Task Force Moved to New Academy Site
The National Fire Academy has officially moved into its newly acquired facility in Emmitsburg, Md.
An academy task force set up operations in the former St. Joseph College buildings May 7 to prepare for the delivery of the first instructionsl program there next January. The task force consisted of James McNeill, associate superintendent for operations, planning and evaluation; John Hart, associate superintendent for assistance; and Steve Sachs, Carl Schramm, Louis Murphy and Dennis Crosby, all education and training specialists.
Eight programs defined
The task force has defined eight programs that must be instituted before the academy can open its doors to students:
- An instructional program that includes an educational development system.
- A system for admissions and registrations.
- A food and housing management plan.
- A facilities renovation and relocation program.
- A services system for students and staff.
- A plan for reassigning, recruiting and training the academy staff.
- An administrative services and procurement plan.
- A program for handling data and word processing, phone service and community relations.
“I’m confident that we’ll meet our goal of a Jan. 1, 1980, opening,” commented McNeill, who is in charge of the task force. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of work to do before then, but with the cooperation we’re getting from everyone in the academy and the USFA, we’ll be ready. We’re concentrating only on what is necessary and reasonable for start-up.”
Work groups formed
Key academy staff members and some outside consultants have been formed into work groups for the program areas listed above. These groups will make recommendations on policies and procedures for the conduct of the academy.
Meanwhile, the academy is preparing to recruit instructional and administrative personnel in anticipation of the opening of the academy to students at Emmitsburg. If the necessary funding is approved, it is expected that 40 to 50 positions will have to be filled.
It is anticipated that there will be instructional staff openings for both the development and delivery of programs in executive development, fire loss prevention, educational methodology, fire service technology and courses for professionals with Fire prevention and protection responsibilities.
Administrative personnel will be needed in the areas of admissions and registration, communications, student assistance, bookstore and concessions operations, and a learning resources center.
Where to apply
At this time, the academy is expected to use outside contractors to provide food service, housing service and maintenance personnel.
Those who are interested in applying for NFA positions should write to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Academy Personnel Office, Washington, D.C. 20472.
At a meeting attended by nearly 500 residents of Emmitsburg and surrounding towns, United States Fire Administrator Gordon Vickery emphasized that the NFA will seek to become a good neighbor by giving an economic boost to the community while seeking to preserve the rural atmosphere of the area. Among those attending the meeting in the Emmitsburg Fire Hall on March 28 were Mayor Eugene Myers of Emmitsburg, Maryland State Fire Marshal James C. Robertson, and Oscar Baker, president of the Maryland State Fireman’s Association.
