National Wildfire Coordinating Group
98th Meeting Minutes
January 23-15, 2007

Members attending:

Kirk Rowdabaugh (Chair), NASF, Western States

Mike Hilbruner, (Vice-Chair), USFS - Fire Systems Research

Lyle Carlile, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Jim Erickson, Intertribal Timber Council

Neal Hitchcock, Forest Service (Acting)

Mike Long, NASF, Eastern States

Brian McManus, Fish and Wildlife Service

Tim Murphy, Bureau of Land Management (Acting)

Mike Wallace, National Park Service

Jim Smalley, National Fire Protection Association

Mike Dougherty, U.S. Fire Administration (Acting)

Lisa Street, NWCG Executive Secretary

Guests Attending:

Welcome, Introductions, and Meeting Packet Review (Kirk Rowdabaugh and Lisa Street)

Discussion: Kirk Rowdabaugh welcomed everyone to the meeting. Each attendee introduced themselves.

Agenda: Review and Finalize (Kirk Rowdabaugh)

Distributed and reviewed:
Handout No. 2: 98th NWCG Meeting Agenda

Discussion: Minor edits were made. Geographic Area Coordinating Group (GACG) Advisory Group Charter was moved to Wednesday afternoon due to McAlpin’s travel schedule. NWCG Publication Logo Issue was moved to Wednesday afternoon. Two agenda items were added: Training Working Team (TWT) - Interim Instructor Qualifications Currency Policy; and Fire Environment Working Team (FENWT) – Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology (OFCM) User Needs Assessment.

97th NWCG Meeting Minutes and Strategy Meeting Minutes: Review and Approval (Kirk Rowdabaugh)

Distributed and reviewed:
Handout No. 3: NWCG 97th Meeting Minutes, October 17-19, 2006

Discussion: Minutes were mailed out to all members on October 25, 2006 by the Executive Secretary.

A motion was moved by Murphy to approve the 97th Meeting Minutes, seconded by McManus. NWCG 97th Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously.

DECISION: On NWCG 97th Meeting Minutes, minutes were approved by unanimous decision.

Action Item List: Review (Lisa Street)

Distributed and reviewed:
Handout No. 4: NWCG Action Item, Decisions, and Meeting Tracking Table

Discussion: Action Item List was mailed out to all members on October 25, 2006 by the Executive Secretary. Executive Secretary will continue with current minute documentation format and action item tracking table will be updated as necessary.

Discussion: The NWCG 100th meeting has been set for October 10-11, 2007 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The meeting site features an on-campus atmosphere with co-located meals and lodging. As this is the 100th anniversary meeting for NWCG, something special may be appropriate. One idea would be to get special activities sponsored by vendors, and inviting cooperators (i.e., Fire Executive Council (FEC), NASF Fire Committee, etc.) for a special session (10/11/07 2-hour afternoon session) and dinner. It may be an opportune time to have the NWCG MOU signed. McManus will reserve 30 onsite lodging rooms. Murphy will formally extend the invitation to the FEC for 10/11/07 when he meets with them on Friday (1/26/07). FEC will be invited to hold their quarterly meeting at the same location; McManus will facilitate as necessary. An invitation for the dinner session will be extended to past NWCG members. McManus will draft an NWCG memo to potential sponsors. Each member will give the Executive Secretary contact info for previous NWCG members by 2/15/07.

Potential time for NWCG oral histories may be available after the special afternoon session. Invitations will be mailed to all living past members for this opportunity. Hilbruner will take the lead on submitting an article on the 100th NWCG meeting/celebration and interagency fire governance structure transition to Fire Management Today.

