Minutes of the Meeting of the

Engineer Professional Advisory Committee

Thursday, December 13, 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 1:06 p.m. EST at the IHS Twinbrook Metro Plaza Executive Conference Room, Rockville, Maryland. The November 15, 2001, meeting minutes were approved with minor changes. The next meeting will be held Thursday, January 24, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. EST at the FDA Building, Room 330V and the IHS Twinbrook Building, Rockville, Maryland.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE): RADM Robert Williams reported the following announcements.

A. New CCRF Requirements Effective January 1, 2002

Look for an e-mail that describes the criteria to be Roster Qualified (conditionally deployable) and Fully Qualified (eligible for the Field Medical Readiness Badge). We need folks that are on the current rosters to have Physical Exam (within the past five years), Physical Fitness Test, Basic Life Support training, and complete four basic web-based training by January, if possible, and certainly by mid-January.

B. Commissioned Corps Report to Congress

Congress has requested a report by March on the status of the Commissioned Corps and its future look. Several activities are underway to develop support documents. For example, how can engineers best be used under the New Corps Initiative?

C. Surgeon General (SG) Satcher Retirement in February (see New Business)

1. There is no news on possible replacements.

2. SG Satcher was made an honorary PHS Engineer--Do we want to recognize his achievements in any other form? A retirement ceremony in mid-January may be a possibility.

D. 9/11 and Anthrax Response

SG Satcher has authorized through Outstanding Unit Citation and Crisis Response Service Awards for individuals involved in these activities. I believe that most names have been submitted, but please ask for names within your agency of engineers who were deployed so OCE can verify. Remember that honor awards are also a possibility for those deployed. Nominations are due by January 18 to the OCE.

E. Inactive/Ready Reserve Initiatives

CAPT Jim Sayers is moving forward on this project. We’ve been asked to contact former PHS officers to see of their possible interest in the Reserves. Twelve hundred plus former officers have said they are interested including 150 engineers.

F. Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG) Charter (see Jr. Engineer Report)

The CPO/PAC Chairs endorsed the JOAG Charter at their November meeting and recommended it be forwarded to SG Satcher for final signing. Good work by LT Sean Boyd!

G. NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year

The NSPE will be recognizing three (3) PHS Engineers on January 18 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. They are Juan Reyes, ATSDR; CDR Paula Simenauer, FDA; and Dr. Farhad Memarzadeh, NIH. The NSPE Top 10 Federal Engineers of the Year should be announced soon and we hope that at least one of our three will make the list. The OCE will attend this ceremony.

H. Award & Recognition Nominations (see Awards Report)

1. The deadline is March 31, 2002, for the SAME Green and Hollis Medals and Cummings Plaque.

The OCE will receive literary awards submissions, John C. Villforth Leadership and Ike K. Burgess Young Engineer of the Year nominations until January 31, 2002.

3. PHS Engineer of the Year nominations have closed but we will still recognize Agency Engineers of the Year. No nominations were received from the CDC, EPA, or HRSA. The OCE will continue to accept Agency Engineer of the Year selections until January 18, 2002. These folks will be recognized at the PHS Engineer’s Luncheon held on either February 21 or 22 in the Rockville area.

I. Symposium on Leadership Development: Realities Faced by Women Engineers (see SAME Report)

The symposium will be held on Tuesday, May 21 in conjunction with the SAME National Education and Training Conference. The agenda looks great and I believe that this symposium will be a valuable session not only for women engineers but also for anyone who works with women engineers.

J. Outgoing EPAC Chair, CAPT Kevin Chadwick

CAPT Chadwick has done a wonderful job during a tough year. It’s hard to be EPAC Chair from outside of DC because so much happens within the Beltway, but somehow Kevin found a way to make things happen and we’ve enjoyed much success. For example, new USPHS awards were established and awarded this year, engineers were more easily deployed because of the efforts of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee in developing the deployment matrix, the Leadership Development Seminar was a big hit, and the field meetings--the last one was at WEAC--were terrific. We all very much salute the efforts of our Chair this year, CAPT Chadwick. It’s been a real pleasure!

K. Other EPAC Departures

Also, serving us well were LCDR Patrick Craney, Executive Secretary, and completing EPAC terms are CDR Louis Lightner and CAPT Kenneth Martinez. I’d like to thank all of them for their hard work. CDR Lightner brought the EPAC out of the dark ages and developed the first USPHS Engineers website. CAPT Martinez played an important role in the Healthy Building Initiative. A big thanks to all the EPAC members for a very successful year!

Finally, my Holiday Wish to EPAC and your families. Enjoy this Holiday Season! Take some time off to reflect on what we have to be thankful for and what is most important to us. Remember those you love and tell them that you love them! Keep safe and healthy until we meet again in January 2002. Best Wishes to all!

EPAC Chair: CAPT Chadwick reported the following.

A. 2002 EPAC Highlights

February – Engineer’s Week Activities.
March – Engineer Leadership Development Seminar and subsequent formation of an ad hoc committee for future seminar planning.
June – 1^st PHS-SAME Awards.
July – DCP Recruitment Conference reviving the Associate Recruiter Program.
November – EPAC Field Meeting at the FDA-Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center in Winchester, MA.
EPAC Subcommittee work throughout the year.

The EPAC commitment and growth during the last six years has been substantial. The membership is now well distributed and best exemplified in the non-EPAC representation on the subcommittees. Regular and informative communication between EPAC, OCE and the USPHS engineers has increased using a variety of tools (website www.usphsengineers.org, announcements, etc.). This representation and information distribution will only strengthen the engineering category.

Finally, I would like to thank the Chief Engineer, Office of Chief Engineer Staff and Subcommittee Chairs for all their assistance this year.

Division of Commissioned Personnel (DCP) Liaison: LCDR Sandy Chatfield reported the following for LCDR Ronald Keats.

Please contact DCP, 1-800-279-1605, for any commissioned corps issues, especially vacancy/announcement items.
If you have not already done so, please contact/enroll on the Vacancy List Server.
There are currently 60-70 engineering applicants in the system.
DCP is available to generate lists of qualified engineering applicants for positions.

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

The new COA Executive Director having a successful orientation.
The Washington, D.C. Area COA Branch had an enjoyable “Dining Out” function.

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

A. Comprehensive Force Protection Symposium, November 2001

Both private and government speakers spoke on cutting edge topics in this engineering and construction field. A “Criteria Recommendations” was submitted to the Federal Facilities Council as a result of this meeting. The conference is available on compact disc and video through www.same.org.

B. National Education and Training Conference, May 2002

The Navy and Air Force will attend the conference with a large portion of attendees being junior officers. A junior officer function during the conference is in the planning stages.

C. Announcements

· The deadline for SAME Fellow nominations is December 31, 2001.

· There are categories for both SAME and PHS-SAME Awards at the annual conference with looming deadlines.

· A regional conference is scheduled for Bethesda, MD in early March with force protection being one of the technical topics.

· The USPHS has been invited to participate in the Committee on Infrastructure Security Partnership (CISP). This group would discuss inter-department information exchanges for emergency preparedness. Information may be available on the “Industry Affairs” section of www.same.org.

Junior Engineer Report: LT Sean Boyd reported the following.

The Junior Officer Advisory Committee (JOAG) was formalized by the CPO-PAC with the charter forwarded to SG Satcher for signature.

Current activities include:

· Developing a Commissioned Officer's Code of Conduct which would be available to all Commissioned Officers for reference.

· Looking to identify what junior officer activities and resources (e.g. career development, mentoring, recruiting activities) are available through other sources and categories.

· Developing a welcoming brochure to provide to new officers in the Corps.

· Drafted a position paper on the need to expand the number of Junior Officers in the Corps. The paper was provided to CAPT Richard Barror, Chief of Staff, OSG with copies to the Recruiting Subcommittee Chair, EPAC Chair, and OCE for information.

· There is a need to identify a second engineer representative to sit on the JOAG. Provide commissioned officer nominees to CAPT Jose Cuzme, Rules Subcommittee Chair for EPAC review/recommendation and OCE confirmation.

Job Vacancies: Known vacancies are now posted or linked on the PHS Engineers website (www.usphsengineers.org). The weekly OCE statements from LCDR Tatum via e-mail are another resource.

OLD BUSINESS - 2002 Chair-Elect, CDR Michael Coene

CAPT Jose Cuzme is the sole nominee for this position. He had a brief statement before a vote was taken.

EPAC confirmed CAPT Cuzme as the 2002 Chair-Elect.

NEW BUSINESS

A. ATSDR EPAC Representation, CDR Maurice West

CDR West is transferring from ATSDR to the National Park Service by the end of the year. CDR West, ATSDR and Ms. Lisa Hayes, At-Large (ATSDR) are proposing to shift their membership category for continuous ATSDR representation.

EPAC passed a motion to have CDR West become one of the three At-Large Representatives with Ms. Hayes assuming the ATSDR position.

B. National Park Service - EPAC Representation, CDR Maurice West

CAPT John Hanley, NPS has forecasted reaching ten (10) engineering positions during 2002. CAPT Cuzme will review the status of NPS engineering positions with CAPT Hanley prior to the 2002 EPAC Member self-nominations in May.

C. SG Satcher Retirement

A proposal was entertained to honor SG Satcher with an informal presentation of memorabilia by the engineer category. Specific suggestions included a formal letter, construction helmet and plaque. CDR West would lead this activity and report to EPAC in January.

EPAC passed a resolution recognizing SG Satcher for his contribution to the engineering category and EPAC relations during his tenure.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Awards: CDR West reported the following.

A. Awards Update

1. NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year – The nominees have been reviewed. The selection will be forwarded to the OCE for approval by the end of December.

2. Engineer Literary Awards – Only two papers have been received in the categories of applications and research. No papers have been received in the regulations or management category. The nomination deadline is January 31, 2002.

3. Ike K. Burgess and John C. Villforth Awards – The nomination deadline is January 31, 2002. Nominations received to this point are two and one, respectively.

4. PHS-SAME Awards – The deadline for the Hollis, Green Medals and Cummings Plaque is March 31, 2002.

5. All awards information is available at www.usphsengineers.org. If more information is needed, CDR West or any of the OCE staff can assist in answering your questions.

B. EPAC Recognitions

1. The formal proposal will be distributed to EPAC members prior to the January meeting.

2. A metal embossing stamp and desktop publishing software has been authorized for purchase by the OCE. With these tools, the Awards Subcommittee can generate certificates.

2. Building Design & Construction: CAPT Martinez had no report.

CAPT Martinez, CAPT Sven Rodenbeck and RADM Williams furthered discussed the CRSA and OUC Awards for the 9/11 and Anthrax response. See OCE Announcements, Item D.

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

The subcommittee has not met since the November EPAC meeting.

A. COA Meeting – Category Day, April 24, 2002

Presenters (paper or poster) are requested. The focus is emergency response.

The next subcommittee meeting is December 15, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Leadership Development Seminar Ad hoc Subcommittee, LT Jennifer Martin

The major issues including timeframe (early 2003), location, session topic, and whether or not to have an “open category” seminar are still early in discussion. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

4. Emergency Preparedness: CAPT Rodenbeck reported the following.

There was no meeting as planned on December 6, 2001.

The next Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee conference call will be January 10, 2002, at 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT. Please contact CAPT Rodenbeck to obtain the conference call bridge and code numbers.

5. Information: There was no report.

6. Mentoring: Mr. Mitchell Williams reported the following.

The Mentoring Subcommittee is beginning preliminary discussions regarding expanding services in response to a suggestion received by the subcommittee. In addition to the longer-term mentoring teams, engineers and architects that have specific issues or questions would be able to find a knowledgeable, experienced resource with whom they can discuss the issue or find an answer. The suggestion used the analogy of a phone line support type of service

Though there is a preliminary interest in providing a service of this type to the category if it would be used, some of the preliminary discussions have centered on not displacing the goal of establishing longer-term mentoring teams. On the other hand, it is possible that those that had an opportunity to use a one-time resource might see the advantages of mentoring and consider applying to participate in a longer-term mentoring team. The Subcommittee will continue its discussion at its next meeting, and if there exists a consensus to move forward with this service, we will most likely survey the category to ensure there is a wide-scale desire for the service, prior to investing the effort into developing and putting it into place.

The next meeting of the Mentoring Subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. EST.

7. Recruiting and Retention: LT Mat Martinson reported the following for LCDR Scott Helgeson.

LCDRs Tatum and Helgeson sent the Associate Recruiter Program enrollment and activity forms to all USPHS engineers in December.

Thirteen engineers indicated interest in applying (IHS, 11; NPS, 1; CDC,1).

8. Rules: CAPT Chadwick reported the following for CDR Coene.

A. EPAC Member Changes (See OCE Announcements, Item J. and K.)

1. Departees – CAPT Chadwick, Chair (IHS); CAPT Martinez, At-Large (NIOSH); CDR Lightner, HRSA; Mr. Matthew Vietmeier, CDC; CAPT Crispin Kinney, Past-Chair and LCDR Craney, Exec. Secretary.

2. Arrivals – LCDR David Ausdemore, CDC; LCDR Jamie Natour, HRSA; CDR Todd Scofield, IHS; CAPT Rao Surampalli, At-Large (EPA) and LCDR Nicole Wolanski, Exec. Secretary (FDA).

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. EDT.

EPAC MEETING PARTICIPATION:

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

LCDR Meredith Bond (EPA), LT Sean Boyd (FDA, ex-officio), CAPT Kevin Chadwick (IHS), CDR Michael Coene (FDA), LCDR Patrick Craney (IHS, ex-officio), CAPT Jose Cuzme (IHS), Ms. Lisa Hayes (ATSDR), Mr. Kyung Kim (NIH), Mr. Brian Kong (NIH), CDR Louis Lightner (HRSA), CAPT Kenneth Martinez (CDC), CDR Kathy Poneleit (FDA), CAPT Sven Rodenbeck (ATSDR), LCDR Hilda Scharen (OEP, ex-officio), LCDR Nathan Tatum (ATSDR, ex-officio), CDR Maurice West (ATSDR), Mr. F. Mitchell Williams (NIH), RADM Robert Williams (ATSDR, ex-officio).

Members Absent:

Mr. Michael Adjodha (FDA), CDR Jo Ann Griffith (EPA, ex-officio), 1. LCDR Scott Helgeson (IHS), 2. LCDR Ronald Keats (DCP, ex-officio), CAPT Crispin Kinney (IHS, ex-officio), LT Jennifer Martin (CDC), 3. CAPT Ronald L. Mickelsen (CDC), LCDR Denman Ondelacy (IHS), CAPT Gene Sullenger (FDA), Mr. Matthew Vietmeier (CDC).

GUESTS:

1. LT Mathew Martinson, IHS

2. LCDR Sandy Chatfield, DCP

3. LCDR Scott Earnest, CDC