Two-person Go Teams are highly skilled and equipped chief officers in each national FEMA region who will help in the organizational response and recovery after significant emergencies and catastrophic events. Visit the EMC webpage (see the Toolbox area) for details and to print the application documents. Department approval is required so be sure to give yourself time to fill out all documents and submit by the Friday, December 18 deadline. Retirees are encouraged to apply. Apply today

Details:
Since 2004, the IAFC has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to improve the mutual-aid programs within individual states, the tribal nations and U.S. territories. This effort has been the cornerstone of a cooperative agreement with the IAFC administered by the National Integration Center (NIC) as part of FEMA.

As part of the review process following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one recommendation to be considered was the establishment of a specialized resource that would be available to any local, state or federal authority to help manage fire and related public-safety resources. The IAFC’s Emergency Management Committee (EMC) established the Advance Team Subcommittee, which was responsible for creating a proposal for a program that would accomplish this objective. Now that this objective has been achieved, we’re pleased to announce the application for Go-Team members.
After many months of gathering information and putting a proposal together, the project was submitted to and approved by the EMC. In the 2010-11 cooperative agreement, the proposal was submitted as part of the scope of work for the IAFC and approved for implementation; it becomes effective on March 1, 2010.

As part of the information review, the subcommittee explored the current existence of this model on a state and a national basis. Only a very few states have this capability through their state emergency system, and the vast majority didn’t have such a resource or access to this resource. There was no similar resource available nationally.

In preparation for the program, an application process has been established that will review and select two IAFC members from each of the ten FEMA regions to serve in this capacity. A list of required and preferred qualifications are included as part of the application. Applicants will be asked to:
• Answer a list of questions
• Verify their medical qualifications for the position
• Sign a code of conduct agreement
• Have their fire chief sign a letter to verify approval of participation in the program
• Submit a cover letter/letter of interest to provide additional information on experience and training that would further qualify the candidate for the position

Go to the EMC webpage (see the Toolbox area) to review and print the application documents and related information.

Applications must be received by Friday, December 18, 2009, at 5 pm eastern time. Submit your completed application packet to:
Jaclyn Newton, IAFC
National Programs
4025 Fair Ridge Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033-2868

For questions about the application process, contact Ms. Newton at jnewton@iafc.org. If your organization or position changes after you submit your application, you must provide the change to Ms. Newton.