 |
National
Wildfire Coordinating Group
72nd Meeting Minutes
June 1998 |
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| The 72nd meeting of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group was held in
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, June 16-17, 1998. |
| Members attending: |
Don Artley, Chair, Montana Division
of Forestry
Rick Gale, National Park Service
Roger Erb, Fish and Wildlife Service
Ed Shepard, Bureau of Land Management
Denny Truesdale for Mary Jo Lavin, Forest Service
Bill Sommers, Forest Service Research
Steve Haglund, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Jim Hull, NASF, Texas Forest Service
Jim Stumpf, Executive Secretary |
| Guests Attending: |
June 16, 1998 |
| |
Don Motanic, Intertribal Timber Council
John Skeels, USFS, ROSS Project Manager
Neal Hitchcock, USFS-NIFC, ROSS Project
Bill Leenhouts, FUWT
Gerry Day, FWWT
Jim Smalley, NFPA
Steve Hill, USFA
Roger Tucker, Forest Service, Fire
Weather Program Manager
Paul Stokols, U.S. Weather Service
Suz Rittenhouse, Forest Service, NIFC
Mike Funston, IRMWT, Forest Service |
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June 17, 1998 |
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Neal Hitchcock, USFS-NIFC, ROSS Project
Bill Leenhouts, FUWT
Arch Wells, BIA
Jim Smalley, NFPA
Don Motanic, Intertribal Timber Council |
SUBJECT:
Approval of minutes from 71st NWCG meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The final 71st meeting minutes were mailed after member review and acceptance.
MOTION:
Approve the 71st minutes as corrected and distributed March 27, 1998.
SUBJECT: Smoke Management Guide.
DISCUSSION: The guide (in the process of development) is a revision
of the 1985 publication based on current needs. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is participating in the current revision. The Fire
Use Working Team (FUWT) has developed the outline for the revision. The smoke
management techniques section is where EPA will provide input for the document.
There are some terminology changes that may be needed based on current
activities and information on terminology. Denny Truesdale and Rick Gale
will work with FUWT to make the appropriate corrections. The FUWT expects
completion and publication by spring 1999. EPA will probably use the
Smoke Management Guide as a reference document. If EPA adopts the publication,
new rules or changes may need to go through the Federal Register process.
SUBJECT: Wildland Fire and Air Quality Modeling and Data Systems.
DISCUSSION: This
is a strategic plan intended to foster efficient development and implementation
of models and data systems used to manage air quality impacts of wildland
and prescribed fires. The National Strategic Plan and Workshop Report was
provided to members for review prior to the September meeting. FUWT will
request conceptual approval by NWCG at the next meeting. There is probably
no need for NWCG funding, but NWCG approval is desirable.
SUBJECT: Prescribed Fire Training Center.
DISCUSSION: This
is a carryover from our winter meeting and request for the FUWT to provide
staff work and recommendations for prescribed fire training centers. Following
is information provided by FUWT: Hands-on training is desirable to supplement
the current NWCG prescribed fire training and position task book sign-off.
The training centers in Florida do not provide any NWCG training; the Southwest
Training Center does. Most of the training is gained through experience on
the ground in burning. Personnel attend work in various prescribed fire positions
to gain field experience.
It is unknown at this time how many prescribed fire
training centers would be needed until agencies conduct their workload analysis
to cover representative fire regimes in the United States. The result of
this analysis will provide closer insight to the number of training centers
needed.
Funding of training centers also needs to be resolved.
The current centers rely on contributions from participating interagency partners
to cover fixed costs. Agencies sending participants pay their own employees’
travel and per diem. Some tuition-based system could be established to defray
costs if other centers are established.
MOTION: Table the discussion until NWCG gets a better handle
on the issues that need to be addressed between the Florida and Southwest
academies. The Fire Use and Training Working Teams will jointly review the
entire spectrum of prescribed fire centers to develop recommendations for
the following issues by the January 1999 NWCG meeting:
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Placement of ICS training materials on the Internet.
DISCUSSION:
The Publications Management System Unit (PMS) is prepared to do this work,
but needs funding to reformat the existing text. PMS has requested funds
in the FY 1999 budget request and will complete the work if this funding is
approved.
SUBJECT:
Incident Operations Standards Working Team (IOSWT) update on the Position
Task Book (310-1) revision.
DISCUSSION: The IOSWT recommends the updates to 310-1 be completed
and sent out without further review. Field and agency comments have been
received from the review process that began in October 1997. Workshops have
been held involving interagency subject matter experts to validate the Position
Task Books for each functional area and development of new training curriculum
for the Wildland Fire Qualifications System. Both the Training Working Team
(TWT) and the FUWT have been involved in the revision and will provide concurrence
for the final document.
