Minutes of the Meeting of the

Engineer Professional Advisory Committee

Thursday, April 26, 2001

 

The Engineer Professional Advisory Committee (EPAC) welcomes your input and participation.  Meetings are open to all PHS Engineers and Architects.  Those who are not able to attend in person may attend via conference call.

 

CALL TO ORDER

CAPT Kevin Chadwick, EPAC Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 1:11 p.m. EDT at the IHS Twinbrook Metro Plaza OEH Conference Room, Rockville, Maryland.  The March 22, 2001, meeting minutes were approved.  The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 28, 2001, at 1:00 p.m. EDT at the IHS Twinbrook Metro Plaza Building Executive Conference Room in Rockville, Maryland.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Office of the Chief Engineer: RADM Williams reported the following announcements.

 

A.  CPO-PAC Chairs Meeting: The following are highlights from the Chief Professional Officer Professional Advisory Committee Chairs meeting held this morning.

1.   The Parklawn Classic (Walk-Run) is scheduled for April 28.  The Surgeon General and Secretary Thompson are expected to attend.

2.   The National Donor Program can be acknowledged by wearing a green ribbon similar to the red one for AIDS awareness.

3.   The Recruitment CD-ROM is close to distribution with a presentation and website links identified.  The information may be posted for building your own CD.

4.   The Recruitment Conference scheduled for July 16 and 17 has been broadened to include program managers at all levels as well as human resource managers.

5.   The Uniform Survey is coming to an end with 47% engineer and 27% overall participation.

6.   All are encouraged to add themselves to the DCP Listserver.  The DCP Helpdesk can assist with identification numbers and passwords.

 

B.   Leadership Development Seminar

      1.   Special thanks to the Career Development Subcommittee for their assistance.

      2.   Approximately 60 architect/engineers attended.

      3.   Additional PHS categories may be added in the future.

 

C.  COA National Conference, May 29-31, 2001, Washington, D.C.

      1.   Ms. Hayes and LT Tatum will attend the full conference with RADM Williams to present the Literary, Burgess and Villforth Awards.

 

      2.   Volunteers are needed for the engineer’s booth; contact LT Tatum if you are interested.

 

D.  SAME National Conference see SAME report

      1.   CAPT Rodenbeck and LT Scharen will attend the full conference.

      2.   The USPHS will be introduced as the fifth service at the opening ceremony.

 

 

EPAC Chair: CAPT Chadwick reported the following.

 

A.  CPO-PAC or EPAC May Meetings There will be none in May.

 

B.   CPO-PAC Submissions Submit items to bring before the committee to CAPT Chadwick.

 

C.  Recruitment Coordination

1.   Other categories are proposing to keep a list of college activities centrally to coordinate visits and not duplicate efforts at multi-discipline universities.

2.   RADM Davidson emphasized reinforcing university connections, especially with faculty who see students on a daily basis.

 

D.  DCP Website – The PAC links have been corrected.

 

E.   September EPAC Meeting 

Contact CAPT Chadwick if you are interested in a meeting at Anchorage, AK in conjunction with a regional SAME conference RADM Williams will be attending September 11-14.

 

F.   Health Services Officer PAC Have issued a category coin.

 

G.  PHS 1 D-MAT

They are seeking interested D.C. officers for a training opportunity supporting the Boy Scout Jamboree this summer.

 

Division of Commissioned Personnel (DCP) Liaison: There was no report.

 

Commissioned Officers Association (COA) Liaison: CDR Poneleit reported the following.

 

A.  Annual Meeting begins on Tuesday May 29th; the professional specialty day is Wednesday May 30th.  The early bird registration fee deadline is April 27th. 

 

B.   The Meeting of the Assembly is designed to update the membership on COA affairs and to provide an open forum for discussion.  It will be held June 1, 2001 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC in conjunction with the annual COA meeting.

 

C.  There was an important change in the by-laws for the election process.  The new concept is “One Officer, One Vote” rather than the block voting by branch.

 

D.  Election of new national COA board members is currently underway.  The May 2001 COA FRONTLINE, Volume 38, Issue 5 contains detailed information on the officers who are running and a ballot.  The ballot is due June 15, 2001 and can be mailed,     e-mailed or faxed to COA.

