FSH 1809.12 - JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTER HANDBOOK 3/86 WO AMENDMENT 3 CHAPTER 600 - CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTER 610 - SITE SELECTION AND CONSTRUCTION 610.3 - Policy. Job Corps headquarters, after consultation with the Forest Service and the Department of Interior, is responsible for developing program objectives and issuing guidance relating to establishment of Civilian Conservation Centers. This guidance should include criteria for site selection, basic quantitative standards for design and layout of center facilities, and budget estimates for the planning and establishment of Civilian Conservation Centers. The Forest Service shall compile center planning data in accordance with established program goals, site selection criteria, construction standards, and budgetary requirements, and shall submit the data to Job Corps headquarters for review and approval. The approval by Job Corps headquarters will constitute authorization for the Forest Service to establish the center. It is the policy of Job Corps to avoid making contracts that call for the construction of permanent improvements on non-Federal property. This policy is in accordance with the opinions of the Comptroller General, which seek to ensure that Federal money is used only for the benefit of the Federal Government and its programs. An improvement is considered permanent if it will outlast the government's use of it. 610.4 - Responsibility for Developing Plans and Procedures. Job Corps headquarters and the Forest Service are responsible for developing plans and procedures to implement the above policy and requirements. 620 - BASIC PROGRAM GOALS. The basic program goals are designed to provide facilities of adequate quality and minimum costs to meet the requirements of Civilian Conservation Centers as contained in the CETA regulations. This includes the establishment of rural residential centers for young men and women from the ages of 16 through 21 who are largely unemployable because of lack of education and job skills. The facilities must include dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, administrative education buildings, recreation facilities, shops and other facilities as available or as provided in construction standards and budgetary requirements. 630 - CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION. Many factors are considered in the selection of sites for Civilian Conservation Centers. Initially, economy, availability of existing facilities, speed of construction, adequacy of the work program, urgency of needed conservation work on public lands, local economic situation, and relative benefits to the conservation and recreation development of public lands are important considerations. The decisions on locations must be made subjectively, considering all the factors involved. Some of the more important factors are listed in the following paragraphs. They are developed along with engineering studies and estimates, community relations studies, and on site visits and surveys. Review boards consider the available data and recommend sites to appropriate authorities for final selection. 631 - Costs. Cost is one of the most important factors in site selection. This factor applies to construction costs as well as operational and maintenance costs. Engineering estimates and contracting experience are used in evaluation. Onsite costs, as well as the product that will be delivered, must be analyzed. The life, usefulness and maintenance costs of the facilities must be taken into account. 631.1 - Availability of Existing Facilities. Costs must be reduced by using surplus military or other government facilities, available Forest Service facilities, existing sites requiring little or no site preparation or improvements, and by joint usage of military facilities. Accordingly, if other factors are equal, availability of existing facilities is a highly important consideration. 632 - Work Program. The following factors are taken into account: 1. Length of the work program (at least 5 years) located within reasonable commuting distance of the center. 2. Wide variety of work experience, with a high technical content and a high degree of transferability to occupational opportunities in the national labor market. 3. Urgency and amount of conservation work required. 4. Potential for development of areas for use by the general public. 5. Limitations imposed by weather conditions, such as outdoor winter work program limitations and hot summer limitations. 6. Distances and ease of access to work areas. 633 - Community Relations. The attitude of the nearby communities is one of the controlling factors in site selection. A receptive and cooperative attitude is essential to the viability of a center. Although opposition by individuals and small groups may often be expected and can be handled through an effective community relations program, an attitude of violent hostility held by a large part of a community would indicate that other sites be considered. 634 - Local Supporting Facilities. The following factors are taken into account: 1. Sizes of and distances to available supporting facilities in local communities. Consideration should be given to locating centers near communities of at least 25,000-50,000 population, which should be 3-20 miles from the center. Accessibility to larger communities should also be taken into account. 