National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Publication Management System Working Team (PMSWT)
   
charter

CHARTER

[download PDF version]

  1. Background
    There is a need to improve coordination and effectiveness of wildland fire activities through distribution of NWCG sponsored information. A continuing interagency National Wildfire Coordinating Group will provide a forum to discuss, recommend appropriate action or resolve issues and problems of a substantive nature. To help meet the objectives of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a Publication Management System Working Team is established.
     
  2. Name
    The name is the Publication Management System Working Team
     
  3. Authority
    This working team is established pursuant to a charter granted to the parent National Wildfire Coordinating Group through the respective Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior.
     
  4. Mission
    The Publication Management System Working Team (PMSWT) is established to provide support in the management and control of a number of operational manuals, forms, training courses and other related publications and documents produced through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The PMSWT provides management oversight and control of the system to insure consistent quality and makes NWCG information readily accessible to all NWCG agencies and other interested organizations.
     
  5. Functions
    The functions of the PMSWT are to:
    1. Maintain an inventory and publish an index of current NWCG approved publications.
    2. Assign publication and ICS form numbers.
    3. Provide initial masters to designated distribution points.
    4. Make recommendations to NWCG on minimal format and publication standards.
    5. Coordinate with NFES on publishing annual catalog of available items
    6. Make recommendations on distribution methods, e.g., "hard copy" publishing, internet.
    7. Coordinate information among working teams to eliminate duplication and mixed messages to NWCG target audience.
       
  6. Membership and Organization  
    1. The number of current members is associated with the scope of the current operations. Each member of the PMS Working Team will be a representative of another NWCG Working Team.
    2. Individual membership of the Working Team will be determined by NWCG Working Team Chairpersons.
    3. The Working Team is under the immediate direction of the Chairman of NWCG.
    4. NWCG liaison is provided by the parent group of NWCG.
    5. NWCG selects a Working Team Chairperson.
       
  7. Working Team Chairperson Authorities and Responsibilities
    The Working Team Chairperson:
    1. Is authorized to convene meetings and schedule agenda items.
    2. Is authorized to make work assignments to Working Team members specific to this Charter.
    3. Will distribute copies of minutes within 30 days after a meeting to PMSWT members, NWCG members and all working team chairpersons.
    4. Will provide instruction to each Working Team member in regard to this Charter.
       
  8. Working Team Members authorities and Responsibilities
    The Working Team Members:
    1. Will become familiar with the procedures and standards to assist the NWCG working team he/she is representing in designing, producing, reviewing, and insuring that the information is acceptable for NWCG dissemination.
    2. Will monitor existing information for accuracy to be able to recommend to the NWCG working team he/she representing the action of revision or elimination of the information.
    3. Will monitor the NWCG working team web-site to make recommendations to his/her specific working team for revisions, updates, inclusions of information.
       
  9. Meetings and Reports
    1. Meetings. At least one annual meeting will be held to prepare operational plans and to identify areas of investigation during the following year. Meetings will be scheduled and agendas will be provided in advance to members of the PMSWT. Individuals from outside the PMSWT membership will be asked to participate when appropriate.
    2. Reports. An annual report of all significant actions taken by the working team will be presented to and approved by the NWCG. Annual work plans will be submitted to the NWCG that will include meeting schedules, financial considerations, recommended area descriptions.
       
  10. Approval
    This Charter is effective as of the date of approval by the Chairman of the NWCG. The Charter may be revised upon recommendation of a majority of the Working Team.members and with the concurrence of the NWCG.

 

signature of Don Artley, NWCG Chair date of charter signature, October 12, 2000