Quorum:  “A quorum shall consist of seven (7) members of the total voting membership of the  Executive Board. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer count as one each regardless of their  Regional Training Association. Regional Training Associations represented by their delegate, count as one  Executive Board member each.

 

Members Present: Tom Crowder OFIA President / NAFT, Jason McKinnon OFIA Vice President / NAFT, Richard Anderson OFIA  Secretary / NAFT, James Oeder OFIA Treasurer / TCFDB, Al Blodgett OFIA Life Member, Ericks Gabliks  DPSST, Jay Alley MWFIA, Monte Keady KFTA, Allen Christiansen TCFDB

The meeting was called to order at 1203 by President Tom Crowder.

• Approval of Minutes from the previous meeting  

A motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting was made by Jim Oeder, Seconded by Jay Alley, Passed unanimously.

• Treasurers Report – Jim Oeder 

A motion to approve the treasures report was made by Richard Anderson, Seconded by Monte Keady, Passed unanimously.

  

• Committee Reports 

DPSST – Eriks Gabliks  

The Governor’s 2013-2015 Balanced Budget assumes passage of legislation that increases the Fire Insurance Premium Tax from 1% to 1.15%.  This increase will allow DPSST’s Fire Training and Certification Programs, as well as the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Oregon State Police Arson and  Explosives Section to remain at their current service level.  This legislative proposal is supported by the various statewide fire service organizations and the insurance industry.  This is great news but it’s too early to celebrate as it won’t be official until the Oregon Legislative Assembly reviews the proposed legislation  and approves it.  We appreciate everyone’s time and continued support on this important issue.  The FIPT  Bill had its first hearing with the Revenue Committee on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 with no opposition  from any parties.  There is still much work to do so stay tuned -   http://www.leg.state.or.us/13reg/measures/hb2000.dir/hb2084.intro.html  

 

The Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on February 27, 2013. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom at the Oregon  Public Safety Academy located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is  accessible to persons with disabilities.  Chief Jeff Jones OFCA’s representative to BPSST also serves as Vice-Chair of the Fire Policy Committee.

Astoria Fire Update 

Last week members of our Fire Certification team conducted a follow-up review of the Astoria Fire  Department.  This is a follow-up audit we had planned to do after the Astoria Fire Department had some  time to make the changes necessary to resolve the issues we found, and which we briefed you on.  Fire Certification Supervisor Julie Olsen-Fink did a comprehensive review of their training and certification records.  She found everything in order and gave a positive report on what has been done by the Astoria Fire Department since we were there in August.  We are very pleased with the actions taken by the Astoria Fire Department and the leadership of Police Chief Curzon, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gascoigne, and new Fire Chief Ted Ames. 

 

Here is a recap of Julie’s report: 

• DPSST assisted in the successful completion the Maintenance Re-Certification Process for 2012. 

• The DPSST Agency Accreditation Agreement for the Astoria Fire Department has been updated which places a focus on fire fighter/operational skills and training. 

• The Astoria Fire Department has placed the focus back on the fundamentals of training, rather than specialized training classes. 

• DPSST will continue to meet and support the Astoria Fire Department to evaluate the agency agreement over the next several months to potentially add in additional levels of certification into their agreement, however Chief Ames wants to move at a slow pace to ensure all training requirements are met and validated.  DPSST is supportive of this approach. 

• The training records at the Astoria Fire Department are all current and reflect the levels of certification each fire service professional currently holds. 

• Astoria has been forthright with all of their records and has been very cooperative throughout the process which has led to successful outcomes for the agency and the resolution of the issues we identified.  

 

Fire Certification Task Force Update 

The Fire Certification Section of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) reviews and updates certification and training standards on an on-going basis.  DPSST uses fire service  professionals from across the state to assist in this process.  The NFPA 1035 Standard for Professional  Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, and Juvenile Firesetter  Intervention Specialist is in the hopper for review and update.  The task force will evaluate the current  NFPA standard and make recommendations regarding necessary changes to the Fire Policy Committee.   Section Supervisor Julie Olsen-Fink reached out to fire agencies and fire service organizations to seek task  force members who represent the state.  If you have questions please contact Julie at 503-378-2297.  

