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.NMLEA NEWS
The Fall Colors of Training... and Conflict
As we watch the leaves fall and the holiday season approach, a lot of things are changing all around us. We’ve weathered the election along with multiple storms, fires, floods and increased personal conflicts… with a sprinkling of a pandemic over the top. I am sure we are looking forward to a change when all that is taken into account.
But one thing that is definitely changing is training. Public safety professionals in agencies, departments and offices across the country are wrestling with their training demands amongst the changes we mentioned, and trying to map out the path ahead. At the NMLEA, we’ve been heavily involved through the summer in “digital learning transformations,” helping agencies of all sizes and shapes develop solutions that can adapt the new landscape (or seascape.) And aside from transitioning Instructor-Led Training (ILT) to Virtual ILT or blended type programs in multiple subject areas, one area as surfaced as a “hot” subject: Conflict Resolution training.
To answer that need, the Academy has partnered with Interact Performance Systems to launch Conflict Resolution Training designed specifically for Public Safety professionals, and people from all industries and disciplines. “Interact is a company that has led the national in interpersonal communication skills, through a series of programs that have been the gold standard for decades,” said NMLEA Executive Director Mark DuPont. “Since 1981, organizations like Ford, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola and Stanford University have chosen Interact as the essential training solution for conflict resolution, problem solving and performance management… now we are making this available to our brothers and sisters within the public safety community.”
DuPont concluded by saying, “In this period of divisiveness and distancing as it relates to how we ‘interact’ with each other, there is no more critical time in our Nation’s history than right now, and no more important training than the Interact Performance System programs, which have stood the test of time for over four decades. Every chief, administrator, supervisor, and manager in America is looking for this answer, right now.”
For more information on transforming your training, or conflict resolution training from Interact Performance Systems, contact us at info@nmlea.org.
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US political uncertainty seen as a threat to maritime industry
As we go through another historical election period, NMLEA board member Scot Faulkner was interviewed about what the political impact is on the maritime industry. He provided some great insight to Eric Watkins (published on the Lloyd’s List web site, www.lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com) as provided below.
AS POLLS closed across the United States there was widespread concern over the possibility of a protracted
vote count that could delay the outcome of the election by weeks or even months.
That could mean problems for the maritime industry especially if new political appointments traditionally
made after a presidential election are delayed by a prolonged vote count.
Scot Faulkner, an expert in US presidential transitions planning, said an incoming president had the
opportunity to directly appoint people to some 8,000 positions in the federal government.
Additionally, there were another 8,000 indirect appointments to be made, while a new directive by President
Donald Trump could see the number climb by a further 8,000 positions, he said in an interview.
“No matter who wins, there will definitely be personnel impacts. As you know, that means policy impacts,
depending on who takes the helm at the various departments and agencies that affect the maritime industry,”
said Mr. Faulkner, who sits on the board of National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy.
All these positions can be found in what is commonly called the Plum Book or the United States Government
Policy and Supporting Positions, which is published by the US Congress.
The document contains data on more than 9,000 Federal civil service leadership and support positions in the
legislative and executive branches of the US government that may be subject to non-competitive appointment.
“The duties of many such positions may involve advocacy of Administration policies and programmes and the
incumbents usually have a close and confidential working relationship with the agency head or other key
officials,” it says.
The maritime industry is affected by many appointments made by the incoming president, above all the Ocean
Policy Committee (OPC), according to Mr. Faulkner, whose recent book, the Naked Emperors, is considered a
“timeless classic” about how Washington really works.
The OPC, established by President Trump in 2018, is a key organisation within the White House which engages
and collaborates with stakeholders to address matters involving US ocean, coastal and Great Lakes waters —
including national security interests.
Following OPC is the Department of Transportation, which is home to the Federal Maritime Administration,
the DOT agency responsible for America’s waterborne transportation system.
Within MARAD is the US Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, a Federal group that
advises the US Department of Transportation on issues related to the marine transportation system.
The Department of Labor comes next on Mr. Faulkner’s list of top US departments and agencies, with two units
identified in particular: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its Maritime Advisory
Committee.
Originally formed in 1995, MACOSH is a discretionary committee authorised to advise, consult with and make
recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on matters relating to the maritime industry.
The Department of Commerce plays an essential role in maritime, overseeing ocean and coastal navigation,
helping negotiate bilateral trade agreements, and enforcing laws that ensure a level playing field for American
businesses and workers.
Within the Department of Commerce is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which aims to
provide daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal
restoration and supports marine commerce.
The Department of Commerce also is home to the Science Advisory Board, comprised of more than 40,000
scientists immersed in biological research, drug discovery and biopharmaceutical production.
Closing out Mr. Faulkner’s list of top departments and agencies of the US government is the Federal Maritime
Commission, which is charged with ensuring a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation
system to support the US economy.
Within the FMC is the recently established National Shipper Advisory Committee, which advises the FMC on
policies related to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity and fairness of the international ocean freight
delivery system.
The maritime industry can clearly be impacted by any and all of the departments and agencies, according to Mr.
Faulkner, depending on the character of the president making the appointments.
In some cases, presidents with little concern for good government will simply make appointments as part of
political patronage: rewards for political support in the run-up to election night.
In other cases, he said, presidents took very seriously the appointments they had to make, ensuring that best
qualified candidate actually gets the position.
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.OTHER NEWS
5 boating safety tips for the summer
Seattle Pi
There’s nothing better than going out into the water on your boat during the summer. It’s the ultimate de-stressing activity and a gateway to enjoying all the water activities on offer during this great season. Whether you enjoy angling, water skiing, or surfing, you can do it all when you have a boat, and at any time you want to.
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COVID-19 and the shifting maritime balance
Global Risk Insights
The effects of the pandemic will continue to impact the regional and global maritime security calculus not only in the immediate future but for some years to come. Many economists have predicted that the pandemic will create a global economic crisis. This situation has already translated to defence budget reduction, with modernisation and new military acquisition being delayed and re-prioritised, with long term effect.
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Typhoon wind turbines and maritime propulsion
Maritime Executive
Beginning over a decade ago in response to powerful winds destroying wind turbines, Japanese researchers began developing wind turbines capable of operating during typhoon force winds. More recently, General Electric has begun developing typhoon capable wind turbines. There is potential to adapt some typhoon capable wind turbines to maritime propulsion and especially for sailing directly into headwinds.
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Strategic approach needed for coast guard to exploit unmanned technology
Seapower Magazine
As unmanned systems (UxS) continue to develop and be used by military services and federal agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard should proceed more aggressively and deliberately in taking advantage of UxS advancements, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
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The Coast Guard and Marines should work together to enhance deterrence in the Western Pacific
Brookings
On October 23, 2020, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien announced that the U.S. Coast Guard would begin a study on the viability of
deploying “enhanced” Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) to American Samoa to help address China’s increasingly malign maritime activities in the Pacific. Leaving aside for now what “enhanced” means (
enhancing the existing FRC platform?
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Piracy attacks on oil facilities and vessels: an issue the US could soon face
Forbes
Piracy is one of the world’s oldest professions. And it seems to be thriving. “Piracy attacks against crude oil tankers have taken place in the Gulf of Guinea, Horn of Africa, and Malacca Strait over the last 20 years,” said Rockford Weitz, Director of Maritime Studies at Tufts University's Fletcher School, in an interview last week.
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