my correspondence re: save-a-life foundation's "phantom" national guard program

8/9/2019 My correspondence re: Save-A-Life Foundation's "phantom" National Guard program

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June 8, 2009

Harold Byrd, Inspector GeneralUnited States National Guard1411 Jefferson Davis Highway, suite 11600Arlington VA 22202-3231

Dear Mr. Byrd:

This letter is to verify claims about the National Guard made by the Save-A-Life Foundation

(SALF), a nonprofit corporation based in Schiller Park, IL.

The following is a November 6, 2008 Save-A-Foundation press release, Youth ChalleNGe -SALF For Emergency. I have attached a copy, obtained from this internet address:http://www.salf.org/media/pr/2008_11/november_6_2008.html

Illinois - Throughout the past year National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy Cadre (staff)have worked diligently with Save A Life Foundation (SALF) to train thousands of Youth

ChalleNGe cadets in basic life supporting first aid (LSFA) skills. Cadet training continues at

sites across the country, with the expectation of thousands more being trained in the comingyear. Funded by the Department of Defense, SALF coordinated the training of 140 Youth

ChalleNGe Cadre, with medical backgrounds as instructors, provided training materials andequipment to train their cadets at Youth ChalleNGe Academies in more than 30 sitesnationwide.

In 1993, the Youth ChalleNGe program, opened in Rantoul, Illinois (at the former Chanute AirForce Base) by the National Guard Bureau in an effort to provide alternative education for high

school at risk students ages 16-18 who were in danger of dropping out of traditional school

environments. The success of Lincolns ChalleNGe lead to the opening of Youth ChalleNGesites, most at military bases, across the country.

In 2005 Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academys Director, Sergeant Major Peter Thomas initiated apartnership with SALF to empower cadets with life supporting first aid skills as part of a well

balanced education, creating a network of spontaneous volunteers ready to lend aid in an

emergency prior to emergency medical service arrival. Mentored by their instructor the cadets

also come to value the role of emergency medical service (EMS) as a possible career choice.

Led by National Guard professionals, SALFs Bystander Basics course became so

well accepted by the cadets that in 2006 the Guard's Independent Inspection Team observed and

evaluated the training for themselves, reporting to National Guard Bureau Headquarters in

Washington, DC their extreme satisfaction with the program. Alimentally this stimulated Youth

ChalleNGe Academies at 30 sites to incorporate SALF's course for nearly 7,000 cadets.

Over the course of one year SALFmonitored, evaluated and reported the results of each trained

Cadet, revealing 97% retention of skills learned. Thus, proving cadets now have the

knowledge and willingness to lend aid in an emergency. This was further demonstrated at

Florida's Youth ChalleNGe, Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida, with a cadets life being savedshortly after the course. By empowering our youth with life saving skills they become a more

responsible citizen, stated Carol Spizzirri, SALF Founder.

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Save A Life Foundation continues to work with Youth ChalleNGe Academies, to expand its focuson our youth, by providing classroom and practical training with its First Responder - Careers

in Healthcare (FR-CIH) course to willing cadets. FR-CIH is geared toward high school aged

youth. The cadet can receive National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)

First Responder, Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System

(NIMS) certifications upon completion. FR-CIH compliments the Youth ChalleNGe programperfectly, preparing young men and women to enter advanced training for a career in emergency

medical services, law enforcement, fire service, nursing, emergency management or public

service, and could earn cadets an additional stripe should they enter the military service.

Please confirm whether or not the following claims are accurate:

1) Throughout 2008, National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy Cadre (staff) worked with theSave A Life Foundation (SALF) to train thousands of Youth ChalleNGe cadets in basic lifesupporting first aid (LSFA) skills.

2) SALF coordinated the training of 140 Youth ChalleNGe Cadre, with medical backgrounds asinstructors, and provided training materials and equipment to train cadets at Youth ChalleNGeAcademies at more than 30 sites nationwide.

3) In 2006 the National Guard's Independent Inspection Team observed and evaluated SALFstraining program and reported their satisfaction with the program to National Guard BureauHeadquarters in Washington, DC.

4) Save A Life Foundation continued to work with Youth ChalleNGe Academies after November

6, 2008, providing classroom and practical training.

If any of the above claims are inaccurate, please explain in detail the specific nature of any

inaccuracies.

If you anticipate requiring more than 21 days to respond, please advise approximately when Imay expect your answers.

Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Gordon T. PrattPO Box 18121Milwaukee, WI 53218Ph: (707)667-1746e-mail: [email protected]

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A Life Foundation 5K Run/Walk http://www.salf.org/media/pr/2008_11/november_6_

For Immediate Release

Save A Life Foundation

November 6, , 2008

Youth ChalleNGe SALF For Emergency

Return to the Press Release Index

Illinois Throughout the past year National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy Cadre (staff) have worked diligently

with Save A Life Foundation (SALF) to train thousands of Youth ChalleNGe cadets in basic life supporting first aid

(LSFA) skills. Cadet training continues at sites across the country, with the expectation of thousands more being trained

in the coming year. Funded by the Department of Defense, SALF coordinated the training of 140 Youth ChalleNGe

Cadre, with medical backgrounds as instructors, provided training materials and equipment to train their cadets at Youth

ChalleNGe Academies in more than 30 sites nationwide.

