PURPOSE

The Fire Protection Subgroup provides leadership for the efficient and cost-effective implementation of Fire Protection Programs as requested by the Department of Energy (DOE) and EFCOG member companies. The purpose of the Subgroup is to promote excellence in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Fire Protection programs at the Department of Energy sites by sharing information and by facilitating the application of Fire Protection �Best Practices�.

The Fire Protection Subgroup is a working committee whose intent is to facilitate the objectives of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) as related to the particular area of Fire Protection.

The purpose of the Fire Protection Subgroup is for members to promote excellence in Department of Energy Fire Protection Programs by sharing information and lessons learned, and by facilitating the application of information and techniques to the degree appropriate for their contract/facility.    

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Fire Protection Subgroup are to:

1. Promote, coordinate and facilitate the active exchange of successful programs, practices, procedures, lessons learned and other pertinent information of common interest to Fire Protection.

2. Promote sharing of management and technical information among DOE contractors.

3. Identify techniques and benchmarked practices that enable cost-effective and accelerated implementation of Fire Protection processes and programs.

4. Facilitate coordinated contractor input to DOE on Fire Protection related issues.

5. Provide an efficient mechanism for DOE interfaces with senior contractor executives and subject matter experts responsible for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Fire Protection Programs.

SCOPE

1. The Fire Protection Subgroup will operate within the scope of the EFCOG Executive Council and Working Group Manual.

2. The areas of contractor interest covered by the Fire Protection Subgroup include:

• site, facility and activity level processes that implement the Fire Protection Program

• identification of cost effective approaches to the implementation of Fire Protection requirements

• sharing of information on how specific Fire Protection issues are handled at various sites

3. Areas of interest will include both nuclear and non-nuclear facilities.

4. Issues will be addressed for all aspects of facility operation from initial construction through facility retirement/dismantlement.

5. The Fire Protection Subgroup will not lobby, advocate independent positions, or try to change DOE policy.

ORGANIZATION 

1. A single Fire Protection Program contact will be identified for each participating M&O/ERMC contractor to facilitate communication.

2. The Fire Protection Program Subgroup membership will direct the overall actions of the group. 

3.  Membership in the Fire Protection Program Subgroup is limited to M&O/ERMC contractors who are current EFCOG members. 

4.  The Fire Protection Program Subgroup will maintain a balance in membership, to the degree possible, of M&O/ERMC representatives.  The Chair will conduct a review of representation at least annually.

5. Initially, the EFCOG Executive Directors may assign the Chair. If elected from the Subgroup membership, the Chair's position will require a majority vote by the members.  The Chair's term of office will be one year.  If for any reason the Chair is required to terminate prior to the designated time, the committee shall elect a new Chair. 

6. The Fire Protection Program Subgroup Chair is designated as the single point of contact for official EFCOG Fire Protection Program communication.  This is not intended to restrict other informal communications.

PROCESS 

The Fire Protection Program meetings will be held as determined by the Fire Protection Program Subgroup Chair.  Available information technology (i.e. email, video conferencing, teleconferencing, etc) will be used to the greatest extent possible to minimize the number of formal meetings of the entire work group.

The Fire Protection Program Subgroup may sponsor workshops, seminars or other meetings to execute their stated objectives. Reimbursement for costs will be in accordance with approved EFCOG guidelines.

The Subgroup Chair will ensure that the goals, objectives and cost/benefits of the Fire Protection Subgroup are reviewed annually by the entire Subgroup membership and documented in the Group�s annual report to the sponsoring Working Group Chair.  The Subgroup will determine during this review if continuation of the Subgroup is recommended.  The recommendation will be based solely on the added value the Subgroup provides to the DOE and member companies in the area of Fire Protection. 

Strategic Planning for the Subgroup shall be the responsibility of the Officers of the Subgroup and other contributors from the Subgroup as identified by the Subgroup Chair.  Annually, this group shall review and may provide recommended changes to the Subgroup charter for approval by the EFCOG Directors. 

The Fire Protection Program Subgroup Chair is designated as the single point of contact for official EFCOG Fire Protection Program Subgroup communications.