ACTION No. 98-01: On NWCG 100th Meeting, invitations will be extended to the FEC to attend a special 2-hour afternoon session and dinner with NWCG members on 10/11/07.
Lead: Tim Murphy
Due Date: 1/26/07

ACTION No. 98-02: On NWCG 100th Meeting, contact information for previous NWCG members will be sent to the Executive Secretary.
Lead: NWCG Members
Due Date: 2/15/07

Distributed and reviewed:
Handout No. 6: NWCG Agenda Request Form
Handout No. 6a: FEWT Memo to NWCG; Potable Water Tank Specification January 2007

Discussion: Greene is acting FEWT Chair for Tory Henderson this week. Current regulations on truck/bulk water support are spotty at best. FEWT was approached by various groups to develop standards and specifications for potable water. The Potable Water Tank Specification – January 2007 outlines the FEWT recommendations. There is only one categorical exclusion outlined under Equipment Requirements (Part A). There were questions about the microbiological test wording on the bottom of page 3; the intent is to use the water pending the test. Test timeframe is 2-3 days because they need to grow a culture. These new standards will provide the required final QA. The contractor is responsible for the testing under the supervision of the Food Unit Leader. Contaminations can come from the tank, water source, and handling. Lab tests may be too cumbersome and time consuming. One idea would be for the IMT to save a sample from each tank and then test if a problem occurs. Some States require the standards be set in the specifications. This is a final QC and a best practice. There isn’t a field test for coliform, it needs to be cultured.

One potential way to alleviate bottlenecks at incidents, contractors could meet a tank standard before fire season, and water samples taken on-site for chlorine in addition to meeting State standards. May change wording from requirement to a recommendation. Separate the tank and delivery system from the water itself. Contracting officers can inspect tanks at any time.

A motion was moved by Murphy to accept the Potable Water Standards as amended, seconded by McManus. Amendments to Operational Requirements and Bacterial Testing to reflect: “shall be performed in accordance with local jurisdiction.” Potable Water Standards document was approved unanimously.

DECISION: For the FEWT Potable Water Specifications, the standards were accepted as amended.

ACTION No. 98-03B: For the T1/T2 Assessment, an interim report will be developed - identifying transition issues and plan for Complex IMT system.
Lead: IOSWT
Due Date: 10/11/07

ACTION No. 98-04B: On S-420 Requirements, a memo will be drafted for NWCG Chair signature, which outlines new/adoption of Fireline delivery of S-420 (PNW model) will be sent to participating agencies and NWCG members.

Lead: Logan Lee
Due Date: 2/29/07

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For T1/T2 Assessment - IOSWT - October 2007 meeting - 30 minutes.

Wildland Fire Investigation Working Team (WFIWT) (Mike Dougherty)

Discussion: Alan Carlson is the new WFIWT Chair; they are meeting this week. One issue they are looking at is adding another level of Fire Investigator within the system.

ACTION No. 98-05: On NWCG MOU, revisions due to new governance structure will be made and document distributed to members.
Lead: Tory Henderson
Due Date: 4/15/07

back to the top

ACTION No. 98-06B: On Interim Instructor Qualifications Currency Policy, the Field Manager’s Guide will be amended and NWCG Chair will issue memo to field.
Lead: Logan Lee
Due Date: 4/15/07

1. NWCG Charter under FEC / MOU – Murphy & Henderson
   • Mission
   • Standards
   • Programs & Implementation
2. Substructure Straw Man (Programs & Management Level) – Crosby & Shetler
3. Operating Guidelines - McManus
4. Strategic Plan – Wallace & Shetler

It was noted that when NWCG and NFAEB combine, the new group will take on agency issues, not just standards and operations. NFAEB will continue to discuss this on a monthly basis, and start identifying what is missing in the current NWCG Strategic Plan. NWCG members will be included on NFAEB discussion threads as the process evolves; NWCG members will be able to participate in NFAEB meetings via conference calls. Existing operating guidelines will also need to be amended. There needs to be a business practice (mechanism) between FEC and State counterparts to determine how information/direction is coordinated down to NWCG; WFLC may be the tie.

Is the FEC generated Charter sufficient to replace the MOU? Without the MOU, USFA may not be able to exchange funds with NWCG. Another possibility would be to have the MOU at the FEC/NASF level recognizing NWCG; Hugh Wood would be a member of the FEC.

