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• Marine Corps Support to Civil Authorities

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  The purpose of this order is to provide Marine Corps policy, planning guidance and assignment of responsibilities in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities during presidential declared or undeclared disasters and domestic emergencies per references (a) through (h) in this document. Included are provisions for domestic emergencies including: (a) Natural disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, floods, wildland fires, wind driven waters, tidal waves (tsunami) or other catastrophes; (b) A civil disturbance in which group acts of violence and disorder prejudice public law and order; (c) Attacks on the United States, its territories, or possessions; and (d) Terrorist acts.

  United States. Department of Defense

  1998-10-13
• Joint Pub 3-13: Joint Doctrine for Information Operations, October 9, 1998

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  This publication provides the overarching operational guidance for information operations (IO) in the joint context (to include information warfare) throughout the range of military operations. It addresses IO principles relating to both offensive and defensive IO and describes responsibilities for planning, coordinating, integrating, and deconflicting joint IO. Guidance concerning intelligence support to IO, Defense and interagency relationships, and IO in training, exercises, and modeling and simulation also is provided. This document defines the objectives of information operations; addresses the details of offensive and defensive information operations; gives guidance concerning information operations planning; and discusses organizational and training issues.

  United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff

  1998-10-09
• FY96 Space and Missiles Technology Area Plan

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  "The specific technologies pursued in the Space and Missiles Technology area are driven by military needs as enunciated by the warfighter and embodied in the five Future Joint Wafighting Capabilities: 1. To maintain near perfect knowledge of the enemy and communicate that to all forces in near-real time. 2. To engage regional forces promptly in decisive combat, on a global basis. 3. To employ a range of capabilities more suitable to actions at the lower end of the full range of military operations which allow achievement of military objectives with minimum casualties and collateral damage. 4. To control the use of space. 5. To counter the threat of weapons of mass destruction' and future ballistic cruise missiles to the CONUS and deployed forces. We respond to these needs through the Air Force Space Command mission area plans, which describe these needs in terms of deficiencies and operational concepts to overcome the deficiencies. We focus technologies in the Space and Missiles Technology area to enable operational concepts either through technology development or rapid exploitation and transition of technological opportunities ."

  Defense Technical Information Center (U.S.)

  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio)

  1998-10-07
• Authority of the Bureau of the Census to Adjust Population Data for Purposes Other than Appointment: Memorandum Opinion for the General Counsel, Office of Management & Budget [October 7, 1998]

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  "The Commerce Department has the authority to use sampling and other recognized statistical procedures in order to correct the unadjusted population figures obtained in the decennial census for the year 2000, at least for purposes other than providing the basis for apportioning seats in the United States House of Representatives. You have asked for our opinion whether the Secretary of Commerce ('Secretary'), and the Secretary's subordinate, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, have the authority, under existing statutory law, to use sampling and other recognized statistical procedures in order to correct the unadjusted population figures obtained in the decennial census for the year 2000, at least for purposes other than providing the basis for apportioning seats in the United States House of Representatives. We believe that those officials have such authority."

  United States. Department of Justice. Office of Legal Counsel

  1998-10-07
• Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1997

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  "The 1997 Atlantic hurricane season is summarized and the year's tropical storms, hurricanes, and one subtropical storm are described. The tropical cyclones were relatively few in number, short lived, and weak compared to long-term climatology. Most systems originated outside the deep Tropics. Hurricane Danny was the only system to make landfall. It produced rainfall totals to near 1 m in southern Alabama and is blamed for five deaths. Hurricane Erika was responsible for the season's two other fatalities, in the coastal waters of Puerto Rico."

  National Hurricane Center (2012- )

  Rappaport, Edward N.

