Meeting Opening/Introductions (Ryerson)
Michelle opened the meeting by introducing the newly appointed NWCG Preparedness Branch Coordinator, Tim Blake.

The Safety and Health Working Team (SHWT) discussed their budget and the NWCG budget process. SHWT requested $60,000 for 2008. NWCG tried to maintain the same budget (requested amount) for fiscal year 2009. It was suggested that the budget process be improved for 2010 by soliciting input from the chairs and committees.

The team discussed how hidden costs are being absorbed by various agencies. An example provided was obtaining financing (approximately $12,000) for Dick Mangan’s report, Wildland Firefighter Fatalities in the United States 1990-2006.

The team directed the following questions to the Branch Coordinator:

• How is it determined how much each committee/team is granted?
• Is NWCG going to continue to provide funding for travel for State representation, MTDC, logistic/secretary support?
• How does an agency provide funding for tasks not funded by NWCG?
• Is the team still going to have liaisons?
• How does the team communicate with other branches?
• Will interim chairs be assigned?
• Will a decision be made to make the interim chairs permanent?
• What is the goal of each committee?
• What is the scope of the Executive Board?
• Will the Executive Board address issues specific to wildland fire? Outside wildland fire?
• Where is a repository for NWCG information? There is a real need to have a repository.

The team also addressed concerns with training priorities and how to ensure continuity with different working team stewards.

Tim plans to improve communication between the working teams as well as provide guidance and answers to the requested information asked by the team. The team hopes to utilize Tim to assist in taking forward (consistent advocate) to NWCG. By the end of January, the goal is to have all committees assigned.

Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training, Strategic Plan and Charter (King)
The team was briefed on the NWCG, Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training, Strategic Plan – 2006-2010. This was initially prepared by the Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training Task Group.

In addition, the team discussed the Fireline Safety Refresher Task Group Charter (FSRTG), approved by NWCG in 2005. This task group has provided guidance since 2005 and will continue through 2010. However, a new plan will need to be implemented. SHWT addressed the need for NWCG oversight and coordination so that this committee is supported. The Leadership Committee would also provide input for the refresher training.

NWCG denied funding for a Project Manager for the Annual Fireline Safety Refresher. However, a position with NIFC Fire Training, Instructional Media Unit was approved this year to assist with the fireline refresher training.

To assure awareness, SHWT recommended sharing the Fireline Safety Refresher Task Group Charter with Rosey Thomas, Chair of the TWT, and Deb Epps, NWCG Development Unit Leader. Since there is no current acting chair of the Fireline Safety Refresher Task Group, an interim chair needs to be selected for the committee due to Al King retiring. SHWT recommended WFSTAR Chair, Tony Beitia, take interim responsibility for the refresher training committee.

back to the top

ACTION ITEM: Coordinate with Tim Blake to arrange a meeting with Rosey Thomas, Deb Epps, Karyn Wood, Vince Mazzier, Lessons Learned Center and James Barnett to discuss the Fireline Safety Refresher Task Group Charter and training. Provide SHWT with a copy of the updated/revised charter for review when completed. (Ryerson/Beitia)

Review of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Tasking/Report (Joe Domitrovich)
SHWT was tasked by NWCG to address monitoring and mitigating exposure to carbon monoxide and particulates at incident base camps. SHWT contacted MTDC to assist with the tasking. Joe Domitrovich (MTDC) provided a project update and draft report to the team. These tasks have been compiled into a draft report that is not yet available for public review.

Background: Wildland firefighters and support personnel work and rest for lengthy periods of time in locations where prolonged exposures to varying concentrations of smoke and fine air particulates are experienced. These prolonged exposures warrant NWCG to focus on the health impacts presented by such exposures. Protocols for monitoring, as well as identifying exposure baseline(s) for various components of smoke, must be determined and understood. Accordingly, associated mitigations should also be identified.

Exposure limits discussion: The team was briefed on the health hazards of smoke. There has been a lot of research done on firefighters exposed to smoke while on the fireline. Stress on pulmonary and cardiac system was also discussed. The use of respirators should be a last resort. Until a standard is developed, firefighters should mitigate their exposure to smoke.

Is it productive to have two different exposure limit levels? Fireline versus camp, or a smoke-filled environment versus a clean-air environment. For instance, a firefighter that spends a majority of his time on the fireline might have a greater exposure to smoke than in a camp environment.

