Marybeth Gagnon

The strategic plan for the Alaska Fire Standards Council is a comprehensive framework outlining eight key strategic goals. These include developing and maintaining long-term funding strategies, establishing and continuously updating minimum training and performance standards for fire services personnel in alignment with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and defining curriculum requirements for training programs. The plan also details procedures for certifying both training programs and individuals, governs the process for revoking certifications, and emphasizes collaboration with municipalities, state agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations to develop fire services training. Additionally, it addresses the establishment of necessary fees for certification and testing services.

This Operations Plan outlines the strategic direction for the Alaska Fire Standards Council. It focuses on several key operational goals, including managing the budget for core operations, developing and revising certification directives, maintaining curriculum requirements for training programs, managing the procedure for certifying fire services training programs, certifying fire service personnel, maintaining administrative accessibility for communications, and charging and collecting necessary fees. The plan aims to ensure effective governance, uphold standards, and provide efficient services for fire safety in Alaska.

Key discussions during the meeting involved the qualifications of examiners for psychological exams, leading to a motion to discuss the specific situation in executive session. The Council addressed an appeal regarding an Executive Director determination on reciprocity for Mr. Jaquel Pitts, ultimately upholding the determination. Other new business included discussions on standardized Basic Certification Testing, clarifying Methods of Instruction (MOI) guidelines, and forming a committee to explore concerns regarding the reciprocity standards and process. The Council also addressed matters arising from deliberative sessions, including the interpretation of a statute or regulation concerning moral character evidence, rescission requests, and determining probable cause for initiating revocation or disqualification actions in numerous pending cases. Additionally, the Council considered rescinding certification in one case and confirmed disqualification or revocation actions for several other cases. Finally, there was a discussion regarding scheduling quarterly meetings, and the incumbent Chair and Vice-Chair were re-elected.

The meeting included the approval of the current agenda and past minutes from December 2, 2024. The Executive Director's Report detailed staffing updates, including the retirement of Shane Nicholson and the hiring of Kris Schmidt as a second investigator. Statistical updates covered records requests, reciprocity evaluations, and misconduct investigations, noting 77 active cases. The report also highlighted the successful adoption and implementation of new certification regulations effective January 19, 2025. Legislative review covered Senate Bill 53 concerning mandatory law enforcement agency accreditation. In Old Business, Policy and Procedure 13 (Open Meetings, Deliberative Sessions, and Executive Sessions) and Policy and Procedure 14 (Recusals) were approved. New Business involved forming a subgroup to review statutes and regulations, starting with reciprocity regulations. Following a deliberative session, the Council addressed several case matters, including denying one rescission request (Case 2016-38) and finding probable cause to pursue revocation proceedings in multiple cases. Finally, the Council voted to revoke certification in Case 2022-14 and issue an order of disqualification in Case 2022-17.

The Special Meeting of the Alaska Police Standards Council involved calling the meeting to order and conducting a roll call of members present and absent. A key action taken was the motion and subsequent unanimous consent to adjourn to a Deliberative Session to address matters concerning the reputation and character of individuals and for adjudicatory proceedings. Following this session, the General Session was called back to order, after which the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.