MOTION:
Accept the IOSWT recommendation that once concurrence is received with the
Training and Fire Use Working Teams, 310-1 be published without further field
(agency) review. NWCG requests that the new document be field user friendly
in the final publication. Modified motion - IOSWT needs to ensure the final
document is reviewed by all levels of field users to ensure it is easy to
understand and use.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: University of Idaho/WIldland Fire Education Working
Team (WFEWT).
DISCUSSION: A copy of this report was passed out to the members
present. If others want copies of the report they should contact Maureen
Brooks, WFEWT Chair, with their request.
SUBJECT:
U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) position with NWCG membership.
DISCUSSION: The USFA recognizes the need to be a full partner, including
payment of their fair share of monies to support the work of NWCG. The official
position at this time is that USFA will participate as an associate member
because budgetary restrictions cannot provide funding. A formal request for
USFA full participation will be made to James Lee Witt, FEMA. Don Artley
has sent a letter to James Lee Witt voicing our concerns with not having the
USFA as a full partner. The copy of this letter will be hand carried to FEMA
by the Forest Service to be used as a starting point of discussion with a
planned meeting between the Forest Service and FEMA.
MOTION:
USFA can continue their work with NWCG as an Associate Member. Tom Minnich
will represent USFA.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT) recommendation for engine standards/typing.
DISCUSSION:
An ad hoc group including representatives of FEWT, IOSWT and the dispatch
community was formed to develop the following recommendations: 1) Engine
typing system to better categorize existing engines across the country and
to establish some baseline performance standards for water tenders. 2) Establishment
of a basic set of standards for engines and water tenders operating in the
interface. Text of the recommendation will be located in the NWCG public
web site within the specific FEWT and IOSWT areas. It is proposed that this
standard be implemented starting January 1, 1999.
MOTION:
Accept FEWT/IOSWT recommendations.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Storage needs.
DISCUSSION: Four of the Working Teams (IOSWT, FEWT, IRMWT, FUWT)
requested NIFC storage space for files and records. NWCG Liaisons will follow
up with their teams and get information back to the Executive Secretary for
total needs.
SUBJECT:
Narrowband Radio Advisory Group.
DISCUSSION:
This group was formed at the winter NWCG meeting to provide staff assistance
on the impact of narrowband radio conversion on the wildland fire agencies.
This group will keep all NWCG member agencies informed on the changes in radio
banding and the impacts to anticipate. They presented an advisory group charter,
have designated a work group, and are planning to meet in July. The group
plans to make recommendations to NWCG at the September NWCG meeting.
MOTION:
Accept the charter with modifications discussed. Ed Shepard, BLM, will take
these changes back to the RNAG Chair for correction.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management Policy - Implementation Procedure
Reference Guide.
DISCUSSION:
Not having all agencies buying into the process leaves State agencies somewhat
confused when they want to become participants in this policy. Local governments
in some States are confused as to how the policy will be implemented. The
Bureau of Land Management agrees with the document in concept, but feels that
they are not far enough along with internal planning to support the reference
guide. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) feels that approximately 90 percent
of the document details wildland fire use and may be contrary to some of the
detailed information in the current document. Some of the information (terminology,
etc.) is not well edited and does not meet FWS standards and policies. FWS
would like an opportunity to review the document in the draft state. They
plan to conduct a review, and if changes need to be made will make recommendations
for those changes. FFALC or NWCG needs to take a look at the document and
see what differences need to be worked out and establish some time table to
get this done. This issue is tabled for now but should be brought up at the
September meeting to determine if there are any status changes.
SUBJECT:
Update on fire weather communications and issues with the National Weather
Service.
DISCUSSION:
Follow-up activities dealing with viability of Fire Weather Service modernization
and the fire agency needs are increasing, primarily because of the increasing
use of prescribed fire. The Weather Service Director has been very responsive
to correspondence from NWCG on wildland fire needs for accurate and timely
weather information. The Weather Service initiated a team of weather specialists
to report back with recommendations on where the fire weather program should
be.
Director Kelly, National Weather Service, recognizes
the needs of the wildfire community as one of the leading problems associated
with weather forecasting. He agrees that they are part of fire weather issues,
and they will remain part of the process. The goal of Fire Weather Service
is to have trained and qualified forecasters in all western Weather Service
offices.
The Fire Weather Working Team (FWWT) has done excellent
work with the wildland agencies and the NWS on resolutions to these problems.