Providing education and knowledge of smoke exposure for Incident Management Teams (IMTs) would be beneficial. Defining the upper limit of tolerability would aid IMTs in conducting mitigation when the CO hits a specified range. For example, green, yellow, or red indicators could be instituted to show a range (parts per million) and action need to be taken at 15 parts per million. What are the “trigger points”?

Long-term health effects are a concern as well as immediate exposure to smoke. Would it be appropriate to have the medical standards look at testing mechanisms? There are many areas to consider. Agency objective or goal? What would be the costs?

Monitors would require generators which would release more CO into the atmosphere. Models such as the Dataram are currently available at MTDC. Other monitors such as the dosimeters require calibration and would need to be purchased or leased. In addition, the results of the meter would need to be interpreted. The estimated cost to obtain the data would be about $100,000. The type of monitors (particulates or CO) would need to be determined. One option might be to provide the monitors and associated data through a contractor. How will the data be retained? Is monitoring charged to the fire or covered in research dollars? Logistics and Finance would also need to be involved.

How big of a problem do we have being exposed to CO? There is antidotal evidence but we need to quantify the problem. Monitoring would need to be done in order to determine the extent of this problem. Would monitoring need to be done in different areas? In one camp? Multiple camps?

Recommendation: SHWT was not prepared to give the Parent Group a course of action at this time. The team felt that they need to take the time to put together mitigations and trigger points. The SHWT will use the Executive Summary from the draft report for reporting to NWCG.

SHWT proposed that the goal be to define indicators; i.e., health issues, range of monitoring, and outline specific mitigations as well as recommend a monitoring tool. In considering a course of action, the team discussed a “starting point” to this topic. The recommendation was to start with particulates.

Joe Domitrovich will provide the project CO committee with the following discussion items:

• Identify the pros and cons of different monitoring techniques.
• Identify the cost.
• How to effectively monitor?
• Identify priorities.
• Identify the pros and cons of N-95 mask.
• What is it going to do for people?
• Explore the range of CO to implement additional actions. DD 4/1/09.

  ACTION ITEM: Address this topic at the Interagency Medical Standards Team (IMST) joint meeting. (Bloms)
  ACTION ITEM: The SHWT will use the Executive Summary from the draft report for reporting recommendations including mitigations and trigger points to NWCG. (Ryerson)

MTDC Project Update (Joe Domitrovich)
Joe also provided the team with an update on various ongoing projects being conducted by MTDC.

• Fitness standards for smokejumpers.
• Fitness and work capacity (Will be ready for SHWT review this spring.)
• The firefighter health report on sleep effects will be ready this year.
• Stress studies.
• Restraints systems for helicopters.
• Fuel transport and ignition.
• Smokejumper studies – parachute improvement and let-down ropes
• Fire shelters
• Fire Food Study completed. A new contract will be initiated for 2010. The study will include recommendations for Buying Teams. This study received feedback that lunches should be different; i.e., camp lunch versus field lunch. However, the logistics were too complex to carry out this study.

2008 Safety Gram Final Review (Palmer)
The team reviewed and finalized the 2008 Safety Gram using the recently revised safety gram criteria. Safety Grams from 1987 through 1999 will be scanned and electronically added to the database.

ACTION ITEM: Post the final 2008 Safety Gram on the SHWT website once finalized. (Parrish)

Review SHWT 2008 Accomplishment Report (Ryerson/King)
The team completed a report identifying accomplishments for 2008. The report will be sent to the Parent Group.

SHWT Risk Management Summary (Ryerson)
A risk management summary was compiled for 2008. The summary provided firefighters and fire and safety program managers with a comprehensive view of the previous year’s statistics that can be used to improve firefighter safety.

ACTION ITEM: Develop pie charts from the Safety Gram to show fatalities for 2008 and possibly previous Safety Gram history. (Bloms/Jim Stangl)

Hazard Tree Tree Falling (HTTF) Task Group Update (Solverson/Rall)
The team was briefed on the status of the task group. George Solverson, the Chair of the HTTF Task Group, will be retiring soon. A recommendation was made to elect Winston Rall as the new chair. There is a need to recruit new task group members. There are currently three team members including George. The team discussed possibly doing an outreach/recruitment announcement to identifying the specifics and objectives of the task group not limiting the interest to chain saws. A suggestion was made to recruit a person with tree pathology expertise as well as other agency personnel. Currently, the group is limited to FS representation.

