who have participated have commented that it's comforting to know they are not alone... Kenn Honig: We can review their packages prior to submission... Zach Goldfarb: Amy, J's situation is completely typical, because the amount of work needed to put the package together becomes a complex project for most ... involving compiling records from many different sources, developing written material, remembering much from the past ... Kenn Honig: or help with corrections requested by the commission. Zach Goldfarb: ... (for example, how did a particular course I took 3 years ago help me to develop skills in mitigation preparedness, response ... etc.). It takes good organization and management skills just to get the application package off one's desk! Amy Sebring: Kenn, is there or will there be a Website with info about how to get into mentoring? J Mesite: Another aspect is that we (IAEM and Regions and State EM assns.) need to do more to increase the VALUE of the CEM outside our profession. For example, Few hiring authorities for local EMs know what a CEM is. And I have never heard of anyone getting a step increase or a bonus or anything beyond a press release for becoming a CEM. It needs more publicity, so that it means more. Ex: I just got a 2 - grade increase because I asked for a job reclass after a big organizational change. Do you think ... Kenn Honig: We don't have one in the works, however we will be posting any tips on the IAEM Region 2 Bulletin Board... Kenn Honig: Any IAEM members can join the Mentoring Committee for first hand experience. Amy Sebring: J go ahead and finish your question please. J Mesite: anyone asked if I had or was working on a CEM first? No, but they should have, and maybe sometime in the future they will. Zach Goldfarb: Clearly, J. makes good points about the recognition of the CEM/AEM certifications. While the focus of our committee is getting us to the starting line, it is evident that some work must be done on the track, as well. Amy Sebring: Kenn, any comments on recognition? Kenn Honig: Publicizing the CEM/AEM is a task being undertaken by the IAEM National Board. Some states are now listing CEM preferred in their job postings. (i.e.: Kansas) Zach Goldfarb: By the way, the mentoring committee will certainly assist AEM applicants, too. Amy Sebring: Ok, thanks ... Amy Sebring: Kenn/Zach I would also like to invite you to use the mailing list ... GWAlex: has anybody at the IAEM thought about developing an associate level CEM certification for junior (new) manager Amy Sebring: professional@emforum.org to post any tips or info on this. Amy Sebring: (To subscribe use the Mailing List link on our home page) Amy Sebring: Zach, can you explain the AEM briefly for Alex? Zach Goldfarb: Alex, the AEM program is similar to the CEM, with the exception of the 4 year college degree requirement ... Zach Goldfarb: It still requires 3 years of experience, references, 100 classroom hours of training in emergency mgmt. AND 100 hours of in general management ... Zach Goldfarb: 6 professional contributions, and an essay. I think that candidates who are not fully qualified would do well to begin grooming through a mentoring program ... Zach Goldfarb: which would focus their training, education, and experience toward career and professional development. Amy Sebring: Good idea. Anyone else in our audience have a question or comment please? Kenn Honig: For anyone interested... Kenn Honig: REGION II EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR Kenn Honig: Y2K Kenn Honig: Bomb Blast Mitigation Kenn Honig: Domestic Preparation for Weapons of Mass Destruction Kenn Honig: April 14, 1999 Kenn Honig: For further information check the Region 2 calendar... Kenn Honig: at WWW.IAEM.COM Kenn Honig: or email: Region2@iaem.com Amy Sebring: http://www.iaem.com Amy Sebring: Kenn, Region II certainly seems to be active, any other activities going on there you would like to mention? Kenn Honig: We are planning future training session is the Fall... Kenn Honig: and are considering formation of a CEM Task Force to lend technical assistance to areas of the region. Amy Sebring: That sounds like an interesting idea Kenn ... Amy Sebring: are either of you members of the CEM Commission yourselves? Amy Sebring: or do you need to NOT be on the commission to be a mentor? Kenn Honig: No, but Region II member Steven Kuhr is. Amy Sebring: Did either of you attend the IAEM mid-year meeting? Zach Goldfarb: Clearly, for matters of integrity, a Commission member should avoid being a mentor while serving on the commission. I should be made clear that every effort is taken to avoid even the appearance of impropriety here ... Kenn Honig: No, family and job commitments kept us both in NY Zach Goldfarb: ... for example, mentors do not re-write essays for candidates .. they may, however, assist them in formulating their own ideas or developing concepts into viable theses. Kenn Honig: Anyone else. Amy Sebring: Any final questions/comments? Amy Sebring: If not ... Amy Sebring: I would like to thank both these gentlemen for pitching in today ... Kenn Honig: My pleasure Amy Sebring: and providing some leadership in this area ... Zach Goldfarb: It's been my pleasure. And again, if I can be of any help to you, please reach out. Amy Sebring: which sounds like a very worthwhile effort. Amy Sebring: Avagene is still out of town, so for our upcoming events ... Amy Sebring: tomorrow in the Tech Arena we have Louis Hecht, Lance McKee, and Jim Farley to talk about the Open GIS Consortium and their recently formed Disaster Management Special Interest Group ... J Mesite: Thanks for scheduling this topic, Amy. Some of the past ones were good, but way beyond local emergency managers' realm. Amy Sebring: Next Tuesday Round Table, we have EIIP founding partner SALEMDUG, represented by its newly elected President, Preston Cook. You may remember that Preston was a FEMA Compendium Awardee and with us for that session ... Kenn Honig: We can be reached at Region2@IAEM.com Amy Sebring: Next Wednesday is Spring Break in the EIIP Virtual Classroom! We are making a special effort to invite students from all over the country to join us, and do some networking ... Amy Sebring: We especially want them to have the opportunity to visit with some practitioners, so please come, and we will have some fun with it as well (graphic images will be enabled!) ... Amy Sebring: We are also having an online planning session for that event this afternoon, here at 5: 00 PM EST, so if you would like to help us out, please come back later on. Amy Sebring: Thank you again Kenn and Zack and thank you audience. We will adjourn for now, but you are invited to remain a few minutes longer for some open discussion.