Gerry Day, Chair, will keep NWCG informed on changes and progress with the
Fire Weather Service.
SUBJECT:
Weather stations and the weather network.
DISCUSSION:
The FWWT is proposing three broad projects it feels need attention. Their
preliminary thoughts are: 1) What will it take for us to proceed from current
Fire Danger Rating System (FDR) to updated system? 2) Infastructure available
to support the updated FDR system, network availability for collection and
disseminination of information? 3) Weather station standards are needed.
A position and proposal paper will be disseminated to NWCG for review before
the September meeting. This proposal should be coordinated with the Fire
Danger Rating Advisory Group.
SUBJECT:
Information Resource Management (IRM) Infrastructure (NWCG IRM Program Manager).
DISCUSSION:
The title of the position has changed from IRM Lead to IRM Program Manager
to prevent confusion. The position has been classified and a vacancy announcement
will be out soon. Program oversight, supervision, and management will be
done by the IRMWT Liaison. The person who fills this position will be jointly
funded by NWCG, but the position will be a BLM position.
SUBJECT:
NWCG Home Page.
DISCUSSION:
The NWCG Home Page (http://www.nwcg.gov/) is up and running. There will be
three sites within the Home Page, one public, one partitioned within the public
site for the fire community at large and a private (http://www.nwcg.gov/nonpub/),
password-protected area for work in progress from NWCG and the Working Teams.
The public partitioned area will require a password for entry and will be
set up to monitor and evaluate the need to have this section. The private
area will be available only to members who have the access and password.
Changes to the public page will be made with the concurrence of the Executive
Secretary. Dottie Miller, BIA, will be the Webmaster for corrections, modifications
and maintenance.
MOTION:
Provide password protection on a partitioned area in the public page with
password protection needed for all fire personnel. The private area will
also require password protection issued by the Working Team/Advisory Group
Chairs.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Electronic messaging and integration status.
DISCUSSION:
The IRMWT has several recommendations for the improvement of an emergency
messaging system. They suggest that messaging needs be managed as a component
of the ROSS project. In addition, they want to conduct a pilot test using
NICC and in all dispatch offices in two adjacent geographic areas. There
was no motion made for approval and we would expect a follow-up report on
the status of their pilot testing during our September meeting.
SUBJECT:
Fire Time Accounting System.
DISCUSSION:
The Forest Service in California has developed a system for time accounting
and time reporting at an Incident Base. This has not been adopted by the
IRMWT and is brought forward for informational sharing. This may have national
application but needs to be coordinated between the IRMWT and Incident Business
Practices Working Teams (IBPWT).
MOTION:
IBPWT/IRMWT need to follow up with the Forest Service in California to see
if there are applications for interagency use. Recommendations should be
made to NWCG on outcomes of this proposal to see if it has national interagency
application. The IBPWT will have the lead on this project.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Resource Ordering and Statusing System - ROSS/MIRPS Project.
DISCUSSION:
A business/technical requirements analysis has been completed, and the ROSS
group recommends continuation of the project to complete the application build-up.
MIRPS teams and ROSS have consolidated applications. MIRPS will continue
their limited application in California until ROSS is operational.
The IRMWT provided a decision document with their presentation
to aid NWCG to follow the process. The following items, with comments, follow:
(1) NWCG agrees conceptually with implementation of the project and the ROSS
life cycle. (2) Identify personnel who are available to paticipate in the
ROSS Project. Assistance from other agencies will help offset direct financial
contributions. There is agreement with this, but NWCG members need a position
description that outlines the type of individuals and skills needed. The
ROSS Project Lead will provide this information to members by
July 15. NWCG members will get back to the Lead within 30 days if they
can offer personnel to assist. (3) Agencies will estimate financial contributions
to the project for FY99, and will provide hard cash considerations for 2000
by October 1. NWCG concurs, but there is a need to look at the entire issue
and balance everything out.
(4) The tracking of a decision document may require ROSS charter modification.
MOTION:
Accept the ROSS Project decision document as modified.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: National Interagency Fire Statistics Information Project
(NIFSIP) and Interagency Fire Information Reporting System (IFIRS).
DISCUSSION: The analysis phase of the NIFSIP Project is completed.
The IRMWT recommends that work be stopped at the end of phase one and coordinate
the NIFSIP project with the IFIRS system. There is a need to update wildfire
terminology, air quality issues, and fire cause codes to improve uniformity
of the project.
