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


June 14, 2007

Members present:

John Barborinasz
Kelly Close
Noble Dunn
Dan Jimenez
Risa Lange-Navarro
Punky Moore
John Saltenberger
Paul Schlobohm
Larry Van Bussum
R. Ziel

Minutes from last call, May 24, 2007, approved and finalized for posting.

Business:
Larry reported back from the TWT meeting. They will have a call this month to determine if COMET is chosen to work on S290 online course. Still trying to figure out whether funds allocated this year can be used for out year projects. The intention is to use COMET for more than S290 and fire behavior projects.

Training Update – Noble Dunn

S290:
Incorporated all comments from test course in Montana, did some reorganization. All the graphics (including fire environment triangle) are being completed and rebuilt. Need new ones in the student workbook. On track, going into certification edits in next few weeks.

FLAME online should be out within a month. Flame field guide will go onto shelf in PMS at the same time, will be separate entity that people can order. Looking at clarifying text, reformatting LCES section using phrases. Field folks are concerned with liability issues. FBC recommends any changes should have developer’s concurrence. Jim Bishop has been contacted and agrees with changes.

S390:
On the shelf, errata sheet is ready. Noble will send the S390 cd of revisions to FBC.

S490:
Same state with a different graphic artist working on it. Deadline is end of this month to have graphics done, compare content, check maps, etc. Should be ready for next test course. Fall session is necessary. Offer to instructor cadres to be a part of the review process. Nothing should be going into courses without FBC validation.

Question raised about which graphics are being redone. Noble said just those that did not come out well on the screen, modernizing some existing, using FLASH animation.
Further discussion about courses requiring continual updating status. Development group feels the course is solid enough to do immediate update for people in the field without redeveloping the entire course and slowing down the process for another year. Development group does not have funding to pay SMEs to work on the course.

It is agreed that S390 and S490 need to get into continuous updating mode. This is an opportunity to improve the system. FBC needs to be an integral part of the process as one of the certifying bodies. Noble commented they are making progress on cd based course for easier replacement. Will use it as a model for other courses.

S390 & Nomographs:
New nomographs are out and one consideration is for S390 to use them instead of the old nomgrams. Easier to use, give a better visual idea what is going on. Noble is willing to work with FBC on a supplemental unit if necessary. Links to download material will be posted on MFC, Zeke will notify committee.

First phase, FBC needs to review and agree on decision for action. This topic will be addressed during the fall meeting.

S492, S493 Budget Report:
This is a work in progress. Of note, TWT seems positive about formalizing a process for funding for the courses. Will take some more time and effort by chairs and Paul Schlobohm. FBC was reminded that TWT liaison is Mark Koontz – replacing Jim Glenn. Wayne Cook has inquired of the FBC about the future direction of the fire behavior curriculum.

Action Item #292: Zeke will draft a letter with information provided on this call by N. Dunn about target dates for curriculum, ongoing maintenance and improvement, due date 6/21/07

Project status:
Committee talked about funds, project status and Joe Scott’s work order which includes Reference Guide and Appendix B reformatting. The previous Firefighter Math task order was completed and funds were paid to Brad Monahan. Work orders are changing, especially extending them. It is crucial to follow thru in managing FBC funds; work order deadlines have to be met. Dan consulted with Matt Jolly and is working with Joe to scan the reference guide for FBC review before task order expires. Will not include hyperlinking in this phase. Also, fuel model procedures template might be completed under this task order; will not get the fuel model guide for the northeast done.

Risa recommended sending out a message to FBAN/LTAN/IMET group to inquire what should be included in the Field Ref Guide. Will address during fall meeting.

Action Item #293: Risa will post message to MFC for feedback by Sept. 13

Budget/Funding:
Dan and Risa made several attempts to unravel procedures to access FBC funds. Paul Schlobohm reiterated that Cheryl Molis is the contact. Dan will continue working to find out how to access funds. FBC may need further assistance from Paul in order to move forward.

Taskbooks Review List:
Risa compiled list of IQCS courses that have required fire behavior training, both 310-1 (state, county) and Forest Service. FBC discussed task to review courses making sure fire behavior assessment skills that are required for the courses are included in the training. Some positions are in the same taskbook. Made recommendations for review; however, not all members present on call for assignments. Risa will provide test course corrections and check with Noble about new copies of S290. Still waiting on taskbook drafts.

Action Item #294: Risa will notify committee to review list and sign up for choices, due date 6/22/07

Refresher Update:
Had a meeting and waiting for feedback from Al King, John S. will follow-up. Participated on the Cramer hike. In the process of developing fire refresher based on Cramer, for use spring ’08. Video was shot during the hike, focusing on lessons learned and human elements.

FBC discussed local weather situations and fire behavior factors involved in Cramer incident. When winds are a common occurrence it is necessary to provide info in a way that is meaningful to avoid complacency, such as what is the measurement of windy conditions?

FBC also talked about ideas for future refreshers and developing a 3-5 year plan focusing on basic awareness and interpretation of fire behavior. Keep looking at fatalities and incidents where people are being put out ahead of fire with unburned fuels. FBC recommendation should encompass fire behavior and fire weather, making sure refreshers include all of the angles.

Action Item #295: Contact Joanne about Viegas model briefing during fall meeting, due date 7/12/07.

Cramer report is posted online at http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/investigations/

FENWT Meeting:
Focusing on ROMAN, RAWS system and recommendations to NWCG and executive board.

Wind Wizard:
Should be available for release by late June to mid July, approximate cost of software $1,000.00, only licensed to one machine, covers updates for first 5 years. In 5 years, there may be a different tool of choice. Tech support will be covered by Fire Lab. Very easy to walk thru the tutorials. Members talked about possibility for savings based on bulk orders. The cost covers the developer’s investment.

NWCG website:
This is our external website. Punky is working with NWCG webmaster to get it updated.
http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/fenwt/fbc/index.htm

Meeting dates:
Fall date for meeting – Nov 27-29, Tucson – John will request meeting space at NAFRI

Action Item Table Updated

Round Robin:

• Kelly - Should have more info by next conf call on fire refreshe
• Noble will send S390
• Risa can make cds of S190 – use MFC
• Risa has updated trainee and mentee FBAN/LTAN/IMET list

Next Call:
July 12 if needed

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