DRAFT

VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICES BOARD
Fire Education and Training Committee
April 21, 2005

A regular meeting of the Committee on Fire Education and Training was held at the Bristol City Hall in Bristol at 10:00 a.m.  Mr. Thomas Fuqua Served as Chair.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Ken Brown
Gary Eads
Thomas Fuqua – Chair
Floyd Greene
Lora Sharkey
Richard Steinberg

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
None

VFSB MEMBERS PRESENT
Ed Altizer
J. Chris Kollman
Bill Kyger
Dennis Mitchell
Mike Reilly
Robert Smith

AGENCY MEMBERS PRESENT
Scott Hechler
Aubrey “Buddy” Hyde, Jr.
Nausheen Khan
Christy King
Marion Long
Larry McAndrews – VDFP Liaison
Bob Rhea
Billy Shelton
Drew Wallner

GUEST PRESENT
Keith Brower
Howard Dawley
Mary Maguire
John Miller
Charles C. Singleton

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chair asked if there were any additions and/or corrections to the minutes of the February 2005 meeting.  With there being no changes the February 24, 2005 meeting minutes were approved.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Unfinished Business: 
Add:     	A: Eastern Shore Burn Building Project

New Business: 
Strike:	B. Request from Hanover County for repairs to burn building $81,000
Add:	C. Bristol Burn Building  Request from $325,000 to $430,000
		D. Industrial Fire Brigade  

PUBLIC COMMENTS
None

COMMENTS FROM THE VDFP LIAISON 
Training and Operations
Training and Operations continues to be very busy.  
	Funded	Non-funded	Reimbursable	
FY 2004	322	1237	61	
	20%	76%	4%	
Total Programs      1620	
	
FY2005	670	956	59	
	40%	57%	3%	
Total Programs to Date    1685	
Steve Grainier – NIMS Program Chief continues to be very busy keeping up with NIMS.  He has been teaching IS 700 which is a 1 ½ hour NIMS Awareness Course and an overview of NIMS to City and County Administrators. 
NFPA 1403 Compliance Officer 
Position Announcement
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is creating the position of “1403 Compliance Officer”.  This program is open only to Adjunct Instructors. Individuals who qualify for this position will be sent to all live structural burns that are conducted as part of VDFP approved Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, and Fire Attack-Evolutions classes.  The Compliance Officers will not conduct the burn but will ensure that all facets of NFPA 1403 are followed at the live burns to protect the safety of the students and instructors.  The selection process is multi-step and will include an extensive training session and instructors who qualify will be contracted for 7 or more live burns a year.
            The first step of this process is a written pre test.  This test will be conducted at each Division office at 7:00 p.m. May 12,, 2005 and 10:00 a.m. May 13, 2005.  Applicants can attend one of these test dates at any of the Division offices but must contact the appropriate Division Chief prior to attending the test.  We will be providing more information on the rest of the process at the test sites. 
Programs:
Study material for testing : VDFP Instructor Manual and NFPA 1403 2002 Edition
Posted on website and postcards being mailed out
Fire Officer III pilot class has started in Roanoke
Regional Schools
Caroline County Regional Fire School April 23 – 24, 2005. (Over 330 students registered)
2005 Danville/Pittsylvania Regional Fire School April 30 & May 1, 2005
2005 Ft. Pickett Wildland Fire Academy put on by VDOF May 10 – 15
2005 Pulaski County Regional Fire School May 21 & 22, 2005

2005 Virginia State Fire Instructor College July 15, 16, 17, 2005
2005 VIRGINIA FIRE & LIFE SAFETY COALITION PUBLIC EDUCATORS' CONFERENCE August 3~7, 2005
Virginia Fire Training Weekend @ National Fire Academy August 27th and 28th
 Adjunct In-service Dates
Saturday April 23 – Caroline Regional School – Division 1
Saturday May 7 – Madison – Division 2
Saturday May 22 – Pulaski – Division 4
Thursday June 9 – Virginia Beach – Division 5
Saturday June 18 – Farmville – Division 3
Saturday June 25 – Loudoun – Division 7
Friday July 15 – Roanoke – Instructor College – Division 6
Saturday September 10 – Chesterfield – Division 1
Saturday September 17 – Prince William – Division 7
Saturday October 8 – Abingdon – Division 4
Saturday October 29 – Winchester – Division 2
Saturday November 5 – Henry County – Division 6
Saturday December 17 – Charlottesville – Division 3
 Mr. Chairman this concludes my report
There was a concern raised that once a burn program is set up, how many instructors will be present.  VDFP Liaison stated that we are currently hiring 10 per division for a total of 70 individuals.  They would be required to be contacted and participate in a minimum of 7 burns a year.  

A comment was made by a Board Member of the 1403 Compliance Program - that any use of the building that is funded must have a certified compliance officer present.  VDFP Liaison stated that this is to include funded, non-funded and reimbursable schools.