MOTION:
The IRMWT will develop a charter for work that remains to be done on the IFIRS
project. The charter should include funding and personnel needs with
alternatives to meet the charter and remaining work to be done. NWCG requests
this charter update and information by the September meeting.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Blue Ribbon panel.
DISCUSSION: There have been some recent questions raised that USFA
may serve a role or be needed. James Lee Witt, FEMA, will put together a
Blue Ribbon panel to review the activities and needs of the USFA. Does NWCG
need to be involved in this panel for review of the USFA? NWCG should have
input on the outcome of the committee because of our need for interaction
between USFA and NWCG.
MOTION:
NWCG needs to make a request to James Lee Witt that we would like to be involved
with the Blue Ribbon Panel that reviews USFA. It is suggested this request
be combined in the same letter to Mr. Witt requesting that USFA be involved
with NWCG. The Forest Service will furnish a representative to provide NWCG
input to the committee.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Four-letter mnemonics.
DISCUSSION:
Currently NICC has the responsibility to monitor the mnemonics for agency
designators and the incident qualification system. NICC no longer has time
to update and remain up to date with changes. NICC has asked that we find
a new repository for maintenance and updating of the mnemonics. This could
be done with greater efficiency in several areas. The IRMWT will provide
some technical guidance for the development of mnemonics. The IOSWT could
do position and qualification system mnemonics. Fire qualification position
mnemonics will continue to go into the Mobilization Guide. Geographic Area
Coordinating Groups will take the responsibility for State level agency mnemonics.
MOTION: The IRMWT will provide standard advice for the IOSWT.
The IOSWT is responsible for the mnemonics used for wildland fire positions.
The GACGs will be asked to develop State and local level agency mnemonics
within their respective geographical areas. NICC will retain the responsibility
to see that current information is placed in the Mobilization Guide.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: FY 1998 budget.
DISCUSSION:
The FY 1998 budget amended at our winter meeting was provided to all members.
There was a $65,000 shortage to what was agreed on at the 71st meeting. This
has been corrected by Andrea Wojtasek, Forest Service and will be distributed
when copies are available.
SUBJECT:
FY 1999 budget.
DISCUSSION:
NWCG reviewed budget requests submitted by the Working Teams and Advisory
groups. The following modifications were made:
The total tentative budget for NWCG for FY 1999 is $1,083,900.
MOTION: Approve budget as modified.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Fire shelter specification.
DISCUSSION:
No new information is available on fire shelter specifications from our San
Antonio meeting. It is recommended we carry this over to the September meeting.
SUBJECT:
Resource Allocation Task Group.
DISCUSSION:
A task group was formed at our winter meeting to establish guidelines for
the allocation of fire resources between wildland fire and prescribed fire.
A draft proposal was provided to NWCG; however, there was insufficient time
for review prior to the meeting. Copies of the preliminary draft were to
be reviewed for discussion at a conference call July 1, 1998, 0800 MDT. Once
ratified, the final document will be sent to the GACGs for implementation
and action this fire season.
SUBJECT:
Should the spring NWCG meeting include GACGs?
DISCUSSION:
NWCG had agreed to look at a periodic joint meeting that may involve GACGs.
Members are asked to consider the possibility of doing this in the spring
of 1999. We will follow up at our September 1998 meeting.
SUBJECT:
Working Team Chair replacements.
DISCUSSION:
Because of job transfers, tenure or retirements, several Chair vacancies have
occurred. NWCG is responsible for appointing Working Team Chairs, while the
Teams have responsibility for replacing their members. Alice Forbes, Forest
Service, was nominated to FEWT. She has been in an acting role for about
a year. Maureen Brooks, State of Maryland, was nominated to replace Jennifer
Jones on the WFEWT. Tory Majors, Forest Service, was nominated to replace
Bill Bradshaw on the IBPWT. Mike Funston, Forest Service, was nominated to
replace John Gebhard on the IRMWT. In addition, a replacement NWCG Liaison
for Wildland/Urban Interface Advisory Group is needed since the Fire Administration
is no longer an NWCG member. Don Artley volunteered to do this.
MOTION:
Accept recommendations above.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Replacement of State representatives on Working Teams.
DISCUSSION:
Working Team Chairs with agency concurrence are responsible for replacing
members on their Teams when vacancies occur. There is one minor exception
when it comes to State representatives. When a State person leaves a Team,
an effort will be made to ensure that a balance be made from all States desiring
representation. Don Artley will canvas western States and Jim Hull will canvas
eastern States for replacements
SUBJECT:
The future of NWCG.
DISCUSSION:
What lies in the future for NWCG? We need to take a look at where we want
to be in the year 2000+ with wildland fire. It was concurred that a facilitated
meeting to brainstorm and develop future activities would be appropriate.
