BOARD OF VISITORS FOR THE NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY June 09, 2020

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Department of Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Fire Administration

Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy

June 9, 2020

Zoom Meeting

Attendees:

The following members of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy were in attendance 

for the teleconference.

John S. Butler Chief Kevin D. Quinn 

Fire Chief First Vice Chair

Fairfax County Department of Fire and National Volunteer Fire Council

Rescue 7852 Walker Drive, Suite 375 

12099 Government Center Parkway Greenbelt, MD 20770 

Fairfax, VA 22033 

Thomas E. Romaine, Jr. 

Eriks J. Gabliks Smokechaser

Director Minnesota DNR-Forestry

Oregon Department of Public Safety 644 Pfaender Drive 

Standards and Training New Ulm, MN 56073 

4190 Aumsville Highway 

Salem, OR 97317 George M. Stapleton 

Operations Chief 

Dr. Patricia A. McIntosh South Carolina State Fire

Emergency Management Coordinator 141 Monticello Trail 

College of the Mainland Columbia, SC 29203 

1200 N. Amburn Road 

Texas City, TX 77591 

Andrew K. Pantelis (Chair) 

District Vice President

International Association of Fire Fighters 

3060 Mitchellville Road, Suite 217 

Bowie, MD 20716 
BOARD OF VISITORS FOR THE NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY June 09, 2020

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Federal Emergency Management Agency/U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy 

(FEMA/USFA/NFA) staff in attendance:

Mr. Dwayne Baker, Lead Analyst, Office of Partnership and Engagement, DHS

Mr. Kevin Brame, Training Specialist/Acting Branch Chief

Mr. David Brummett, FEMA Office of Chief Counsel

Chief Keith Bryant, Fire Administrator, USFA

Mr. Stephen Dean, Branch Chief, Response Branch, NFA

Ms. Tomeika Evans, Training Specialist

Mr. Ken Farmer, Branch Chief, Education, Training and Partnerships Branch, NFA

Mr. Al Fluman, Director, USFA/NETC Management, Operations and Support Services Division 

Ms. Debbie Gartrell-Kemp, Program Support Specialist

Chief Tonya L. Hoover, Deputy Fire Administrator, USFA; Superintendent, NFA

Dr. Kirby Kiefer, Deputy Superintendent, NFA

Ms. Ellen Newlin, Program Specialist

Mr. Lester Rich, Training Specialist/Acting Branch Chief

Mr. Tyler Shaw, Training Specialist

Ms. Michelle Spielman, Secretary

Ms. Roxane Strayer, Fire Program Specialist

Mr. Bill Troup, Branch Chief, National Fire Data Center, USFA

Ms. Tiffany Warren, Branch Chief, Training, Administration, Planning and Analysis Branch, NFA

Ms. Lori Welch, Fire Training Specialist

Convene Board of Visitors Meeting/Welcome

Mr. Andrew Pantelis, Chairperson, Board of Visitors

Chief Keith Bryant, Fire Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration

Chief Tonya L. Hoover, Superintendent, National Fire Academy

Dr. Kirby Kiefer, Deputy Superintendent, National Fire Academy

Chief Tonya Hoover welcomed the board with opening remarks:

Good morning, and welcome to this meeting of the USFA/NFA Board of Visitors. This meeting 

is being conducted under regulations outlined in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

I want to thank you for volunteering your time, diligent work and also for completing the necessary 

security and ethical processes to serve as Special Government Employees.

My name is Tonya Hoover. I am the Superintendent of the NFA and will be serving as Designated 

Federal Official at this meeting. My role is to serve as liaison between the Board of Visitors and 

the USFA. I am also responsible for ensuring that all the provisions of the FACA are met regarding 

the operation of the Board of Visitors. You know Ms. Debbie Gartrell-Kemp and Ms. Michelle 

Spielman, whose work with FACA officials at FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security 

have made this meeting possible and made my work immeasurably easier and more productive. I 

want to thank them officially. I also want to thank FACA representative Dwayne Baker for joining 

us.
BOARD OF VISITORS FOR THE NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY June 09, 2020

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Meeting the ethics and disclosure requirements is critical to our operation; you have already been 

briefed by our ethics lawyer and FACA officer so that you understand those ethics requirements.