  1998-10-05
• H. Rept. 105-780: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, Conference Report to accompany H.R. 3694, October 5, 1998

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  "The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 3694), to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1999 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes, having met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses as detailed in this report."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  1998-10-05
• Combating Terrorism: Observations on the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program, Statement of Richard Davis, Director, National Security Analysis, National Security and International Affairs Division, Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice, Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House of Representatives

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  This testimony discusses the objectives and costs of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program, the training the Department of Defense (DoD) is, providing to local emergency response personnel, issues the General Accounting Office (GAO) identified in, the way the program is structured and designed, the equipment segment of, DoD's program, and inter-agency coordination of this and other related, programs. GAO gives observations about the congressional committee structure for oversight of counterterrorism and other crosscutting issues.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  1998-10-02
• AF Policy Directive 10-20: Air Force Defensive Counterinformation Operations

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  This policy directive provides guidance for planning and conducting defensive counterinformation (DCI) operations, the aerospace function through which the Air Force employs its defensive Information Operations (IO) capabilities. This policy applies to all military and civilian Air Force personnel, members of the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, DoD contractors, and individuals or activities under legal agreement or obligation with the Department of the Air Force. The success of aerospace operations depends on the Air Force's ability to access reliable information, effectively utilize information systems, and perform information functions despite adversarial attempts to exploit or deny those capabilities. The Air Force will employ comprehensive, integrated defensive counterinformation (DCI) operations to protect and defend Air Force information and information systems. DCI is a multi-discipline mission area impacting many functional areas. Air Force DCI capabilities include information assurance, operations security (OPSEC), counterintelligence, counter-deception, counterpsychological operations, and electronic protection. Effective DCI requires the full integration of numerous supporting activities to include intelligence and IO-related law enforcement efforts, as well as physical, personnel, industrial, and information security (e.g., document classification and control) measures. The Air Force will integrate DCI awareness, objectives and capabilities into strategy, plans, operations, acquisition and procurement, exercises, inspections, training, communications and computer architectures, systems development, and professional education. AFPD 10-20 is not intended to duplicate or interfere with the management of those functional aspects of DCI that are already working well; rather, it provides the policy basis for an overarching, integrated DCI program for the Air Force.

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  1998-10-01
• Chemical/Biological/Radiological Incident Handbook (October 1998)

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  This handbook is intended to supply information to first responders for use in making a preliminary assessment of a situation when a possible chemical, biological agent or radiological material is suspected. When evaluating and taking action against a possible chemical, biological, or radiological incident, your personal safety is of primary concern.

  United States. Central Intelligence Agency

  1998-10
• Partnerships in Preparedness: A Compendium of Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management. Vol. III

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  Outreach initiative to identify the innovative ideas, emergency management talent, and abundant resources that exist throughout the country. In keeping with its goals for building a strong and effective emergency management system, FEMA continues to search for and compile creative ways and means to better utilize the resources that are available at the Federal, State, and local levels of government, as well as in the private and volunteer sectors. With "Partnerships in Preparedness" as its theme, FEMA's Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management series provides an avenue for forging cooperation and leveraging emergency management talent and resources throughout the public and private sectors, and pays tribute to those who have developed such practices.

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  1998-10
• Hazardous Materials Shipments

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  "The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety presently estimates the number of hazardous materials shipments in the United States at more than 800,000 per day. Approximately 500,000 daily shipments involve chemical and allied products (SIC 28); about 300,000 involve petroleum products; and at least 10,000 other shipments involve waste hazardous materials, medical wastes and various other hazardous materials. Shipments are defined as equivalent to deliveries, and in most instances may be distinguished from the number of movements, trip segments, or other measures."

  United States. Department of Transportation

  1998-10
• Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 1998

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  "This report, the first in a series of annual reports on school crime and safety from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics, presents the latest available data on school crime and student safety. The report provides a profile of school crime and safety in the United States and describes the characteristics of the victims of these crimes. It is organized as a series of indicators, with each indicator presenting data on different aspects of school crime and safety. There are five sections to the report: Nonfatal Student Victimization--Student Reports; Violence and Crime at School--Public School Principal/Disciplinarian Reports; Violent Deaths at School; Nonfatal Teacher Victimization at School--Teacher Reports; and School Environment. Each section contains a set of indicators that, taken as a whole, describe a distinct aspect of school crime and safety."

  United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics; National Center for Education Statistics; United States. Department of Education . . .

  Kaufman, Phillip; Chen, Xianglei; Choy, Susan P.

