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FIRST LADY OF MARYLAND RECEIVES WARM WELCOME AT MFRI Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan visited MFRI’s headquarters on July 15 to extend an official “Maryland welcome” to the first responders of the Gyeonggi-Do Fire and Disaster Headquarters (GFDH) from the Republic of Korea. GFDH’s 12-member team spent seven weeks receiving EMS, fire, rescue and hazardous materials training from MFRI’s Special Programs Section. Her first time visiting MFRI, Mrs. Hogan received greetings from University of Maryland, College Park President Wallace Loh and Executive Director Michael Cox. “She is a wonderful representative for Maryland and a very accomplished artist,” said Loh. Hogan shared words of encouragement to the GFDH delegation. “Always dream. Continue to work hard,” said Hogan. “I’m very proud to be here today. My husband and I are some of the biggest supporters of first responders.”
Hogan was presented with an Asian painting and a portrait of her with husband Governor Larry Hogan from the GFDH delegation as a token of their appreciation for her visit. “I’m very happy to have you visit with us. We’ve met so many Korean Americans since being here, but we are so honored to have met you,” said Lt. Haeja Kim, a paramedic from GFDH. Hogan’s visit comes after a series of events MFRI sponsored for the delegation during their stay in College Park. While receiving their training with MFRI, the delegation toured College Park Volunteer Fire Department and visited Ground Zero in New York City.
In their free time, when they weren’t in the classroom, the delegation had the opportunity to visit her latest exhibition “Cultural Traditions Unbounded” at the University of Maryland University College. Following her remarks, she entertained questions from the audience, including those from the delegation who were curious about how she has remained true to her Korean traditions as Maryland’s First Lady and in her artwork.
“I appreciate Mrs. Hogan taking time out of her busy schedule to visit with us and offer her kind remarks to our guests,” said Cox. The delegation finished their seven-week training on July 26 with eight certifications from IFSAC and ProBoard in Firefighter I, Vehicle Technical Rescuer I and II and six levels of Hazardous Materials which includes: 1) awareness; 2) core competencies, PPE & product control; 3) mass decontamination; 4) technical decontamination; 5) detection/ monitoring/sampling; 6) victim rescue & recovery.
top right: Mrs. Yumi Hogan shares a photo with Haeja Kim. Courtesy of Steve Kwak | bottom left: Members from the GFDH share a photo with Maryland’s First Lady, Mrs. Yumi Hogan, University of Maryland College Park President Wallace Loh, and Executive Director Michael Cox. july-september 2019- 1
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR By the time this edition of the MFRI Bulletin is published, MFRI’s faculty, staff, instructors and partners will have just completed a comprehensive strategic planning conference to chart a future course for the Institute. The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland is the state’s comprehensive training and education system for the emergency services. The Institute plans, researches, develops and delivers quality programs to enhance the ability of emergency service providers to protect life, the environment and property.
BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Ashley Collier Creative Editor: Ana Maizel Assistant Editor: Karen Haje
CONTACT MFRI tel: 301-226-9921 www.mfri.org
fax: 301-314-0752 bulletin@mfri.org
Strategic planning processes are very popular in many forward-thinking organizations. A strategic plan can be thought of as a systematic process where a broad vision of a desired future for an organization is translated into defined goals and objectives to achieve. There are different variations as it relates to the type of strategic planning processes an organization can utilize. In most agencies similar to MFRI, a customer-centered strategic planning model is typically adopted to ensure that customer service is prioritized. Regardless of the type of strategic planning process chosen by an organization, it is imperative that the following are accomplished: • A sufficient time period is covered, and a desired end state is conveyed. • Change is accommodated. • A means of measuring progress is established. • A periodical reevaluation of the plan is allowed.
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Bulletin (MFRI) University of Maryland (ISSN 1074-2298) is published quarterly by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Periodical postage paid at College Park, MD 20740. Postmaster: Send address changes to Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Bulletin, MFRI, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.
The MFRI customer-centered strategic planning process was a multifaceted process that included:
The MFRI Bulletin is distributed as a public service of the University of Maryland. The Bulletin is dedicated to the publication of information that will help educate its readers on the subjects of fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, leadership and training. This publication contains some articles and illustrations provided by readers. MFRI does not necessarily agree with information nor endorse any products depicted in the Bulletin. Address all communications to Editor at MFRI. For change of address, send mailing label and new address.