We have an agenda as published in the Federal Register. The times listed are approximate, and we 

may need to adjust the agenda to accommodate schedules. We must ensure that time for 

deliberations is adequate and that the public has ample time to make comments. 

Dextera/ZAI support staff will be taking notes and will compile minutes. Minutes will include 

matters discussed and conclusions reached by the board. As Designated Federal Official, I am 

responsible for preparing the minutes and ensuring that they are certified by the meeting chair 

within 90 calendar days. All comments and notes will be available for public review forever.

You will be asked to prepare a report to the FEMA administrator as required by our enabling 

legislation.

Mr. Andrew Pantelis called the meeting to order.

Mr. Pantelis welcomed everyone. He asked that each participant remain on mute unless they are

addressing the committee. He stated the chat and hand-raise features of Zoom will be monitored 

and asked participants to use those functions if they would like to speak. He added that if anyone 

who called into the meeting speaks, they should identify themselves by name. Mr. Pantelis

indicated that there is a new normal for everyone in the world and that each person has their own 

set of challenges in their respective environments. He stated this meeting will address some of 

those challenges in a detailed briefing that is being provided. Mr. Pantelis thanked everyone for 

their continued work and due diligence.

Chief Keith Bryant stated he was glad to be here, it was good to see everyone, and he hoped 

everyone was doing well. Chief Bryant indicated that the virus is challenging everyone in various 

ways, and now new events have been added on top of that. He believes there will be additional 

factors added due to the start of wildland fire and hurricane season. Chief Bryant expressed his 

appreciation for everything being done. He said that Chief Hoover will go over the plan for the 

NFA to move forward. Chief Bryant stated that the USFA has been actively working with FEMA

on the details of the plan. He said that the NFA is a part of FEMA; therefore, the plan must be in 

alignment with what they are doing. Chief Bryant indicated that the plan will take a phased 

approach with certain benchmarks and criteria to be met as we move throughout the phases. He 

expressed that it is important to get students back on campus as safely as possible. He said that 

there is some concern that the criteria being put into place will change the student experience. 

Chief Bryant indicated that this is one of the challenges being faced and advised that he has been 

a part of those discussions. He stated that the things being put into place are for the health and 

safety of everyone.

Chief Bryant reported that interviews for the NFA superintendent position have been conducted. 

He said they were all good, quality candidates, and it was tough to decide which one to choose.

He stated that the recommended appointment has been moved to FEMA, and the applicant is now 

awaiting capital appointment, notifications and background checks to be completed. Chief Bryant 

is confident the process will be completed, the individual will do a wonderful job and that everyone

will be happy with the selection.
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Dr. Kirby Kiefer reported that Mr. Stephen Dean will be the new NFA deputy superintendent, and 

there will be two acting branch chiefs that will rotate until his position is filled.

National Fire Academy Update on Classes on Campus

Chief Tonya L. Hoover, Deputy Fire Administrator/Superintendent

National Fire Academy, U.S. Fire Administration

Chief Hoover thanked everyone for joining the meeting, and she explained that the purpose of the 

meeting was to provide an update on the USFA/NFA in-person class deliveries for both on-campus 

and in-state deliveries.

Chief Hoover reported that off-campus classes delivered by the states on behalf of the NFA had 

some cancellations due to the stay-at-home orders that states put into place. She said that as states

start to loosen up the orders, more and more states are ready to resume classroom deliveries. Chief 

Hoover said that some states requested classes for June, July and August. She explained that the 

process involves getting approval from FEMA headquarters to deliver the class, and part of the 

approval process is ensuring NFA requirements are being communicated. A predesigned email has 

been drafted to collect state data which includes the state’s number of COVID-19 cases and statespecific requirements. This data is sent to the administration office for review and approval. Chief 

Hoover indicated that two June class approvals have been successful, and the turnaround time was 

quick. She indicated that the NFA notifies the states once the approval is received, and she added 

that the process has been working well so far. Chief Hoover indicated that the July class delivery 

requests will be sent to the administration next, and an answer should be received by the end of 

the week. There were no questions for Chief Hoover regarding the state deliveries.