In 1993, the Youth ChalleNGe program, opened in Rantoul, Illinois (at the former Chanute Air Force Base) by the

National Guard Bureau in an effort to provide alternative education for high school at risk students ages 16-18 who

were in danger of dropping out of traditional school environments. The success of Lincolns ChalleNGe lead to the

opening of Youth ChalleNGe sites, most at military bases, across the country.

In 2005 Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academys Director, Sergeant Major Peter Thomas initiated a partnership with SALF to

empower cadets with life supporting first aid skills as part of a well balanced education, creating a network of

spontaneous volunteers ready to lend aid in an emergency prior to emergency medical service arrival. Mentored by

their instructor the cadets also come to value the role of emergency medical service (EMS) as a possible career choice.

Led by National Guard professionals, SALFs Bystander Basics course became so well accepted by the cadets that in

2006 the Guard's Independent Inspection Team observed and evaluated the training for themselves, reporting to

National Guard Bureau Headquarters in Washington, DC their extreme satisfaction with the program. Alimentally this

stimulated Youth ChalleNGe Academies at 30 sites to incorporate SALF's course for nearly 7,000 cadets.

Over the course of one year SALF monitored, evaluated and reported the results of each trained Cadet, revealing 97%

retention of skills learned. Thus, proving cadets now have the knowledge and willingness to lend aid in an emergency.

This was further demonstrated at Florida's Youth ChalleNGe, Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida, with a cadets life being

saved shortly after the course. By empowering our youth with life saving skills they become a more responsible

citizen, stated Carol Spizzirri, SALF Founder.

Save A Life Foundation continues to work with Youth ChalleNGe Academies, to expand its focus on our youth,by providing classroom and practical training with its First Responder Careers in Healthcare (FR-CIH) course to

willing cadets. FR-CIH is geared toward high school aged youth. The cadet can receive National Registry of

Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) First Responder, Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident

Management System (NIMS) certifications upon completion. FR-CIH compliments the Youth ChalleNGe program

perfectly, preparing young men and women to enter advanced training for a career in emergency medical services, law

enforcement, fire service, nursing, emergency management or public service, and could earn cadets an additional stripe

should they enter the military service.

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http://www.salf.org/media/pr/2008_11/november_6_2008.htmlhttp://www.salf.org/media/pr/2008_11/november_6_2008.html


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Page 1 of 5Faxed to: (703)607-1744

June 17, 2009

Joe PadillaChief, Youth Programs BranchNational Guard Bureau1411 Jefferson Davis HighwayArlington, VA 22302-3259

Dear Mr. Padilla:

On June 15, 2009, I received a voice message asking that I telephone you at (703)607-2664. In your message, you did not state the nature of your business. Later that day Itelephoned the number you provided and left a voice message requesting that you contactme by e-mail and I provided you with my e-mail address.

Today I received another voice message in which you acknowledged receipt of mymessage and also stated, I prefer that I speak with you rather than correspond with you bye-mail. Again you did not state the nature of your business.

However, I presume you were contacting me in reference to my June 8, 2009 letter toNational Guard Inspector General Harold Byrd. If thats accurate, please respond inwriting. My e-mail address, fax number, and mailing address are included below mysignature. If youre unable or unwilling to correspond in writing, please phone again andstate your reasons on my voice mail.

In any event, I look forward to receiving the answers to the questions I submitted to

Inspector General Byrd in a timely manner.

Sincerely,

Gordon T. PrattPO Box 18121Milwaukee, WI 53218Ph/FAX: (707)667-1746e-mail: [email protected]

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Cc:

Harold Byrd, Inspector GeneralFAX: (703)607-3686

Sen. Russell D. Feingold, WIFAX: (202) 224-2725

Sen. Herb Kohl, WIFAX: (202) 224-9787

Rep. Paul Ryan, 1st Congressional District, WI

FAX: (202) 225-3393

encl: June 8, 2009 Gordon Pratt letter to Inspector General Harold Byrd

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l - Regarding Telephone Messages (UNCLASSIFIED) http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e1a2b66204&view=pt&

Gordy Pratt

Regarding Telephone Messages (UNCLASSIFIED)2 messages

Padilla, Joe Mr CIV NG NGB ARNG Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 1:39 PMTo:[email protected]: "Kissik, Anthony J Lt Col MIL NG NGB ANG" , "Tucker, Ernestine D Ms CTRNG NGB ARNG"

Classification: UNCLASSIFIEDCaveats: FOUO

Dear Mr. Pratt,

I am indeed calling regarding your June 8, 2009 letter to the National GuardInspector General Office. I am seeking more information regarding yourletter so that we may help you in attaining the information that you're

requesting. If you would be so kind as to return my call, then we canproceed with your information request.