 

E.   The Board of Directors has changed composition so that now there will only be one representative for each PHS category, three officers from the “field,” three retired officers and one inactive reserve officer.

 

F.   Current legislative issues of interest include:

1.   TRICARE benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees to include the senior pharmacy that is now available for use.  Questions can be answered at 1-877-363-6337 or at www.tricare.osd.mil/ndaa.

2.   Increase in the Service members Group Life Insurance (SGLI) from $200,000 to $250,000.

3.   Concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation.

4.   Pennsylvania tax exempt issue addressed by the Military Coalition and responded to by the state.  Details can be found on the DCP website.

5.   Long Term Care Insurance program is being created by Congress. COA does offer this type of insurance and will reevaluate it once the insurance becomes nationally available.

 

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Liaison: LT Scharen reported the following.

 

A.  SAME National Conference, May 29-June 1 in Nashville, TN

Includes introducing the USPHS and presenting the 1st annual PHS-SAME Awards.

 

B.   Washington, D.C. Post Listserv

Personnel in the area are encouraged to sign up for this listserv.  Contact Ms. Tracy Knott, SAME Nat’l. Young Member Chair, for information on the listserv.

 

C.  SAME Fall Board Meeting

1.   It will be held October 28-31, 2001 in Charleston, SC including a symposium on Force Protection.  LT Scharen is gathering possible PHS speakers.

2.   Possible recruitment visits to area schools: Citadel, Clemson, etc.          

 

There are still committee openings, for information see their website, www.same.org.

 

Junior Engineer Report: There was no report.

 

Job Vacancies: Known vacancies are now posted or linked on the PHS Engineers web site (www.usphsengineers.org). See Recruiting and Retention Subcommittee Report for recent improvements to the vacancy database.

 

OLD BUSINESS - NONE

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

LCDR Daniel Beck, OEP, presented an update on the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF).  The full presentation is available at oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf/epac.ppt.  The following highlights the presentation:

 

A.  Roster Qualifications (*Effective January 2002)

1.   BLS-AHA Healthcare Provider Course (Adult/Infant)

2.   Height/Weight Standards

3.   Current/Competent*

4.   Physical Fitness and Physical Exam (<2 years old) on file*

5.   Immunizations*

6.   Core Training*

7.   Role Based Training*

8.   Licensed, Released by DCP (no adverse actions) and CPO*

 

B.  Awards and Badges

1.   Crisis Response Award – Participation in a CRSA event.

2.   Field Medical Readiness Badge

3.   National Emergency Preparedness Award

 

C.  How to Join CCRF

1.   Visit the website oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf and complete the form.

2.   Contact CCRF Staff at ccrf@osophs.dhhs.gov.

 

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

 

1.      Awards: CDR West reported the following.

 

A.  Departing and New Members

1.   CDR Tina Gomberg, CDC/NIOSH is making a career change and will no longer be serving on the Awards Subcommittee.  She has served on the subcommittee for more than five years and her high quality work was timely.  I sincerely appreciate her committed service to the EPAC.

2.   Welcome to LT David Ausdemore, CDC/OHS for volunteering to serve on the subcommittee.  He is a mechanical engineer recently transferred from active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

 

 

 

B.  USPHS Engineering Literary Awards

The second round of scoring for the 7th annual presentation is complete.  Plaques for primary authors and certificates for secondary authors will be presented at the COA Public Health Professional Conference during the Engineer’s Luncheon on May 30.

 

C.  Ian K. Burgess 2001 Outstanding Young PHS Engineer Award

The subcommittee has evaluated the nominations for this award.  A memorandum recommending the civil service and commissioned corps winners has been sent to the Chief Engineer.  The awards will be presented during the Engineer’s Luncheon (COA).

 

D.  SAME Awards

1.   The subcommittee has sent a memorandum recommending winners of the Hollis Medal, the Green Medal, and the Cumming’s Plaque to the Chief Engineer.  Award winners will be honored at the annual banquet held during the SAME National Conference (see SAME Liaison Report).

2.   An article announcing the new USPHS awards appeared in the latest SAME newsletter.

 

E.  John C. Villforth Engineering Leadership Award

The subcommittee has evaluated the nominations for this award.  A memorandum is being drafted recommending the winner(s) has been sent to the Chief Engineer.  The awards will be presented during the Engineer’s Luncheon (COA).