DECISION: On Fire Governance, NFAEB will continue to discuss at their monthly meetings with full participation of NWCG members via bridge-line. The Primary Deliverables for May will be:

1. NWCG Charter under FEC / MOU – Murphy & Henderson
   • Mission
   • Standards
   • Programs & Implementation
2. Substructure Straw Man (Programs & Management Level) – Crosby & Shetler
3. Operating Guidelines - McManus
4. Strategic Plan – Wallace & Shetler

ACTION No. 98-07: On NWCG Operating Guide, the guide will be revised and sent out to NWCG members and Working Team Chairs.
Lead: Brian McManus
Due Date: 4/27/07

ACTION No. 98-08: On NWCG Strategic Plan, the plan will be revised and sent out to NWCG members and Working Team Chairs.
Lead: Mike Wallace and Shari Shetler
Due Date: 4/27/07

ACTION No. 98-09: On NWCG Strategic Plan, the plan will be evaluated to accommodate NFAEB.
Lead: Mike Wallace and Shari Shetler
Due Date: 5/8/07

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For Proposed Interagency Fire Governance Structure - May 2007 meeting – 1 full day.

Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Michelle Ryerson – Safety and Health Working Team (SHWT)

Ryerson is SHWT new Chair. SHWT is meeting this week in Boise; working on budget, strategy, and 2006 annual accomplishments report. Reformatted last year’s strategy to fit new NWCG reporting format.

There are new state representatives on the WT. SHWT has moved from posters, etc. into full-on safety program management program providing resources and improving safety of firefighters on the ground.

Logan Lee – Training Working Team (TWT)

The TWT implemented the new curriculum management system this year; Lee recognized other WT Chairs for their help and cooperation. Budget discussions will determine how far they move with future training. Currently working with IOSWT on competency based conversion; WT Chairs may get calls for help.

Kathy Shelton – Incident Business Practices Working Team (IBPWT)

The IBPWT met the past week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shelton is the new Chair for IBPWT; replacing Hallie Locklear in December 2006. The AD Pay Plan should be out no later than 3/1/07; no significant changes from last year, only rate changes. IBPWT charter update includes a proposal for a much needed Deputy Chair; and they are looking at succession planning for team members to ensure qualified future members. The two-year timeline to reengineer business process cannot continue the same way as in the past, there are not enough people. Other items: technology changes, strong state partners, and FWS vacancy on the WT.

Alan Carlson – Wildland Fire Investigation Working Team (WFIWT)

WFIWT was tasked with four-level series of classes from FI-110 and FI-410; the curriculum is out and they are seeing success. Canada has converted the package per their specifications and is currently using. The Alpha test on FI-310 went well; Beta test in Redding, California also went well. FI-310 will be presented at FLETC soon. They should be ready to go once those are finished. WFIWT is looking into where FI-410 fits into the process along with other issues. Meeting with the IOSWT meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico next month and will discuss with them.

Vince Mazzier – Incident Operations Standards Working Team (IOSWT)

Bob Leaverton is phasing out as Chair; the revised charter will include a Co-Chair. IOSWT is currently working with the TWT on competency based position task book (PTB); there will be a workshop this month for operations section of PTBs. Reviewing all ICS forms with IRMWT and how they are put into system for fires, this may be a budget driven item. They have an on-going project with the glossary; this is larger than just fire terminology and may lean towards a super-glossary. Working with the TWT on development of courses and how they affect qualifications. Other projects:

• Classifying technical specifications and how they are handled in the system.
• Job code – naming board set up with IQCS folks, working into NIMS.
• New tasks to develop guidelines on NWCG standards. Memo went out to all WTs to determine each of their standards. Will set up and then periodically update on NWCG home page.
• Last is task received yesterday to assess the need of eliminating T1 and T2 IMTs and developing Complex Teams.

Judy Crosby – NWCG Project Management Office (PMO)

Main focus is on NWFEA project. The PMO is:

• Putting together the framework for wildland fire community to store NWCG standards in a single-source point of contact.
• Drawing the lines to interconnect standards for business processes and supports. Model out business of wildland fire.
• Repository tool to categorize and organize, project Blue Print done by April, overall program by October 2007.
• Published data standards.

JP Greene – Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT)

Hot issues:

• Developed own strategic plan in conjunction with NWCG strategic plan.
• Overarching goal – lifecycle planning process for equipment that has life spans. Some specifications have not been looked at for quite some time. Currently, there isn’t an established orderly method for examining specifications. Need to ensure items are appropriately updated as needed due to changes in: technology, use, and tactics.
• Ground Ignition Task Group is working on establishing standardized procedures for ground ignition equipment. Will process thru FEWT to IOSWT on new engine typing, which is badly in need of updating.