The team was informed that the taskings of this group were going to require additional time and were not short-term tasks. In particular, SME expertise will be needed for new involvement in After Action Reviews (AARs) and the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) revisions, etc. The HTTG Task Group has provided input for changes to the IRPG committee for the next revision. In addition, a task group member would be needed to collect information related to the taskings.

The SHWT are stewards for S-212, Wildland Fire Chain Saws. Therefore, it was suggested the task group meet with NWCG Training and Development to discuss opportunities to incorporate or develop tree felling training and a hazard-specific course since this issue is not limited to just sawyers. The team agreed to provide an assessment to the Training Working Team (TWT) to update these courses.

ACTION ITEM: Provide Tony Beitia a summary of topics/links to be included for the WFSTAR 2009 topics. (George Solverson)

ACTION ITEM: In preparation to meet with the TWT and NWCG, provide an assessment of S-212, Wildland Fire Chain Saws to Michelle by March 30, 2009. (George Solverson)

ACTION ITEM: Designate a liaison from NWCG Training to the SHWT. (Blake)

ACTION ITEM: Continue to provide HTTF updates to the NWCG webmaster for posting. (George Solverson)

ACTION ITEM: Follow up with the Lessons Learned Center (LLC) to assist with providing a web link to My Fire Videos for the following DVDs: If a Tree Falls, The Sawyers, and The Axman. (Solverson)

ACTION ITEM: Follow up with recommendations for potential new HTTF Task Group team members possibly including an individual from Region 6 and an individual from NPS. (Solverson)

IMT Staging (New NWCG tasking) (Ryerson/Beitia)
The National Incident Commanders and Area Commanders have requested a change in the National Mobilization Guide regarding the staging of Incident Management Teams (IMTs). They propose eliminating counting days in staging toward an actual assignment and requiring limitations on the time period an IMT can be staged.

back to the top

SHWT has been tasked to:

• Review the current NWCG length of assignment standard in the National Mobilization Guide in the context of the above proposal.
• Provide a recommendation on acceptance or rejection of this change and any other necessary changes.

  ACTION ITEM: Provide a written Tasking Response to the NWCG Executive Board through the Branch Coordinator by January 20, 2009. (Ryerson)

TWT Follow-up and Course Review (Ryerson)
The SHWT are stewards of NWCG Courses S-359, Medical Unit Leader and S-404, Safety Officer. In an attempt to keep these courses current, SHWT will provide an assessment to the Training Working Team (TWT). SHWT asked for a brief summary from the TWT outlining the process to provide updates to NWCG courses and how to develop new training.

ACTION ITEM: Provide an assessment to Michelle by March 31, 2009, of NWCG course S-404, Safety Officer with input from Gene Madden and Tom Johnston. (Beitia)

ACTION ITEM: Provide an assessment to Michelle by March 31, 2009, of NWCG course S-359, Medical Unit Leader with input from the Incident Emergency Medical Task Group. (Sutton)

Safety Alert System and SAFENET (Ryerson/Rick Mills)
There are three types of notices: safety warning, safety advisory, and safety bulletin. The SHWT utilizes this system to make real-time notification to the wildland fire community for safety-related topics. DOI-Aviation Management Directorate (AMD) currently provides IT support for the Safety Alert and SAFENET Systems. This system is currently housed on the AMD domino server (located in Denver). Although the current server is a stable platform and very secure, the system is antiquated and not part of the NWCG IT enterprise architecture. Louise Bruck is currently writing the code for the domino server. IT security will not allow Microsoft Access databases on the web due to security issues.

The system must continue to be a user-friendly, web-based, secured system for submitting and collecting reports and alerts. The system will also need to be capable of running specified queries and reports. The system must be an open application to service the entire interagency wildland fire community, so that all agencies and contractors have access capability.

Impacts are:

• Not meeting NWCG’s guiding principles or the SHWT strategic goals.
• Maintenance of a system outside of NWCG’s enterprise architecture.
• The system susceptible to changes in agency-specific IT requirements (e.g., DOI)

The recommendation was made to change how the Safety Alerts are submitted due to the fact that this function is done by a two AMD personnel. There are certain applications of the SAFENET program that need to be accessible by the team. It would also benefit the SHWT to have access to the Safety Alert database. The FFAST agreed to have a short training session on posting alerts.

