August Program Manager's Message

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Category: Program Manager's Message
Published on Monday, 01 August 2011 20:16
Written by Buddy Ey
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MD-TF1 Members,

 

Good afternoon, its August 1st. WHITE rotation is up, BLUE Rotation is support. MD-TF1 is 7th in the rotation. August and September are busy hurricane months, are you prepared? I have asked that the FEMA US&R Hurricane ConOps be posted to the web page for ready reference. The method for choosing the three closest teams has been revised. The “box assignments” will no longer be used. Software will be used to identify the three closest teams to the exact location (or projection) of the event.

 

 Training:

 

3rd Quarter Training is scheduled for September 12 through September 17. Members attend one of the offerings during that time period. There will be no overtime to attend training. Captain Bentley (MD-TF1 Training Coordinator) will assign career members to their discipline specific training based on the Telestaff roster as it appears this week. If there is a change to your work status during 9/12 - 9/17 notify Captain Bentley so he can attempt to reassign you. Civilians - I will let you know the exact dates for each disciplines offering(s) ASAP.  As a reminder all team members must attend 75% of the training opportunities.

 

ALL members must meet ALL general, administrative and discipline specific training requirements to be deployable. If you are deficient you are non-deployable, whether you have been notified or not. If you have any doubts about your status contact your discipline manager. 

 

A WMD Enhanced Ops class is scheduled for August 29 & 30.  This will likely be the last opportunity in 2011.

  

Membership:

 

16 applications were received for Rescue Specialist and 2 for Canine Handler. Final interviews are being conducted and appointments will be made within 2 weeks. To combat the minimum training issues that have arisen in the past a probationary period has been reinstated. Probationary members are non-deployable. ALL new members will be in a probationary status for at least 60 days. New members will remain in a probationary status until they have achieved ALL general and administrative and discipline specific training. New members will not be rostered in their discipline until they are off probation. Probationary members report to the training coordinator, not the discipline manager. Probationary members will not attend quarterly training until they have completed all General and Administrative requirements. Probationary members will not be issued uniforms. All new members will be fully aware of their probationary status and requirements for full membership.

 

The following member has separated from the team:

Tim Chrysler

  

Budget:

 

The new budget will be out soon and things are changing. Aside from the staff positions required by the grant there is little money to pay people. Local training, projects, workgroup participation, etc are not budgeted items and may not be funded as they have in the past. The budget allows for administration and management, national training, exercise (MOBEX), equipment purchase (2011 cache list) and storage and maintenance of all equipment and vehicles. There is not a change to the statement of work, just a change in the great state of Montgomery’s adherence to it. FEMA US&R gives MCFRS a million dollars to sponsor a well equipped and high performing machine. That’s where we will focus our budget.

 

With renewed direction comes opportunity. If you are interested in participating in a workgroup or administrative activity let me know. I have several projects that could use attention. I have thought about offering unpaid internships or requesting assistance from the MCG volunteer bureau but I figured I would start with the membership. There is no compensation for participation. So what’s in it for you? You will have an opportunity to learn more about the cooperative agreement and the inner workings of the FEMA US&R system and MD-TF1. You will also be instrumental in assuring MD-TF1’s success at being the high performing team the program office expects. It won’t necessarily require a huge time commitment, just a commitment. If you’re interested let me know. If you know a college student or community member that might be interested in volunteering let me know.      

  

As always, call or email if you have questions or comments.

 

 

Buddy Ey, Program Manager

Maryland Task Force 1