IAFC Issues Call to Action on NFPA 1001 – Deletion of 1582 Language 

As we discussed at a previous meeting, the newest edition of NFPA 1001 has removed the previous  language that referenced the medical requirements of NFPA 1582.  It is now necessary to engage in the public comment process in order to seek restoration of the 1582 language. We have worked in concert with the Board of Directors of the IAFC's Safety Health and Survival Section on this matter, and below is the link to the IAFC's Call to Action on the subject: www.iafc.org/Media/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=6623 Please review the information contained in the Call to Action and respond appropriately. Also please note  that there is a VERY SHORT TURNAROUND on this. Comments are due NLT February 13th.   

DPSST NFPA Firefighter 1 Academy Class #FF-004 

The NFPA Firefighter I Academy that was supposed to start on Saturday, March 9, 2013 has been cancelled  due to low enrollment.  Less than five firefighters had signed-up for the class by the registration deadline.   We hope to be able to offer this class again in 2014.    

 

DPSST Hosts 2013 Winter Fire School 

DPSST is pleased to host the Northwest’s largest fire training seminar, the 2013 Winter Fire School.  This is one of the largest fire training events in the Northwest that features training classes from the National Fire  Academy, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, and DPSST.  More than 400 students have registered to attend  this event being held on February 23-24, 2013 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy – Salem.  This event is held free of charge to participants.  

 

DPSST Hosts IAFC-VCOS FROG: Fire Rescue Organizational Guidance for Volunteer Leaders 

DPSST, in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, is pleased to offer the following class:  FROG: Fire Rescue Organizational Guidance for Volunteer Leaders 

 

Join a team of fire service leaders to participate in an intensive 2.5 day, hands-on, workshop designed for  leaders of volunteer and combination fire departments.  The course, essentially, is a “Graduate Level  Leadership Program” picking up where VCOS's “Beyond Hoses & Helmets” course left off.  Participants will work together to develop solutions to common leadership challenges through scenario and facilitated  based discussions. Topics will include analyzing and understanding the fire department's people, processes, and culture. At the conclusion of the course, participants will have practical guidelines--customized to their organization that can be immediately implemented upon returning home. 

Target Audience: Leaders from Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments 

Location: Oregon Public Safety Academy, 4190 Aumsville Hwy, SE Salem, OR 97317 

Dates: March 22-24, 2013: 

• Friday session from 1800-2100 

• Saturday session from 0800-1700 

• Sunday session from 0800-1300 

 

Cost: $200.00 includes registration, lodging (Friday and Saturday night at the Oregon Public Safety  Academy dorm), meals (Saturday continental breakfast, lunch and snacks; Sunday continental breakfast;  snacks) course material with take-home guide. 

Class Registration website:  http://frog_march2013.eventbrite.com 

DPSST Registration website: http://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/FT/docs/Fire_Training_Application.pdf   

 

Students must register through both websites.  This covers general registration, meals and lodging. 

Lodging: Dorm lodging available at DPSST for those traveling more than 75 miles one-way.  If you would  like to request dorm room (AFTER you receive an e-mail confirming you have been registered for the  class), please contact Rebecca Nolte at rebecca.nolte@state.or.us or 503.378.4399 no later than March 8, 2013.

This course developed and delivered by the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section of the International  Association of Fire Chiefs.   

National Fire Academy Student Identification Numbers 

Over the past 12 months DPSST has made a concerted effort to keep constituents aware of the NFA  requirement of a Student Identification Number (SID) (to be used on FEMA Form 119-25-1).  As the year comes to a close, any application sent to the NFA without the required “SID” number will be returned to the sending agency.  The form will not be processed and the student will not receive a DHS/FEMA/NFA  certification.  