The team was informed that the SAFENET system and the distribution of Safety Alerts will not change even though the current web address with be redirected. The system will continue to function as it is now. The Safety Alert System application is a Lotus Notes web-enabled database. This database provides a way to create safety notifications that will be e-mailed to a list of subscribers. Only authorized users can create notices.

Delays may occur when future changes are made to the SAFENET. SHWT is required to work through the PMO or IRMWT. The team has to work with both groups for the reengineering of SAFENET. It was noted that SAFECOM is not an NWCG application.

The system reengineering budget request of $200,000 was made in the 2009 NWCG budget cycle. Anticipated reengineering process could take up to two years. The cost allocated for SAFENET this fiscal year will be $6,000. The hardware cost will be eliminated.

The team made a few revisions to the SAFENET form. A “mock-up” showing the text revisions need to be submitted to Rick. Text can be modified for the SAFENET but new entries or fields will take longer to modify. The revised Safety Alert protocols will be posted to the SAFENET website.

Alan Goodwin (Assitant Chief Officer, State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and the Environment) discussed Australia’s version of the SAFENET system. Cards are handed out to crew members to write down issues that occur during an incident. Inputs are then manually inputed into a spreadsheet format. Alan will provide the team an example of the Incident Report Card.

The team discussed the purpose of SAFENET as well as the various options to modifying the SAFENET. What information does the team need? What would the user want to report? It is also a means for the following:

• Corrective action and resolution
• Informing management about incidents they wouldn’t normally hear about.
• Identifies things that are repeated (happen year after year).

It was suggested to have a cross representation of different levels of organization to help the team evaluate and restructure the SAFENET.

SAFENET information will be addressed in the 2009 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training.

The team thanked Rick and Louise for their dedication in maintaining the SAFENET system.

ACTION ITEM: Follow up with Rick Mills to post the updated Safety Alert protocols. (Ryerson)

TriData Project Update (King)
The survey has been sent out for the TriData project. Due to the survey being conducted during fire season, the team discussed uploading the survey again onto the LLC website to allow more participation. The TriData project will be further discussed during the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) Safety Summit Meeting, April 2009. The team was informed that Bill Ranieri was selected as the new Executive Director for the IAWF.

ACTION ITEM: Coordinate with Paula Nasiatka (Center Manager, LLC) for feedback from the survey. (King/Ryerson)

IAWF Safety Summit –April 28-30, 2009 (King)
Al will continue to coordinate the logistics for the IAWF Safety Summit including breakout sessions. As co-sponsors, the SHWT will need to provide coordination and facilitation assistance for the conference. SHWT will issue a Safety Advisory in an attempt to get the word out about the IAWF Safety Summit. The last day to register and receive a reduced rate is March 15. IAWF is still working on the logistics to provide continuing education credits for participants. Information about the IAWF Safety Summit can be found at www.iawfonline.org/phoenix/

Ron Hanks, FS Aviation Safety, will be presenting aviation information at the IAWF Safety Summit. Australia will also have representation at the conference.

ACTION ITEM: Send a Safety Advisory disseminating information regarding the IAWF Safety Summit. (King)

ACTION ITEM: Prepare/gather the following materials for the IAWF Safety Summit meeting: (All)

• Table and display area (King)
• Information on SAFENET brochures
• SHWT display (Ryerson)
• Safety Gram database information (Palmer/Sheri Ascherfeld)
• Coordinate all materials (Palmer/Parrish)
• Update the display and SHWT/FFAST brochure, Keeping it Safe.

WUI/Homeowner Shelter in Place Tasking (Ryerson)
The team discussed NWCG Tasking Memo TM-2008-06, Shelter in Place: Implementation Alternatives. The SHWT addressed this issue from a firefighter safety perspective. As part of the discussion, the team asked, “How much responsibility does NWCG have for anything that happens on private property?” Generally, the evacuation process is implemented at the local level. In addition, the team felt that subject matter experts need to be involved in addressing this issue.

Michelle will attend the NWCG Executive Meeting, January 20-22, 2009, and provide SHWT’s comments for this issue. The Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) Working Team will also present their comments/recommendations to NWCG.