  1998-10
• High School Youths, Weapons, and Violence: A National Survey

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  "Recent shootings by students of peers and teachers in school settings, where such events were markedly unexpected, have provoked fear and outrage in America. For many, the 'youth-gun problem' seems to be spreading beyond inner cities to suburbs and small towns and from 'bad boy' cultures (i.e., those characterized by relatively high poverty, crime, unemployment, and school dropout rates) to 'good boy' cultures (characterized by fewer such social ills). Yet, generalizable and systematic knowledge about gun-related violence among youths is relatively scarce. Most national studies to date have asked only the broadest questions about weapon-related behavior. Studies using more select samples have provided more information but, in turn, have been hampered by questions of generalizability. The most detailed studies available,1 for example, are based on samples of the most serious confined offenders and recently arrested youths (hardly populations from which to generalize) and students from inner-city schools previously identified as having gun-related problems (rendering questionable the extent to which the results pertain to other students, whether from the suburbs or inner cities). This Research in Brief examines the extent to which a national sample of male high school sophomores and juniors was involved in, or otherwise affected by, firearm-related activity. Data were gathered by means of a survey mailed to high school students. It sought information on their firearm- and crime-related activities for the 12 months prior to the survey as well as social, demographic, and personal information for each respondent. (The survey contents and goals are described more fully in 'The Tulane University National Youth Study, see page 4.') Despite what is likely a partial 'good boy' bias in the sample (see Methodology), the present study is the first to pose reasonably indepth questions to youths from a broad range of social and geographic environments about exposure to weapons."

  National Institute of Justice (U.S.)

  Sheley, Joseph F.; Wright, James D.

  1998-10
• National Security Strategy for a New Century [October 1998]

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  The security environment in which we live is dynamic and uncertain, replete with a host of threats and challenges that have the potential to grow more deadly, but also offering unprecedented opportunities to avert those threats and advance our interests. To seize these opportunities, and move against the threats of this new global era, we are pursuing a forward-looking national security strategy attuned to the realities of our new era. This report, submitted in accordance with Section 603 of the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Department Reorganization Act of 1986, sets forth that strategy. Its three core objectives are: To enhance our security, to bolster America's economic prosperity, and to promote democracy abroad. This strategy encompasses a wide range of initiatives: expanded military alliances like NATO, its Partnership for Peace, and its partnerships with Russia and Ukraine; promoting free trade through the World Trade Organization and the move toward free trade areas by nations in the Americas and elsewhere around the world; strong arms control regimes like the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; multinational coalitions combating terrorism, corruption, crime and drug trafficking; and binding international commitments to protect the environment and safeguard human rights.

  United States. White House Office

  1998-10
• National Church Arson Task Force: Second Year Report for the President

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  Since June 1996, the National Church Arson Task Force ("NCATF" or "Task Force") has successfully coordinated the efforts of Federal, state and local law enforcement officials in the battle against church arsons. The Task Force has investigated arsons dating back to January 1995, in order fully to assess and address the problem. With the assistance of Congress, which provided additional resources and enacted the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, the NCATF brought together the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Civil Rights Division and other Department of Justice prosecutors, United States Attorney's offices, local prosecutors, victim/witness coordinators, Community Relations Service (CRS) conciliators and other Federal, state and local law enforcement officials. This partnership continues to achieve considerable success.

  United States. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

  1998-10
• Public Safety Wireless Network: Digital Land Mobile Radio (DLMR) Security Guidelines Recommendations

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  "This document, presented by the Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN) program, identifies recommended system security guidelines, including industry best security practices. Local, state, and federal public safety agencies may apply these system security guidelines to the design, implementation, and operation of their digital land mobile radio (DLMR) systems. Implementation of these guidelines, if followed, should improve overall system security among current and developing public safety DLMR systems. The guidelines contained in this document are applicable to planned and operational public safety DLMR systems. They address areas of administrative security, physical security, computer security (COMPUSEC), communications security (COMSEC) as they relate to DLMR systems. These security guidelines have been extracted or derived from a variety of sources including Federal Government security requirements and industry best security practices. This document is organized as follows: Section 1, Introduction: provides background, purpose, scope, and document layout; Section 2, Security Guidelines Identification Approach: describes steps taken to identify security guidelines; Section 3, Security Guidelines Organization: describes processes used to organize security guidelines; Appendix A: Reference List of Security Guidelines Sources; Appendix B: Administrative Security Guidelines; Appendix C: Physical Security Guidelines; Appendix D: Computer Security (COMPUSEC) Guidelines; and Appendix E: Communications Security (COMSEC) Guidelines."

