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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Aircraft
The aircraft industry--military and civilian, domestic and
international--is facing a volatile environment of increased competition,
acquisitions and mergers, erratic customers' budgets, demands for
innovation, and expectations of enhanced capabilities and improved
reliability. To cope with these often contradictory demands, aerospace
manufacturing companies are severely cutting profit margins,
streamlining production, reducing support costs, and examining every
aspect of their business for revenue-generating opportunities. Many of
these innovations are indeed yielding new profit centers. Although the
U.S. aircraft industry has long been recognized as the world's leader and
is the number one export industry of the United States, European
manufacturers are challenging it. No longer can U.S. manufacturers
assume that they are the customers' first and best choice.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Advanced Manufacturing
The manufacturing environment today is one of rapid change.
Customer demands for low-cost, high-quality goods; a global market;
and exponential growth in manufacturing technologies are challenging
manufacturers. Many manufacturing companies in the United States and
abroad are responding to next-generation challenges. The transition is
not without its problems, however. Obstacles such as adversarial labor-
management relations, a poorly educated entry-level workforce, and
unfriendly government policies are hampering industry's ability to
respond to these new challenges. Further, many manufacturers are
finding it necessary to change their basic organizational structure and
value chain to be flexible, agile, and globally competitive. Finally,
manufacturers are discovering both the bright promise and the
formidable task of embracing cutting-edge manufacturing technology.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Information
Exponential growth, corporate mergers, and technology convergence
continue to be the dominant drivers for the information industry, as the
Internet becomes the pervasive force behind unprecedented information
access and global interconnectivity. As the United States migrates from
an industrial-based economy to one based on information and value-
added services, corporations are leveraging intemal knowledge and
newfound interconnectivity to reinvent business models to improve their
competitive advantage in global markets. Conventional government
regulatory practices cannot keep pace with this rapidly changing
environment. The government should resist overregulation of this
market-driven industry. The government's legitimate role is to provide
infrastructure security, enhance free and open global markets, and shape
an information society. The comerstone of this society will be an
educated and trained workforce, capable of sustaining and expanding
U.S. global leadership in this industry.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Health Care
While the U.S. health care system is world-class in many respects,
its future is anything but bright. The financial resources consumed by
the industry do not appear to benefit society in proportion to the
investment. Millions of U.S. citizens have inadequate access to high-
quality health care. Moreover, the industry eventually may not be able
to meet the nation's needs in the event of chemical or biological attack.
Thus, U.S. health care stands at a crossroads. The primary issue is
whether to perpetuate a system that seeks ever more sophisticated and
costly treatment in an attempt to treat the diseases of an aging population
or whether to finance a more constrained system that promotes health for
the entire population and provides individual treatment that is necessary,
but perhaps less than that desired by patients. Whichever course is the
ultimate choice, the collective decision will have profound economic,
social, and security implications for the 21 st century.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Financial Services
Economic prosperity is an essential element of U.S. national
security, and the financial services industry is at the core of economic
growth and development. The United States can no longer guarantee
economic prosperity at home as easily as it once did, because its
financial systems are interconnected with other ventures around the
globe. Economic globalization has introduced a tougher challenge for
maintaining prosperity. The United States cannot afford to allow global
economies to falter because of the adverse effects on its own economy.
As a result, when global financial crises occur, it is in the self-interest of
the United States to be a part of the solution. Crony capitalism, lack of
transparency, and poor accounting practices complicate global business
ventures. These practices often result in significant financial failures,
loss of investor confidence, and rapid capital flight, ultimately
contributing to global scale economic crises. A policy of cooperation
complements the strategy of engagement and leads to greater political
stability for developing countries. Under these circumstances, expect the
U.S. financial services industry to lead--now and into the future.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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In Touch with Industry: ICAF Industry Studies 1999: Energy
Energy is the "stuff' of life. It is a global commodity that literally
affects all of humankind. It is the key to the prosperity of the global
economy. Sometimes taken for granted, inexpensive, reliable energy
enables the national lifestyle in the United States and spurs a growing
economy. The U.S. energy industry is robust, fiercely competitive, and
technologically attuned to opportunities for change. This report reviews
the current status and the future of the energy industry, and it includes
specific policy recommendations to ensure the continued growth,
prosperity, and security of the United States as the 21 st century arrives.