Chief Hoover reviewed the plan to resume on-campus class delivery. She explained that NFA staff 

is being repopulated based on FEMA requirements, using a phased approach. At this time, the 

campus is still in a maximum telework mode due to the safety of employees, families and people 

around them. Employees have been asked who is interested in coming back and who prefers to

stay home based on the phased procedure outlined. Phases are set up for 25% of employees to 

return to work every 30 days. After each 30 days, statistics will be checked before the new phase

begins. She indicated that before students can return, the staff must be back. Chief Hoover stated 

that the comprehensive plan will be approved by headquarters. NFA Management, Operations and 

Support Services (MOSS) will provide the plan to Chief Bryant before it is reviewed by the 

administrators. She explained the repopulation of staff and students must be the same for both the 

NFA and the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP). Therefore, if the NFA plans to resume 

classes in August, the CDP plan would be the same. She said that MOSS has been working on the 

plan since the depopulation began, and the plan is based on staff coming back. The NFA plan is 

solid and has been shared with the CDP. Both plans are aligned well with one another.

Chief Hoover stated that when students return, the campus will look and feel different. She 

reported that there has been a lot of painting completed and carpets replaced, along with other 

projects that are difficult to complete when the campus is occupied. She said the campus looks 

amazing, and students will likely be pleased. Chief Hoover explained that student interactions on 

campus will be different based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements that 

are being taken. Students will be required to wear a mask and social distance while being 
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transported, temperatures will be taken before they get on the bus as well as when they arrive on 

campus, and masks will be required while in the classrooms. There will be no mandate of masks

when outside. The gym, pool and pub will remain closed. Chief Hoover indicated that discussions 

are being held to find ways to uphold the sharing of experiences among students while maintaining 

social distance. She stated that this may take place outside while the weather is good. Chief Hoover 

also explained that due to classroom size, occupancy is limited to 15, including the two instructors, 

which allows 13 students per class. She also stated the cafeteria will be different. There will be a 

limit on time to eat, barriers such as plexiglass in place and no self-serve drinks. Bottled water and 

drinks will be served, and the cafeteria may also offer box lunches for those who prefer not to eat 

in the cafeteria. Chief Hoover said that the breakout rooms will be also be limited, and any food 

placed in the break rooms will be prepackaged. In addition, Chief Hoover explained that there will 

be increased sanitization measures, including additional hand sanitizer and a return of paper 

towels. She stated that regular temperature checks will be in place for those who go off campus 

and come back. Chief Hoover explained that there will be a big difference in the social dynamics. 

She said the campus will be limited to 200 students; therefore, the Emergency Management 

Institute and the NFA will each be allowed 100 students. These impacts will remain for the rest of 

this fiscal year and into the next one. She also advised that there will likely be another round of 

class cancellation. She explained that there are many moving pieces to resume classes; however, 

safety and health is paramount, and the number one focus. The NFA staff wants to bring the 

students back as soon as it is safe to do so with the protocols necessary. The target is for August 

with the priority being given to classes with an immediate need. Classes for the legacy executive 

fire officer (EFO) and managing officer programs, pilot classes and high-demand classes will be 

the priority. Chief Hoover stated that with the limited space and time, this is the belief of how

things will look through the near future. The plan is awaiting approval and should move to the 

administrator’s office next week.

Mr. Pantelis thanked Chief Hoover for the detailed update. He asked if there have been any positive 

variances with the budget and if it was being offset by expenses of physical things on campus. 