A facilitator would help keep us on track; only the futuring topic should
be on the agenda. Members will contact facilitators to determine the best
recommendation for pre-work that needs to be accomplished. Table this discussion
until we receive a recommendation from facilitators in September.
SUBJECT: Future
meetings.
DISCUSSION:
The next meeting is scheduled for September 30 to October 1, 1998, in Yellowstone
National Park. The Vision meeting will take place in Seattle December 16-17.
Subsequent meetings are scheduled for Albuquerque January 26-27, 1999, and
Milwaukee June 9-10, 1999.
SUBJECT:
Firefighter fatigue and length of fire assignments.
DISCUSSION:
A recommendation emerged from the Wildland Firefighter Safety Awareness Study
to change fire assignment length from 21 to 14 days. This recommendation
is based on the study and input from over 1,000 firefighters. In addition
to shortening the length of assigned duty time, one guaranteed day off at
the end of the assignment was recommended. Length of assignment on fire incidents
was identified as a key factor affecting safety. A positive response to
the safety issues identified is needed.
MOTION:
The Safety and Health Working Team will be asked to report back to NWCG on
assignment length/fatigue issues at the September 30, 1998, meeting. NICC
will provide alternatives and mechanics of a system from a coordination standpoint
on how this reduction of tour would work.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT:
Alaska Geographic Area Letter (Alaska Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (AWFCG).
DISCUSSION:
There appears to be a lack of understanding about the GACG’s role and responsibility
relative to the Type I Interagency Hot Shot Crews (IHC). The AWFCG perception
is that IHCs must receive sponsorship and be recommended by the respective
GACG. There seems to be some confusion over the term “sponsorship” in formation
of an IHC. It was agreed that Don Artley will respond to the AWFCG, clarifying
roles of the GACG in designation of IHCs.
SUBJECT:
National Fire Aviation Coordinating Group (NFACG) request.
DISCUSSION:
Elmer Hurd (Office of Aircraft Services/NFACG) is requesting a contact within
NWCG to better coordinate fire aviation policy and training issues
between agencies. The NFACG deals with a broader spectrum of aviation training
than just fire activities so the role in NWCG is different. We suggest that
TWT be assigned the task of Liaison and establish coordination between NWCG
and NFACG for training issues.
SUBJECT:
A nominating committee is requested for NWCG officers.
DISCUSSION:
It is requested that a nominating committee be established to develop a slate
of officers for election of new officers at the September 30, 1998, NWCG meeting.
Rick Gale and Bill Sommers are the nominating committee and will report at
the September meeting.
SUBJECT:
Wildland/Urban Interface Advisory Group.
DISCUSSION:
The Group has a new Home Page (Firewise) that is used for the dissemination
of information on group activities. The Home Page is getting about 1,000
hits daily; it provides considerable information for homeowners on safety
issues that can be initiated by property holders. Wildfire News and Notes
will be going to four issues this year. The fourth issue will be available
only from the Web. If this is successful, then they should be able to extend
the budgeting for publications in the future. The group is in the process
of developing a community action kit for
homeowners, planners, insurance companies, and others. The Community
Action Guide should be completed in the year 2000. Workshops for living
within the interface are planned for all types of people who have interest
in insurance, planning, infrastructure, escape routes, etc.
SUBJECT:
Intertribal Timber Council.
DISCUSSION:
The Council consists of several people who task groups and others to assist
in accomplishing tribal goals. They are interested in establishing a wildland
fire group as part of the Council. Don Montanic will provide a report to
NWCG from their planned annual council meeting. The ITC assists and serves
as a conduit to get the word on NWCG activities out to all tribal agencies.
SUBJECT:
Meeting critique.
DISCUSSION:
Following are member comments made as a wrap-up to the meeting: 1) Start
on time. 2) More and/or better presentations from WTs for high-ticket budget
items or new starts. 3) We may want to include the Forest Service budget
person if we are dealing with agency distribution matters. They are probably
not needed during the preliminary presentation. 4) Need to have advanced
information on presentations for review prior to a presentation at a meeting.
The IRMWT decision document was helpful to clarify just what is expected for
a decision as a decision approval document. 5) Continue to attempt to hold
the line on agenda item cut-off schedules so NWCG members have sufficient
time to review materials prior to the meeting. 6) Consider highlighting a
WT or specific group to make periodic presentations to NWCG. 7) Consider scheduling important or complex issues for specific times to
allow for presentations and discussion (i.e., ROSS).