Installations remain Army Strong

By U.S. Army Installation ManagementJanuary 30, 2013

LTG Mike Ferriter, commanding general, U.S. Army Installation Management Command
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USAG Humphreys Child Development Center
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Care providers practice leading their charges to safety during a U.S. Army Garrison Camp Humphreys Child Development Center evacuation drill, Oct. 29. While IMCOM is committed to responsibly reducing spending, garrisons are approved to hire child car... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Sill firefighters train during mass casualty exercise
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – While IMCOM is committed to responsibly reducing spending, garrisons are approved to hire in number of mission critical areas, including firefighters, security guards and police. Above, Ft. Sill Directorate of Emergency Services firefighters transpo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 29, 2013) -- Army installations will continue to hire the critical career fields from firefighters to child-care workers, LTG Mike Ferriter, commander of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, announced today.

Earlier this week, Headquarters, Department of the Army provided guidance regarding a department-wide hiring freeze and release of term and temporary civilian personnel. In that guidance, authority to approve exceptions to the hiring freeze is delegated to commanders of Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands, Direct Reporting Units and the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army for Headquarters, Department of the Army and its Field Operating and Staff Support Agencies. The above authority delegates hiring authority to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command.

"I am authorizing the hiring to continue in the following program areas to ensure we continue to provide programs and services in support of critical missions, national security, safety of human life and the protection of private property," Ferriter said.

Garrisons are given approval to hire firefighters, security guards, civilian police, air traffic controllers, lifeguards, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program staff (permanent and term), Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program counselors, and -- regardless of funding source -- Child, Youth and School Services staff in accordance with IMCOM Command and Headquarters, Department of the Army hiring guidelines.

Ferriter emphasized, "Because of the important nature of installation management business, we will review hiring requests at each garrison and can make additional approvals to ensure critical missions continue. We have spoken with every garrison commander or deputy and command sergeant major throughout IMCOM this week to ensure they understand the importance of our mission. The Army leadership remains committed to providing the best possible support to Soldiers, Families, Civilians and our Soldiers for Life."