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
1999
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Report to Congress: Aviation Security Aircraft Hardening Program
The feasibility of blast-resistant baggage has been demonstrated under the prototype effort and subsequent FAA solicitation resulting in the successful testing and certification of a unit developed by private industry. This unit is capable of mitigating an explosive threat in excess of the current explosives detection system certification criteria. The development of hardened container design criteria has been completed, resultinig in a draft specification for LD-3-type hardened baggage containers. This draft specification provides a vehicle by which the FAA could mandate the use of hardened containers if the are proven to be operationally viable and ensure that these containers wil meet or exceed required blast resistance and airworthiness requirements. Protype containers will continue to be developed and tested in order to refine existing design requirements and address airline operational isssues. Analysis of the operational considerations is being initiated. This includes assessing those factors with which the airlines are most concerned; i.e., container cost, tare weight, repair, operability, and maintainability. This analysis will ensure that specifications for a hardened container can meet a reasonable life-cycle cost. Further work with industry will help ensure that the existing specification is appropriate.
United States. Federal Aviation Administration
1998-12
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Report to Congress Aviation Security Aircraft Hardening Program: 1998
This report is submitted in response to language in Senate Report 102-351 accompanying the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1993. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was asked to study different types of technology designed to protect aircraft against certain explosives and to report to the Appropriations Committees on its findings. The FAA was also asked to consider investment and operating costs, acceptable safety margins, passenger convenience, and any other relevant factors. Interim reports were submitted to the Appropriations Committees in September 1994 and March 1996. This report provides a current assessment and review of the research work completed to date one such technology, hardened containers.
United States. Transportation Security Administration
1998-12
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Future Needs of the U.S. Marine Transportation System: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, May 13, 1999
On May 13, 1999, in Room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will conduct an oversight hearing on the current and future needs of the U.S. marine transportation system. Many Federal agencies are currently working together to gather information and develop a strategy that ensures that U.S. waterways and ports, along with their intermodal connections, meet the transportation needs of the country in the 21st Century. Increasing the efficient use of our waterways has additional economic and environmental benefits. The marine transportation system can relieve congestion in other transportation modes. Water transportation is more fuel efficient than other transportation modes and reduces carbon emissions by one-third or more. Transporting bulk goods by water also results in a 35 percent reduction in transportation costs when compared to other modes of transportation. Statements include those of the following persons: James Loy, Clyde J. Hart, Jr., Scott B. Gudes, Joseph Cox, Thomas J. Chase, Edward M. Emmett, C. Johnathan Benner, George J. Ryan, and Paul G. Kirchner.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
1999
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Epidemiology of Bioterrorism
"Since the discovery of Iraq's biological weapons program, concern regarding the threat of biological warfare has increased. Anthrax immunizations; increased nuclear, biological, and chemical defense training; improved detection systems and protective gear; and increased vigilance have been instituted to protect the military. However, the military is not the only population at risk for biological attack. To effectively counter the potentially devastating effects of an attack, we need to understand the basic epidemiologic principles of biological agents used as weapons. To facilitate the rapid identification of a bioterrorist attack, all health-care providers and public health personnel should have basic epidemiologic skills and knowledge of what to expect in such a setting."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Pavlin, Julie A.