The VDFP Liaison was thanked for putting together the program document, since standards for fire services is absolutely vital.

Discussion began on the National Survey of Training Requirements (Enclosure – 1) that was distributed to all Fire Board members in their Fire Services Board package.  The discussion was on minimum certification of firefighters and if VDFP was capable of teaching this many training programs. This issue of firefighter minimum certification requirements to become a legislative mandate needed to be on the agenda for June.  Some board members felt the need to have more time for stakeholders to study and decide on the issue before the vote.  It was decided that the June meeting should be left only for discussion because the legislative process requires any administrative proposals to be submitted in June/July.  It was recommended by the Policy, Planning & Legislative Affairs Manager, as well as the Director of VFDP that the issue should go through during the 2007 General Assembly.

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Chair mentioned that the plan for burn building repair and replacement is still in effect.  Many localities are still in the process of either paper-work or construction.  As of July 1, if localities have not taken action, funds will be revoked and localities would have to reapply to request funds.

The Chair is not in favor of supporting any new projects unless the locality is listed on the ‘approved’ list.  It was also mentioned that when this program was put into place, its purpose was not to build burn buildings n every single locality.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Topic:  Eastern Shore Burn Building Project

Motion:  None

Discussion:  A presentation was given on the status of the burn building project.  This project has been going on since 1999.  The locality will probably be able to start burning in June when they begin the firefigter101 class.

	Vote:  None

	Action:  None

NEW BUSINESS

Topic:  Set-up Work Session – Burn Building Construction and Repairs Plan

Motion:  None

Discussion:  Discussion occurred about when to have the work sessions for the burn building construction and repairs plan.  The Chair recommended that a time around June sounds best- probably a 2 day session.  It was requested that the committee members give their availability to the Chair so that a final date can be decided on.  
Vote:  None

Action:  None

The Committee recessed at 10:59am.
The Committee reconvened at 11:11 am.

Topic:  Loudon County request to change from repair grant to new Burn Building construction
Enclosure – 2.  Loudon County Request for New Burn Building Grant Support

Motion:  To change Loudon County’s repair project from $88,470 to a new construction project in the amount of $430,000

Discussion:  A presentation was given on the status of Loudon County’s burn building project and the background of the locality was explained in order to show why the locality has requested $430,000 for a new burn building construction project.  Board members felt that the presentation was very clear and concise.  $327,130 is the amount to be given to Loudon at the beginning of FY06 (July 1st).  Loudon County feels that the construction should be complete within 12-15 months after the start of construction.

Vote:  Motion carried

Action:  To bring before Finance Committee and Full Board 

Topic:  Bristol, VA Fire Department request to increase original grant amount of $325,000 to $430,000

Motion:  Approve the additional $105,000 for the Bristol Burn Building on the contingent the project begin by July 1st, 2005

Discussion:  Bristol representative explained why the locality is requesting funds.  Much of the original funds were used for engineering and architectural research and recently there was a realization that $325,000 was not enough to complete construction.  The Bristol representative was informed that if construction doesn’t begin before July 1st then funds will be confiscated and the locality would have to reapply.  Another concern was brought up regarding burn chemicals running off into a nearby stream which could contaminate the environment leading to health ramifications.  The Bristol representative responded that an asphalt pad will be put into place.  It was mentioned that from a fiscal standpoint, the agency has no issues regarding this request.  Approximately 15 fire departments will have access to this burn building for training purposes.  

Vote: Motion carried

Action: To bring before Finance Committee and Full Board

Topic:  Industrial Fire Brigade

Motion:  For any locality requesting funding to provide fire related training, the locality must confirm to the VDFP policies/procedures for class schedules, instructional format

Discussion:  An industrial fire brigade program began in the early 1990’s but the problem is that it does not meet current standards (including OSHA and NFPA 600 standards).  The 1990s vintage program has not been updated and is only used by one locality.  The main problem is that with most of the programs, the reimbursement process from the industry to the agency is very slow.  The agency is requesting guidance from the Board, as rules and regulations are needed to direct the industry.  It was mentioned that providing training to industry fire brigades could be beneficial to the public sector in regards to economic gain.  It was also suggested to possibly meet with the locality in question so they understand the implications of the training program.  The agency mentioned that their interest in regards to this issue is to provide training to the entire fire service, regardless of sector.   

Vote:  Motion defeated

Action:  None

Motion:  Require Industrial fire schools to submit documentation prior to the delivery of training programs to VDFP in accordance with OSHA regulations 29CFR 1910  

Discussion:  Some Board members mentioned that they would prefer to not have to decide on this issue today.

	Vote:  Motion carried

	Action:  To bring before the Full Board

Topic: Emporia request to use $20,860 worth of funds for the A&E to look 
at their facility due to some structural problems.