  United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of the Treasury

  1998-10
• Feasibility Study of Public Fire Service Consolidation for the Southwest Council of Governments

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  "Due to the steady increase in population and commercial/industrial development in the Southwest region of Cuyahoga County, the fire service needed to consider regional consolidation as the means to achieve the most efficient operations and the greatest cost effectiveness. The purpose of this paper was to determine the feasibility of consolidating the 18 municipal fire departments belonging to the Cuyahoga County Southwest Council of Governments into one regional department. Among the factors evaluated were the actual financial effects of consolidation, the political ramifications, and the overall benefits to customer service that would be derived from consolidation. I have used descriptive and evaluative research in answering the research questions. Two surveys were sent, one directed to the fire chiefs, and the other to the mayors of the cities in the region. An extensive literature review was performed to explore the various ramifications of consolidation for the cities involved. Interviews were conducted with fire service personnel employed by fire districts that have experienced consolidation. There were three questions this paper attempted to answer: 1. How will fire chiefs and mayors of the municipalities in the Southwest Council of Governments respond to the concept of consolidation? 2. What will the effects of consolidation be on the provision of services to the communities involved? 3. Will any benefits be derived by the fire department personnel as a result of consolidation?"

  National Fire Academy

  Haney, Paul

  1998-10
• Impact of a Second Firehouse on Response Time

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  "This research project explored the effects that building a new firehouse would have upon emergency response times to past fires, target hazards and equal coverage concerns in Morristown, New Jersey. The problem that was addressed was that, with all fire suppression forces deployed from one location, longer response times were being experienced in a large area, which included several significant target hazards. The purpose of this research project was to explore the feasibility of continuing to protect the entire town from one firehouse, and to study the effects of constructing a new firehouse on the southeast side of town. Descriptive research was used to study the patterns of town's fire problem, geography and response characteristics. Evaluative research was used to analyze the feasibility of the present practice of maintaining all forces in one location by measuring the effects of a new southeast firehouse upon emergency response distance and travel time. The research questions posed were: 1. How are life safety and fire loss affected by response time? 2. Are there nationally recognized standards for response time? 3. How have response times been affected by the closing of the Market Street firehouse and moving all companies to Speedwell Avenue? 4. How would the building of a new firehouse on the southeast side of Morristown impact life response time, life safety, and fire loss? The procedure began with a literature review of deployment analysis, response time and distance, and their relation to life safety and fire loss."

  National Fire Academy

  Taylor, Robert G.

  1998-10
• Hurricane Impact on Fire Department Operations

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  "The city of Providence, R.I., and the Providence Fire Department have previously been seriously impacted by hurricanes that occurred in 1938 and 1954, in which the downtown business district had been left under many feet of water. In 1966, the city received the completed Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which was designed to protect the area behind it from a storm tidal surge. The problem that prompted this research is the country's leading forecaster has predicted an increase of hurricanes in 1998 and the years to come. Also compounding the problem is the Providence Fire Department has no written procedure for hurricanes and storms that its members can follow. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the current status of the Providence Fire Department as it stands today, and what impact a hurricane would cause. Both the historical and evaluative methods were utilized. Of which the following research questions were posed: 1. How has the Providence Fire Department been impacted by hurricanes or other significant weather related events? 2. Are there any nationally recognized standards or recommendations for fire departments to follow in preparing for hurricanes? 3. Does the Providence Fire Department comply with these nationally recognized standards or recommendations? 4. What have fire departments in the greater Providence area done to be prepared for a hurricane? To complete this research a literature review, personal interviews, a survey of area fire departments, and queries of the computer database were conducted."