1999
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Applying Lessons Learned from Anthrax Case History To Other Scenarios
Northeast, the city described in the anthrax scenario (Inglesby, this issue, pp. 556-60) is actually Baltimore, a metropolitan area of 2 million population, with a football stadium that holds 74,000. Route 95 would be where the anthrax dispersion took place. This author's test case anthrax scenario started on February 13 at 6 a.m. when he went to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and asked to see the physician in charge. He described the typical case and asked what the procedure would be if a patient came down with these symptoms. The physician in charge had actually taken the specialized 8-hour training course on bioterrorism (one of five physicians in Maryland to have completed this course entitled "Train the Trainer"). Nevertheless, she confessed that the typical early case of inhalation anthrax would have a presumed diagnosis of flu, and the patient would probably be sent home. Despite the emphasis on emergency room physicians as the early response team, the actual diagnosis would be made after hospitalization. Many seriously ill patients arriving at the same time might arouse suspicion, but the initial cases would likely be isolated events or would be dispersed in multiple emergency rooms. The author discovers that when this scenario, which coincides with a flu epidemic, is presented, the hospital cannot handle the stress load of anthrax patients. Also, many of the physicians do not even diagnose anthrax when presented with x-rays and other information. No one on staff seems to know the proper numbers to call for an alert, and the number that is called to alert the state and local area is a recording. That phone call was not returned until three days later. The author discusses these results in terms of what needs to be done to better prepare for an anthrax influx.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Bartlett, John G.
1999
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Addressing the Potential Threat of Bioterrorism: Value Added to an Improved Public Health Infrastructure
The use of biological weapons was banned in 1972 by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Deployment, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons. Caches of biological weapons still exist, however, and their illegal use in military operations cannot be discounted entirely. A value-added approach to infrastructure development is not a new concept in public health. In 1951, at the beginning of the cold war, the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) was founded at the Center for Disease Control (CDC).The EIS concept originated with Joseph W. Mountin, founder of CDC, and was implemented by Alexander D. Lengmuir. As in 1951, civil defense, and particularly the use of biological agents against civilian populations, is of utmost concern. Efforts are under way to improve the capabilities of the public health system for detecting and responding to this threat. Also as in 1951, we have an opportunity to ensure that improvements made in response to the threat of bioterrorism have multiple uses and can be applied to other public health emergencies. Planning efforts to date have adopted this viewpoint. Developing a separate infrastructure for responding to acts of bioterrorism would be poor use of scarce resources, particularly if this infrastructure is never used. "Value added" should be the watchwords of the current initiative.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
McDade, Joseph E.
1999
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Bioterrorism: How Prepared Are We?
"Richard Preston's The Cobra Event, which he dedicates to public health professionals, weaves a chilling, but compelling tale about a lone terrorist's attack on Manhattan with a genetically engineered virus. Preston's thought provoking novel raises a logical question: How do we successfully contain and combat the threat of bioterrorism? To meet this emerging threat, we must address four important challenges. The first challenge is to be aware that an act of bioterrorism could happen. Our second challenge is to be prepared. Our third challenge is for the public health and medical communities to take the lead in our fight against bioterrorism. Our fourth and final challenge is that we must all work together. This paper addresses each of these four challenges in detail."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Shalala, Donna E.
1999
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View from the Hill: Congressional Efforts to Address Bioterrorism
In government, and particularly in the federal government, ideas normally come from the bottom up. When finally approved, proposals are reasonably well thought out in terms of what we are going to do and why we are going to do it. Sometimes knowledge of "what" we are going to do far exceeds the ability to explain why we are going to do it. However, for bioterrorism we are better able to talk about the "why" than the "what". When Congress received a request from the administration to address bioterrorism, we had only the vaguest idea what they wanted to do. As a result, the availability of funds was delayed until an operating plan was in place. We are still fleshing out exactly how to approach this problem, what the roles of the various agencies are, and what the legal issues are.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
McCann, S. Anthony
1999
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Prospect of Domestic Bioterrorism