Update on High-Visibility Vests (Beitia)
SHWT determined it would be beneficial to post high-visibility vest information on the WFSTAR website. It will be part of the WFSTARs What’s New for 2009. SHWT will need to coordinate with the Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT) and provide input on high-visibility vests for the 2010 Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) and the Wildland Fire and Aviation Program Management and Operations Guide (Blue Book).

Wildland Fire: Safety on the Fireline (PMS 493) CD Review (Beitia)
Tony reviewed the CD to determine its validity and if it should be continued for cache distribution. The modules are short clips and would allow for group or individual training. This CD was developed in cooperation with Canada in 2003. The CD is dated, shows outdated PPE and unsafe practices throughout the video. This CD is not tied to an NWCG course. Approximately 15 CDs were ordered in 2008 which leaves 350 in stock. SHWT recommended discontinuing distribution from the cache and recycling the CDs.

ACTION ITEM: Submit a PMS request to discontinue distribution of the PMS 493 CD from the cache. (Bloms)

ACTION ITEM: Review Entrapment Avoidance-It’s Your Call CD at the May SHWT meeting.

Big Iron MTDC Project (Lynch/Beitia)
The team was informed that a rating and ranking process is used to determine MTDC project priorities. The team received and reviewed a list of the proposed projects. A Steering Committee is in place to determine which projects will be funded. Not all proposals will receive favorable ratings. The team will be informed of the outcome in February. SHWT recommended the Big Iron Project be developed into a publication. SHWT will provide input throughout the development.

WFSTAR Update (Beitia)
Tony Beitia will now serve as the SHWT liaison to WFSTAR due to Al King retiring. Currently, the website shows three categories: 2009 National Emphasis Topics, 2009 Hot Topics and What’s New for 2009.

The 2009 National Emphasis Topic is “If You See Something, Say Something.” The objective is to show examples of safety issues, not to make assumptions, and to speak up. It was recommended that the Craig Case Study also be posted.

Hot Topics for 2009 include high reliability organizing, hazard trees and tree felling, fire whirls, lightning and other extreme weather, driving safety and situational awareness. Driving safety will show a short clip hauling/securing cargo and driving around wildlife. There were 18 incidents in 2008 involving heavy equipment; therefore, this will be addressed with a link to the Safety Gram.

The Fire Orders Library is located on the WFSTAR website. The following subjects will be linked on the site:

• Burn injury protocol
• Interim standards for burn injuries
• Interim medical standards
• Incident Emergency Medical Services
• Visibility vests
• Oil and gas safety (check website).
• Drug activity on private lands
• DHS Border Patrol
• Illegal activities on public lands
• Google earth tools (real-time fire)

All the updates will be posted in January 2009. For 2010, Tony will work with the Incident Medical Emergency Task Group (IMETG) to request new topics for placement on the WFSTAR website. The team recommended keeping WFSTAR under the purview of the FFAST.

ACTION ITEM: Submit information to Tony Beitia for future WFSTAR hot topics. (All)

NWCG Boot Standard Proposal (Ryerson)
MTDC evaluated the standards for wildland firefighter boots used by employees of the FS, BLM, BIA, NPS and FWS. MTDC completed a review and submitted a report titled, Boots on the Fireground: An Analysis of Interagency Wildland Firefighter Boot Standards.

SHWT reviewed the study and intends to address this issue by assisting in developing a standard from a personal protective equipment (PPE) from a firefighter standpoint. SHWT also provided comments to the Equipment and Chemicals Branch Chief. The team discussed various options and preventions as well as varying opinions with different agencies. Burn issues and durability are other areas of concern. The standard also needs to allow an easy way to tell if a boot meets the standard. How will this be enforced on an incident? The new standard would be phased in over a two-year period.

MTDC facilitated the field demo of two different boots. There were issues (too hot, fit, sores on feet) with both types. Possibly one way to mitigate hazards is to allow a safety-toed boot for falling operations. Several different materials are used for steel-toed boots. The manufacturer of La Sportiva boots is conducting research on heat-resistant cement as an adhesive for the soles. They are also looking at increasing the boot height to the 8 inches, the current heel requirement. SHWT felt the boot height standard needed to be addressed. It was recommended to not address the stitching requirement. The team questioned if a flame-resistant boot existed.

