United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
EPA
DIRECTIVE NUMBER:
9285.9-06
TITLE! Mandatory Community Relations Training -- Superfund Management
Review Implementation Product
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nit6< tes cnvironmunta! rot0ction
Washington. DC 20460
QSWER Directive Initiation Request
1 Directive Numoer
9285.9-06
2. Originator Information
Name of Contact Person
SF Document flpnt-pr
Mail Code
OS-245
Office
OERR
Telephone Code
202-260-9760
3. Title
Mandatory Community Relations Training —
Superfund Management Review Implementation Product
(Recommeucldtion: # A3.P(i))
4. Summary of Directive (include brief statement of purpose)
The purpose of this memorandum is to formally announce mandatory community relations
training for Remedial Project Managers, On-Scene Coordinators and other Regional staff
and managers who attend public meetings or deal with the public.
5. Keywords
Community Relations
6a. Does This Directive Supersede Previous Directive(s)?
b. Does It Supplement Previous Oirective(s)?
No
No
Yes What directive (number, title)
Yes What directive (number, title)
7. Draft Level
A - Signed by AA'DAA
B •- Signed by Office Director
C - For Review & Comment
D - In Development
8. Document to be distributed to States by Headquarters?
Yes
NO
This Request Maeta OSWER Directives System Format Standards.
9. Signature of
recnves Coordinator
Date
10. Name and Tide of Approving Officiai/
Jonathan Z. Cannon Acting Assistant Administrator
Date
October 31, 1989
EPA Form 1315-17 (Rav. S-87) Previous editions are oosolete.
OSWER OP'VER OSWER O
VE DIRECTIVE DIRECTIVE DIRECTIVE
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OCT 3 1 ^
SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
OSWER Directive 9283.9-06
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Mandatory Community Relations Training —
Superfund Management Review Implementation Product
(Recommendation: # 43. P (i)),
FROM: /, Jonathan Z. Cannon , „ . ,. vt^,
Acting Assistant Administrat^r
TO: ' Waste Management Division Directors, Regions I-X
Environmental Services Directors, Regions I, VI, VII
Emergency and Remedial Response Division Director, Region II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to formally announce mandatory community
relations training for Remedial Project Managers, On-Scene Coordinators and other
Regional staff and managers who attend public meetings or deal with the public.
BACKGROUND
Regional staff and managers are often called upon to respond to questions
and concerns from all aspects of the public concerned about a Superfund action.
While site managers consider the technical needs of the site to be their primary
responsibility, other demands to represent EPA and clearly communicate the
progress at the site are placed on these individuals. If communication breaks
down, we are perceived to be insensitive and unresponsive to the affected
community. Relying solely on staff who specialize in communications has often
tended to isolate the .program's technical staff and managers who may be more
frequently called on to deal with citizen concerns—the time of those trained
"communicators" is often in great demand for various aspects of the program.
Therefore it is imperative that we recognize that all staff and managers are
communicators and should have communications training in both speaking and
Ii stening ski I Is.
Second, EPA must be sensitive to the problems that staff turnover creates
for the community. A frequent complaint from the public is that they must
frequently re-educate new EPA staff about the site and their specific concerns.
Turnover also creates a continuing need for training. New site managers, in
particular, face a formidable Iist of demands and communications training is one
significant part of that mix.
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OBJECTIVE
The objective of this memorandum is to ensure that Regions are aware that
community relations training is now required of all On-Scene Coordinators,
Remedial Project Managers and other Superfund staff and managers who deal with
the public and its concerns, especially those who attend public meetings.
IMPLEMENTATION
All OSCs, RPMs, and other staff who deal with the public are required to
complete'the course "Community Relations in Superfund: Concepts and Skills for
Response Staff" which will be scheduled in all Regional Offices during FY 1990.
This course will also be included in the OSC/RPM Basic Training Academy
curriculum. The course curriculum includes public meeting skills, working with
the media and resolving conflict during public activities. It also provides
information about when such skills are used during a response.
In a couple of weeks, a telephone survey wi I I be conducted to identify other
training needs in communications for managers and staff. Based on the results
of the survey and a review of existing EPA sponsored courses related to
communications, we will organize the current course offerings into a curriculum
based on skiI I levels.
Individuals who have completed the course during FY 1989 should complete
and submit the SF 182 (Request, Authorization Agreement and Certification of
Training) to their Regional Office of Human Resource Management (OHRM) training
division for entry into EPAYs (EPA Payroll System) which tracks professional
development. As others complete the course they should complete the same form.
If you have any questions concerning this requirement, please contact Steve
Mar ini at FTS 382-4515.
cc: Public Affairs/External Affairs Directors, Regions I-X
OERR Division Directors
OWPE Division Directors
OSWER Regional Training Coordinators
Thad Juszczak
Margaret Kelly
Marlene Suit
Colleen Carruthers
Vanessa Musgrave
Tom Dunne
Robert PavIik
Bettie Van Epps
Steve Marini
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