• Review vision, mission and value statements. • Review and establish strategic goals. • Develop and prioritize strategic objectives. • Establish workgroups.
• A benchmark analysis of the organization. • SWOT analysis conducted by faculty, staff and instructors. • Survey of students and partner groups. • Development of critical issues facing the organization. Appointment of a steering committee consisting of 34 personnel representing faculty, staff, instructors and partner groups to:
I am happy to report that MFRI was able to develop a new strategic plan to provide a roadmap for the Institute moving forward. I want to thank our faculty, staff, instructors and members of our partner groups (Maryland State Firemen’s Association, Maryland Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, National Fire Academy, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association) as well as Chief Joe Palmer (Executive Director of the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association) for their participation and hard work. Their commitment to this process and the success of the Institute is nothing short of remarkable.
The MFRI Bulletin is produced entirely in house. We extend our gratitude to our contributors who make this publication possible.
MICHAEL E. COX JR. 2 - july-september 2019
MSFA CONVENTION KICKS OFF SUMMER IN OCEAN CITY The Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) officially kicked off the summer in Ocean City, Md. for its 127th annual convention held June 17-21. MFRI staff were on duty to assist customers with certifications and sell bookstore items. MFRI processed 274 ProBoard certifications, which concurrently consisted of 153 that were issued with an IFSAC seal. Ten MFSPQB certifications were also issued. MFRI’s personnel Steve Cox and Thomas Harmon were honored at Tuesday’s award ceremony. Cox was the presented the 2019 Marbery F. Gates Service Cup award and Harmon was named the Francis L. Brannigan Instructor of the Year. MFRI’s leadership was also on hand to present this year’s recipient of the Zembower Fire Service Training Award to the United Steam Fire Engine Co. 3. Lt. Jeana Panarella accepted the award on behalf of her company. top right: Peggy Zembower; Chuck Handley, 3rd runner-up from the Independent Hose Company; Eric Smothers, 2nd runner-up from the New Market District Volunteer Fire Company; Valaria Kilby, 1st runner-up from Graceham Volunteer Fire Company and Jeana Panarella, winner from United Steam Fire Engine Company #3; Leon Fleming, MSFA training chairman; Phil Hurlock, MSFA past president; Michael Cox, MFRI executive director and Charlie Simpson, member of MSFA training committee. bottom right: Acting Assistant Director Steve Cox accepts the 2019 Marbery F. Gates Service Cup Award.
THOMAS A. HARMON NAMED INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR Thomas A. Harmon was honored as the 2019 Francis L. Brannigan Instructor of the Year at the MSFA Convention held this past June. Since becoming a field instructor in 1994, Harmon has taught an innumerable amount of classes varying in length and totaling over 11,000 instructional hours. He has taught MFRI courses ranging from Fire Officer I-IV, Health & Safety Officer Programs, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator, Safety Officer, and more. He has taught in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, California, and the District of Columbia, in addition to numerous foreign countries such as Japan, Spain, Cuba and Portugal. “What really makes Tom remarkable is that, not only does he possess an impeccable instructional record, but he has remained active in the development of our numerous emergency services programs at the Institute” said Michael Cox, MFRI executive director. Even when he’s not teaching, he can always be found providing assistance to other instructors on program/curriculum development. Harmon started his EMS, fire and rescue services career in 1972 as a volunteer at the Easton Fire Department, serving in the capacities of chief, president and chief engineer. He is also a life member where he has accumulated 47 years of service. Harmon joined the BWI Fire and Rescue Department in 1986 and served 28 years, retiring as deputy chief. The Francis L. Brannigan Instructor of the Year Award was first established in 1977 by the Chesapeake Society of Fire and Rescue Instructors. The award is now jointly presented by MFRI and the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board (MFSPQB) in recognition of an individual or group’s contribution to the EMS fire and rescue training and education in the state of Maryland. l to r: Michael Cox, executive director; F. Patrick Marlatt, assistant director; Thomas Harmon; Steve Cox, acting assistant director; and Eric Peterson, vice chair of the MFSPQB. july-september 2019- 3
DHS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STAFF ATTENDS FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING AT MFRI
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR WINTER PDI
On June 27, members from the Communications and Outreach Division of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate attended a fire training exercise at MFRI. Participants had the opportunity to don firefighter turnout gear to experience the difficulties firefighters face in the line of duty. They used tools to perform a vehicle extrication, viewed a live burn, extinguished a flammable liquid fire and ascended 100 feet on an aerial ladder.