"Would domestic terrorists use biological weapons? The conventional wisdom among experts has been that terrorists want a lot of people watching, not a lot of people dead, and are unlikely to turn to weapons of mass destruction. A new school of thought proposes that improved technology has made biological attacks resulting in hundreds of thousands or millions of deaths all but inevitable. While terrorists are increasingly interested in weapons of mass destruction, proponents of the latter view exaggerate the threat. Using biological weapons to create mass casualties would require more than having biological agents in hand. The terrorists would need to disseminate the agent, which presents technical and organizational obstacles that few domestic groups could surmount. In addition, relatively few terrorists would want to kill millions of people, even if they could. Candidates for successful use of biological weapons represent the intersection of three sets: groups that want to use these weapons despite formidable political risks; groups that can acquire the agent and a dissemination device (however crude); and groups whose organizational structure enables them to deliver or disseminate the agent covertly. The intersection of these sets is small but growing, especially for low-technology attacks such as contaminating food or disseminating biological agents in an enclosed space. Major attacks are also becoming more likely. In this paper, we consider eroding motivational, technical, and organizational constraints."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Stern, Jessica, 1958-
1999
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Nuclear Blindness: An Overview of the Biological Weapons Programs of the Former Soviet Union and Iraq
"The demise of the biological weapons capability of the United States in 1969 and the advent of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in 1972 caused governments in the West to go to sleep to the possibility of biological weapons development throughout the rest of the world, as technically knowledgeable workers were transferred and retired, intelligence desks were closed down, and budgets were cut. By 1979, despite the Sverdlovsk anthrax release, a senior British government policy official described any biological weapons threat as nebulous. President Nixon's biological weapons disarmament declaration in 1969 had conveyed the impression that biological weapons were uncontrollable and that the U.S. program had not been successful in producing usable weapons (when in fact the opposite was true). Add to this the rise of truly intercontinental ballistic missile delivery of nuclear weapons, and the stage was set for what I have termed nuclear blindness and defined as the tunnel vision suffered by successive governments, brought on by the mistaken belief that it is only the size of the bang that matters Throughout this period, both the former Soviet Union and Iraq conceived, albeit in different ways, their new biological weapons programs. It took until 1989-1991 for government technical experts in the West to persuade the world and their own governments that these programs were real and of enormous potential importance to the security of the West, if not the whole world. Too many times in the past we have failed to anticipate future developments; refused to think the unthinkable and expect the unexpected. Too many times we have been out maneuvered by those who take the time to think and plan and do not simply rely on reacting to events. We must learn to think like our potential adversaries if we are to avoid conflict or blunt an attack, because only superior thinking and planning (not just better technology) will enable us to survive biological warfare."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Davis, Christopher J.
1999
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Historical Trends Related to Bioterrorism: An Empirical Analysis
The vulnerability of civilian populations to chemical, biological, radiologic, or nuclear terrorism has been widely discussed, but information on historical cases is anecdotal and often inaccurate (3). Without a realistic threat assessment based on solid empirical data, government policymakers lack the knowledge they need to design prudent and cost-effective programs for preventing or mitigating future incidents. Responding to this knowledge gap, the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project at the Monterey Institute's Center for Nonproliferation Studies has compiled an open-source database of all publicly known cases from 1900 to the present in which domestic or international criminals or terrorists sought to acquire or use chemical, biological, radiologic, or nuclear materials. As of January 31, 1999, the database contained 415 incidents, both domestic and international. Each entry draws on multiple sources and includes a detailed description of the event and a list of citations. The ultimate goal is to identify which types of individuals or groups are most likely to acquire and use toxic or infectious materials and for what purposes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Tucker, Jonathan B.
1999
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Aum Shinrikyo: Once and Future Threat?
On March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult entered the Tokyo subway system and released sarin, a deadly nerve agent. The subway attack was the most deadly assault in an ongoing campaign of terror waged by this mysterious cult. Four years later, with Aum Shinrikyo attempting to rebuild itself, many in Japan and around the world are asking whether the Supreme Truth Sect poses a current or future threat. Answering this question may further our understanding, not only of the Aum but also of other extremist and terrorist groups.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Olson, Kyle
1999
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Threat of Biological Attack: Why Concern Now?
For a biological attack to occur, three elements must be in place: a vulnerable target, a person or group with the capability to attack, and the intent (by the perpetrator) to carry out such an attack. Much of what can be done to limit the capability and the intent of potential attackers is already on its way to being accomplished. The most work, and the highest return on investment, involve reducing the vulnerability of the United States to both intentional and unintentional pathogen releases. Vulnerability and capability, two prerequisites of bioterrorism, are in place. Enhancing emergency medical preparedness and supporting advanced pharmaceutical research for multivalent drugs, among other measures, will help us deter and defeat deliberate and naturally occurring pathogen releases, as well as increase the general health and well-being of the population. The intention of potential attackers is difficult to manage. Therefore, limiting our vulnerability is the most promising way to prevent or mitigate biological attacks on the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Siegrist, David W.