Alan Dozier – Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team (WUIWT)

Firewise website has been updated and is easier to use; they are receiving 750,000 hits per month. The November Firewise conference in Denver had over 500 participants, and the first Firewise Leadership Awards were given. The next conference is in Tampa 2008. This year there is a new course to assess wildland fire risk; will be teaching the course at five locations across the nation. The next WUIWT meeting will be held in Atlanta this coming May. WUIWT is pushing good relationships and communications with Firewise. Firewise Communities USA is another large program with over 200 recognized communities in 37 states so far. Twelve of them have been listed for the past five years. Pam Leschak is the new FS Firewise coordinator.

Dozier thanked Sam Scranton (BIA), outgoing WUIWT Chair, for his dedication and hard work on the WUIWT. Kelly Hawk is the new Vice-Chair (BLM). The next five years they will be reaching out to more federal agencies, their past efforts have focused on communities.

Pam McAlpin – Geographic Area Coordinating Group (GACG) Advisory Group

The Geographic Area Coordinating Group members met individually with NMAC last month. Discussions centered on: NWCG advisory group, and NMAC individuals. They are waiting to see the new NWCG/NFAEB structure to take care of process. The current Charter was rewritten to clean up structure and provide clarification. The GACAG has been discussing the 2005 fire season situation (when NMAC took control of T2 teams). No solutions yet, but looking at the issue and working with NMAC as GACCs were not supportive of NMAC controlling T2 teams. No new issues from last year.

Paul Schlobohm – Fire Environment Working Team (FENWT)

FENWT has been chartered over the last two years with a Vice Chair position; they are realizing after two years that this position needs to commit a lot of time. The WT is shifting a little to see if it can’t work better with time commitments.

Discussion:

• There is a template for NWCG working team charters. Appendix C of the NWCG Procedures Guide may be found on the NWCG website.
• Working Teams need to wait on charter revisions until the reorganization is complete. Some charters need to be revised now to streamline operations (SHWT). This may entail amendments and interim charters rather than full revision.
• In positions where the Chair of a WT or committee is a state employee and they need to spend community project funding – should receive authority from Cheryl Molis (FS AO). Cheryl has the form and processes requests for approval from State representatives.
• Shetler noted that we are in a unique situation with potential for agency conflict. Geospatial TG publishing operating procedures, technical specifications working group – incident standards with IBPWT. Embarked on (NFAEB requested) an end-to-end IT investment process. Implications are seen when Congressional reporting figures do not match. They are aware of field requirements of entering information into different systems. End-to-end starts with a request at the basic level; need different threshold levels – very challenging.

DECISION: On NWCG Working Team Charters, NWCG members agreed to not approve any current NWCG Working Team charters until after October 2007; those charters in need of revision would be done so only on an interim basis.

NWCG Parent Group Member Response/Issues –

Chair Kirk Rowdabaugh – enjoyed the round robin with WT Chairs and gained a sense of what is really going on. Rowdabaugh expressed his great appreciation for all the hard work of WTs. The round robin discussions were very useful. NWCG is working to gain efficiencies in business practices, and will need help from the WTs; especially to align budgets and priorities. NWCG is looking forward to having an efficient interagency community and model for interagency activities. We are learning as we go on the new structure.

Co-Chair Mike Hilbruner – seconded Chair comments. 1. Echo strong appreciation for WTs, they provide important work and their commitment to interagency approach is commendable. 2. Really hope to engage with the WTs as we transition to the new structure.

Mike Long – Appreciate NWCG WT work. Have found that NFAEB decisions affect the States, so it’s a good time for restructure. 1. IOSWT – ICS forms coordination between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and what we are doing was confirmed by Dougherty. 2. Technology and business practices – need to make sure the technology is avail and dependable. Concerned that technology crashes will disable business practices. 3. Each time we do something it adds a cost to the fire. OMB watches fire budgets and need to watch training come out of these.

Jim Erickson – It has been a long time since NWCG met with GACGs, need to meet with them regularly – get on agenda. Fire weather WT – exercise in standing down WT was a good process to streamline. Encouraged other WTs to look for ways/opportunities to streamline, find out if there is a structure to help the process and NWCG.