	Motion: None

Discussion: None

Vote: None

Action: None

ADJOURNMENT

The Committee adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Clerk of the Committee
Nausheen I. Khan

REVIEWED BY:

______________________________________	________________________
Larry McAndrews, VDFP Liaison				Date

Enclosures: 

1.	National Survey of Training Requirements

2.	Loudon County Request for New Burn Building Grant Support
DRAFT

VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICES BOARD
Fire Prevention and Control Committee
April 21, 2005

A regular meeting of the Committee on Fire Prevention and Control was held at the Bristol City Hall in Bristol on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 1:00 p.m.  Mr. Dennis Mitchell served as Chair.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Ed Altizer
Dennis Mitchell – Chair
Mike Reilly
Robert Smith

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Brian Mullins
Susan Williams

VFSB MEMBERS PRESENT
Gary Eads
Thomas Fuqua
Floyd Greene
J. Chris Kollman, III
Bill Kyger
Lora Sharkey
Richard Steinberg

AGENCY MEMBERS PRESENT
Scott Hechler
Aubrey “Buddy” Hyde, Jr. 
Nausheen Khan
Christy King
Marion Long
Larry McAndrews
Bob Rhea
Billy Shelton- VDFP Liaison
Drew Wallner

GUEST PRESENT
John Miller
Charles Singleton
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chair asked if there were any additions and/or corrections to the minutes of the February 2005 meeting.  With there being no changes the February 24, 2005 meeting minutes were approved.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Unfinished Business: None

New Business:  Add:  	B:  Fire Prevention & Control Document	
C: DHS Placard Issue

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

COMMENTS FROM THE VDFP LIAISON
Enclosure – 1.  VDFP Liaison Report

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The committee Chair welcomes all and thanked Bristol friends for their hospitality.

COMMENTS FROM THE VIRGINIA FIRE MARSHAL ACADEMY
Enclosure – 2.  VFMA February 2005 Report

CODE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Motion:  That up to $2500 per person be allocated for up to 2 persons to represent the VFSB at future ICC Code Change hearings

Discussion:  Elaine Gall from Roanoke reported that there were 2 code cycles at the national and state level.  The national ICC conference took place in February in Cincinnati. Code change proposals were heard, as there was some success but not 100%. The full conference is to take place in September in Detroit so the full board members will vote on code change proposals. The DHCC held a meeting on April 7th to discuss some proposed changes on the state level.

A board member showed concern about funding to send two people from The Code Committee to the hearing, and asked how much additional does VFPA gives towards travel costs.

Vote:  Motion carried

Action:  To bring before Finance Committee

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS

Topic:  Smoke Alarm Grant Program
	Enclosure – 3. Smoke Alarm Grant Program

Motion:  Bring to the Finance Committee and recommend to start a grant program to supplement or replace the Get-Alarmed program

Discussion:  VDH was the only agency to receive grant funding for a smoke alarm grant program but now this position is vacant.  VDFP requested to start smoke alarm grant program to compliment Get-Alarmed VA Program OR have an independent program by buying bulk smoke alarms.  There was a suggestion to bring before the policy and finance committee since funds are involved.  It was then decided to vote on before the prevention and control committee as well since the issue deals with fire prevention.

Vote:  Motion carried

Action:  To bring before Finance Committee

Topic:  Fire Prevention & Control Document

Motion:  Have the VDFP and the State FMO update their portion of the Fire Prevention & Control Document.  Also have statewide stakeholder update their portion as well.

Discussion:  Request for VDFP to write their portion of the document.  It was suggested to officially request the State Fire Marshall to update his portion of the document.  The Code is very out-dated (1987) even though the General assembly requires us to maintain the document.  There was another request to have special work sessions regarding this issue.  A suggestion was made to have meetings with stakeholders and the International Association of Arson Investigators.  

Vote:  Motion carried

Action:  To bring before Full Board

Topic:  DHS Placards
Enclosure – 4. Department of Homeland Security Announces Support for Rail Hazmat Placards

Motion:  None

Discussion:  None

	Vote:  None

	Action:  None

Topic: Black Powder proposed code changes

Motion: None

Discussion:  A New Ad Hoc Committee recommends that when transporting black powder, to have 50 pounds of black powder be wrapped in individually wrapped 1 pound containers for security purposes.  
 
Vote:  None

Action: None

ADJOURNMENT

The Committee adjourned at 1:36 p.m.