1999
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Customer Service: Planning to Survive
"A clear, concise and uniform definition of customer service did not exist for the Hill AFB [Air Force Base] Fire & Emergency Service Organization. The purpose of this research was to develop a definition of customer service as it applies to the fire service and to provide other fire executive officers with an insight on improving their level of customer service satisfaction. This study employed a descriptive research methodology. The research questions to be answered are: (1) What is customer service? (2) How does the literature define customer service? (3) Can a fire and emergency services organization employ what has been proven to be effective customer service from the private sector? (4) What is the significance of acknowledging, understanding, maintaining and improving customer service? A survey of fire and emergency services personnel was administered to gauge their perceptions of customer service. A similar survey was administered to gauge their perceptions of customer service. A similar survey was also administered to an equal number of external customers in an attempt to measure their perceptions and opinions, and to determine if there were any major differences between the two groups polled. The results compiled displayed a disparity between what our external customers thought of our level of customer service and what our employees thought of the level service we provided. The recommendation, based upon the literature review, survey, findings, and discussions, were that the organization and the fire service in general, must focus their attention, resources, and action toward a more service oriented delivery."
National Fire Academy
Schultz, Robert M.
1998-12
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Occupational Safety and Health Regulations and the New Hampshire Fire Service
"Over the past few years, many valid concerns have arisen from the New Hampshire fire service regarding occupational safety and health. The question most often heard regarding compliance with health and safety standards are: "Which agency's occupational safety and health standards, state or federal, take precedence?" What could happen if we do not comply when entering other states in a mutual aid response? The relationship with federal, state, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and the New Hampshire Fire Service has always been nebulous at best. New Hampshire (NH) is a non-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan state for public safety employees and adopts by state statute only twenty standards from NFPA and the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA). The utilization of the historical, descriptive and evaluative research methods aided in finding answers to the following research questions: 1. What occupational safety and health standards cover the NH Fire Service? 2. What are the viewpoints of NH fire officials regarding occupational safety and health standards? 3. What enforcement practices exist to ensure NH fire department compliance? 4. What actions should NH fire departments take regarding health and safety standards when involved in a mutual aid response across state boundaries? The procedures included researching occupational safety and health standards from federal and state labor department sources and conducting interviews with senior fire service officials, senior state labor officials and officials from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. "
National Fire Academy
Litevich, James A.
1998-12
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Staffing Concerns Regarding ARFF Apparatus
"Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB), like all military installations, had experienced a large reduction in force over the last several years. The fire department at PAFB was not spared during this reduction. While three to four personnel was once considered normal staffing of Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) apparatus, this number had dwindled down to what was then two. The problem is there are no known guidelines to determine adequate staffing levels for ARFF apparatus. As a result, staffing had been significantly reduced to meet reduction goals. The purpose of this research project was to determine if a need for nationally accepted guidelines exist. An evaluative research procedure was used to determine this possibility. The following research questions were addressed: 1. Are there nationally recognized standards which assist in staffing decisions of ARFF apparatus? 2. What are the trends among airport fire departments regarding the staffing of ARFF apparatus? 3. Are airport fire departments staffed in such a manner as to efficiently deploy hoselines during an aircraft incident? 4. Do airport executive fire officers feel they are adequately staffed to effectively mitigate an aircraft accident? 5. Would airport executive fire officers be in favor of nationally recognized staffing recommendations and/or requirements? The procedure required a literature review on the subject and a survey instrument of a broad spectrum of airport fire departments across the country. The literature review found while all sources agreed some type of ARFF protection was required, there was quite a bit of interpretation as to adequate resources (to include staffing) needed to accomplish this task."