Mike Dougherty – Working hard to make sure NWCG standard is used by DHS, see problems at the local and state government level due to non-fire roles. DHS is another added dimension.

Brian McManus – Perspective on governance change, after 2000 fire season and NFP budgets, show it’s timely to streamline given the reduced budgets. This requires a lot of coordination, pull back, calming down, and rethinking practices. Encouraged input from WTs as we go through the restructure process. Need to consider history – but be forward thinking and think outside the box. May need certain established structure within NWCG, what percentage of WT Chair workload is coming from the parent group? Look at QFFR process and apply at WT level.

Neal Hitchcock – Has a lot of hope for the new governance piece. It’s a chance to put order to a very complex organization. Gives NWCG a chance to organize, distribute work, and be a model for us and other interagency groups. Everyone is a part of process; focus on results and response to field.

Mike Wallace – Very supportive of where NWCG is going with business practices and strategic direction. He believes that the strategic planning process which develops focus and sets priorities can be applied down into our respective bureau fire programs. The outcomes from this process can ultimately be used in the development of annual work plans that are tied to priorities and define time commitments. Recommends providing instructions to WTs under a separate location or heading within the meeting minutes. NPS Associate Director has decided to consolidate the Chief, Branch of Wildland Fire position and the Division Chief, Fire and Aviation position into one which will be the Division Chief (Mike Wallace) to be located in Boise. There will be two additional Branch Chiefs located in Boise (1 for Aviation and 1 for Structure Fire). He will also be able to hire a Deputy – ready to advertise all three jobs soon.

Lyle Carlile – Agree with previous comments. It’s refreshing to hear from the WT Chairs. All are very professional and appreciated. Understand that WT time and budget will be changing from past practices. NWCG wants to use WT time most efficiently, working to increase communications and direction via the strategic plan to help them. Encourage all WT input to new structure process.

Tim Murphy – Recognize that workloads are increasing for WT Chairs. Still need all work done, clarify processes and build substructure. Budget issue will sustain. Pursuing a more effective way of doing business, challenge ourselves to look for bold new ways of doing business. Encourage input from all sources. One existing way – look at State partners and how they deal with budgets.

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back to the top

• Need a way to estimate the out-years (via an additional column).
• Need a way to visualize how each budget line crosses years.
• Print line item numbers (spreadsheet rows).
• Add NWCG Business Practices to “Other” section, and evaluate other line items listed under Other that could be categorized (i.e., State Travel,).
• What is new vs. what is repetitive – need to track previously approved budget line items shown.
• Change Y/N column to reflect long-term projects such as those that are 8-year projects.
• Add O&M section showing line item for each WT that would be reviewed each year.
• Need guidelines to standardize project descriptions.
• Add another subtotal for the No – reminding members of the past funding/approval for each project.
• Discretionary funds and/or flexible funding levels are not shown – may consider sorting on a descriptive column.
• Need to add in FY07 approved budget levels to spreadsheet so comparisons can be made.
  

Each budget line item was discussed in order of listing. Parent group members should prioritize each WT budget line and will discuss at May meeting. The new project column is a reminder to show if a project already has funding from a previous FY, and has already been approved. Remember that the spreadsheet is a summary; the details are in each WT Action Plan.

Comments from NWCG Working Teams on FY08-10 Budget:

FENWT – Questions about if NWFEA project may be provided funding for FY08. It was decided that funding for NWFEA improvements come from agency budgets, not NWCG. FENWT is working closely with JFSP to assist on their task items.

IOSWT - Show entire cost for one task if it crosses three years.

PMO – Crosby only listed items that need NWCG funding.

IBPWT – Goals shown under G2 need to move up to G1; projects shown maintain the status quo. Crosby will follow-up with Shelton on coordination of the IPA project business reengineering. $35,000 is a one-time cost every four years for the IBM Handbook revision. The $15,000 is the on-going business level for the WT. Forms listed are examples, not actual.

IOSWT – $1,000 shown in G2 for FY10 is for 310-1 revision.