2. Housing for staff in local communities. It is desirable to locate centers near communities which can provide satisfactory housing for 70-90 percent of the center's staff. 3. Schools and transportation for children of staff. 4. Security services (police, fire). 5. Recreational facilities, such as swimming, bowling, gymnasium, movies for all corpsmembers. 6. Religious activities. 7. Medical support. 8. Possibilities of social activities for all corpsmembers. 9. Transportation and communications. Accessibility to and availability of public transportation and communication facilities. 10. Professional support (colleges, resource personnel.) 11. Proximity to urban centers. 635 - Geographical Distribution. Dispersal for its own sake is not an overriding factor. However, it is one that is taken into account. It can facilitate the assignment of corpsmembers, help reduce transportation costs, and keep the corpsmembers near enough to their homes to make occasional visits practicable. Additionally, it can help satisfy the requests of many individuals and organizations to have centers established in their areas. 636 - Economically Distressed Areas. In the context of the overall poverty program, some consideration must be given to economic benefits that can be provided to communities through site location. However, the economic benefits of Civilian Conservation Centers, of the size being developed, are not so substantial that the relief they afford to distressed areas justifies any serious diminution of the value of the center to the corpsmembers. 637 - Meteorological, Health and Safety Conditions 1. The number of days corpsmembers would have to spend indoors has some bearing on the appropriateness of the site. Preferably, year-round outdoor programs should be available. Confinement indoors for an excessive period of time should weigh heavily against establishment of a center in any particular area. Extreme heat or other unusual weather conditions should have a similar effect. 2. Health and safety conditions must be satisfactory for all sites selected. Public health surveys and potential dangers need to be assessed. Close cooperation and consultation with State and local health authorities are recommended. 3. Water at the rate of 25,000 to 40,000 gallons per day are required. 4. Quality standards shall meet 1962 USPHS drinking water standards. 5. Installations and construction shall be in accordance with the Manual of Individual Water Supply Systems, USPHS Publication No. 24, revised 1962. 6. Sewage disposal facilities and operation shall be approved by the State and local health agency or the U.S. Public Health Service and local pollution control agency. 638 - Site 1. Size of center should be at least 10-15 acres of usable ground. 2. Slope of site should be at least 1 to 2 1/2 percent for proper drainage. 3. Provide 2 1/2 to 4 inches of top soil for planting purposes. 4. Natural or native trees should be left on site, where possible. 5. Power should be available within a radius of 5 miles. 6. Telephone lines should be available within a radius of 5 miles. 639 - Indication of Governor's Position. The tacit approval of the Governor, prior to the announced designation of a site, is mandatory. 640 - CRITERIA FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO NON-FEDERAL LAND. There may be times when it appears expedient for Job Corps to agree to finance certain permanent improvements on non-Federal land. The following criteria, outlined by the Comptroller General, should be observed. 1. The improvements must be absolutely essential to the Job Corps program; for example, in the process of site selection, sites which would not require the Federal Government to finance improvements on non-Federal property should be preferred over others that require expenditures. It is only when other suitable sites cannot be found that Job Corps should agree to finance such work. 2. The contract or subcontract for the construction of the improvements should be only an incidental element in a larger contract or agreement for some other stated purpose. For example, a state, contractor, or other Federal agency may undertake to run a Job Corps center and in order to accomplish this, make some permanent improvements on the center site. These improvements should be directly related to the accomplishment of a specific program objective which cannot be reasonably accomplished in another way. The major purpose of the contract should never be to provide the permanent improvements. 3. Job Corps should not finance substantial, expensive improvements to non-Federal land. Thus, although the Job Corps may authorize some alterations in a building, it should not agree to pay for any major construction costs. 4. Arrangements made for the disposal of the property after government use is terminated should protect the government's interest in the improvements. The owner of the property on which the improvements were made can be required to pay for the value of the improvements remaining, the government can be given the right to remove the improvements when that is feasible, or other similar arrangements can be made. In no case should property be given to the owner of the land without adequate compensation for the government. 