Chief Hoover explained that the budget has been offset with paying for airline change fees, etc., 

converting classes to online and mediated platforms, and using it in facility areas where work could 

be done since there were no people on campus. She indicated that the circumstances have allowed 

a quicker move of some classes to be converted and developed into an online or mediated platform. 

She added that Mr. Al Fluman has been busy overseeing projects that include painting, carpeting, 

the conversion of Building J basement to accommodate space for the fire investigation program, 

and replacement of classroom equipment, such as boards and screen projectors.

Dr. Patricia McIntosh asked Chief Hoover if she heard anything about the budget moving forward, 

specifically if there has been any negative impact. Chief Hoover advised that she had not heard 

anything about the budget. Chief Bryant stated that the budget looked to be on the positive side 

before the pandemic started, but he is not sure where it stands now. He said that there has been no 

directive or guidance received stating that any funds will need to be moved.

Dr. McIntosh stated the new generation of EFOs has a greater emphasis on distance learning. She 

asked if there were any enduring changes based on the class developments during the pandemic 

and the work of the new EFO program using a combination platform. Chief Hoover said that some 

minds within the NFA have changed, and she has seen more openness of getting classes moved to 

online platforms as comfort levels have increased. She stated that last month, in May, a community 
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risk reduction class was put online, and within the first couple of days 85 students signed up. The 

final sign-up count was over 100, and more than 90 students completed the class. Chief Hoover 

stated that the same training specialist is now interested in using that environment for a highdemand class. The class is being looked at for the possibility of offering it as a mediated class

because it is unknown when a classroom offering will occur. She said there was some hesitancy at 

first; however, in going through the process of using videos in place of the on-campus activities, 

the class is close to the same experience. Chief Hoover indicated that it is hard to convert a class 

from a classroom offering to a mediated platform. There are many challenges in it; however, there 

is a very strong team in place now to allow a move forward. Mr. Dean added that a two-day class 

is going to be put out on a Zoom broadcast to see how it works. If it does well, there are other 

training specialists interested in doing the same thing. Chief Hoover said that she is optimistic 

about it, and she thanked Mr. Dean for sharing. Dr. McIntosh stated that she was glad to hear Zoom 

was being used. She said that she personally gets more out of a Zoom video conference, and from 

a training specialist perspective, she feels that this could radically expand outreach. Dr. McIntosh 

added that her husband is an instructor who is also excited about Zoom and what he has been able 

to learn using it. She stated that these unfortunate circumstances may move online class 

developments forward by many years. Chief Hoover advised that while the hope is to maintain 

Zoom on a long-term basis, it is not currently a permanent fixture. She added that the use of

different models is being engaged by the instructional systems specialists and the training

specialists.

Final Comments/Adjournment

Mr. Pantelis asked if anyone had any comments before closing the meeting.

Mr. Eriks Gabliks stated that this meeting was likely bittersweet for Dr. Kiefer. He has worked 

with Dr. Kiefer for a long time and would like to make a motion for the committee to write Dr. 

Kiefer a congratulatory note for his never-ending passion for the fire service and his commitment 

to the education of fire service members. There was a second motion by Mr. Thomas Romaine. 

Mr. Romaine also congratulated Dr. Kiefer on his retirement. Mr. Pantelis stated that he could not 

agree more with the comments regarding Dr Kiefer. He added that Dr. Kiefer’s son is a proud 

firefighter in his hometown department who does tremendous work and has the same work ethic. 

The board members voted and unanimously approved the motion.

Chief Kevin Quinn stated that he would like to recognize staff and leadership for making things

happen and expressed his appreciation for all that is being done. Chief Hoover added that the staff 

has done an incredible job in a difficult time with complicated issues that no one thought we would 

have to face. She stated that brand and reputation have been their focus the entire time, and they 

are doing their very best. Mr. Pantelis stated that regular recognition has become a part of these 

meetings and the challenges are understood and recognized.

Meeting was adjourned at 2:22; Mr. George Stapleton motioned for adjournment and Dr McIntosh 

seconded the motion; all were in favor.