TWT – Distance learning budget continues from FY06, shows cost increase over time per curriculum. Using IQCS modules to start the nomination process for coursework, realizing they have not tapped into IQCS and ROSS yet. Line items 9-10 are the strategic action, line item 11 shows action and implementation. Course model does not work with changing technology, the 5-year revision schedule does not allow for this. Need a more agile, responsive training system. Currently NFAEB (interagency) pays for refresher training off of the top, which will change somewhat after the restructure. There is a need to reflect contributed funding in the budget, and how it alters prioritization (i.e., Distance Learning). Remember the moratorium on positions at the IOSWT level. TWT is responsible for training development and curriculum publishing; other WTs are responsible for maintenance and revisions. Leadership Committee is responsible for maintaining and tracking Leadership Program Training and scholarships for non-federal partners. Competency based system allows for a better comparative system and better aligns with fire specific arena.

WFEWT – Goal 2 requested through the TWT; tied in per NWCG memo direction 11/27/06.

PMSWT – Historically, WT submitted their proposed budgets along with an additional budget reflecting a twenty percent (20%) reduction.

O&M Section will include the following:

• WT base costs (off-the-top funding)
• State travel
• Executive Secretary travel
• 10-year course revision
• Baseline curriculum maintenance - incremental

For future consideration:

• Need approach to ensure consistency in course revision. Need baseline to maintain a 10-year schedule.
• Every year, prior to the NWCG Winter meeting (January), the WT Chairs, and GACG Advisory Group Chair will meet for one day and review the budget process and strategic action plan. This will be a planned scheduled event with specific agenda items to address.
• The NWCG Winter (January) meeting will be held in Boise, Idaho and include a one-half day session with the WT Chairs that includes round robin with: 1. WT activity in general and; 2. Budget discussions.
• Need separate summary of WT budget request rather than including on budget spreadsheet.
• Consider the level of detail in project descriptions.
• Identify possible strategies that are not included in the current Strategic Plan; annual revisions will be built into the process. (Fall meeting in October will include revision of Strategic Plan).
• A one-page narrative summary sheet outlining actions/implications for WTs would be useful for WT Chairs. It will be generated in conjunction with the meeting minutes. This is also a good way to show how parent group actions tie to the strategic plan.

Decision: On NWCG Meetings Format, NWCG Winter meeting each January will include ½ day with WT Chairs and GACG Advisory Group Charter. Subjects covered: round robin (WT issues/activities); and budget requests for next FY.

ACTION No. 98-10: On NWCG FY08-10 Budget, the spreadsheet will be revised and sent out to NWCG members and Working Team Chairs.
Lead: Executive Secretary
Due Date: 2/16/07

ACTION No. 98-11: On NWCG Strategic Plan, the plan will be updated and sent out to NWCG members and Working Team Chairs.
Lead: Executive Secretary
Due Date: 2/16/07

ACTION No. 98-12B: On NWCG FY08-10 Budget, the spreadsheet will be updated to reflect how Working Team budgets tie into NWCG parent group goals.
Lead: Working Team Chairs
Due Date: 3/16/07

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For NWCG Strategic Plan Revisions – October 2007 meeting - 1 hour.

FY07 Budget –

Distributed and reviewed:
Handout 15a: NWCG FY07 Final Approved Budget

Discussion: $200,000 will be included from USFA; resulting in a change to the breakdown percentages. It will not change the total approved budget figure. Need to change the figure shown for SHWT from BIA to NPS. Budget procedures need to be part of the updated operating guidelines. Henderson is transitioning NWCG budget duties to Bobbe Bilyeu (FS).

DECISION: On NWCG Publication Logo Issue, the PMSWT recommendation was accepted. Publications will continue with NWCG logo on front cover; narrative statement indicating NIMS compliance will be on interior page. PMSWT will work with FEWT on ensuring NFES catalog states NIMS compliance for each course.

ACTION No. 98-13B: On NWCG Publication Logo Issue, an NWCG memo will be sent to the field outlining the use of NWCG logos on publications.
Lead: Allen Deitz
Due Date: 3/1/07

ACTION No. 98-14A: On NWCG Publication Logo Issue, conduct research to determine if the NWCG logo is trademarked.
Lead: Mike Hilbruner
Due Date: 5/8/07

Meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Discussion: Ryerson introduced Al King (NPS) Co-Chair for the SHWT.