650 - FACILITY STANDARDS 650.3 - Policy. In accordance with basic statutes and the interagency agreements, it is the policy of the Job Corps to provide minimum but adequate facilities in Civilian Conservation Centers for a 24-hour residential program. The facilities shall provide space for educational, vocational, recreational, and other programs; storage, work and other purposes outlined in the Facilities Standards Handbook, JCH 814. The facilities, consisting of structures and all appurtenances, shall provide a comfortable atmosphere suitable for youth development, including educational/vocational training, social attitude, and other personal development training, and shall be designed with a view towards security, personnel safety, economy, and sanitary requirements commensurate with Federal, and other applicable regulations. Standards are contained in JCH 814, Facilities Standards Handbook for Civilian Conservation Centers and provide the basic quantitative and qualitative guidance for the design and layout of center facilities. The standards recite the allowances and limitations for planning, designing, and constructing all proposed Civilian Conservation Center facilities. They shall not apply to the modification of facilities in existing centers, but may be used as modification planning guides. 651 - Requirements. The design of, and type of, construction shall be that which will provide the lowest amortization and operation and maintenance costs over the expected life of the program. The preparing of designs, or redesigns for structures (except designs for internal modifications) shall not be undertaken without prior Job Corps approval. When it is necessary to undertake the design or redesign of facilities, the Forest Service shall submit to Job Corps its specific request of its program for design preparation, including the schedule for completion and the estimated cost of proposed designs. Normally, where a program is proposed, it shall be submitted with the regular budget estimate. The design and/or construction of structures in each center shall not exceed the limitations (square feet) outlined in JCH 814. Variations in allowances may be made for better utilization of space under the following conditions: a. Variations in internal space allowance of the room or activity shall not exceed 10 percent. b. Changes in gross square foot age figures in any one building shall not exceed 5 percent. c. Total square footage for a complete center shall not exceed limitations in the handbook by more than 2 percent. Construction of additional floor space in existing centers shall not be made at any time by use of any funds without prior Forest Service and Job Corps approval. 660 - COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 660.2 - Objectives. The objectives of Job Corps community relations and public affairs program, consistent with CETA Act, as amended, are to: 1. Develop understanding and good will on the part of the support communities toward the Job Corps center community and its program. 2. Channel community interest into positive support and assistance by means of more effective and meaningful liaison with community officials and agencies, news media, private groups and their leadership, and individual citizens. 3. Strengthen the center's basic program for the corpsmembers' social development and citizenship training by means of complementary programs on and off the center including, whenever possible, the integration and coordination of center activities with community life, development of person-to-person exchange, and involvement in community service activities. 660.3 - Policy 1. Job Corps is responsible for establishing the policy and requirements of the community relations and public affairs activity. In order to provide continuing review for necessary evaluation and modification of programs, Job Corps will examine center administration of the program as deemed necessary by the Associate Director of Civilian Conservation Centers, in accordance with the interagency agreements. 2. The Forest Service is responsible for establishing and maintaining sound relations between the corpsmembers and staff at Civilian Conservation Centers and the citizens of support communities, and for promoting the objectives and programs outlined in JCH-820, Manual for Job Corps Community Relations (Revised). 670 - FIRE PREVENTION, PROTECTION, AND PHYSICAL SECURITY 671 - Center Fire Prevention and Protection Program. Each center shall have a structural fire prevention and protection program which provides a planned approach to the prevention of all accidental fires through training, and preparedness, and the control of fire with minimal hazard to life and damage to property. The Center Director is responsible for developing and implementing a fire protection program effectively meeting the needs of the center. The following are minimum requirements for the center fire protection program and shall be included in each implementation plan. 1. Organization and responsibility a. The Center Director, acting through the staff and corpsmembers, is responsible for the prevention and suppression of all fires on the center. b. A center fire department shall be established. The Center Director shall designate a center fire chief and alternate from the center staff. The fire chief shall be in charge of the center fire department and responsible to the Center Director for full implementation of the center fire prevention and protection program. In addition to the fire chief and alternate, the fire department must include a minimum of two other staff and 20 corpsmembers. Persons selecting fire department members should consider ability, attitude, willingness to serve, leadership, and 24-hour coverage. c. Each dormitory shall have a fire team responsible for fire training, prevention, inspection, evacuation, and initial fire suppression. The fire team shall consist of an assigned staff member, a corpsmember leader, and an adequate number of corpsmembers to ensure fire action at all times. d. Each center building shall have a designated building fire safety officer responsible, through the work supervisor, for the fire safety, prevention, preparedness, training, and, if available, initial attack suppression requirements for the assigned building. 