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National
Wildfire Coordinating Group |
| The 74th meeting of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, January 26 and 27, 1999. | |
| Members attending: | Don Artley, Chair, Montana Division of Forestry |
| Guests Attending: | January 26, 1999 |
John Waconda, BIA, Southwest Training
Academy |
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| January 27, 1999 | |
Jim Smalley, NFPA |
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SUBJECT: Approval of minutes from the 73rd NWCG meeting.
DISCUSSION: The final 73rd meeting minutes were mailed after member review and acceptance.
MOTION: Accept minutes as mailed.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: NWCG membership criteria.
DISCUSSION: NWCG was formed by original charter in 1976. The original membership included the leadership of fire programs. Working Teams/Advisory Groups were formed to assist in the completion of staff work but there is only a murky criteria set up for the Advisory Groups. Fire Weather (because Weather Service is not an NWCG member), Fire Danger Rating (predominately USFS-dominated) at Wildland Urban Interface Group (coordinated between NFPA, State Foresters, and other municipal groups) were the original AG’s. There appear to be some funding issues between the groups designated but that should not be a major problem. Other funding sources may exist for WTs.
Some of the members that sit at the NWCG table today are not the same as specifically designated; i.e., USFS does not have a Fire Director, nor does BLM. Forest Service Fire and Atmospheric Sciences no longer exists. When the NWCG participant is not the Director, a letter delegating full authority to the participant should be provided NWCG.
MOTION: All permanent standing groups chartered by NWCG would be classified as Working Teams.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
MOTION: A group that is put together for a specific task should be chartered for a specific mission and task with a closing date that could be made by NWCG. Advisory and/or Task Groups would be short-term and be formed with a sunset date.
MOTION: Executive Secretary peruse NWCG Charter and make proposal on what needs to be cleaned up on the Charter documents. Presentation at June meeting.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Expand NWCG membership to include Intertribal Timber Council.
DISCUSSION: It should be advantageous to have tribal representation with NWCG. The Intertribal Timber Council provides direct tribal representation while BIA represents the government interest in the tribe. Both sides of the Native American entity are now covered.
MOTION: Accept ITTC as full member.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: 310-1 update.
DISCUSSION: This update is coming along and is on schedule for completion, with the exception of a few positions. There are some minor conflicts between some WTs on a few positions such as Fire Behavior Analyst, Prescribed Fire Analyst, Ignition Specialist, Helicopter Manager, Initial Attack Helitack, CWN Copter Module Leader, etc.
MOTION: Recommend that the 520/620 faculty clarify potential conflict of positions and develop recommendations to resolve the conflict. State Forester perspective needs to be included in the decision process and should receive appropriate input through the State personnel on the 520 faculty. Rick Gale will provide the lead on the issues.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Joint Geographic Area Coordination Group/NWCG meeting.
DISCUSSION: It is probably advantageous to periodically meet with the GACGs to maintain a balance of information. Five of the GACGs have responded to NWCG that there is a need for a meeting. Some of the subjects that could be included are: 310-1, Fire Weather Forecasting, the continuing role of Federal firefighters, and lines of communication between GACG and NWCG. If the meeting is be productive, it seems like a limited attendance is desirable with the primary NWCG members and one representative from each GAGC in attendance. The Tri-Data Study recommends a stronger link between GACGs and NWCG. Inviting GACG chairs or a single representative to participate at an extended NWCG meeting may be a workable alternative to bring national issues forward for discussion.
MOTION: NWCG Chair will invite GACGs to the June NWCG meeting to determine future relationships with NWCG. This GACG/NWCG meeting will be a day extension to the normal NWCG meeting planned for June to accommodate the NWCG/GACG joint meeting.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Training Working Team request to delay June presentation.
DISCUSSION: We had agreed that one of the Working Teams would be highlighted at our meetings to discuss their activity to give NWCG a better idea of the team’s activities for budget, priorities, etc. The TWT has a conflict with their proposed June presentation. The presentation is designed to have a representative and not necessarily the entire team. Harry Croft will contact the TWT Chair to clarify what is needed. Suggest we invite Wildland Fire Education Working Team to make a fall presentation, winter meeting Safety and Health Working Team. NWCG Liaisons will contact their Working Teams to confirm their presentations.
SUBJECT: TWT letters.
DISCUSSION: NWCG has received two separate letters from the TWT that we feel are for information. The exact intent is confusing. Harry Croft, NWCG Liaison to the TWT, will clarify this correspondence.
SUBJECT: Fire Weather Working Team Liaison.
DISCUSSION: We need to replace the retired Mary Jo Lavin as the liaison to this Team. Don Montanic, ITTC, volunteered.
MOTION: Accept Don’s offer to be the Liaison to the FWWT.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Congressional Fire Service Institute letter regarding the Fire Weather Service.
DISCUSSION: Harry Croft did some follow-up with the CFSI on the issuance of this letter. CFSI will send this letter forward from one of their members rather than under CFSI. The letter will be sent to John J. Kelly, Assistant NOAA Director.
SUBJECT: Sector Boss responsibilities.
DISCUSSION: The IOSWT has completed the project as directed.
SUBJECT: Fire Weather Service Action Plan.