Holmes Fatality Corrective Action – King provided a brief background; information contained in USDI NPS Memo from the NPS Director to the NWCG Chair. On 1/25/06, NWCG tasked the SHWT with reviewing and evaluating the two recommendations contained in the NPS memo. In their 1/23/07 memo to NWCG, the SHWT determined that a task group is warranted to fully address this issue and are ready to implement a charter for such group. The projected cost for the task group is estimated at $5,000 for FY08, including travel for non-federal members and meeting costs. The task group will be sunsetted two years from their first meeting. IOSWT has already changed language in the IRPG regarding burning snags. Six Minutes for Safety lesson plan was completed last year. The task group will keep the “Doctrine” in mind during their deliberations, as well as contracting specifications. The recommendations will be addressed in established training programs as appropriate.

DECISION: On the Holmes Fatality Corrective Action, the recommended changes per the NPS 5/10/05 memo will not be implemented until after the Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Task Group have finalized their determinations before January 2009.

Minimum Standards of Incident EMS (Standard of Care) – Issue briefing contained in SHWT 1/23/07 memo to NWCG regarding Recommended Minimum Standard of Incident Emergency Medical Services. Since the recommended standards will impact States, they will need to be reviewed before any decision can be made by NWCG in regards to their adoption and implementation. There were concerns about the first responders wording – needs to be changed to basic first aid. Ryerson will send documents and draft NWCG memo to NWCG Executive Secretary. NWCG will distribute to the field for comments. Updated report will be presented to NWCG in May 2007.

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For Minimum Standards of Incident EMS – SHWT - May 2007 meeting – 30 minutes.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) – Issue briefing contained in SHWT 1/23/07 memo to NWCG regarding AEDs. While there is not an OSHA regulation directly related, there is an implication that AEDs should be provided at large incident camps, which are considered temporary work sites. USFS Region 1 has had great success with managing the 500 person medical kits and implementation of their program. The SHWT recommends making AEDs a standard component of the 500-person kits at a minimum (41 to date). Maintenance is very minimal for the AEDs, mostly checking batteries and refurbishing if they are used. Is there an alternative to having the cache system maintain the AEDs? Can maintenance be contracted out? SHWT will look into alternatives and report back to NWCG at the May 2007 meeting.

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For AEDs – SHWT - May 2007 meeting – 15 minutes.

SHWT Charter – Previous charter included NWCG parent group approval for normal operating procedures – updated charter does not include this requirement. Updated charter includes the addition of a standing Executive Secretary as a member of the team; will not require additional funding. Charter amendments: add interim to title and delete reference of Executive Secretary.

A motion was moved by Long to accept an amended Interim Charter for the NWCG Safety and Health Working Team, seconded by Carlile. NWCG Safety and Health Working Team amended Interim Charter was unanimously approved.

DECISION: For the NWCG Safety and Health Working Team Charter, the Charter will be amended to reflect Interim in the title and reference to the Executive Secretary position will be removed. Charter as amended was accepted.

SHWT 2006 Accomplishment Report – Ryerson discussed the SHWT 2006 Annual Accomplishment Report. The SHWT recommends that the Emergency Medical Support Group (EMSG) be sunsetted by the end of 2007. This year, ISUITE will include accident and injury data on a real-time basis. FFAST brochure published in 2006. SHWT will have the Agency’s Administrators Guide to Critical Incident Management completed by April 2007 and into the publications system by May 2007. Each SHWT member will support the IAWF Wildland Fire Safety Summit on a rotating basis (every other year); this year NPS – next summit will be BLM. A great collaborative effort was enacted with the TWT to review all revised NWCG courses. They have two new state members, Moreland Gueth (NC) and John Schwingel (WI). SHWT would like to replace their current display in 2008. Safety survey (tied to training, certification, and operations) should be conducted in 2008; it has been a while since the Tri-Data survey. Safety survey proposal including costs will be presented at the May 2007 meeting.

The SHWT appreciates the involvement of Mike Long as their NWCG liaison and encourage all NWCG members to bring any issues/recommendations to the team.

Action #98-15B: On the Safety and Health Working Group, all documents presented during NWCG briefing will be distributed (electronically) to NWCG Members through the NWCG Executive Secretary.
Lead: Michelle Ryerson
Due Date: 2/1/07

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: For SHWT Safety Survey – SHWT - May 2007 meeting – 15 minutes.