2. Facilities a. A fire facilities plan showing the location and type of all Center fire suppression equipment and service disconnects shall be posted in each building and/or wing (ex. 1, sec. 672). b. A building floor plan showing evacuation routes shall be posted in each building and/or wing (ex. 2, sec. 672). c. A set of instructions describing what to do in case of fire shall be posted in each building and/or wing. The building fire safety officer shall ensure that instructions are posted and understood by all personnel using the building (ex. 3, sec. 672.) 3. Training. The fire safety habits and attitudes of staff and corpsmembers are paramount to a satisfactory fire prevention and protection program. A highly structured and aggressive training effort is mandatory for all center personnel. This effort must begin the first day of staff employment or corpsmembers enrollment, and be continuous throughout their tours. All training must emphasize the involvement of both staff and corpsmembers. Staff members must not allow themselves to be the only ones concerned with fire safety. Corpsmembers are willing and capable of sharing this responsibility. Positive attitude and commitment of staff and corpsmembers are necessary for an adequate fire safety program. a. Orientation training. Give orientation training to all staff members and corpsmembers during their first week of assignment, including, as a minimum, the following: (1) Fire organization and assignment. (2) Evacuation and escape procedures. (3) Location, selection, use, and care of fire equipment. (4) Familiarization with facility plans contained in item (3). b. Structural fire prevention and control course. Centers shall provide training in structural fire prevention and control to all staff members and corpsmembers during their first 60 days of assignment, with refresher training given at such intervals as necessary to maintain desired retention and proficiency levels. c. Advanced training. Advanced training shall be given to members of the center fire department, dormitory fire teams, and building fire safety officers resulting in successful independent performance by trainees in: (1) Fire prevention, including inspection techniques and correction requirements. (2) Fire behavior including characteristics of building fires, what to expect, such as, fuels. Initial and refresher training will be necessary. (3) Mechanics of center fire organization. (4) Inspection frequencies and documentation requirements. (5) Individual assignments and advanced training with practice for particular responsibilities in use and care of equipment; building fire suppression techniques; leadership; and search and rescue techniques. (6) Standard first aid initial training normally requires followup every 6 months. Weekly training and practice must be scheduled for the center fire department to maintain effectiveness and readiness. The fire chief shall schedule and direct. d. Specialized training. Specialized training in fire prevention, organization, and suppression for building, liquid, and electrical fires shall be given to the center fire chief and alternate, as a minumum. Training shall result in trainee's ability to (1) independently direct advanced fire training for staff and corpsmembers; (2) provide leadership to center prevention and preparedness program; and (3) direct center fire suppression activities. Normally, formal training presented by an outside professional agency would be required. 4. Prevention and Prepardness a. Housekeeping. Make assignments of cleanup and maintenance responsibilities to staff and corpsmembers for each center facility. b. Fire drills. Conduct a minimum of one unannounced centerwide fire drill each month by the fire chief. At this time discuss with all personnel on the site the performance and requirements of the fire plan. Included in this drill the use of whatever fire equipment is necessary to maintain crew proficiency. Retain at the center a record of each drill with performance results. Drills should be so conducted that each part of the day and all portions of the center are systematically covered. This is a minimum requirement and may not be sufficient to maintain an adequate level of prepardzzss for all centers. Each Center Director must determine the necessary frequency of drills for the center and incorporate this requirement in the center fire plan. An influx of new corpsmembers or other changing conditions may increase risks and create the need for additional drills. c. Smoking. All "No Smoking" areas shall be properly designated and signed. Smoking in bed is prohibited. Provide butt cans in all smoking areas. d. Inspection. Inspect buildings, equipment, and personnel for compliance with the center fire plan, safety code, and other applicable directives in accordance with the following minimum frequency: (1) Center-wide - Weekly - Center fire chief representative (2) Center-wide - Biannually - Forest Supervisor's (2nd and 4th staff quarter) (3) Center-wide - Biannually - State fire marshall, (1st and local fire chief, or 3rd quarter) other competent outside source Submit written reports with recommendations for corrective action to the Center Director through appropriate channels. Correction of discrepancies normally will take precedence over all other center activity. 