National Fire Academy
Landolfi, Dominick
1998-12
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Establishing Debris Burning Restrictions Based on Fire Danger
"Clearing defensible space around structures in California's wildland creates a great deal of debris that must be disposed of. Burning is the most common method of eliminating the debris yet the burning must only be done when fire danger is not high. The problem that lead to this research paper was that the Amador El Dorado Ranger Unit did not have an adequate way to measure when the fire danger was low enough to safely allow burning. The purpose of this research paper was to identify a method for evaluating the days determined by the Air Resources Board as burn days, from a fire danger perspective. Evaluative, historical, and descriptive research methodologies were used to answer the following research questions: 1. What are other CDF [California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] Ranger Units doing about burn days during hazardous fire weather conditions? 2. What information is available to gain a better understanding of the National Fire Danger Rating System and use it to its full potential? 3. What tools are available for evaluating fire weather and fire danger conditions? 4. What weather conditions allow debris burning in a safe manner? The procedures used included a literature review, survey of other CDF Ranger Units, and an extensive analysis of historical fire and weather data. The data analysis was conducted using several different computer programs on a personal computer. The literature review yielded a great deal of information helpful in the project. The results of the ranger unit survey were limited, but the historical data analysis provided the information necessary to establish a cut-off point for when burning should be eliminated."
National Fire Academy
Gossner, Jody
1998-12
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Appreciative Inquiry of a Fire Department Organization
"The Prince William County (Virginia) Department of Fire and Rescue (Fire Department) is located in a rapidly growing region. The growth had caused an increased demand for service. The amount of resources needed for more service delivery had lagged behind that increased demand. The problem the Fire Department had was that a trend had emerged for an increasing demand for service that had not included a corresponding increase in resources to meet those demands, causing a strain on its members that could not be sustained if the trend continued. The Fire Department provided high quality service that resulted in among the highest citizen satisfaction rates for Prince William County Government services. Fire Department members had demonstrated commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations. The Fire Department, therefore, had the capacity to achieve excellence. The purpose of this research project was to identify ways in which the Fire Department could build upon the best of what it currently had been doing to thrive in conditions where productivity must increase and where the overall experience levels of its members have decreased. An appreciative inquiry action research methodology was used to conduct the study. Two questionnaires were used to perform two facilitated interview processes of a sample of Fire Department members to identify the organizational core values and identify 'the best of what is' within the Fire Department. A focus group consisting of Fire Department members was used to identify possibilities for improving on the best of what is currently occurring in the Fire Department."
National Fire Academy
McGee, Kevin J.
1998-12
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Implementation of a First Responder Program for the Neenah Fire Department
"Fire departments throughout the nation have been very active in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The benefits to the community and the fire service are enormous in terms of public relations and rapid response times. The problem was that the Neenah Fire Department (NFD) had not been involved in EMS in any way for the past twenty years. Serving as a single function fire department in today's emergency services arena was not an effective use of human resources within the NFD. This problem was even more evident with the move of the private ambulance service out of Theda Clark Regional Trauma Center and into the neighboring community. Response times have always been a concern with the private ambulance service, and this move magnified those concerns. The purpose of this research project was to determine the need for the NFD to become involved in EMS through a first responder program (FRP). Once a determination was made, the goal was to implement the FRP if recommended. A review of present EMS in the City of Neenah was necessary. Historial, descriptive, evaluative, and action research methods were utilized to answer the following questions: (1) What is the role of a first responder? (2) Should the existing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system in place in the City of Neenah be enhanced by a First Responder Program (FRP) within the Neenah Fire Department (NFD)? (3) Do other fire departments respond as first responders in their respective communities? (4) What are the training and financial issues involved with a FRP? (5) What are the expected benefits of a FRP within the NFD?"
National Fire Academy
Vander Wyst, Len
1998-12
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Evaluation of the Associate of Applied Science/Fire Science Degree Program: Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, Illinois
"The Fire Science-Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program at Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, Illinois (LCCC), is intended to be a career enhancement opportunity for firefighters. It is where they can gain the knowledge necessary to perform those duties demanded of them. The problem, as perceived by the college administration and the focus of this research, was the low graduation rate of the AAS degree program. The college instituted program revisions five years earlier and substantial increases in enrollment were achieved, however, there was essentially no increase in graduation rate. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the AAS degree program and discern elemental causes of the low graduation rate, with program revisions dependent upon findings. Evaluative case study methodology was employed in the research with a quantitative analytical approach to answering the following six questions: 1) Who attends the LCCC Fire Science program and which students graduate? 2) How would increased incentives for program graduates affect student persistence in completing an AAS degree? 3) Do a) fire service administrators, and b) students of the fire sciences feel their educational needs can be met by alternatives to an AAS degree? 4) Are the LCCC educational district fire services satisfied with the LCCC Fire Science program? 5) Is regard for higher education of the LCC educational district Fire Chiefs affected by personal education level and is this regard reflected in department training requirements? 6) Does program graduation enhance the career opportunities for members of the LCCC fire service community?"
