Board of Visitors Charter

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Charter of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy

OFFICIAL DESIGNATION

This Charter establishes the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy pursuant to the Federal Fire Prevention Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 2206(j)] and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) [5 U.S.C. Appendix 2].

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

The Board shall review annually the programs of the Academy and advise the FEMA Administrator through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration regarding the operation of the Academy and any improvements therein that the Board deems appropriate. The Board shall make interim advisories to the FEMA Administrator through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration whenever there is an indicated urgency to do so in fulfilling its duties.

In carrying out their responsibilities, the Board shall include in their review:

An examination of Academy programs to determine whether these programs further the basic missions which are approved by the FEMA Administrator;
An examination of the physical plant of the Academy to determine the adequacy of the Academy facilities; and,
An examination of the funding levels for the Academy programs.

The Board shall submit its annual report through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration to the FEMA Administrator, in writing. This report shall provide detailed comments and recommendations regarding the operation of the Academy. The Board shall submit interim reports through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration to the FEMA Administrator whenever there is an indicated need to do so in the fulfillment of its duties.

DURATION

The Board shall function on a continuing basis in accordance with the authorizing Statute unless terminated by the appropriate legislative authority.

OFFICIAL TO WHOM THE COMMITTEE REPORTS

This Board reports to the FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency for the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration.

SPONSOR AND OFFICE PROVIDING SUPPORT

The Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will sponsor the Board's activities. The Office of the Superintendent, National Fire Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will support the Board's activities.

DUTIES

The Board will provide advice and recommendations to the FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, in accordance with the Board Objectives and Scope of Activities listed above.

MEETINGS

Depending on funding availability and scheduling considerations, the Board shall meet as often as needed to fulfill its mission, but not less than twice each Federal fiscal year to address its objectives and duties.

It shall be cause for consideration of dismissal from the Board if any member is absent from two (2) consecutive Board meetings. The Board, through the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, should recommend such dismissals to the Secretary.

The Board shall meet at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, unless permission to meet at an alternate location is granted by the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration.

MEMBERSHIP

The Board shall be comprised of eight members. The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Board from among professionals in the fields of fire safety, fire prevention, fire control research and development in fire protection, treatment and rehabilitation of fire victims, or local government services management, and from such professional organizations as will ensure a balanced representation of fire and emergency services interests. Members will be appointed as Special Government Employees (SGEs) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code.

Members of the Board shall be appointed for terms of up to three (3) years, and members may be reappointed to three subsequent 3-year terms at the discretion of the Secretary. Board members will continue to serve until their replacement is appointed. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Secretary may select an alternate member or other individual to serve the unexpired term as described in the appointment letter. In order to provide for continuity of member participation, terms are staggered. Unless there are vacancies for reasons other than term expiration no more than half of the members shall be replaced (or reappointed) in any given year.

OFFICERS

The Board, at its first organizational meeting of each Federal fiscal year, shall select from among its members a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. These officers shall serve for the ensuing year and may serve successive terms.

In the absence of both the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson, the Board shall select a member from those present to preside as Chairperson pro term for that meeting.

DUTIES OF CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson is the presiding officer of the Board and guides its efforts to the effective completion of its assigned tasks. The Chairperson provides leadership and adheres to the Charter and such other rules of order and operating procedures as the Board adopts, maintains order, and conducts each meeting in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures.
DUTIES OF THE VICE-CHAIRPERSON
The Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.

SUBCOMMITTEES

The Chairperson may establish subcommittees with the Sponsor's approval. To the extent practical, subcommittees of this Board should be composed of members of the parent Board. If that is not feasible, at least some members, including the chairperson, must be members of the Board.

COSTS

The estimated annual operating costs associated with supporting the Board's functions are estimated to be $40,000 per year, including all direct and indirect expenses. It is estimated that 0.25 full time equivalent will be required to support the Board.

MEMBER COMPENSATION

In accordance with the authorizing statute, the members of the Board shall not be compensated for their services, but shall be reimbursed (including travel and per diem) for appropriate and permitted expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the Board.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration is the Designated Federal Official who will attend each meeting of the Board and is authorized, whenever he/she so determines it to be in the public interest, to adjourn any such meeting. The Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration may designate a member of the management staff of the U.S. Fire Administration to be the Designated Federal Official to act on his/her behalf in his/her absence. The Board shall not conduct meetings in the absence of the Designated Federal Official or his/her designee.

The Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration shall also designate an employee of the U.S. Fire Administration to serve as the Secretary to the Board with all the attendant secretarial duties to cause the Board to be appropriately supported with its administrative needs, minutes, notices, records, and reports. The U.S. Fire Administration shall provide such other clerical and supporting services for the Board as may be deemed appropriate by the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration.

Board meeting minutes shall be maintained and shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. All records pertaining to the Board shall be maintained in the Office of the designated Secretary to the Board.

FILING DATE: June 15, 2006.