5. Fire suppression a. Priority of actions in case of fire is: (1) Turn in alarm (2) Evacuate, rescue, and render first aid (3) Disconnect electrical and/or gas service as necessary (4) Suppress the fire (5) Prepare equipment for reuse b. When the alarm sounds, each member of the fire department and all other staff and corpsmembers shall have a designated assembly point and an outline of individual responsibilities. c. The fire chief, or designated alternate, must have complete charge of fire suppression activities. d. An accountability check of all corpsmembers and staff must be conducted during each drill and fire. Each center shall devise a rapid system for accomplishing this. e. Safeguard evidence relating to the fire cause, and place a guard at the fire scene until the investigation is complete and the danger is over. f. Reporting and investigative procedures shall meet all Forest Service requirements (FSM 6443.4, 6179.1, 6181). 672 - Center Fire Plan and Approval. Each center shall develop an action plan for implementation of their fire prevention and protection program. The plan shall incorporate all the requirements of this supplement, and should be functional, brief, and clearly understandable by both staff and corpsmembers. The center fire plan must be approved by the Forest Supervisor with subsequent revision taking place only as the need arises. If the initial plan adequately fits center conditions, future changes may only need to take the form of substituting new names. The fire facilities plan (ex. 1), building evacuation plan (ex. 2), and "In Case of Fire" instructions (ex. 3), may be incorporated as a part of the plan, but shall be posted separately on bulletin boards for use of all personnel. All building fire safety officers, alternates, and all members of the center fire department should be thoroughly familiar with all parts of the entire fire plan. SEE PAPER COPY FOR EXHIBITS 1 AND 2. Exhibit 3 REMEMBER IN CASE OF FIRE Fire starts Immediately sound alarm Rescue trapped Evacuate injured Shut off utilities Attack fire Follow Building Fire Safety Officer's instructions Evacuate if not needed Turn control over to Fire Chief You report to preassigned area When you hear the fire alarm, go immediately to preassigned area or job. Fire Safety Officer for this building is Alternate Building Fire Safety Officer is 673 - Physical Security 673.03 - Policy. The Center Director is responsible for the physical security of all real and personal property at Civilian Conservation Centers. 673.04 - Responsibility. The Center Director is responsible for developing plans and procedures to implement the above policy and requirements. 673.1 - Requirements. The Forest Service is required to develop plans and procedures for each Civilian Conservation Center which provides for the adequate protection of all property under the jurisdiction or custodianship of the center against theft, damage, or loss. 680 - HOUSING 680.3 - Policy. The Forest Service must provide staff housing in accordance with the Job Corps regulations and within the limits of allocated funds. 680.4 - Responsibility. The Forest Service is responsible for developing plans and procedures to implement the above policy and requirements. 681 - Requirements 1. The Forest Service must provide staff residence and bachelor living quarters at each center as needed and approved by Job Corps. 2. The Forest Service must provide all staff living quarters on a rental basis in compliance with the Bureau of the Budget Circular A-45, Determination of Rental Rates. 3. The Forest Service must make maximum use of local facilities or Forest Service facilities which might be available for additional staff housing. 4. The Forest Service must assist staff members in obtaining housing locally when it is not available at the center. 5. If local housing is not available, additional housing may be provided as justified by the criteria published in the Bureau of Budget Circular A-18. 690 - PREACTIVATION SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTIONS 690.3 - Policy. The Forest Service is responsible for conducting preactivation safety and environmental health inspections at each new center and for the correction of any unsafe conditions. 690.4 - Responsibility. The Forest Service is responsible for developing plans and procedures to implement the above policy and requirements. 691 - Requirements. Reports of preactivation safety and environmental health inspections and of corrective actions taken shall be reported to Job Corps headquarters as soon as possible after inspection, but not less than 2 weeks prior to activation. 692 - Exceptions. This policy does preclude preactivation inspections by authorized Job Corps personnel.