National Fire Academy
Spaulding, Timothy D.
1998-12
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Evaluation of Rural/Metro Fire Services Performance Evaluation
"The problem identified for this applied research project was that the Rural/Metro Fire Department performance evaluation system receives very poor ratings on employee surveys. The purpose was to gather data and information in order to evaluate the existing evaluation tool, and to determine whether a revision is necessary. This research utilized the evaluative research methodology to answer the following research questions: (1) Are performance evaluations necessary? (2) Are there common problems that are associated with administering an evaluation system? (3) What are the desirable characteristics of an employee performance evaluation? (4) Should merit pay be tied to performance evaluations? The procedure used a literature review to gather recent information available on the employee performance evaluation. From the data, two tables were constructed to evaluate the characteristics of the evaluation tool. The major findings of this research indicated that the majority of evaluations conducted in America are done poorly. The prominent actor was poor supervisory training on how to prepare and conduct a performance evaluation. In addition, the importance of a well designed form having certain characteristics, such as behaviorally anchored rating scales and objectivity, was emphasized. The recommendations resulting from this research included (a) developing a course to better train supervisors in conducting and preparing performance evaluations, (b) revising the existing evaluation tool to take out some subjectivity, and (c) conducting further studies into whether pay should be tied to performance evaluations."
National Fire Academy
Pendleton, Christopher D.
1998-12
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Reauthorizing the Hazardous Materials Transportation Program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, February 10, 1999
The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on reauthorizing the Hazardous Materials Transportation Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifically, the goal is to gain support in modifying the definition of "Hazmat Employee" under the Act so as to extend the hazmat training requirements to field personnel who build, inspect, and maintain the railroad infrastructure. Statements include those of the following: Rick Inclima, Randy Speight, Clinton Crane, Cynthia Hilton, Frederick H. Nesbitt, R. Dale Everitt, Charlotte Lane, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the International Warehouse Logistics Association.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
1999
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Counterproliferation Program Review Committee Annual Report to Congress: Executive Summary (1999)
"The CPRC focused its annual activity and program review on identifying key R&D and acquisition program accomplishments and milestones illuminating planned near-, mid-, and longterm capability improvements. The CPRC has determined that a prudent, time-phased response to the challenges posed by NBC/M proliferation and NBC terrorist threats is in place and solidly under way. Although it will take several years to achieve the goals and objectives of the numerous programs responding to these challenges, the CPRC can report that progress continues to be made in many ACE priority areas. This progress continues to strengthen U.S. capabilities for countering proliferation and NBC terrorism and includes: i) the rapid fielding of essential capabilities; ii) coordinating and focusing interorganizational R&D and acquisition activities; iii) expanding international cooperative activities; and iv) improving the integration, management, and oversight of activities and programs related to countering proliferation and NBC terrorism."
United States. Department of Defense
1999
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Study and Report to Congress on Civil Aviation Security Responsibilities and Funding, 1998
This report is provided to Congress by the Federal Aviation administration (FAA) in response to the requirement for a study of and report regarding allocating civil aviation security responsibilities established by section 301 of the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 (PL 104-264). This study examines the evolution of aviation security responsibilities and finds that a consensus exists to retain the current system of shared responsibilities. It also recognizes the incremental increases in Federal Government involvement that have taken place and predicts that such increases will continue. This study examines discussions of funding for aviation security and considers a number of views. It contains options for aviation security funding and states the Administration's position that any FAA activities, including security activities, be derived from charges paid by the users of the National Airspace System.
United States. Federal Aviation Administration
1998-12