 

To register for a “SID” number, follow the instructions as listed below: 

 

How to Register for a Student Identification Number 

 

National Fire Academy students interested in applying for on-campus (10-/6-/2-day), off-campus (10-/6-/2-day) and NFA Online courses need to register for a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID).  This number is used in place of a Social Security Number and is obtained through the Center for Domestic  Preparedness (CDP). 

 

Applications for NFA courses that do not include a SID will not be processed. 

To obtain a SID Register at https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid 

Select "Need a FEMA SID?" on the right side of the screen. 

Follow the instructions to create your account. 

You will receive an email with your SID. Save this number in a secure location. 

Use the SID in place of the SSN on the General Admissions Application Form (FEMA Form 119-25-1) and General Admissions Application Short Form (FEMA Form 119-25-2). 

Additional Information - General Admissions Application forms are being revised to eliminate the  need for the SSN and include a field for the SID. 

NFPA Updating 1521 Fire Department Safety Officer and to JPR Format 

 

As you know, NFPA 1521 is used by state and local fire service training officers across the United States and Canada.  NFPA 1521 is also used by state fire certification organizations, the National Board on Fire  Service Professional Qualifications (Pro-Board), and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) as the standard through which fire department safety officer certification is issued. 

 

The NFPA has a very comprehensive numbering and identification system for the thousands of standards that are in place.  NAFTD has asked the NFPA to consider renumbering the NFPA 1521 Standard and add it  the 1000 series alongside the other professional qualifications standards.  We will keep you posted as we receive additional information. 

USFA Releases Provisional On-Duty Firefighter Fatality Report 

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced a provisional total of 83 on-duty firefighter fatalities in  the United States as a result of incidents that occurred in 2012, the same number of firefighter losses as in  2011. 

 

The 83 fatalities were spread across 34 states. Pennsylvania and North Carolina experienced the highest number of fatalities with nine firefighter deaths each. New York had six firefighter deaths, including the most recent tragic shooting deaths of two firefighters in Webster. California and Texas, each with five firefighter deaths, were the only other states with five or more firefighter fatalities in 2012. 

 

Heart attacks or stroke were responsible for the deaths of 41 firefighters (49%) in 2012. This single year  total is a near average proportion of firefighter deaths from heart attack or stroke over recent years. This  nature of fatal injury has remained relatively constant, while others, on average, have been reduced during the past decade. 

Eleven on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, the same as 2011 and 2010. 

 

The single cause of injury seeing more than a four-fold increase in firefighter deaths during 2012 was vehicle collisions (including aircraft), with 18 deaths.  

DPSST Hosts NFA National Fire Incident Reporting System: Introduction to NFIRS 5.0 (F497)   

Host: Oregon Public Safety Academy in conjunction with Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office

Date:  April 24-25, 2013 

Time: 0800-1700 

Cost: FREE 

Attire: Business Casual "NO JEANS" 

Registration Deadline: April 10, 2013 

Location: Oregon Public Safety Academy, 4190 Aumsville Hwy, SE, Salem, OR 97317 

 

The registration form is available on our website at  http://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/FT/docs/Fire_Training_Application.pdf.    

 

Fax applications to: Thelma Denney, Fire Training, (503)-378-3345, any questions?  Email or call Thelma at 503-378-2408, or E-mail: thelma.denney@state.or.us. 

 

Lodging: Dorm room lodging and meals are available at DPSST for those traveling more than 75 miles one-way.  If you would like to request dorm room housing (AFTER you receive an e-mail confirming you have been registered for the class), please contact Rebecca Nolte at rebecca.nolte@state.or.us or  503-378-4399 no later than April 10, 2013. 

 

This two-day course teaches students how to use standardized forms to achieve uniformity in their incident and activity reporting. This training program is designed specifically to support local fire service organizations, and will assist them in providing data both to their management and to decisionmakers, as well as to their State uniform fire reporting system. At a local level, the NFIRS data can be used to:*describe a community's fire problem;* support budget requests;* improve decisonmaking for allocation of resources;* assist in planning for future fire protection;* help identify opportunities for scheduling  nonemergency activities;* evaluate code enforcement programs; and* identify target audiences for public fire education programs. 

