FENWT - Fire Behavior Committee (FBC)

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National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Fire Environment Working Team
Fire Behavior Committee
Teleconference
FINAL

Friday, June 16, 2006 @ 1000 MDT

Members present:

Dan Jimenez
John Saltenberger
Larry VanBussum
Risa Lange-Navarro
R. Ziel
Wayne Cook
Paul Schlobohm, FENWT
Punky Moore - Executive Secretary

Absent:

Dave Whitmer
John Barborinas

Approve Minutes from May 30 – June 2, 2006 Boise Meeting:
Approved and finalized

Action Item Table Status:

#82 -

ongoing
#156 - onhold, part of reference tool
#163 - working products belong on mfc, formal minutes on NWCG site, final on myfirecommunity
#164 - working on extending methodology that WEBCAM uses, ability for RAWS or individual lat/long sites to get a timeline of forecasts/point and click forecasts as well as verification at individual spots – possibly extended to other modeling consortiums.
#174 - ongoing, driven by competencies effort
#175 - new task order will include funding to have entire package done, will have more info on 7/12/06
#179 - completed 4/19/06
#180 - ongoing, will be addressed further as we start to implement our strategic plan
#185 - completed, FENWT endorsed as noted
#187 - completed
#188 - completed
#189 - change due date to 7/12/06
#190 - sent draft to Cook, next step is to send to FENWT, change due date to 7/12/06
#191 - ongoing, where does the NIFCG fit in relative to the curriculum? Will look at a strategy for joint curriculum and respective applications. Cook is on email list to represent FBC
#192 - completed, also posted D. Wiese’s review
#193 - memo completed, ongoing process, continue to encourage highest level of expertise in handoff groups
#194 - completed, presentation made at FENWT meeting
#195 - completed, 6/16/06
#197 - still reviewing, change due date to 10/16/06
#198 - will be meeting with Brett today, change due date to 7/12/06
#199 - change due date to 7/12/06
#201 - change due date to 7/12/06
#202 - completed, should go back to committee level where expertise lies. FBC budget item consideration
#203 - completed
#204 - completed, super kudos to everyone, tracking methodology is building
#205 - completed, will post Distance Learning topic on MFC
#206   completed, blended with annual fire refresher and how it ties to curriculum modules and COMET
#207 - issue is huge, discussed – how to address is yet to be determined – agenda item 7/12/06
#208 - completed
#209 - continue to transfer data, change due date to 7/12/06
#210 - completed

Business Practices:
Discussed process for setting agenda/topics list for calls and meetings. Co-chairs can assist more in the process. Decision made to have Executive Secretary send out call for agenda items, co-chairs will review draft and E.S. will post on myfirecommunity one week before meeting. Additional topics can be considered at the beginning of meeting or call.

Committee Participation:
Participation is important for the strength of the group. Chair thanked members for their dedication. Still waiting to hear from S590 Steering Committee regarding representation.

Fire Behavior Curriculum Development Strategy:
Matrix: still needs some reorganization (behavior and weather)
S590 – some things change more often than the course is given (fuel models haven’t been integrated into curriculum, could be a CE possibility). Zeke commented on items in the courses where students do not come out with full proficiency. We should identify need for CE in planning stages as new curriculum is being developed. Zeke will continue to reorganize. Agenda item 7/12/06

Fire Behavior Curriculum:
Update on S190 – S490
Have not received response to curriculum memo to Training Development Group, Wayne will follow-up. Received and discussed memo from TWT – The role FBC will have in the reorganization of S290 is yet to be determined. Discussed FBC liaison to S290, (one liaison per course).

FLAME:
Discussed the future of the application, peer review and integration.

S490 Plus:
Discussed email regarding S490 Plus courses – along with target audience for the courses and responsibility for curriculum development. Development group to have S490 available by this fall? FBC will await further information about curriculum strategy. Need to address issues in conjunction with FENWT, FUWT, NIFCG, etc. The intent of the FBC charter is not being met. FBC will hold off finishing those parts of S490 that need to be revised.

Update on NIFCG & NIFTT conference call:
NIFTT will take the lead in developing the core course that addresses data acquisition, critique and edit course, (can be used for prerequisite for many courses).

Applications:
New Fuel Models:
There is still lack of understanding that is raising some concerns. FUWT decided not to endorse or support use of the new fuel models. There is a critical need to clarify and inform. Information transfer is not complete. FBC, through FENWT and FUWT, request a subgroup (fire behavior project) to develop aids for interpretation and uses of new fuel models or any fuel models. Regionalizing the reference tools has some validity. There is greater ownership and interest when done regionally. Support from original fuel model developers (Rothermel) could be presented to the field. Agenda item 7/12/06

MyFireCommunity:
Update on utilization and input for improvements. A good link to other groups and information. Members think the website is working well so far.

2nd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference:
Still need IAWF endorsement, (planning and support issues). Continue making sponsor contacts. Agenda item 7/12/06

Budget Update:
Wayne & Punky will work on updating current budget.

Next teleconference:
July 12, 2006 10:00 MDT

Round Robin:
Risa: FBAN/LTAN IMET, first draft of fire trainees will be sent out today.

Call adjourned 1130

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