1. SUBJECT: Approval
of 81st meeting minutes.
DISCUSSION:
The final 81st meeting minutes were mailed to members after NWCG and Working
Team review and acceptance.
MOTION: Accept minutes as corrected and mailed.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
2. SUBJECT: Social science and its effect on fire management.
DISCUSSION:
The final report Burning Questions, A Social Science Research Plan for
Federal Wildland Fire Management was presented for acceptance and approval.
The plan covers a wide range of topics and questions related to the human
dimensions of wildland fire management. Both the beneficial and harmful effects
of wildland fire are considered. The plan includes research in the social
sciences of anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, political science
and sociology, and interdisciplinary fields of research.
The key elements of the plan are based on three principles:
1) Policy analysis that identifies the kinds of social science research mandated
and recommended by relevant Federal law, regulation and policy. 2)
Literature review that describes research relevant to the human dimensions
of wildland fire and identifies knowledge gaps in the literature. 3) Needs
assessment derived from workshops held around the country that included social
and biophysical scientists, fire and resource managers at the Federal and
State levels, local community leaders, stakeholder groups and interested citizens.
Jim Stumpf will ensure the executive summary gets placed
on the website. Dave Cleaves and Rick Gale will develop a public roll-out
plan and implementation plan for NWCG follow-up action. NPS will handle distribution
of the final document.
MOTION:
Accept the report as presented and approve $15,000 for the printing of 3000
copies of the publication Burning Questions, A Social Science Research
Plan for Federal Wildland Fire Management.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
3. SUBJECT: Federal
Fire and Safety Team (SAFENET).
DISCUSSION: SAFENET
is a near miss reporting project as a result of the Tri-data study. The program
was first rolled out in the summer of 2000. The program design is two-fold.
First, it provides a forum for firefighters to display problems encountered
on the job. The second purpose provides the firefighter an opportunity to
review areas of previous problems reported by others. Problems that are presented
to SAFENET are reviewed, and specific names and places identified are removed
from the reporting. A problem occurred this summer from a news reporter reviewing
SAFENET and giving a partial, one-sided report on one of the SAFENET reports.
There are no disclaimers on the website, but it is suggested some sort of
disclaimer be added that would identify that the information contained is
raw material based on opinion and is not necessarily factual. SAFENET will
add this information to the overview SAFENET statement.
A task group is putting information from SAFENET reports
into a lessons learned file that can be used for training in the future.
Currently, the program is being used by the Federal fire agencies. The SAFENET
group would like to offer States the opportunity to participate in 2002. Don
Artley, NASF will ensure that each state provides John Gould with a contact
person. In FY 2002 the program will provide an 800 telephone number that
will enhance reporting of safety issues.
No further SAFENET bulletins will be issued until the
program develops alternatives to problems and issues that are identified by
all agencies. The SAFENET program will become a program under SHWT of NWCG.
Alternatives will be presented to NWCG at the winter 2002 meeting.
4. SUBJECT: FCOG
update.
DISCUSSION: There are several areas of mutual concern between NWCG
and FCOG. These require continued work and include: NIIMS/AIIMS review,
legalities of resource sharing, common ICS role development training, watch-outs,
effectiveness of foam, NWCG/CIFF - FCOG. We will continue to work with the
FCOG group on these areas of concern.
The Australasian Fire Authority Council is hosting the
Third International Wildland Fire Conference October 4-8, 2003, in Sydney,
Australia. They have extended an invitation for NWCG to hold their fall 2003
meeting in conjunction with this conference
5. SUBJECT: Standards
for Wildland Fire Investigators.
DISCUSSION:
The Wildland Fire Investigation Working Team (WFIWT) would like to move ahead
on the proposed standards as presented at the June 2001 NWCG meeting. Peer
review of the standards has been completed. Many comments were received,
and all have been addressed by the Team in the final standards. Position
Task Books are near completion, and a total of three training courses is proposed.
The WFIWT is working closely with the Training Working Team (TWT) and Training
Specialists at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) on course development.
Additional work needed includes a field guide, checklist and a desk reference
document to refresh the user with all specific investigative references.
Physical fitness standards for investigators are also
recommended. Basically, most of the activities in fire investigation require
low or no physical requirements because the actual work that would be accomplished
is off-scene, after the actual suppression activities have taken place. The
WT wants to develop an implementation strategy to better meet standards across
the country for all agencies. Some of these strategies may include missions
and considerations to homeland security.
MOTION: Accept the WFIWT investigator standards presented to
NWCG in June 2001.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
6. SUBJECT: International
Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
DISCUSSION:
The International Association of Fire Chiefs has asked NWCG to consider formal/informal relationship between
NWCG/IFC. IAFC could provide a link to fire departments in the United States
on those wildland fire issues that might affect fire departments. The wildland/urban
interface issue is a growing concern for IAFC members.