It is possible that this course has a testing component.  DPSST is committed to serving test takers with disabilities and health-related needs by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purpose of the test. 

Any exam candidate with a documented disability may be eligible for nonstandard testing accommodations.  If you believe you may need any adjustments, modifications, or accommodations, you should contact  Captain Mark Ayers at mark.ayers@state.or.us by one week prior to class date to request suitable  arrangements.  

Host: Oregon Public Safety Academy in conjunction with Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office 

Date:  April 22-23, 2013 

Time: 0800-1700 

Cost: FREE Attire: Business Casual "NO JEANS" 

Registration Deadline: April 10, 2013 

Location: Oregon Public Safety Academy, 4190 Aumsville Hwy, SE, Salem, OR 97317 

Registration form is available on our website at http://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/FT/docs/Fire_Training_Application.pdf .    

Fax applications to: Thelma Denney, Fire Training, (503)-378-3345, any questions?  Email or call Thelma at 503-378-2408, or E-mail: thelma.denney@state.or.us.   

 

Lodging: Dorm room lodging and meals are available at DPSST for those traveling more than 75 miles one-way.  If you would like to request dorm room housing (AFTER you receive an e-mail confirming you have been registered for the class), please contact Rebecca Nolte at rebecca.nolte@state.or.us or 503-378-4399 no later than April 10, 2013. 

 

This two-day course teaches students how to use standardized forms to achieve uniformity in their incident and activity reporting. This training program is designed specifically to support local fire service organizations, and will assist them in providing data both to their management and to decision makers, as well as to their State uniform fire reporting system. At a local level, the NFIRS data can be used to:*describe a community's fire problem;* support budget requests;* improve decisonmaking for allocation of  resources;* assist in planning for future fire protection;* help identify opportunities for scheduling  nonemergency activities;* evaluate code enforcement programs; and* identify target audiences for public fire education programs. It is possible that this course has a testing component.  DPSST is committed to serving test takers with disabilities and health-related needs by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purpose of the test.  

 

Any exam candidate with a documented disability may be eligible for nonstandard testing accommodations.   If you believe you may need any adjustments, modifications, or accommodations, you should contact  Captain Mark Ayers at mark.ayers@state.or.us by one week prior to class date to request suitable arrangements. 

 

Through Executive Order 12-13, Gov. John Kitzhaber launched the Tobacco-free State Properties Initiative.  This policy will prohibit use of all tobacco products at all times on most State of Oregon property. Effective  January 1, 2013, the new tobacco-free campus policy will go into effect on the DPSST campus and all regional offices.  

OR-OSHA FAC – Chris Hunt  

No Report   

Fire Policy – Dan Petersen   

TO: OFIA Executive Board  

FROM: Dan Petersen, OFIA Representative to Fire Policy  

DATE: January 4, 2013  

RE: November 28 Fire Policy Committee Meeting

 

As your representative, I attended the Fire Policy meeting held at DPSST on November 28, 2012. The  following agenda items were discussed.

1. Fire Policy Committee Overview and Revocation Process – Kirsten Turley 

a. Staff presented an overview of the Fire Policy roles and responsibilities with a focus on the revocation and denial process and the differences between mandatory disqualifying events and discretionary disqualifying events. As revocation is still relatively new for Oregon fire service agencies staff if spending time educating various entities on the revocation and denial process. If there are local associations interested in having a presentation on revocation they can contact Julie Olsen-Fink. 

2. Proposed Rule – OAR 259-009-0070 

a. HB 2712 (Oregon Laws, Chapter 597) updates and simplifies the current statutory revenue and distribution structure related to criminal fines, assessments and other financial penalties imposed on convictions for felonies, misdemeanors and violations other than parking infractions. 

b. The passage of HB 2712 brought to light a large, previously unknown universe of primarily “regulatory” misdemeanor and felony crimes and classified or reclassified a number of crimes as well. DPSST’s legal service coordinator has identified the crimes and made recommendations about possible presumptive categories for each of them, based on reasoning of the earlier criminal justice workgroup that develop the current list. 

c. A workgroup of the FPC met and walked through this extensive list of crimes and made a final recommendation to the full committee. The full FPC approved DPSST to move forward with the proposed rule changes. 

