The EPAC welcomes your suggestions. Meetings are open to all PHS Engineers, and those outside the Washington, D.C. metro area may attend via conference call by dialing 919-856-4188.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET. Roll call was taken. Substantive comment was solicited for the April 22, 1999 meeting minutes, no further corrections were required, and the April meeting minutes were approved. The next meeting will be held July 22, 1999, at 1:00 p.m. in the National Institutes of Health's Natcher Building, Conference Room 'A' in Bethesda, MD. To attend via conference call, dial 919-856-4188.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Office of the Chief Engineer: RADM Tom Gallegos reported the following:
CPO/PAC Meeting of May 27, 1999:

• New Chief Engineer: Deputy Surgeon General (DSG) Moritsugu announced that CAPT Robert Williams (ATSDR) will be the new Chief Engineer Officer effective June 1, 1999. DSG Moritsugu thanked RADM Gallegos, on behalf of both the Public Health Service and Dr. Satcher (Surgeon General), for a job well done in his role as Chief Engineer Officer.
• Ft. Dix Deployments: DSG Moritsugu reported that he had visited with the troops involved in the settlement of Kosovo refugees at Fort Dix, New Jersey. PHS officers participating were from the PHS-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) and the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF). This deployment will be an on-going activity, and will require relief for Commissioned Officers (COs) currently assigned to Fort Dix. The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is seeking additional volunteers in several categories to backfill positions vacated by those officers rotating back to their principle duty stations. The DSG invited comments from other officers that have visited Fort Dix, and RADM Mazzella provided an update of the experiences of the officers there.
• CO Notification and Activation Protocols: The DSG stated that OEP and the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) are developing new protocols for the notification and activation of Commissioned Officers.
• OEP Professional Needs: DSG Moritsugu charged the Chief Professional Officers (CPOs) and Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) Chairs to access the OEP web site to review the listing of the categories and quantities of professionals needed. The listing is continuously updated, and thus should be reviewed daily.
• CDC/ATSDR Director: Dr. Satcher will be traveling to Atlanta to swear in Dr. Jeffrey Koplan (Director, CDC/ATSDR) to Commissioned Officer Flag Rank. The Surgeon General will remain in Atlanta to speak to the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
• PHS Bicentennial: DSG Moritsugu advised that the PHS Bicentennial celebration ends on July 16, 1999, and asked RADM Mazzella to investigate whether the Commissioned Corps (CC) should acknowledge the end of the Bicentennial and the beginning of the Tricentennial with a celebration. Possible options for the celebration which were discussed include: a DC-COA luncheon on July 8; PHS family picnic, USUHS patio gala, or Strathmore gala on July l6; Manor Lake Country Club reception; or, Spirit of Washington cruise. RADM Mazzella, CAPT Dunn, and CAPT Brye volunteered to serve on an ad hoc committee, which will reach a decision as soon as possible.
• PAC Chair Meeting: CAPT Dawson (Physicians PAC Chair) presented a proposal, subsequently accepted by vote, to have a separate meeting to allow discussions among the PAC Chairs. DSG Moritsugu suggested that the PAC Chairs meet immediately following the CPO/PAC meetings, while another suggestion was for the PAC Chairs to meet on a less formal basis. The PAC Chairs will discuss this issue at the USPHS Professional Association Meeting.
• CC Physical Fitness: CAPT Richards (Chief Therapist Officer) summarized the fitness proposal document entitled Clarification of Scope and Logistics. The CPO/PAC members will review the document, resolve any of their questions, and discuss at the July CPO/PAC meeting.
• Color Guard: DSG Moritsugu advised the group that the PHS Honor Guard has formed an ad hoc group for the Color Guard. Several activities will be conducted in the OSG, including an Honor Guard, a Color Guard, and a small group of individuals to assist the Surgeon General in matters of protocol. Additionally, the existing Sword Honor Guard is now under the OSG. Volunteers, both junior and more senior officers, will be needed to carry out these initiatives.
• Promotions and Assimilation: CAPT Davidson (Director, Division of Commissioned Personnel) advised that the promotion boards have met, the promotion lists (including exceptional capabilities promotions) completed, and that the list will be released on June 1, 1999 at noon on the CorpsLine and the DCP web site. The assimilation board has also completed its work. CAPT Davidson indicated that DCP is pursuing increasing the number of CC regular officers from the current 2400 to the authorized 2800 regular officers. A policy allowing officers to apply for assimilation into the Regular Corps prior to completion of their four year probationary period is at the OSG. The OSG is encouraging promotion ceremonies for all newly promoted officers, and the OSG is developing a policy for promotion ceremonies.
• DCP Issues: CAPT Davidson advised that the Parklawn Training Center has been dissolved, that the Commissioned Corps Orientation Program will be absorbed by the DCP, and that there may be some delay in conducting some of the Training Center's courses. The CC database is being improved to allow all officers to access and update their own data online. The Secretary's Distinguished Service Award has been presented to the DCP Medical Affairs Branch.
• Category Awards: RADM Mazzella briefed the meeting on category awards. ADM Blackwell stated that the Nurse category has the lead on category awards for PAC members. The process for defining the levels of awards is currently underway.
• EEO Policy for COs: The EEO Policy for COs is ready to be reviewed by the SG PAC, the CPO/PAC and PAC Chairs, and others within the Department. There is discussion as to whether the policy would be administered by the individual agencies or the OSG. There is a preference for settlement of EEO issues at the lowest level, which may mean agencies' EEO offices.
• Alternate Work Sites: A work group's draft recommendations regarding alternate work sites are completed and have been forwarded to the OSG. The next step will be to have the CPO/PAC, PAC Chairs and the SG PAC review the draft.
• OSG Internship Program: The OSG is developing a formal internship program.
• Proposed Award Review Process: CAPT Dunn provided a brief overview of the proposed award review process, which will be discussed at the next meeting.

