Document ID: FEMA-2008-0010-0017
Agency: fema
Document Type: Notice
Title: Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy
Posted Date: 2011-09-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58028-58029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23992]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2008-0010]

Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Committee Management; Notice of Open Federal Advisory Committee 
Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy (Board) 
will meet on October 14 and 15, 2011. The meeting will be open to the 
public.

DATES: The meeting will take place Friday, October 14, 2011, from 8:30 
a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT; and Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 
p.m. EDT. Please note that the meeting may close early if the Board has 
completed its business.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the National Emergency Training 
Center, Building H, Room 300, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Members of the 
public who wish to obtain details on how to gain access to the facility 
and directions may contact Ruth MacPhail as listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by close of business October 12, 2011. For 
information on services for individuals with disabilities or to request 
special assistance, contact Ruth MacPhail as soon as possible. A 
picture identification is needed for access.
    To facilitate public participation, we are inviting public comment 
on the issues to be considered by the Board as listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. Comments must be submitted in 
writing no later than October 12, 2011, and must be identified by 
docket ID FEMA-2008-0010 and may be submitted by one of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: FEMA-RULES@dhs.gov. Include the docket ID in the 
subject line of the message.
     Fax: 703-483-2999.
     Mail: Ruth MacPhail, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, 
Maryland 21727.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the docket ID 
for this action. Comments received will be posted without alteration at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received by the Board, go to http://www.regulations.gov.
    A public comment period will be held during the meeting on October 
14, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT, and speakers will be 
afforded 5 minutes to make comments. Please note that the public 
comment period may end before the time indicated, following the last 
call for comments. Contact the individual listed below to register as a 
speaker.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth MacPhail, 16825 South Seton 
Avenue, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727, telephone (301) 447-1117, fax (301) 
447-1173, and e-mail ruth.macphail@dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92-463).

Purpose of the Board

    The purpose of the Board is to review annually the programs of the 
National Fire Academy (Academy) and advise the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the United States 
Fire Administrator, regarding the operation of the Academy and any 
improvements therein that the Board deems appropriate. The Board makes 
interim advisories to the Administrator of FEMA, through the United 
States Fire Administrator, whenever there is an indicated urgency to do 
so in fulfilling its duties. In carrying out its responsibilities, the 
Board examines Academy programs to determine whether these programs 
further the basic missions which are approved by the Administrator of 
FEMA, examines the physical plant of the Academy to determine the 
adequacy of the Academy's facilities, and examines the funding levels 
for Academy programs. The Board submits an annual report through the 
United States Fire Administrator to the Administrator of FEMA, in 
writing. The report provides detailed comments and

[[Page 58029]]

recommendations regarding the operation of the Academy.

Agenda

    On the first day of the meeting, the Board will elect a Chairperson 
and Vice Chairperson for fiscal year (FY) 2012, and will review and 
approve the minutes of the July 12, 2011 meeting. The Board will review 
Academy program activities, including instructor-led online course 
pilot tests, current curriculum developments, and anticipated FY 2012 
curriculum developments. There will be an introduction of new staff 
members and the Academy will report on the revamped National 
Professional Development Matrix, a standard career development 
education and training model, which the Academy has modified to tie 
together the various accreditation criteria, voluntary professional 
standards, and higher education curricula. The modification includes 
adding the National Fire Protection Association job proficiency 
requirement titles and the Center for Professional Excellence 
standards.
    There will be a discussion on the status of the conversion of 
courses to bachelor's-degree equivalent educational outcomes by adding 
the National Fire Protection Association job proficiency requirement 
titles and the Center for Professional Excellence standards. The 
discussion will include a review of course objectives and the outlines 
for 13 courses that are being rewritten and will be added to the Fire 
and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Web site. The Academy 
will report on the Atlanta Fire Department and North Carolina workshops 
which are being held to explain the model curricula and professional 
development matrix. The status of the FESHE Institutional Recognition 
and Certificate program, which is under active review by the North 
American Fire Training Directors for possible revision and approval, 
will be reviewed. The Academy will report on the status of Training 
Resources and Data Exchange (TRADE)/FESHE Adobe Connect sessions, 
including discussion of Academy-facilitated work sessions which will be 
held in each of 10 FEMA regions.
    The Board will attend Annual Ethics Training, provided by FEMA's 
Office of Chief Counsel, and will discuss the status of deferred 
maintenance and capital improvements on the National Emergency Training 
Center (NETC) campus, to include the FY 2011 Budget Request/FY 2012 
Budget Planning updates, and National Fire Programs update. The Board 
will review and consider reports from the Applicant Outreach 
Subcommittee, FESHE/Professional Development Subcommittee, Training 
Resources and Data Exchange Review Subcommittee, and Emergency Medical 
Services Subcommittee.
    After discussion of these topics, there will be a public comment 
period. After deliberation, the Board will recommend action to the 
Superintendent of the National Fire Academy and the Administrator of 
FEMA.
    On the second day of the meeting, the Board will engage in an 
annual report working session. There will be no public comment period 
on the second day.

    Dated: September 12, 2011.
Denis G. Onieal,
Superintendent, National Fire Academy, United States Fire 
Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2011-23992 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-45-P