3. Denial and Revocation 

a. Staff presented a discretionary disqualifying case for a Firefighter convicted on two counts of Attempt to commit Coercion. The committee found that the Firefighters conviction role to the level to warrant revocation and is recommending to the Board that his certifications be revoked until May 8, 2015. 

b. Staff presented a Firefighter who was convicted of four counts of First Degree Official Misconduct. This Firefighter was also a professional dispatcher and signed a stipulated order agreeing to permanent revocation of his Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification. This case comes to the FPC as a discretionary disqualifying case because the Fire Service Agency did not terminate the firefighter. The Official Misconduct was brought about after the agency learned that the professional dispatcher and firefighter would call another dispatcher from the bar to make sure that the law enforcement officers were off duty and the “coast was clear” for him to drive home after drinking in the bar. The committee found that the firefighter conduct warranted revocation and is recommending to the Board that his certifications be revoked for a period of seven years. 

 

Grants  – Tom Crowder  

No Requests 

 

Life Members – Al Blodgett   

Gene Fischer is acting chief at Siletz Valley   

Conference Advisory Group (CAG) – Jason McKinnon  

No Report

 

OFIA Conference – Monte Keady 

Everything is in place and ready. Dusting off seats and unfolding table cloths. Good cooperation with agencies and vendors. 

 

Tom- Budget looks solid. Need to get out and start advertising.  

 

Monte- Advertising in Northern California also.

 

Constitution and Bylaws – Al Blodgett  

No Report

 

Firefighter Safety & Survival Symposium – Jay Alley  

Not a lot to update. Had meeting last week. Shooting for April 1st to start registration. Held 20, 21,22 September. David Dodson will be back, Dr. Gill Martin presentation on emotional survival. Will have a budget at the next meeting.    

OFCA – Tom Crowder  

No Report 

 

ORFESHEA – Ed Lindsey  

May 10th   

OVFA – Jim Oeder  

Finalizing Conference in June. Will be held in Clackamas. Should see flyers this month.   

• OLD BUSINESS 

Membership Drive 

If you havent got an invoice from Dee Kinkade please let us know so we can get that taken care of.

Hosting Web Pages for Regionals 

We do have the capability to do this. Dee says it won't be a problem. If we get a bunch we may need to pay her more to manage them. 

OFIA Train the Trainer Courses statewide instruction 

If you need classes, OFIA will try to put on a train the trainer course on in your area. Try to move back to our original intent. Just did a live fire class in Cottage Grove which had good attendance. Willing to take that class anywhere in the state.

Forcible Entry Training 

Jason has contacted one company which teaches an 18 hour course. Still looking for people to teach that class. Will table without a representative from John Day at the meeting.

Officer Terms 

With the way the staggered terms are set up we are having to appoint positions every year. The question is should we go back to electing the whole board every year so we don't have that issue.  

 

Al - This might be a discussion point for the conference. Very opinionated views on the subject.  

 

Jay- Thinks two year rotation provides good stability for the group. The other way we have the potential to lose consistency.

 

Tabled until Conference.

• NEW BUSINESS 

2013 Instructor of the Year Nomination  

The selection committee is Life Member Jim Whelan, Life Member Gene Fisher, and Monte Keady. If you have any nominations please forward them.

Safety Symposium  

Jay has requested $5,000 for start up of Safety & Survival Symposium. Will go through MWFIA account. 

 

Jim - We have the funding to proceed with this.

  

Motion to give MWFIA $5000 start up. Motion by Jim, Second by Allen Christansen, All in favor, Motion passes unanimously. 

Executive Board Meeting Hosts for 2013  

April 2013 - Conference  

September 2013 -   

November 2013  

January 2014

Meeting Adjourned at 12:38 hours.