 

F.  Evaluation of New Awards

The subcommittee will be reviewing the administration and evaluation of the 2001 USPHS/SAME Engineering Achievement Awards and the John C. Villforth Leadership Award.  The review objective will be to identify process improvements encompassing the call for nominations, nomination format, evaluation criteria and scoring.  Please forward any improvement suggestions or comments to the Awards Subcommittee Chair.

 

2. Building Design & Construction: CDR Martinez reported the following.

 

A.  Healthy Building Initiative

1.   A professional writer is currently modifying the document for anticipated EPAC dissemination in June.

2.   RADM Williams, CAPT Rodenbeck, CAPT Brodt and OSG Chief of Staff CAPT Barror are meeting today to discuss specifics of a meeting called by the OSG.  An anticipated meeting date is August or September 2001.

3.  Healthy building initiatives are growing nationwide with examples of an NIH sponsored meeting in Montgomery Co., MD and possible legislation in California for numeric criteria standards in detection and remediation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Career Development: Ms. Hayes reported the following.

 

A.  Engineer and Architect Leadership Development Seminar

1.   Thanks to all who took the time to plan, participate, or speak at the seminar.  It’s because of you that the seminar was so successful.

2.   IHS, Environmental Health Support Center, has sent continuing education units certificates to the participants.

3.   The subcommittee is writing an after-action report to help plan the next Leadership Development Seminar.

4.   The OCE will contact seminar participants over the next month asking how the seminar has influenced their activities.  Also, an article about the seminar will be included in the next OCE report.

             

B.  COA conference

1.   The final agenda is available at the USPHS engineers website. 

2.   One scheduled speaker has pending concerns that may call him away at any time during the conference.  Please contact Ms. Hayes if you have a presentation that you could present in case of this event.

3.   A brief background on the award winners is being prepared for RADM Williams to use during the presentation.

 

The next meeting is Thursday, May 10 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.  Contact Ms. Hayes for information.  Activities for the remainder of the year will be planned.

 

4. Emergency Preparedness: CAPT Rodenbeck reported the following.

The subcommittee met on April 5. 

 

A.  CCRF Engineer Training Materials

Several are very close to being ready for the full EPAC review and approval.  We have contacted the Information Subcommittee, EPAC, to coordinate posting emergency preparedness training material and information on the PHS Engineer web site.

 

 

 

B.  Expert Contact Information

A laminated card is being developed providing engineers deployed during an emergency with contact information for various experts (e.g., waste water, drinking water, medical facilities).  The card could include names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers.

 

C.  Engineering Reference Materials

Currently, we think the most effective method to provide the information is reference links on the PHS Engineer web site to electronic versions (e.g., the IHS Environmental Handbook and the USAID Field Operations Guide).  Instructions could be posted on the PHS Engineer web site on how to create your own CD-ROM.

 

The Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee will meet on May 3, 2001, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM EDT via conference call.  Participants should use the same telephone number and access code used for the April call.  Any questions should be directed to CAPT Sven Rodenbeck.

 

5. Information: CAPT Sullenger reported the following.

 

The subcommittee met on Tuesday, April 17 with five (5) attendees: Tom Bedick, Mike Coene, Nate Tatum, Kevin Chadwick and Gene Sullenger.

 

A.  Picture Book Scan Project

1.   LT Tatum has completed scanning the 1998 photos filling a full CD. 

2.   The accepted resolution is 600x600.

3.   An initial index outline for the photo database includes the following entries: Year, Agency, Activity, Civil Service or CC, Who, Uniform worn or not, Location, CD title.  Suggestions or comments are appreciated.

 

B.  Engineer’s Database

1.   LCDR Coene will have the current database on the website by May 14, 2001.

2.   The completed database is expected on the website by June 1, 2001.

 

C.  Engineer’s Newsletter

1.   Article submission is a continuing problem.  Permanent columns were suggested

      covering topics such as retirement, awards, investing, medical, and promotion.