• WFEWT Host WT Briefing – 1 hour on the last day (Information)
• NWCG Operating Guide – 30 minutes
• NWCG Strategic Plan – ½ day
• Proposed Interagency Fire Governance Structure – 30 minutes right after introductions on first day (Decision)

DECISION: On NWCG Meetings Format, the Winter (January) meeting will convene on the last Tuesday of January.

DECISION: On NWCG Meetings Format, the NWCG Chair will be the standard host of the Winter (January) meeting.

DECISION: On NWCG Meetings Format, Spring, Fall, and Winter meeting agendas will be a full two days. During the proposed Interagency Fire Governance Structure transition, NFAEB will meet on the third day (Thursday).

ACTION No. 98-16: On NWCG Summary of Decisions and Actions document, the current summary will be revised to include references/links to meeting minutes and sent out to NWCG members and Working Team Chairs.
Lead: Executive Secretary
Due Date: As each meeting minutes are released

ACTION No. 98-17B: On NWCG Winter meeting, the NWCG Working Team Chairs will extend an invitation to their Working Team members to attend each NWCG Winter (January) meeting.
Lead: WT Chairs
Due Date: 6/1/07

AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING: Discussion of the Proposed Interagency Fire Governance Structure with WT Chairs; including potential update of charters and strategic plans to conform to the new structure (e.g., NWCG and NFAEB). WT Chairs will extend invitation to their members to participate in discussions – January 2008 – ½ day.

Round Robin (NWCG Members)

Neal Hitchcock: Appreciated being a part of the discussions.

Brian McManus: Echoed Hitchcock’s statement, enjoy being a new member of NWCG.

Jim Smalley: Announcements:

• Gary Toekle (MT) Division Director for Public Fire Protection is retiring in July.
• NFPA documents of interest: 11-41 & 44 have been rewritten and are before a vote in June – these set the standards for fire protection in land developments.
• Wildland Fire Protection document will be out for proposals this February
• 2008 - 3rd National Wildland Interface Conference will be held in Tampa.
• NFPA Wildland Fire Organization will happily sponsor the NWCG 100th meeting.
• Current NWCG strategic planning is much better than the one in the 1990’s; easier to explain and more logical.

Mike Long: Good session with the WT Chairs; a good learning process. NWCG has a great challenge to facilitate the new fire governance.

Judy Crosby: Looking forward to working on the substructure, group will meet next Friday. Comments so far:

• Efficient
• Responsive
• Order to complex organization
• Priorities
• Model for interagency relations
• Customer management
• Think outside box
• Shetler SWOT from last year may be valuable

Working Team matrix – will have WT Chair validate the list.

ACTION No. 98-18: On NWCG Matrix, the matrix will be updated and a joint NWCG/NFAEB memo requesting comments will be sent to WT Chairs and NFAEB members.
Lead: Judy Crosby
Due Date: 2/16/07

Lyle Carlile: We are on the right track with the strategic plan; will continue to work on clarification of the levels below the parent group. Appreciate State support of the new governance structure. Thought the working session with WT Chairs was very valuable.

Shari Shetler: No items.

Jim Erickson: Interesting to see how the new governance structure works out. Looking forward to meeting with WUIWT in Georgia this year.

Mike Wallace: Very supportive of where NWCG is going with business practices and strategic management. He currently ties annual work plans to direction (NPS). Instructions to WTs should be highlighted separately in the meeting minutes. NPS Associate Director has decided that his (Wallace) current position will be consolidated into the Division Director position and located in Boise. There will be two additional Branch Chiefs located in Boise (1 for Aviation and 1 for Structure Fire). He will also be able to hire a Deputy – ready to advertise all three jobs soon.

Kirk Rowdabaugh: New NASF Fire Director Dan Smith will be invited to attend NWCG meetings from this point forward.

Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

* Reminder from the NWCG 96th Meeting –

DECISION: On Action Item Tracking Table, agreed to number the Action Items with the meeting number, a dash, and then 01, 02, etc. (Example: 96-01) It was further agreed that if a WT is tasked with an assignment, two action items will be listed with an (a) and a (b) after the number -- (A) for the NWCG Liaison and (B) for the WT. The WTs will have a separate sheet on the Action Table.

Meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.