Photo by Communications and Outreach Department
MFRI is soliciting proposals for its winter professional development for instructors symposium on Dec. 7, 2019. Attended by instructors from across the state, this is an excellent opportunity for all instructors to share effective teaching practices, principles of learning, classroom management techniques and current research in education. We are looking for 90-minute breakout sessions. This call for presentations is open to all instructors regardless of instructor-trainer credentials. All submissions should be received no later than Sept. 23. Selection will be based upon how clearly the goals and objectives are written. The speaker’s background and experience will also be taken into consideration. Presentation submission criteria includes: •
Course description of at least 3 objectives
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Proposed teaching method
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Student participation activities
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Biography and credentials
To receive a topic submission form or if you have questions about the PDI, please contact Melissa Meyers by email at pdi@mfri.org or by phone at 301-226-9939. photo: Bill Toon delivers a breakout session at MFRI’s 2019 spring PDI. 4 - july-september 2019
MFRI STAFF SPOTLIGHT BELINDA OLEXA
SHAVON DIAZ
Belinda Olexa joined the Administrative Services Section as the business services specialist on May 22. She will handle travel services. She comes to MFRI with over 20 years of administrative experience at two environmental engineering firms and two IT companies. She earned her associate degree from Prince George’s Community College.
ShaVon Diaz was named the editor in the Institute Development Section. Diaz joined MFRI in 2018 as an academic program specialist. She started her position as editor on Aug. 5. Diaz holds two degrees from Carnegie Mellon University; a bachelors in architecture and a master’s in architecture with a focus in engineering and construction.
MFRI HIRES NEW IDS MANAGER web design, and information technology courses for the past 12 years. Udeh has also served as a full-time professor in the engineering and information technology departments at Prince George’s Community College. In a previous role at the University of Maryland University College as a senior information technology project manager, Udeh successfully led the selection and implementation of a new learning management system for over 100,000 online learners in the United States and abroad and managed the development of a variety of undergraduate and graduate-level courses and programs. Udeh has also held similar roles at the George Washington University, University of Maryland, College Park and Lockheed Martin. Udeh holds a doctorate in education from Drexel University (with a focus in learning technologies) and two master’s degrees; one in business administration from the University of Baltimore and another in information systems from the George Washington University.
Dr. Kimberly Holiday Udeh joined MFRI on July 22 as manager of the Institute Development Section. Udeh has more than 15 years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, online learning and information technology. Udeh comes to MFRI from Capitol Technology University where she served as the director of online learning and instructional design. She serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maryland University College where she has taught digital media, july-september 2019- 5
“I am excited to have Dr. Udeh join us at MFRI. She has an impressive skillset and extensive experience in curriculum development and education. Kimberly is a perfect fit for MFRI and will do extremely well in this position,” said Executive Director Michael Cox. Udeh looks forward to working with the faculty, staff and 630 instructors at MFRI. “I’m excited for this opportunity,” said Udeh. I look forward to helping MFRI make awesome changes using technology in the way we deliver and develop our courses.”