  National Fire Academy

  Hughes, Richard J.

  1998-10
• Study to Determine Reflex Time of Responding Emergency Personnel for the Alhambra Fire Department

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  "During a recent initiative to consolidate the Alhambra Fire Department with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, there were numerous questions and debates on service levels that each agency provides. At the core of almost each question were response times, and this would lead to major discussions on service levels between the citizens and fire department representatives. The problem for Alhambra Fire Department was to identify our response times in quantifiable terms and times. The purpose of this research project was to determine the reflex time of responding emergency personnel. By establishing the components and developing a standard of measurment for reflex time the department will be able to more accurately account for response time components within the time frames from the time of entry to the time arrived. The reflex times standard will also be integrated into performance objectives for responding emergency personnel. Evaluative and action research methodologies were used in this research to answer the following questions: (1) What is the reflex time? (2) What components make up the reflex time? (3) What is the reflex time of responding personnel? (4) What is an acceptable reflex time standard? A 10% sample population of 4,734 incidents, producing 927 response times from the fiscal year July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998 was evaluated. The data was analyzed to determine the components that make up a reflex time and develop a standard of measurement for reflex time. The results identified the components within the reflex time frame, establishing reflex time measurements."

  National Fire Academy

  Kemp, Vincent L.

  1998-10
• Vulnerability Assessment Framework 1.1

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  Critical infrastructures are those physical and cyber-based systems essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government. They include, but are not limited to, telecommunications, energy, banking and finance, transportation, water systems and emergency services, both governmental and private. Many of the nation's critical infrastructures have historically been physically and logically separate systems that had little interdependence. As a result of advances in information technology and the necessity of improved efficiency, however, these infrastructures have become increasingly automated and interlinked. These same advances have created new vulnerabilities to equipment failures, human error, weather and other natural causes, and physical and cyber attacks. Addressing these vulnerabilities will necessarily require flexible, evolutionary approaches that span both the public and private sectors, and protect both domestic and international security. Because of our military strength, future enemies, whether nations, groups or individuals, may seek to harm us in non-traditional ways including attacks within the United States. Our economy is increasingly reliant upon interdependent and cyber-supported infrastructures and non-traditional attacks on our infrastructure and information systems may be capable of significantly harming both our military power and our economy."

  United States. Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office

  1998-10
• Comparative Analysis of New South Wales Fire Brigades Firefighters' Fire Station and Incident Site Working Environments

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  "The New South Wales Fire Brigades is the largest fire service in Australia. Its 6,000 firefighters deliver services through 325 fire stations across 1.6 million square kilometres. Absenteeism has been a significant problem for many years and is now costing the organisation AUD$8m per annum and is beginning to seriously affect the organisation's overall recurrent budget as well as an extensive reform agenda. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the design of the organisation; the roles and responsibilities of managers at different levels within the organisation, and the type of work being performed in the fire station in particular were contributing towards the high level of absenteeism being experienced and the associated overtime cost. A secondary purpose of the study was to identify what changes, if any, could be made to the design of the organisation that could significantly reduce the high level of absenteeism and therefore the cost of overtime. An evaluative research method was used to conduct this study which asked the question, 'Are there significant differences between the design of firefighters' work environments in terms of both the fire station and emergency incidents and, if so, could these differences be influencing absenteeism.' An extensive literature search was conducted to identify positive and negative attributes of organisation design."

  National Fire Academy

  Thompson, Ken

  1998-10
• Usama Bin Ladin: Coordinating Our Efforts and Sharpening Our Message on Bin Ladin

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  "This is part of a series of cables that have been recently declassified between the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the United States government." […] "The Department of State is recommending the U.S. work closely with the Saudis and sharpen its message to Pakistan and the Taliban regarding the expulsion of Osama bin Laden from Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia remains [the cornerstone of U.S. efforts to bring bin Ladin to justice,] as the U.S. feels the Taliban would consider handing over bin Laden to the Saudis, but [there appears no chance they will give him up to us.] The U.S. hopes the Saudi government will have more success pressuring Pakistan and the Taliban to listen to U.S. demands. [The Saudis can also prove useful in upping the pressure on the Taliban by undertaking efforts to cut off their access to the Gulf states, most importantly with the UAE, which is the Taliban's major [entry point] for trade and smuggling.] Pakistan's lack of support for U.S. efforts to get bin Laden [must change.] Ultimately Mullah Omar [appears to be strongly committed to bin Ladin. It is questionable whether U.S. or Saudi efforts can influence Omar's decisions. Maybe Pakistan can, but even that is not known with any certainty]."