DISCUSSION: Jim Campbell, Assistant Director of NOAA, spoke to NWCG regarding the Weather Service. The Weather Service’s mission is to provide warnings and forecasts for the protection of life and property, to include fire weather. The Weather Service will provide 24-hour fire weather forecasts available throughout the year specifically trained in fire weather forecasting. Next-generation ATMU will be available in the spring of 1999. The NOAA Action Plan is complete and has been widely distributed. This plan outlines the activities for fire weather commitment from the Fire Weather Service. The Weather Service plans to fully implement this plan during the next couple of years. Our role should be that of monitoring and holding the Fire Weather Service accountable for the plan implementation, including the quality of weather forecasting.
SUBJECT: Federal Emergency Management Agency floor cost determination
DISCUSSION: FEMA fire costs have increased dramatically in the 90s. FEMA is looking for better ways to deal with the increasing costs of suppression and public assistance. About 75% of the requests for federal assistance are approved by FEMA based on their evaluation factors. The cost share is 70% Federal - 30% States, but FEMA is recommending a 75% - 25% split. FEMA would like NWCG to assist in the development of a new floor cost formula to be used for reimbursement. FEMA is developing a new updated Fire Assistance Handbook with changes in criteria for federal assistance.
Don Artley will provide follow-up to FEMA with their request to provide input to the revisions of the floor costs.
SUBJECT: FY 1999 final budget approval and distribution.
DISCUSSION: FY99 budget is up approximately 20% from FY98, but this is within the budget ceiling agreed to by NWCG. Budgets received from the agencies stayed the same as FY98; therefore, it is considered that we maintain the ceiling of $907,100. Because of non-approval of the anticipated FS budget, they will be cutting $55,000 from their contribution. This will require a modification of projects for this FY. NWCG Liaisons will contact each of the Working Teams with projects to determine if projects can be deferred to FY 2000.
MOTION: Approve the current budget less the $55,000 contribution from the Forest Service. Working Team liaisons will contact their respective Working Team Chairs to determine if they have uncommitted budget that they could revert without serious consequences. Liaisons will pass on this information to the NWCG Chair, who will work with the Executive Secretary to identify the $55,000 to cut from the budget.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
SUBJECT: Criteria for Working Team budget requests - FY 2000.
DISCUSSION: Consider budget level submissions that would include three tiers, low level (20% under current year), equal funding to the current year and a high level budget (20% above current year). The NWCG budget does not consider in kind or agency costs that are added to the total costs of a project and may never be shown as 100% of the NWCG costs. Several of the WTs take the majority of the budget and should develop a long-term (3-5 year) strategic plan to support their request for budget. Gale, Shepard, and Croft will develop budget advice for NWCG approval at the June 1999 meeting. The WTs will be asked for input. The FY 2000 budget cycle will be modified for WT input after the June NWCG meeting. WT Liaisons will contact Chairs emphasizing the importance of their input. This input is due to Ed Shepard, BLM-NIFC, by May 1, 1999. Based on the input to the FY 2000 budget, advice will be sent to WT Chairs by mid-summer. Budget requests will be sent to the Executive Secretary by September 1, 1999, for consideration at the NWCG October meeting.
SUBJECT: Southwest Fire Use Training Academy.
DISCUSSION: The Southwest Fire Use Training Academy is a new interagency program blending classroom training and field experience in prescribed and wildland fire use. The first training was conducted in fall 1998 and is 8 to 10 weeks in length. There are two classes planned for FY99. The core curriculum includes: S-244, Field Observer, Rx-230/S-234, Ignition Operations, Rx-300, Prescribed Fire Implementation, and Rx-340, Introduction to Fire Effects. Each session may include changes or a different curriculum. Cost per participant is about $3,000, predominantly for per diem.
SUBJECT: Type II Crew standards.
DISCUSSION: Recommend that the minimum standards for the overhead with a Type II crew will have one Qualified Single Resource Boss and two qualified Squad Bosses. This is basically a restatement of the existing 410-1 standards. Pass this on to the IOSWT for follow-up action.
SUBJECT: Fire Prevention Team training.
DISCUSSION: The Wildland Fire Education Working Team is willing to take the lead on this program, currently under an ad hoc group of the Wildland Urban Interface Working Team. The training has started out as a pilot project and has been highly effective. Passing the course on to the WFEWT will aid in the institutionalization of the training. Cost of the training program for contract instructors and facilities is between $15,000 to $20,000. This course may be best placed at NARTC or NIFC for delivery and maintenance. This is probably not an NWCG action. Rick Gale made contact with NARTC and passed the proposal on to them. John Roberts, Director at NARTC, will work with the Wildland Urban Interface Working Team to transition the prevention training to NARTC.
SUBJECT: Future meeting dates and locations.
DISCUSSION: June 8-9, 1999 (0800-1700) NWCG, June 10 meeting with GACGs; FFALC will meet in the afternoon of June 7, suggested location - Seattle, WA.
October 19-20, 1999 (0800-1700) in Boston at NFPA Headquarters - FFALC will meet on the morning of October 21, 1999.
SUBJECT: Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team presentation.
DISCUSSION: The group started in 1987 to provide advice and information to agencies, industry and the public on wildland interface issues. Chartered by NWCG as an Advisory Group in 1995. Long-term vision statement has been developed which provides guidance to the Team. The majority of the information and products generated by the Working Team is on their website http://www.firewise.org. Budget for FY99 is about $400,000, including a small amount of support which comes from partners such as Home Depot, insurance industry, etc. The support from partners provides for printing, distribution opportunities and a small amount of project funding. The Working Team made an outstanding presentation of its current and long-term activities.
SUBJECT: Review actions on NWCG Mission from the December meeting
DISCUSSION: The group reviewed the work on the mission, vision statements and NWCG beliefs from the December meeting. Following is the final product of each: