Initial Working Assumptions:

• The terms ‘learning pathway’ and ‘learning opportunities’ will be adopted for this effort rather than the term ‘training’.
  • Learning Pathway – logical progression of skillsets and knowledge to advance from a novice planner to expert planner. Learning paths may incorporate formal training, experience, independent learning activities, mentoring, and others
• Learning Opportunities – refers to a collection of recommended and specific training courses, independent work assignments, details, and other events
• For purposes of this effort, fire planning will be considered a role rather than a position.
  • Few full-time positions exist across the agencies, and most are tasked with planning as a collateral duty
  • Learning opportunities developed will be equally useful for those in either the planning role or those in planner positions
• The initial effort will focus on what is needed to complete Fire Management Plans at the field unit level (local).
  • It is recognized that there are other types of planning at the local level and there may be different planner roles and requirements at other organizational levels
  • Other types and levels of planning will be considered in subsequent efforts
• The development of planners will not adopt a rigid system of qualifications and mandatory requirements.
  • The progression of learning opportunities will be a flexible, recommended sequence based on an individual’s past knowledge and experience, and the anticipated tasks to be performed in that role
• Planning activities are highly variable and evolving.
  • The focus will be on the development and progression of core competencies and skills enabling a planner to adapt to varying demands throughout their career

Planner Roles
The IFPC identified a range of wildland fire planning activities at multiple organizational levels as noted in the table below. The range of activities may vary by agency and may be a different level of involvement at different organizational levels (e.g. compliance at the regional level may be a reviewing function rather than writing compliance documents).

Given the wide range of planning needs at the field unit level, the current effort will focus on developing learning pathways and opportunities for that role. Progression from the field unit to other organizational levels will be considered in subsequent efforts.

Planner Characteristics
The needs assessment conducted by The Nature Conservancy under the auspice of the Fire, Landscapes and People agreement, identified several pathways that folks have progressed through into the planner role. While highly variable, a number of recurring patterns emerged and are illustrated below.

1. Planner Background: The major sources of personnel fulfilling planning roles come from:
   • Natural resources/science
   • Fire operations
   • Dispatch
   • Data/GIS.
2. Core Competency Areas: The knowledge domains desired/required to be considered successful in a planning role are: [need definitions for each area – describe progressive nature of competencies - check previous decision support work]
   • Data/GIS
   • Analysis
   • Business
   • Human Dimensions
3. Levels of Competency: Proficiencies and/or competencies of those in planning roles tend to be grouped as: [relate to organizational level/complexity]
   • Working - The minimum level of experience and/or training that it takes to produce work of acceptable quality.
   • Advanced - Has sufficient experience to be considered a seasoned employee. Is skilled in performing the more difficult tasks related to the function. Has received advanced training in the function
   • Journeyman - Reflects the quality of experience and/or training needed to perform the most challenging aspects of the position.

Next Steps

- Final Briefing Document w/IFPC
- Brief Dan Smith (NASF), - Brief Deb Fleming (WFI)
- Brief Bonnie Woods, Bill Kaage (NWCG)
- Field briefings
- Revise and amend approach
- Start development/implementation
- working groups
- Task breakdowns

Mary will offer a quick demo of Miradi software for the committee to see if it will be conducive to target Fire Planning at the local level, as well as the planning process. Mary will send this information to review and will offer a webinar for a future virtual meeting. (Firescape Monteray)

Nate will send an email to the above mentioned as well as all attendees today for the next briefing to further discuss and interrupt new thoughts, ideas and opinions before a final draft of proposal is sent out. The date for this briefing is tentative for the week of September 12 – 16, 2011.

back to the top