  United States. Department of State

  1998-10
• Gang Members on the Move

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  "The proliferation of youth gangs since 1980 has fueled the public's fear and magnified possible misconceptions about youth gangs. To address the mounting concern about youth gangs, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP's) 'Youth Gang Series' delves into many of the key issues related to youth gangs. The series considers issues such as gang migration, gang growth, female involvement with gangs, homicide, drugs and violence, and the needs of communities and youth who live in the presence of youth gangs. [...] This Bulletin explores how key terms such as 'gang,' 'gang proliferation,' and 'gang migration' are defined; how and whether gang migration affects gang proliferation; and trends reported in research literature. This Bulletin is based in part on work supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and an article previously published in the National Institute of Justice Journal (Maxson, Woods, and Klein, 1996)."

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  Maxson, Cheryl Lee

  1998-10
• Gang Membership, Delinquent Peers, and Delinquent Behavior

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  "'Gang Membership, Delinquent Peers, and Delinquent Behavior' describes the findings of OJJDP [Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]-funded longitudinal research involving juveniles in Seattle, WA, and Rochester, NY. This research addressed a fundamental question, 'Does gang membership contribute to delinquency above and beyond the influence of associating with delinquent peers?' The answer was yes in both cities, despite significant differences in demographics. After describing study methods and results, the authors summarize the implications of their findings. One crucial implication is that communities developing comprehensive approaches to reducing juvenile violence and victimization must consider the role of youth gangs and the necessity of including youth gang prevention, intervention, and suppression components."

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  Hawkins, J. David; Thornberry, Terence P.; Battin-Pearson, Sara R.

  1998-10
• Questions to Be Answered for Integration of Advanced Life Support Services in Fire-based EMS

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  "A duty to serve and an opportunity from growth prompted The Overland Park Fire Department, Inc. to explore an increased level of EMS [Emergency Medical Services] provision. The problem prompting this research was that there was no clear decision in making a transition of this scope. The purpose of this evaluative research was to develop objective benchmarks to determine if the implementation of advance life support (ALS) within the departments service was prudent. The questions posed were: 1. How receptive is the organization to commit to quality ALS care? 2. What will it cost the customer and organization? 3. Can the organization provide a better level of care than is currently provided? 4. How does the organization intend to implement the increased level of care? The literature review discovered texts and articles debating the provision of fire-based EMS at the ALS level. One survey was conducted to measure the organization's opinion of providing ALS care and what benefit would be provided to the customer and organization. The results indicated that fire-based ALS was an efficient service, both financially and operationally. Response time analysis showed that a substantial impact in patient care is obtainable with advanced airways, medications, and electrical therapy in the hands of first responders. Recommendations included a phased approach to the implementation of advanced life support services; ensuring quality patient care with adequate training, practical experience, and diligent supervision."

  National Fire Academy

  Dehner, J. Bryan

  1998-10
• Improving Classroom Training Through Facilitation

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  "Traditional instructional melthodology using lecture, visual aids and so forth may not be the most effective for instructing adult learners. Fire officers who instruct classes usually don't have formal training as teachers and often fail to make the materials interesting enough for adults. The problem is that classes instructed by fire officers are not well received by fire personnel which leads to diminished training results and wastes time. The purpose of this research was to find more effective instruction techniques that could be used by fire officers. The following research questions were answered: 1. Is there a need for a different instructional methodology for in-house training at Spokane Valley Fire Department? 2. Is there significant difference between teaching adults and teaching youthful learners? 3. What are the most effective techniques for instructing fire personnel at Spokane Valley Fire Department? 4. Can nonprofessional educators (fire officers) effectively use new methodology to instruct classes? The procedures used included surveying personnel to identify attitudes toward training, a literature review focusing on adult education methodology and facilitation techniques from 1980 to 1998, and comparing actual classes taught traditionally against facilitated discussions. The research found dissatisfaction with classroom training largely directed toward lay instructors. There was considerable evidence that facilitation as a teaching methodology was more acceptable to adults. With proper training and practice, that technique could be used by fire service instructors to improve training outcomes. It is recommended that this department hire professional facilitators to train and evaluate officers instructing classes until sufficient experience has been gained. The expense of this instructor training should be returned in the form of better trained personnel and improved morale."