Clerk of the Committee
Nausheen I. Khan

REVIEWED BY:

______________________________________	________________________
Billy Shelton							Date
VDFP Liaison				

Enclosures: 

1.	VDFP Liaison Report
2.	VFMA February 2005 Report
3.	Smoke Alarm Grant Program
4.	DHS Announces Support for Rail Hazmat Placards

DRAFT

VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICES BOARD
Administration, Policy and Finance Committee
April 21, 2005

A regular meeting of the Committee on Fire Administration & Policy and Finance Committee was held at the Bristol City Hall in Bristol on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.  Mr. Floyd Greene served as Chair.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Thomas Fuqua
Floyd Green - Chairman
J. Chris Kollman
William Kyger
Dennis Mitchell

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Carl Garrison, III

VFSB MEMBERS PRESENT
Ed Altizer
Ken Brown
Gary Eads
Mike Reilly
Lora Sharkey
Robert Smith

AGENCY MEMBERS PRESENT
Scott Hechler
Aubrey “Buddy” Hyde, Jr.
Nausheen Khan
Christy King – VDFP Legislative Liaison
Larry McAndrews
Bob Rhea
Billy Shelton
Drew Wallner – VDFP Finance Liaison

GUEST PRESENT
Howard Dawley
Travis Halstead
Mary Maguire
John Miller
Charles C. Singleton

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chair asked if there were any additions and/or corrections to the minutes of the February 2005 meeting.  Under ‘Comments from VDFP Liaison,’ Insert ‘1961’ in place of the first set of zeros and insert ‘1962’ in place of the second set of zeros. 

With these changes being made, the minutes of the February 2005 meeting were approved as amended.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Unfinished Business:  None
New Business:  None	

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

COMMENTS FROM THE VDFP LIAISON 
VDFP Legislative Liaison deferred ATL comments to Unfinished Business section  

VA Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 4, 2005 at 12:00 p.m. at the RIR Horticultural Gardens.  It was noted that the service has been moved from the grounds of the State Capital due to heavy construction and the service had been moved up one hour to 12:00 and a full reception would immediately follow.

BUDGET REPORT 
Enclosure 1 – Budget Report from VDFP Finance Liaison

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Public Safety Legislative Conference occurred on April 4th. A discussion took place about the positive and negative outcomes of 2005 General Assembly.  The next meeting of this group will take place on June 1, 2005 at the VAVRS building in Goochland County.

FINANCIAL ISSUES FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FIRE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Topic:  Bristol, VA Fire Department request to increase original grant amount of $325,000 to $430,000

Motion: Approve the additional $105,000 for the Bristol Burn Building on the contingent the project begin by July 1st, 2005

Discussion: None.

Vote:  Motion carried

Action: To recommend for approval by full VFSB.

Topic:  Loudon County request to change from repair grant to new Burn Building construction

Motion:  To change Loudon County’s repair project from $88,470 to a new construction project in the amount of $430,000

	Discussion: None

Vote: Motion carried

Action: To recommend for approval by full VFSB

FINANCIAL ISSUES FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL   

Topic:  Request additional funds per VFSB representative to travel to ICC hearings
 
Motion:  That up to $2500 per person be allocated for up to 2 persons to represent the VFSB at future ICC Code Change hearings

Discussion:  None

Vote:  Motion Carried 

Action:  To recommend for approval by full VFSB.

Topic:  Smoke Alarm Grant Program

Motion:  Recommend to start a grant program to supplement or replace the VA Get-Alarmed Program

Discussion: it was calculated that approximately $35,000 remain after all mini-grants have been awarded.  It was suggested using this amount as one time start-up costs for the program.  

Vote:  Motion Carried 

Action:  To recommend for approval by full VFSB.

Motion: Allocate up to $35,000 from the interest transfer for start up funds for the Smoke Alarm Grant Program

Discussion:  The Board and the agency were survey to see if there are any other necessities that this money could help with.  There was brief discussion that these monies could be used towards A&E for the state academy.  It was then noted that we are still waiting for 4th Quarter Interest monies.  It was reiterated that this is just one-time start-up monies.

Vote:  Motion carried

	Action: To recommend for approval by full VFSB

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Topic:  ATL Policy

Motion:  None

Discussion:  Discussion ensued regarding the next steps the Board should take in regards to the ATL policy and minimums.  The Agency suggested holding a stakeholder meeting where all the facts and details of a potential legislative proposal for the administration could be discussed in an open forum.  It was noted that this meeting should take place in the June timeframe for submittal through the administration’s process.  It was noted that any language change should be written so this will not be an issue in future years. The Chairman will ask our Assistant Attorney General for his opinion regarding ATL minimums in writing.  It was also noted that all stakeholders need to be on the same page in regards to these types of issues because there are numerous ATL funding mechanisms in the Code which affect a broad range of people and programs.  

Vote:  None 

Action:  None

NEW BUSINESS
None

Adjournment

	The Committee adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Clerk of the Committee
Nausheen I. Khan

REVIEWED BY:

_____________________________________________	__________________
Christy King, VDFP Liaison					Date

_____________________________________________	__________________
Drew Wallner, Budget Liaison					Date

Enclosures: 

	1. Budget Report from VDFP Finance Liaison