The IAFC was formed 128 years ago to establish a standard
for fire hose and threads. Members are Fire Chiefs throughout the United
States. IAFC is managed by a 16-person elected board with committees and
task forces to carry out their work. They are formed in three departmental
areas within their organizational structure:
Alan Caldwell, IAFC, will be added to the mailing list
so they can be better informed of NWCG activities.
7. SUBJECT: Use
of fire prevention teams.
DISCUSSION: The
Wildland Fire Education Working Team (WFEWT) will present a full package on
this issue at the January 2002 meeting. No new information is available
at this time.
8. SUBJECT: Use and management of Type I Incident Management Teams.
DISCUSSION: The Incident Operations Standards Working Team (IOSWT)
would like to make a formal presentation on this issue at the January 2002
NWCG meeting. No new information is available at this time.
9. SUBJECT: Coast Guard qualified Information Officers.
DISCUSSION:
The Coast Guard will be sending their people through the 310-1 qualifications
to meet NWCG standards.
10. SUBJECT: Incident Management System (IMS) Consortium/Incident
Command Systems (ICS) Interface.
DISCUSSION:
The IOSWT wants to continue its participation with the IMS consortium. An
IMS WT representative has participated in the IOSWT meeting. This should
help to make this IMS/ICS interface activity work. Keeping abreast of activities
in both groups should aid in a closer working relationship between the two
groups.
11. SUBJECT: Helicopter
Crew Member Position Task Book.
DISCUSSION: The modification suggested by the Pacific Northwest
Geographic Area has been changed. Don Artley will send a letter to the PNWGA
confirming the modification.
12. SUBJECT: Non-Arduous Helicopter Manager Position
DISCUSSION:
The use of non-arduous helicopter manager positions has been ongoing for the
past couple of fire seasons due to the lack or availability of helicopter
managers having arduous fitness levels. The Incident Operations Standards
Working Team (IOSWT), in conjunction with the Helicopter Operations Steering
Committee, developed standards for a non-arduous helicopter manager position.
This would establish two helicopter manager positions in the qualifications
system. The IOSWT also recommended training and currency requirements to
be placed in the qualifications publication 310-1.
MOTION: Accept
the IOSWT recommendations.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
13. SUBJECT: Pilot
project proposal for trainee use.
DISCUSSION: This is an Eastern Area proposal that suggests a minimum
10% increase in overhead dispatched to fires be sent as trainees. This may
better help increase the pool of qualified personnel available. This has
been discussed with the coordinators at NIFC and it is believed that some
additional alternatives could be explored. Follow up at the 83rd meeting
with options/alternatives to enhance the use of trainees on fires.
14. SUBJECT: Aviation
Use Committee.
DISCUSSION:
The group has met and will present a draft report at the January 2002 NWCG
meeting. Dave Mihalic is the Chair of this Committee. It appears there are
some dual standards between the Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG)
and other qualifications found in ICS-310-1.
15. SUBJECT: 410-1,
Fireline Handbook.
DISCUSSION: The second draft of this handbook has been completed.
Chapter one deals with safety. They have also worked out a chapter dealing
with Urban Interface. The IOSWT has reviewed the Thirtymile Fire report to
ensure there is no conflict with the 410-1. The IOSWT hopes to have this
updated Fireline Handbook available for field distribution by the 2002 season.
16. SUBJECT: WFEWT
membership.
DISCUSSION:
Three replacement members are needed on this Working Team. NWCG members were
asked to see if they could help identify some of the members needed. These
include an Agency Administrator, Eastern/Southern State representative, and
a Fish and Wildlife Service representative. Members should get back to the
Chair of the Working Team with names.
17. SUBJECT: Minimum
crew standards for national mobilization.
DISCUSSION:
The IOSWT proposed minimum crew standards. They are proposing a Type I, Type
II with Initial Action capability and Type II crews. There was a suggestion
to modify the language to indicate crew cohesiveness. Safety and Health Working
Team (SHWT) and Leadership Task Group should look at past fires and determine
if crew cohesiveness or lack of cohesiveness has exhibited indicators of increased
risks/hazards on fires.
MOTIONS: 1)
Adopt the minimum crew standards; 2) Task the SHWT to look at past fires
and training courses in the Human Dimension and Followership and Leadership
courses to determine applicability and consideration into crew cohesiveness.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
18. SUBJECT: Wildland
Fire Safety Awareness recommendations.
DISCUSSION:
No action to report at this time. Letters have been sent to affected WT Chairs
that had actions, asking for their input to conclude items that need completion.
TWT has made the only response to date.
19. SUBJECT: PMS
Working Team Chair.