  National Fire Academy

  Lobdell, David

  1998-10
• Developing a Code of Conduct for the Arlington County Fire Department

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  "The Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) lacked a comprehensive, up to date policy statement on general conduct. This deficiency has contributed to problems the ACFD experienced over the last few years, including peer to peer sexual harassment charges and claims of violating equal employment opportunity regulations. This research project analyzed the prevalence and components of Codes of Conduct used by fire service organizations for the purpose of producing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on general conduct for the ACFD. This project employed both historical and action research to (a) find out what methods are in use for disseminating standards for general conduct, sexual harassment, ethnic and cultural diversity, inclusiveness, and workplace hostility in other similar departments, (b) find out if other similar departments have developed a comprehensive Code of Conduct, and (c) what behavioral elements have other departments placed in their Code of Conduct when they attempted to formulate a comprehensive code. Principle research procedures included: (a) a review of literature written on the topics of management of government, sexual harassment, and ethnic and cultural diversity; and (b) an analysis of conduct guidelines supplied by fire service leaders. The literature reviewed supported the development and implementation of a Code of Conduct. Additionally, analysis of other conduct guidelines indicated the elements necessary for the development of a comprehensive code."

  National Fire Academy

  White, John J.

  1998-10
• Expanded Scope of Service: What Went Wrong? Advanced Leadership Issues in Emergency Medical Services

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  "The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the community. In addition to emergency medical services, the fire district provides non-emergency transfer services. When the fire district implemented the non-emergency transfer service, the organization was willing to support this new challenge and to accept the problems that may come with the change. After a short time, the employees identified significant problems with the service and its operations. The employees were feeling frustrated and ignored due to the expansion of the service. In addition, feedback from personnel was being ignored. The purpose of this research project was to identify why the expanded scope of services failed. Descriptive and action research were used to answer the following questions: 1. What part of the planning phase failed when initiating this change? 2. What part of the change management model was most important? 3. What strategies could be implemented to help facilitate a change in the future? 4. What part of the change process was most important to the employee? A survey was developed and given to members of the organization. After compiling the information, it was found that three important elements are essential to expanded scope changes. They were employee involvement in planning, employee commitment to the change, and communications. It was recommended that an instrument be developed to address these elements of change and incorporate it in the change process."

  National Fire Academy

  Hook, Gregory P.

  1998-10
• Performance Appraisal and Planning Compliance: Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services

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  "This research project analyzed the issue of employee compliance with the current performance appraisal system at the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS). The problem was that not all officers are providing performance appraisals for their personnel. The purpose of this research project was to identify what percentage of the officers are not completing performance appraisals and the reasons why. This research employed both historical and evaluative research (a) to determine what percentage of the DFRS officers are complying with the policy, (b) are there specific factors that influence the officers concerning the completion of performance appraisals, and (c) are there alternative methods that would continue or increase compliance with the policy. The research was conducted through two means. First, a review of current literature concerning performance appraisals and their completion, and second a survey of the 216 Chief and Company/Line officers was conducted to gain information. The major findings for this research were that only 40% of the officers were completing performance appraisals for their personnel. The officers did not believe the performance appraisal system currently in place had any real purpose, and lacked the ability to reward or improve employee behavior. The recommendations resulting from this research include, (a) replacing the current performance appraisal system with one that is more effective, less time consuming and cumbersome, and (b) provide training to all personnel in the purpose, method, and use of a new system."

  National Fire Academy

  Wheeler, Randy M.

  1998-10