2. EPAC Chair: CAPT Bedick reported the following:
Subcommittee Reports: Subcommittee chairs are reminded to provide reports in electronic format in a timely manner so as to allow the draft minutes to be distributed for review within one week of the meeting, and posting on the web site shortly thereafter.
USPHS Engineer Web Site: A couple of parties have expressed an interest in redesigning and keeping the web site updated. From October 13, 1998 to late May 1999 there have been over 2000 visitors to the site.
U.S. Public Health Service Professional Association Meeting: The USPHS Professional Association meeting is scheduled for June 6 - 9, 1999, with the Engineers' Symposium scheduled for June 8.
Public Health Service Engineer Category News Report: Subcommittee chairs are reminded to submit articles to the News Report (a.k.a. the Chief Engineer's Newsletter). The deadline for the submission of articles for the next issue is June 30, 1999.
OSG Strategic Visioning Work Group: The Office of the Surgeon General's Strategic Visioning work group has been organized, but has not yet met. The work group is establishing meeting dates, and will provide the OSG with a monthly update.
Engineer's Regalement: The regalement took place the evening of May 26, 1999 with approximately twenty-five attendees, who all seemed to have a great time. There is a need to determine how attendance can be increased for next year's regalement.

3. DCP Liaison: No report this month.

4. CCRF Liaison: CAPT Sven Rodenbeck reported the following:
CCRF Deployment: Several Commissioned Corps Readiness Force officers have been deployed to Fort Dix to help with the Kosovo refugees. To date, only medical personnel have been deployed.
CCRF Uniforms: The official uniform for CCRF deployments is the working khaki. In addition, all CCRF officers have been requested to obtain dog tags. Please see the CCRF web page for ordering information (http://oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf/).

5. COA Liaison: CAPT Rick Barror reported the following:
Defense Authorization Bill Mark-ups: Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have completed their mark-ups of the Defense Authorization Bill. The House Bill provides for a 4.8% increase in base pay, and includes higher increases for mid-level officers which would result in restructuring the pay table. The House Bill also includes elimination of the reduced retirement pay for those entering service after 1986, or a $30,000 bonus option for those choosing to remain under the current system. The House Bill also includes a requirement for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a flag to PHS Commissioned Corps officers upon retirement. The Senate Bill mark-up also includes the 4.8% basic pay increase and the pay table restructuring providing higher increases for mid-level officers. The Senate Bill adds the Thrift Savings Plan for officers, also includes retirement reduction reform, adds special pay for Veterinarian officers, includes the flag for PHS and NOAA Corps officers upon retirement, and also includes revisions to the Tri-care program. The outlook is that some of the proposals will not be contested in the House and Senate conference, including the pay raise, pay table revisions, flag for retiring officers, and retirement reduction reform.