DISCUSSION: Mike Benscoter has volunteered to Chair the PMSWT.
MOTION: Accept the recommendation for Mike Benscoter to Chair
PMSWT.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
20. SUBJECT: Fire
Preparedness Planning.
DISCUSSION:
The project to develop a national Preparedness Planning System was presented
to NWCG in June 2001 and has since received JFSP funding to develop a proposal
for system development/research. This project has high potential for future
IRM impacts/implications so formal liaison with the NWCG IRMWT is needed.
Jim Stires should ensure that Gerry Day established formal on‑going
liaison with the IRMWT Chair, Shari Shetler.
21. SUBJECT: Interagency
Incident Base Automation Task Group.
DISCUSSION: The Task Group has begun the project but has not completed
the work, nor are they prepared to make a recommendation. They will have
a completed report December 15, 2001, and will make a final recommendation
to NWCG at the
January 2002 NWCG meeting.
22. SUBJECT: IQCS
update.
DISCUSSION:
The project is in the contracting phase for design. There have been six vendor
responses. The current Project Manager has accepted a new job. The position
will be re-filled. The project is on schedule per the IQCS charter.
23. SUBJECT: National Fire Plan Reporting System (NFPRS).
DISCUSSION:
An effort to develop an automated National Fire Plan Reporting system for
the Forest Service and Department of the Interior agencies is under way.
The system will be used to report program results to congress, Office of Management
and Budget and the Departments. To date work in FS and DOI has been under
taken independently so coordination and uniform reporting is suspect. Greater
coordination is needed and that may be best achieved by rolling the project
under the auspices of NWCG.
24. SUBJECT: Supervisory
dispatch qualifications.
DISCUSSION:
The information and request for this modification has not been brought to
the TWT. The TWT will review this and communicate their recommendations to
NWCG at the January 2002 meeting.
25. SUBJECT: FY 2002 budget.
DISCUSSION:
Approve the budget with the increase of $15,000 for the Burning Question,
A Social Science Research Plan for Federal Wildland Fire Management publication.
This will make the total FY 2002 commitment $936,500.
MOTION: Accept the budget as amended.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
26. SUBJECT: Leadership
Task Group - membership/charter.
DISCUSSION:
The membership of the proposed group includes an Agency Administrator and
members from all Federal agencies. The only missing member is from the States.
Don Artley should have this position filled in the next few weeks.
Charter responsibilities include seven distinct parts,
to include review of existing leadership curriculum and training. They are
going to deal with different delivery methods in the development of the training.
The curricula will be structured to start at the beginning and have a natural progression as employees develop
into more complex work activities.
The priority for the task group in FY 2002 includes
development of new courses, validation of proposed TWT actions, and the existing
curriculum review will take advantage of existing materials from all sources.
27. SUBJECT: Data
Administration Working Group (DAWG).
DISCUSSION: A concept paper was presented for review and consideration.
The group would like an informal working group to act as the approving body
for NWCG data standards. The DAWG will be chartered under the IRMWT. Membership
will be comprised of a representative from each of the existing Working Teams.
The DAWG should develop a charter and obtain review
comments from other WTs before proceeding. This will aid in the WT buy-in
process. The DAWG will be responsible to the IRMWT, which will approve the
charter after all WTs and NWCG review.
28. SUBJECT: Fire
Use Working Team.
DISCUSSION: The Team was first formed in 1977 as the Prescribed
Fire and Fire Effects Working Team. The title and mission was changed to
Fire Use in 1997 to better reflect new terminology. The FUWT works in concert
with WFEWT, TWT, and IOSWT in the development of training and fire use qualifications
and educational programs.
29. SUBJECT: Create
a Geographic Area Advisory Group.
DISCUSSION:
The current By-laws and Operating Procedures do not permit NWCG to establish
Advisory or other groups. To better form other groups, a modification in
the NWCG By-laws needs to be made.
Once changes are approved in the NWCG By-laws, we can
develop a Geographic Area Advisory Group. The group will be comprised of
members from each of the nine geographic areas. The members on this group
should probably not be the Chair of the GACG since this responsibility turns
over annually. The NWCG Chair will be the permanent liaison to this group.
MOTIONS:
1) Accept the new By-law change. 2) Form a Geographic Area Advisory Group.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
30. SUBJECT: Annual
Reports.
DISCUSSION: Several of the Working Teams’ Annual Reports were received
late by NWCG. The NWCG By-laws and Operating Principles outline that these reports
reflect budget expenditures and Team accomplishments. Two concerns were expressed
by NWCG and may require NWCG liaison follow-up with the Teams. First, not
all reports were submitted in a timely manner. Secondly, not all of the reports
articulated what the Teams’ accomplishments were and how budget expenditures
were made.
