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National Forest EMS Program

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  • Appendix B - EMS Implementation and Maintenance Charter

Appendix B - EMS Implementation and Maintenance Charter

Forest Leadership Team

The Forest Supervisor, assisted by the Forest Leadership Team (FLT), will have oversight of budget allocations to ensure that adequate resources are available for EMS implementation, maintenance and improvement. Resources include human resources and specialized skills, organizational infrastructure, technology and financial resources. The FLT will also ensure adequate time is provided to the EMS team for implementation, follow-up conformance monitoring and audits. The FLT will provide guidance to the EMS team through periodic reviews of the EMS, monitoring results, and any identified nonconformities. The Forest Supervisor appoints the EMS Management Representative.

EMS Implementation and Maintenance Team

The EMS Implementation and Maintenance Team will be responsible for the initial implementation of the EMS and its overall maintenance. There will be assistance of the WO representative (Larry Hayden) and the contractor (Lynn Pennimann) during the initial implementation phase. The team will be led by the EMS Management Representative. This person is the Forest Customer Service and Planning Staff Officer (Mimi Tryon). The team will consist of the RELM Staff Officer, Forest PAO, Natural Resources Staff Officer, Forest Fire Management Officer, and the District Rangers. The Forest Plan Revision Team Lead will assist as necessary.

Initial implementation includes:

  • Implement the EMS Competence, Training and Awareness plan
  • Implement the Forest Communication Plan
  • Provide support and facilities for auditors
  • Document the implementation process
  • Provide Forest Supervisor, RO, WO and contractor with periodic updates for review

Maintenance includes:

  • Continue implementation of the EMS Competence, Training and Awareness plan
  • Maintain Forest EMS internet and intranet sites and other education tools
  • Conduct annual reviews of the EMS Guide, which includes reviewing:
    • Results of internal audits and evaluations of compliance with legal and other requirements
    • Documentation of external communication
    • Significant aspects and consideration of new aspects to include
    • Monitoring data for significant aspects and effectiveness of operational controls
    • Monitoring data for objectives and targets and extent to which they have been met
    • Reports of emergencies and emergency response testing ? Status of corrective actions and preventive actions
    • Follow-up actions from previous management reviews
    • Applicable changes in laws, regulations, executive orders, Forest Service Manual
    • Recommendations for improvement in the EMS Guide or other EMS documents
  • Facilitate internal and external audits
  • Respond to nonconformities identified in the audit process or through other avenues
  • Report to the FLT results of reviews
  • Provide the FLT options for improving the EMS

EMS Management Representative

The EMS Management Representative is responsible for ensuring that all of the implementation and maintenance actions listed above take place in accordance with the ISO 14001 standards. The EMS Management Representative reports to the Forest Supervisor and the Forest Leadership Team on EMS performance and provides recommendations for improvement.

Approved By

/s/ Betty M Higgins__3/23/06__
BETTY M HIGGINS Date
Acting Forest Supervisor