6. Job Vacancies: The PHS Engineers web site has links to vacancies within all the DHHS OPDIVs at http://www.usphsengineers.org/joblists.htm, and also maintains a list of vacancies at http://www.usphsengineers.org/vacancy.htm.
ATSDR: The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry expects an opening to be advertised within the next month for an environmental engineer, environmental health scientist, or hydro geologist at the GS-9/11/12 level.
 

OLD BUSINESS

DCP/CCRF Professional Specialty Codes and Proficiency Levels: The proposed revisions to the specialty skill codes were distributed to PHS engineers through an all-hands e-mail message to allow an opportunity for input prior to finalization. Revisions to the specialty codes received and incorporated included the additions of chemical engineering, electronic engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering - equipment design, three codes for mining engineering, nuclear engineering, petroleum engineering, and revisions to the computer engineering codes. With the revisions, the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee requests that the revised professional specialty codes be forwarded to the OEP and the DCP. No objections to the proposal were expressed by the Committee, and therefore the proposal will be forwarded through the new Chief Engineer.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Engineering Symposium: The agenda for the symposium has been finalized. CDR Jo Ann Griffith is developing an agenda for the luncheon and a package containing handouts for attendees. The Commissioned Officers Association is handling the arrangements for the earning of continuing education units (CEUs). Attendees are encouraged to register for the meeting to allow the scheduling of a room large enough for all attendees. Appreciation is expressed to CDR Griffith for her hard work in planning the symposium.
 

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Awards: CDR Maurice West reported the following:
USPHS Engineering Literary Awards: The results have been posted on the EPAC web site at http://www.usphsengineers.org/literary.htm. Certificates for secondary authors have been completed and forwarded to the Chief Engineer and the EPAC Chair for signature. Thank you letters to reviewers are being drafted and will be sent out by the end of May. Plaques for primary authors and certificates for secondary authors will be presented during a ceremony held as part of the USPHS Professional Association Meeting in Alexandria, VA on June 6 - 9, 1999.
Ian K. Burgess Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year (YEOY) Award: The Awards Subcommittee's recommendation of LT Ramsey D. Hawasly as the YEOY has been approved by the Chief Engineer. The award announcement and citation have been posted on the EPAC web page at http://www.usphsengineers.org/burgess.htm. This award will be presented at the USPHS Professional Association Meeting in Alexandria, VA on June 6 - 9, 1999.
Recognition of Contributions to the EPAC: The Awards Subcommittee provided comments to the EPAC chair on the Recognition Awards Standards Survey. The Subcommittee is currently developing a draft letter of appreciation for contributions to the EPAC, as well as a certificate of appreciation for service to the EPAC. The proposed certificate would be recommended by EPAC subcommittee chairs, endorsed and signed by the EPAC Chair, and approved and signed by the Chief Engineer.
Update of Awards for PHS and Federal Engineers: The table of awards available to Public Health Service engineers is in the process of being updated and is scheduled to be complete in June. The updated table will be included in the next issue of the News Report and submitted to the Information Subcommittee for posting on the EPAC web site.

2. Building Design & Construction: CAPT Bedick reported the following:
Subcommittee Chair: With the impending retirement of CAPT Dan Hightower, the Subcommittee selected CDR Ken Martinez as its new Chair, who will be assisted by CAPT Bill Brodt in the day-to-day running of the Subcommittee.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Building Design and Construction Subcommittee will be July 13, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

3. Career Development: Ms. Lisa Hayes reported the following:
Welcome Package: LT Sean Boyd has contacted and provided information to EPAC members to be used when they welcome new engineers in their OPDIVs into the Public Health Service. Those EPAC members with new engineers in their OPDIVs are asked to contact the engineers by June 16, 1999 and report back to LT Boyd on the contacts. The next set of the Chief Engineer's welcome letters are ready to be sent to new PHS engineers, but are being held for the selection of the new Chief Engineer.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Career Development Subcommittee will be July 13, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