Sincerely,

Joe PadillaNGB, Office of Athletics and Youth DevelopmentJefferson Plaza 1, Room 24561411 Jefferson Davis HwyArlington, VA 22202-3231

Office: (703) 607-2664Fax: (703) 607-1744

WWW.NGYCP.ORG

He climbs highest who reaches to lift another up.

The Spirit of Generosity -- "You should be able to give away your mostcherished possession without your heart beating faster." Lakota Elder

Please let us know how we can better serve you. Click on the ICE link belowto provide feedback on the service you received.

https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&site_id=852&service_provider_id=110417

Classification: UNCLASSIFIEDCaveats: FOUO

Gordy Pratt Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 4:01 PMTo: "Padilla, Joe Mr CIV NG NGB ARNG" Cc: "Kissik, Anthony J Lt Col MIL NG NGB ANG" , "Tucker, Ernestine D Ms CTRNG NGB ARNG"

2
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e1a2b66204&view=pt&search=imailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ngycp.org/https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&site_id=852&service_provider_id=110417mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&site_id=852&service_provider_id=110417http://www.ngycp.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e1a2b66204&view=pt&search=i


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l - Regarding Telephone Messages (UNCLASSIFIED) http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e1a2b66204&view=pt&

Joe PadillaNGB, Office of Athletics and Youth DevelopmentJefferson Plaza 1, Room 24561411 Jefferson Davis HwyArlington, VA 22202-3231

Dear Mr. Padilla,

Thank you for your e-mail today. I prefer that all our communicationsbe

in writing.

Regarding your question, please advise what additional information you require from me in order to answerthe questions in my June 8, 2009 letter to Inspector General Byrd, which I've attached.

Your attention to my inquiry is appreciated and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Gordon T. PrattPO Box 18121Milwaukee, WI 53218Ph/FAX: (707)667-1746

[Quoted text hidden]

GTP-Byrd_6-8-09.pdf

48K

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NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU1411 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY

ARLINGTON VA 22202-3231

23 June 2009

Office of the Inspector General

Mr. Gordon PrattPO Box 18121Milwaukee, Wl [email protected]

Dear Mr. Pratt:

This letter responds to your 15 June 2009 letter to the Inspector General requestingassistance with verifying information concerning the National Guard Youth Challenge

program and the Save A Life Foundation (SALF).

The information you requested may only be released through a Freedom ofInformation Act (FOIA) request to NGB/JA-FOIA. FOIA request information, instructionsand Point of Contact (POC) can be found at http://www.ngb.army.mil/sitelinks/foia.aspx.The FOIA POC is Ms. Jennifer Nikolaisen.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

'Brian Wm PulketSergeant Major, U.S. ArmyChief, Assistance Division

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYDissemination is prohibited except as authorized by AR 20-1 .This document contains information

EXEMPT FROM MANDATORY DISCLOSURE under FOIA. Exemptions 1,2,5,6 & 7 apply.
mailto:[email protected]://www.ngb.army.mil/sitelinks/foia.aspxhttp://www.ngb.army.mil/sitelinks/foia.aspxmailto:[email protected]


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NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU1411 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY

ARLINGTON VA 22202-3231

May 6, 2009

Office of the Chief Counsel

This letter is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request dated June 8,2008, andsubsequent request dated March 17, 2009 for records on the Save a Life Foundation, NationalGuard Youth Challenge Program. Specifically, you were seeking records pertaining to therelationship to the National Guard and any National Guard and Youth Challenge Program

representatives; the relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD) and DoD employees;any records on National Guard or DoD training programs involving the foundation; any recordspertaining to any National Guard or DoD funding of the foundation; and any correspondence toand from the foundation or any of its representatives. Your request was assigned case #08-084.

A search for responsive documents by knowledgeable staff in the National Guard Bureau

Public Affairs Office, Illinois National Guard State Headquarters Public Affairs Office, and the

National Guard Bureau Office of Athletics and Youth Development failed to locate any records

that would be responsive to your request. You made your initial request on June 8,2008 to the

Office of the Secretary of Defense; therefore we have not referred to your request to their office

to conduct any additional search for records.

If you are not satisfied with this action, you may appeal to the appellate authority, the Directorof Administration and Management, Office of the Secretary of Defense. To submit your appeal,you should write directly to the Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office, Attn: Mr. JamesHogan, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301-1155. Your appeal should include acopy of this letter, be postmarked within 60 calendar days of the date of this letter, should cite tocase number #08-084, and should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal.

This concludes the processing of your request. If you have any further questions regarding

your request please contact me at (703) 607-3195.

Sincerely,

Jennifer NikolaisenFreedom of Information Act/Privacy Act OfficerNational Guard Bureau

my correspondence re: save-a-life foundation's "phantom" national guard program

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