NFA Board of Visitors Annual Report 2002

National Fire Academy

FEMA: United States Fire Administration

Fiscal Year 2002 Meeting Schedule:

October 4-5, 2001
September 5, 2002

The National Fire Academy (NFA) Board of Visitors has three areas of responsibility in reviewing the NFA and makes the following recommendations:

"An examination of Academy programs to determine whether these programs further the basic missions which are approved by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)."

The NFA is an integral organizational unit within the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and FEMA. It is a mission-driven organization wherein all programs and initiatives are closely aligned with the strategic goals and operational objectives of the USFA and FEMA.

The USFA has established the following 5-year operational objectives that serve to guide its priorities and programs:

- Reduce the loss of life from fire by 15 percent.
  - By reducing by 25 percent the loss of life of the age group 14 years old and below, and
   - By reducing by 25 percent the loss of life of the age group 65 years old and above, and
  - By reducing by 25 percent the loss of life of firefighters.
- 2,500 communities will have a comprehensive multi-hazard risk reduction plan led by or including the local fire service.
- To appropriately respond in a timely manner to emergent issues.

The Academy has demonstrated a high degree of responsiveness to the USFA 5-year operational objectives. The NFA has revised its internal processes so that decision- making regarding priorities, programs, and delivery mechanisms are driven by the USFA operational objectives. These objectives and the planning process used in developing them have provided a clear sense of direction for the NFA as it prepares and delivers mission-critical programs for our Nation's first responders.

Significant progress has been made in the implementation of initiatives identified in the USFA Action Plan. The USFA staff, working in teams, has demonstrated the capabilities, dedication, and visionary leadership, necessary to successfully implement this Action Plan. Team members were afforded the opportunity to participate in organizational effectiveness training programs. The passion of the various staff members and their interest in the students who attend NFA courses, both on and off campus, is remarkable.

A comprehensive process for the review and revision of existing courses and programs enables the NFA to ensure that courses are relevant in preparing our Nation's first responders for an ever-increasing array of incidents. The process includes environmental scanning activities that ensure that NFA has a complement of courses that meet the present and future needs of our Nation's first responders. The NFA staff is also working to ensure the compliance of its course offerings with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Throughout the NFA courses, issues related to the establishment and implementation of a seamless response system of local, regional, State, and Federal resources are addressed. The recent organizational alignment to bring both the NFA and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) under the auspices of the USFA will serve to enhance the working relationship and cooperative initiatives that have been established between NFA and EMI in the interest of ensuring a smooth transition as Federal resources are deployed to assist local, regional and State response agencies.

The NFA continues to successfully leverage its scarce resources through a growing number of development and/or delivery partnerships. The Endorsement and Enfranchisement programs established several years ago with the State training systems have proven to be viable approaches to course development and delivery. The Training Resources and Data Exchange training network, comprised of State and metropolitan training agencies, continues to provide an important linkage in addressing the training needs of our Nation's first responders. New initiatives are on the horizon that will enhance working relationships with higher education institutions.

The Academy has made significant progress in expanding the mechanisms through which courses are delivered. The use of mandatory pre-course reading assignments has leveraged resources and enhanced student-learning opportunities. Courses are now delivered in alternate formats, utilizing multiple delivery mechanisms, based on course requirements and student needs. Representative delivery systems now include: CD-ROM based programs, Internet based courses, an increased use of incident simulations, and the introduction of personal digital assistant (PDA) downloadable tools and resources.

The course offerings and number of students receiving training through NFA continue to expand. Course evaluations and an aggressive program of long-term program evaluation are utilized to ensure that the NFA continues to fulfill its expanding mission and role in preparing our Nation's first responders.

"An examination of the physical plant of the Academy to determine the adequacy of the Academy facilities."

The NFA offers a comprehensive curriculum of courses to the first responders of our Nation. Resident courses, offered on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, are integral to fulfilling the mission of the NFA and accomplishing the USFA 5-year operational objectives. Courses are also offered off campus in the form of regional deliveries, local deliveries, and distance education offerings.

The NETC campus is shared by the NFA and EMI. Classroom, dormitory and office space has been at a premium for a number of years and has reached a critical juncture as both NFA and EMI expand their programmatic offerings. The need for expansion of the NETC facilities has been demonstrated, and a realistic plan has been developed to address the facilities needs created by increasing enrollments and the expanding USFA responsibilities, including its role in preparing our Nation's first responders for terrorist incidents. The Board of Visitors fully endorses the facilities expansion plans that have been developed by the USFA.

"An examination of the funding levels for the Academy programs."

Present funding levels were found to be sufficient for the current NFA mission and programmatic offerings. The anticipated expansion of current programs and facilities must be accompanied by appropriate increases in funding. Funding for capital projects and operational activities associated with enhanced NETC campus security should not be diverted from programmatic dollars.

In closing the Board of Visitors commends the leadership and staff of both the NFA and other USFA branches for their role in the substantial progress that has been made during the last fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2002 Board of Visitors

Robert S. Fleming, Chair
Professor, Rowan University
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Donald R. Oliver, Vice-Chair
Fire Chief, Wilson Fire Rescue Services
Wilson, North Carolina

Donald P. Bliss, Acting Director
New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management
Concord, New Hampshire

Art Cota, Division Chief
State Fire Training
Sacramento, California

Helen Johnson, Executive Director
State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas
Austin, Texas

Warren McDaniels, Fire Chief
New Orleans Fire Department
New Orleans, Louisiana

Robert J. Sledgeski, Secretary/Treasurer
Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734
Baltimore, Maryland

Gary Tokle, Assistant Vice President
Public Fire Protection
National Fire Protection Association
Quincy, Massachusetts