National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT)
ARCHIVE

Logistics Task Group

Charter

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The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) was formed in January 1974 to expand operational cooperation and coordination of the United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior and the various member agencies within these departments and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF). The NWCG has established a number of working teams and advisory groups to address specific issues and problem areas in fire management and recommends solutions.

The Logistics Task Group is formed under the auspices of the NWCG Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT), of the NWCG. Herein-after referred to as the Task Group.

The Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT) was originally chartered through a Memorandum of Understanding, established by the NWCG March 16, 1976, signed by the Secretarys of Agriculture and Interior.

This Task Group will coordinate with the FEWT to support and provide recommendations and resolutions to issues affecting the Logistics Sections and others within the Wildland Fire Community. This includes exchange of information with other committees within NWCG.

To fully and effectively execute its assignment the Task Group will:

A.	Carry out any functional assignments received from FEWT
B.	Establish a process to identify existing problem areas and unattended current and future specific national logistics related issues;
	1.	Establish priorities for these needs.
	2.	Prepare preliminary project proposals in connection with these needs.
	3.	Provide recommendations to the parent FEWT of specific proposals for resolution or implementation. Utilize the National Logistics Workshop to assist in accomplishing this item.
C.	Review progress on projects previously recommended, assure that pertinent data is current and report that progress to all interested and affected parties.
D.	Recommend to FEWT any opportunities for safety considerations, standardization, cost efficiencies, etc., as they are identified at any level, (from national to local levels).
E.	Assemble and provide direction to subcommittees of Subject Matter Experts, (SME’s) as needed.
	1.	Delegate to subject matter experts (SME’s) any issues of concern that need resolution, mitigation or implementation, then elevate the feedback from the SME’s to the FEWT Liaison for discussion, dissemination and/or additional direction; including but not limited to safety considerations, standardization, cost efficiency committees or groups, etc to ensure input from the Logistics community is provided.

The Task Group is under the direction of FEWT. A member of FEWT will be assigned to overview responsibility for the Task Group’s activities as a Liaison. It is through this FEWT member that the Task Group relates to FEWT.

The number of members of this Task Group shall not exceed eight (8), including the Chair, and minimally two (2) members representing the States, with the remaining six (6) representing federal agencies and, if available local city, county or other agencies that might provide all-risk expertise.

The interagency membership shall be invited from organizations having the greatest expertise and interest in a particular subject matter. The terms of each Chair will be a minimum of three (3) years, with the term of each member being indefinite. The Task Group will formulate a roster of recommended replacement members to the Chair. The Chair will then forward a list of interested and available candidates to the FEWT Chair. The FEWT Chair will have the final determination of replacement member(s).

VII. CHAIR AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The chair is authorized to: 1) convene meetings and schedule agenda items; 2)
may make specific work assignments to team members or appoint task groups from outside membership to work on specific projects, etc; 3) will distribute copies of the Task Group minutes within 30 days after a Task Group meeting to team members and the FEWT Liaison, who will in turn forward the meeting notes on to FEWT and other working teams as necessary and the NWCG Executive Secretary; 4) represents the Task Group in presenting recommendations to the FEWT; 5) and as appropriate, in contacts with outside individuals or groups, may recommend to FEWT the need for additional resources and authorities as they become evident; 6) keeps the FEWT Liaison currently advised as to meeting dates and locations, who will then notify the NWCG Executive Secretary.

A.

Meetings: At least one annual meeting will be held to prepare operational plans and to identify areas of concern and mitigation during the following year. Additional meetings will be scheduled at the request of the FEWT or as determined by the Task Group Chair. Meetings will be scheduled and agendas will be provided in advance to members of the Task Group, and the FEWT Liaison. The FEWT Liaison will concur on the appropriateness of the meeting sites. Subgroups, within or outside the Task Group membership on task assignment, may meet at the direction of the Chair. Costs of the meetings will normally be borne by the agencies that sponsor team membership. Five team members will normally constitute a quorum, but the team may meet with fewer members at the discretion of the FEWT Liaison, and with the concurrence of the FEWT Chair. Individuals from outside the team membership, having needed expertise, will be asked to participate as appropriate.

B.

Reports: Special findings and reports will be appropriately published after being approved by the FEWT and NWCG. Work plans will be submitted to the FEWT Liaison annually. Meetings, schedules, financial consideration, recommended areas of concern and mitigation and work area descriptions will be submitted with the plan.

The Task Group will interface whenever necessary with other FEWT working teams or groups for the purpose of coordination, information sharing or standardization of Logistics issues or concerns, or directed by the FEWT Liaison, or FEWT Chair.

This Charter is effective as of the date of approval by the Chair of FEWT. The Charter maybe revised upon recommendation of a majority of team members and with the concurrence of FEWT - NWCG.

/s/ Tory Henderson, Chair        Approved by

October 21, 2004   Date back to the top