31. SUBJECT: NWCG’s
role in establishing and implementing pre-fire management planning standards.
DISCUSSION:
The traditional role of NWCG has been to establish uniform operational fire
management standards. Should/can Federal and State fire management agencies
agree on strategic and tactical pre-fire management planning standards? Several
State and Federal agencies have developed agency specific positions and training
courses, while others are looking to NWCG for interagency standards and/or
training support. Should the FUWT begin working on the interagency fire use
planning positions, task books, and training courses?
At this time, NWCG feels that we should agree on strategic
and tactical pre-fire planning standards. The FUWT is tasked with beginning
to develop interagency fire use and prescribed fire training courses and positions,
and also with developing an alternative to the task book approach to measuring
competencies.
32. SUBJECT: Form
a task group for fire policy implementation.
DISCUSSION:
Develop an implementation strategy for all agencies to use for the 2001 Fire
Policy implementation. Jerry Williams and Larry Hamilton will be liaison
between this task group and NWCG. Agencies are asked to provide candidates
to this group. We need to have a good mix of people such as national and regional
fire management personnel, agency administrators, natural resource personnel,
etc. States will play an active role in this task force. Names will be provided
to Larry or Jerry in early November.
MOTION:
Establish a special task group Establish a special task force to develop a
strategy for implementation of the 2001 federal fire policy to be complete
by the end of CY 2002.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
33. SUBJECT: Review
NIIMS/AIIMS.
DISCUSSION: Form a task group under the IOSWT to review NIIMS and
AIIMS to look at both systems and make recommendations on potential modifications
based on our knowledge of dealing with the systems for close to 30 years.
Rick Gale will pass our intent on to the WT to form the group to ensure a
good cross section of personnel, including agency administrators, IMT members,
etc.
MOTION: Ask
the IOSWT to charter a task group, in conjunction with FCOG, to jointly review
both ICS and AIIMS to determine if changes are needed to better serve wildland
fire management.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
34. SUBJECT: Transitions.
DISCUSSION: NWCG needs to lead the efforts to mitigate threats during
fire transition in two high risk areas: 1) the transition phase in suppression
activities between initial attack and large incident management, and 2) during
long duration, landscape scale fire use events.
We would like to recommend the policies, performance
elements, and requisite tools required to safely and effectively manage, supervise
and lead personnel in these areas.
MOTION: Form a task group and have preliminary direction in
place by the summer of 2002. Jerry Williams and Dave Cleaves will lead the
effort.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
35. SUBJECT: Vice
Chair.
DISCUSSION: The Chair of NWCG has appointed Jim Stires as Vice Chair,
replacing Roger Erb effective January 4, 2002.
36. SUBJECT: NWCG
nominating committee.
DISCUSSION: NWCG Chair and Vice Chair will serve as a nominating
committee for NWCG Chair and Vice Chair for the NWCG election of officers
for a 2-year term in May 2002.
37. SUBJECT: Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team (WUIWT).
DISCUSSION: Do we need to create a mitigation and education program?
This is a DOI proposal and would be primarily a Department of the Interior
group. There seem to be similar duties and responsibilities that are contained
within the WUIWT. No action is taken on this from NWCG.
38. SUBJECT: Policy,
procedures alignment.
DISCUSSION:
Currently, there are some differences between the policies and procedures
in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Where appropriate, we should
strive to align the policies and procedures and publish these as a guide for
other interested parties. In addition, we propose the development of a Code
of Practice for fire management. The NPS will review a selection of FCOG
member policy and procedures for identification of possible alignment with
policy and procedures in the United States.
MOTION: Endorse a pilot project to discuss areas of possible
policy and procedure alignment between NWCG and FCOG agencies.
SECONDED AND CARRIED.
39. SUBJECT: Social
science roll-out.
DISCUSSION: There appear to be two distinct parts of the social
science roll-out:
1) Education and agency or departmental briefings.
In addition, States and research organizations need to receive a briefing
on the general content. There may be additional chances to disseminate information.
Dave Cleaves will keep a record of these groups and will be the lead on this
roll-out project. He will also assemble a group to brainstorm ideas for implementation.
All members are encouraged to nominate folks to participate. 2) Implementation
via the media. We need to take advantage of agency PAOs to assist in development
of releases for the public. This issue will appear on the NWCG agenda for
all future meetings.
40. SUBJECT: Future
meetings.
DISCUSSION:
January 16-17, 2002: New Orleans, Louisiana. IBPWT presentation with the
15th as a half day for a work group (hosted by BIA); FFALC will meet in the
morning. May 21-23: TWT presentation; NWCG May 21-22, 2002; May 23 joint
GACG meeting in Whitefish, Montana (hosted by Montana DNR). October 7-11,
2002 (tentative): Emmitsburg, Maryland (USFA host).
