[DOE LETTERHEAD]

OAK RIDGE OPERATIONS OFFICE

March 3, 2000

The Honorable John T. Conway, Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004-2901

Dear Mr. Chairman:

REPORT ON OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY (ORNL) FIRE PROTECTION DEPARTMENT BASELINES NEEDS VALIDATION

As discussed in Dr. Krebs' letter to you dated October 28, 1999, enclosed is the final report on the ORNL Fire Protection Department Baseline Needs Validation study. The Board expressed interest in this evaluation in regard to ORNL Building 3019.

Solicitation for hiring two additional trained firefighters per shift has begun. This will increase the Fire Department's staffing level from five to seven firefighters per shift. A Corrective Action Plan addressing each conclusion of the report has been requested from the contractor by March 13, 2000. This response will be provided to the Oak Ridge Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Site Representative when received by the ORNL Site Office.

If additional information is required, please contact me, or have your staff contact Harold Monroe at (865) 576-9439.

Sincerely,

G. Leah Dever
Manager

Enclosure

cc w/enclosure:
Mark Whitaker, S-3.1, HQ/FORS
Bob Poe, SE-30, ORO
Harold Monroe, SE-31, ORO
Harold Clark, LM-111, ORO
Jerry Swanks, ORNL

Note: This enclosure is available in [PDF].