MFRI CURRICULUM Upcoming courses to be developed • Firefighter Series • Instructor Series
Courses in development and will pilot starting January 1, 2020 • FIRE 113 – Pumps
Courses going into pilot as of July 1, 2019 • FIRE 125 – Building Construction
Courses staying in pilot until January 1, 2020 • FIRE 114 – Aerial Apparatus • FIRE 130 – EVO • FIRE 131 – EVO Refresher • HM 102 – Hazardous Materials Operations • HM 103 – Hazardous Materials Awareness • HM 112 – Hazardous Materials Operations -Extended Version • MGMT 218 – EMS Officer II
Courses that came out of pilot and went into final as of July 1, 2019 • HM 201 – Hazmat Technician • HM 221 – Hazmat Incident Commander • MGMT 207 – Fire Department Equal Opportunity Officer II
MFRI OPEN ENROLLMENT SPECIAL PROGRAMS SECTION SEPT. 9 FIRE OFFICER II SEPT. 24 FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER SEPT. 30 FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICER I SEPT. 30 FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICER II SEPT. 30 FIRE DEPARTMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER OCT. 7 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS (EXTENDED VERSION) OCT. 7 FIRE INSPECTOR II OCT. 14 FALL PROTECTION APPLICATION OCT. 14 FALL PROTECTION AWARENESS OCT. 14 FALL PROTECTION WITH RESCUE OCT. 16 HAZMAT INCIDENT COMMANDER OCT. 28 FIRE INVESTIGATOR NOV 11 PLANS EXAMINER I/II NOV. 18 INSTRUCTOR II To register for these courses visit www.mfri.org/training/open-enrollment-courses/
NEW EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATOR COURSE DEBUTS AT MFRI THIS FALL Starting this fall, MFRI will begin enrollment for its new emergency telecommunicator course. This course will introduce students to the 911 call-taking process for fire, EMS and law enforcement emergencies. It is a basic, 40-hour (minimum) emergency telecommunicator course. The course is not accredited for ProBoard or IFSAC certification. The course entails: • Roles and responsibilities • Communication technologies • Call processing and call management techniques • Fire, EMS and law enforcement call classification • Disaster readiness • Public safety radio broadcast procedures • Legal aspects of public safety communications • Quality improvement and quality assurance, • Stress recognition and management for emergency telecommunicators. Visit www.mfri.org for future enrollment offerings of the emergency telecommunicator course.
6 - july-september 2019
NEW TRAINING PROPS MAKE THEIR DEBUT AT REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS Using funds awarded from the 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grants sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), LSS purchased six new training props and a mobile Hazmat Rollover trainer from manufacturer KFT Fire Trainer to assist instructors in teaching real-life practices. Two sets of the props were installed at MFRI’s Lower Eastern Shore and Western Maryland Regional Training Centers during July 11-14. The new fire training props includes a paint locker, electric motor, barbecue pit, dumpster, fuel spill and propane cylinders. During the installation, KFT representative Alex Cumming and LSS personnel trained instructors and staff on how to set up and use the fire training tools. “These new installations are the closest thing to simulating a reallife environment that our students will face in the line of duty,” said LSS Facilities Coordinator Timothy Delehanty. Weighing in over 7,000 tons, the mobile hazmat “rollover” trailer will be used as part of MFRI’s Hazardous Materials Operations course. The mobile training tool is equipped with ports, panels and valves simulating a realistic gas or liquid leak. True to its name, the tank has the ability to rotate 90 degree giving students the opportunity to practice how to patch a leak from the side or bottom panel of the tank. The prop is also equipped with a generator and air compressor mimicking a hazardous materials spill. In addition to the seven newly purchased props, LSS also refurbished its existing rope rescue mobile laboratory. It has been outfitted with new hardware, including ropes, carabiners, harnesses, Aztek devices, Pelican cases and rigging kits with everything needed for a rope system. “These updates were desperately needed,” said Executive Director Michael Cox. “We cannot promise quality training and programs to our customers if our equipment is not advancing as well. This extensive project could not have been accomplished without the dedication of the hardworking men and women of LSS ensuring quality equipment, facilities and tools are available at MFRI.” The rope rescue mobile laboratory and hazmat rollover trailer are currently available for use to any Maryland fire company. Requests can be submitted through MFRI’s regional training centers based upon one’s jurisdiction. Government and industry organizations can submit requests through Special Programs at 888-275-6374 or via email at specialprog@mfri.org july-september 2019- 7
Indicia
MARYLAND FIRE AND RESCUE INSTITUTE COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742
WWW.MFRI.ORG
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2019 MID-ATLANTIC LIFE SAFETY CONFERENCE The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute is proud to serve as a co-sponsor of the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference. Join us Sept. 24 as we celebrate 60 years of providing insight on the latest emerging trends in the field of public fire and life safety. This program is open to all life safety educators, health care providers, fire prevention ambassadors and emergency service providers. Registration is currently open at www. fabscom.org. For more information call 301226-9962 or email fabscommd@gmail.com