 

D.  PHS Engineer’s and Architect’s Website (www.usphsengineers.org)

1.   LCDR Coene is placing a Recruitment PowerPoint presentation on the site.

 

6. Mentoring:  CDR Mickelsen reported the following.

 

A.  Engineering Leadership Development Seminar

There were nine applications submitted at the seminar, another received since, and two others on their way.  All twelve are direct results of the encouragement the applicants received at the seminar.

 

B.  Mentor/Protégé Pairings

Several are currently being reviewed, and six or seven new mentoring teams are expected to be transmitted to the participants on Monday, April 30.

 

There is a need for advisors, which consists of assisting the pairs at the onset of the process, and quarterly contacts assuring the relationship continues.  Please contact me at william7@niehs.nih.gov if you can volunteer to serve as a team advisor.

 

C.  Mentoring Program Handbook

The revisions should be completed this summer.  The revisions include relaxing the suggested time requirements from one hour per week to be more flexible (to, one hour every other week or at least an hour per month), the use of unmatched program applicants as advisors, as well as general corrections.  Suggested revisions should be forwarded to Mr. Bill Blair (blair3@niehs.nih.gov).

 

D.  USPHS Professional Conference

The subcommittee would like to provide program flyers and applications to be distributed at the engineer’s booth.

 

The next meeting of the Mentoring Subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at 11:00 am ET.

 

7. Recruiting and Retention: LCDR Helgeson reported the following.

 

The subcommittee met on Tuesday, April 3 with ten (10) members attending.

 

A.  Engineering Vacancy Database

There are additional engineering series listed on the DCP website (dcp.psc.gov).   The new divisions are Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Mining, Nuclear, and General.  The original four divisions, Biomedical, Safety, Environmental, and Computer Engineering, will continue to be posted.

 

B.  Architect/Engineer Leadership Development Seminar

There was consensus that the seminar is an excellent retention tool.

 

C.  Career Opportunities Booklet

The draft is scheduled for EPAC distribution before the June meeting.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PST.

 

8. Rules: LCDR Coene reported the following.

 

The subcommittee met on Tuesday, April 17th. 

 

A.  By-law Discussions 

1.   Finalizing recorded by-law changes not completed.

2.   Changing OPDIV to Agency throughout EPAC documents.

3.   Posting by-law changes differently on the website.

4.   Updating the appendices to represent accurate information

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 14 beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:53 p.m. EST.

 

EPAC MEETING PARTICIPATION:

 

Participants:  (Members in bold, with alternates attending matched by number to the members absent):

Mr. Michael Adjodha (FDA), LCDR Meredith Bond (EPA), CAPT Kevin Chadwick (IHS), LCDR Michael Coene (FDA), LCDR Patrick Craney (IHS, ex-officio), Ms. Lisa Hayes (ATSDR), LCDR Scott Helgeson (IHS), Mr. Kyung Kim (NIH), Mr. Brian Kong (NIH), LT Jennifer Martin (CDC), CDR Kenneth Martinez (CDC), CDR Ronald L. Mickelsen (CDC), LCDR Denman Ondelacy (IHS), CDR Kathy Poneleit (FDA), CAPT Sven Rodenbeck (ATSDR), LT Hilda Scharen (OEP, ex-officio), CAPT Gene Sullenger (FDA), LT Nathan Tatum (ATSDR, ex-officio), CDR Maurice West (ATSDR), RADM Robert Williams (ATSDR, ex-officio).

 

Members Absent:

LT Sean Boyd (FDA, ex-officio), CAPT Jose Cuzme (IHS), CDR Marylouise Ganaway (DCP, ex-officio), CDR Jo Ann Griffith (EPA, ex-officio), CAPT Crispin Kinney (IHS, ex-officio), CDR Louis Lightner (HRSA), Mr. Matthew Vietmeier (CDC), Mr. F. Mitchell Williams (NIH).

 

GUESTS:

LCDR Daniel Beck, OEP


AUTHORIZATION:

 

I have recorded the above EPAC meeting minutes:

 

 

 

 

 


LCDR Patrick W. Craney, 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:

 

 

 

 

 


CAPT Kevin Chadwick, P.E.                                       Date

Chairperson, EPAC

 

I authorize distribution of these minutes:

 

 

 

 

 


RADM Robert C. Williams, P.E.                                  Date

Chief Engineer, USPHS