4. Emergency Preparedness: CAPT Rodenbeck and CAPT Cris Kinney reported the following:
DCP/CCRF Professional Specialty Codes and Proficiency Levels: The Subcommittee reviewed the comments received concerning the proposed revisions to the Engineer's Speciality Codes and Proficiency Levels. Most of the comments were incorporated into the proposal submitted to the full EPAC at this meeting.
CCRF Training Modules: The Subcommittee continued to work on developing engineer training requirements for the CCRF, and a draft proposal will be presented during the Engineering Symposium at the USPHS Professional Association Meeting in Alexandria, VA on June 8, 1999.
Emergency Response to Macedonia: The Indian Health Service received a request through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance for an engineer to be deployed to Macedonia to oversee the installation of a waste treatment plant serving the Kosovo refugee camps. The Macedonia government has just approved the deployment, and CAPT Kevin Chadwick is being deployed on this mission.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee will be June 3, 1999 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

5. Information: No report this month.

6. Mentoring: No report this month.

7. Recruiting and Retention: CDR Eric Crump reported the following:
Recruitment Documents: The Subcommittee has been working on three documents for recruiting: an Engineering Opportunities in PHS flyer briefly describing what Public Health Service engineering is all about; another document outlining the pay and benefits of the Commissioned Corps; and, a simplified procedure for bringing PHS officers on-board, for those unfamiliar with the process. The Subcommittee intends to have drafts available for review by the EPAC at the July meeting.
Recruits: In the absence of an Engineering Staffing Officer from within the DCP, subcommittee members have been working informally with potential recruits into the engineering category of the Commissioned Corps.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Recruiting and Retention Subcommittee will be June 24, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

8. Rules: CAPT Kinney reported the following:
EPAC Self-Nominations: An e-mail message was sent to all engineers and architects requesting self-nominations to the EPAC for the year 2000. Self-nominations are due to LCDR Jacqui Parker by June 30, 1999. A reminder will be provided to all engineers and architects in another e-mail message in mid-June. The EPAC is projected to have openings representing NIH, CDC and FDA in 2000, although other openings may develop.
EPAC Chair for 2001: The EPAC chair will be accepting nominations in June, July and August for the position of Chair for the year 2001. The election will take place during the September meeting. EPAC members interested in being Chair-elect for 2000 should contact CAPT Bedick. The Rules Subcommittee members will be contacting the EPAC members to assess their interest.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET.

EPAC Meeting Participation

Participants (Members in bold, with alternates attending matched by number to the members absent):
CAPT Richard F. Barror (Ex Officio), CAPT Thomas M. Bedick (NIH), CAPT Joseph Cocalis (CDC), CDR Eric L. Crump (EPA), CAPT James A. DiNovo (FDA), CDR Robert W. Faaland (FDA), RADM Thomas G. Gallegos (Ex Officio), Ms. Lisa Hayes (At Large), CAPT E. Crispin Kinney (IHS), Mr. Kyung Kim (NIH)¹, CDR Louis A. Lightner (HRSA), LCDR Kenneth R. Mead (CDC), LCDR Jacqueline Parker (IHS), CAPT Sven Rodenbeck (At Large), Mr. John J. Sammarco (CDC)², CDR George Smith (EPA), CDR Maurice C. West (ATSDR)

Members Absent:
CAPT Kevin S. Chadwick (IHS), CAPT Terry L. Christensen (NIH)¹, CDR Kevin R. Dermanoski (Ex Officio), LTJG Alan R. Fogarty (IHS), CDR Jo Ann Griffith (EPA), CAPT Daniel L. Hightower (NIH), Mr. Anthony Iannacchione (CDC)², CDR Kenneth F. Martinez (At Large), CAPT Gene Sullenger (FDA), Mr. F. Mitchell Williams (Ex Officio)

Authorization

I have recorded the above EPAC meeting minutes:

/signed/                                            22 JUL 99
F. Mitchell Williams, P.E.                      Date
Executive Secretary, EPAC

I have read the above minutes which accurately describe this meeting, and on behalf of the EPAC approve their distribution:

/signed/                                            22 JUL 99
CAPT Thomas M. Bedick, P.E.            Date
Chairperson, EPAC

I authorize distribution of these minutes:

/signed/                                            22 JUL 99
RADM Robert C. Williams, P.E.           Date
Chief Engineer, USPHS
 

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