ACTION ITEM: Provide recommendations to FEWT for the suggested wildland firefighter boot standard. (Ryerson)

Responding to Wildland Fires in or Near Oil/Gas Operations (Ryerson/Beitia)
Oil/gas operations have increased significantly which has impacted wildland fire suppression operations and potentially expose firefighters to hazards. Working group from Colorado has spearheaded efforts to provide awareness and mitigation measures for this topic. The team discussed reviewing exposure incidents on a case-by-case basis and not necessarily conduct a full serious accident investigation. Lessons learned have found to provide adequate information about a particular incident. Minimum standard operating procedures to help ensure the health and safety or wildland firefighters are in the Red Book, Chapter 7 and the Blue Book.

ACTION ITEM: Provide oil/gas mitigation efforts to the IRPG Revision Committee. (Beitia)

Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) Revision Update (Sutton)
The contents of the guide will primarily contain tactical mitigation procedures used on the fireline. The committee agreed to include hazard recognition and assessment information. Various groups have been tasked to provide oversight in the revision of the specific sections (page colors) of the guide. No worksheets will be included. Chad Fisher (FWS), Jim Cook (USFS), Larry Sutton (USFS), and JP Harris (LA County retiree) are the primary task group individuals overseeing the IRPG revision. The task group will work closely with the Incident Operations Standard Working Team (IOSWT) throughout the revision process. A change form is required to submit changes/updates to the guide. The updated guide is tentatively scheduled to be printed in January 2010.

Action Log (1-12-09) Review and Update

#1 - Modify the I-Suite Injury/Illness list for 2008. Need to have a mechanism educating currently qualified personnel on new initiatives. Since many fire personnel are not aware of the I-Suite Injury/Illness module, the team determined that emphasis needed to be placed on marketing this addition.

ACTION ITEM: Add a link from I-Suite website to the Incident Emergency Medical Task Group (IEMTG) website. Include the Introduction memo from SHWT and the PowerPoint presentation. (Sutton/J. Peterson)

#2 – Revise the burnover definition for the Safety Gram criteria: The definition was redefined as agreed by the team. (Sutton/Beitia)

#3 – Request member agencies to report to the Safety Gram:

ACTION ITEM: Draft a memorandum to NWCG to encourage support by member agencies for increased utilization of I-Suite, Safety Gram, and SAFENET reporting processes.

ACTION ITEM: Determine the number of SAFENET brochures available. (All)

#10 – Address the TriData project at the IAWF Safety Summit Meeting, April 2009. Paula will draft the abstract for the TriData and provide to Michelle for review. Recommendations will then be provided for the meeting agenda.

ACTION ITEM: Continue coordination with IAWF and Paula. (Ryerson) Completed

FFAST Initiatives Update (Sutton)
6 Minutes for Safety: Recommended linking the FFAST meeting minutes to this website.

FireFit Update:

• Working with LLC for pod cast on FireFit
• Region 3 Fitness Challenge
• BLM Fitness Challenge
• Recent FireFit article was printed in the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) Wildfire magazine.

PMS Update (Bloms)
PMS 404, MACK LAKE FIRE CASE STUDY (1983) – A memorandum was sent to the Fire Environment Working Team recommending transfer of this publication.

PMS 407, COMMON DENOMINATORS OF FIRE BEHAVIOR ON WILDLAND FIRES – Need to research to determine if content from this publication is included in the IRPG. Should this be a stand-alone publication?

PMS 408, IF A TREE FALLS – This is still a current video. Convert to DVD. Rod will take the lead on finding someone to convert the DVD.

PMS 409, YOUR FIRE SHELTER Video (2001) – A memorandum was sent to the Fire Shelter Task Group recommending transfer of this publication.

PMS 409, SU REFUGIO DE PROTECCION EDICION (2001) – This publication was transferred to FEWT.

PMS 411, THE NEW GENERATION FIRE SHELTER – This publication was transferred to FEWT.

PMS 483, HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKE – Task the CO Group to review. This publication also needs to be reviewed in conjunction with the video. (Bloms)

PMS 490, LESSONS LEARNED: FATALITY FIRE CASE STUDIES (1998) – This publication was transferred to TWT.

PMS 493, WILDLAND FIRE: SAFETY ON THE FIRELINE (2002) – Remove this publication from the cache.

PMS 822, HISTORICAL WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES – This publication is currently posted on the NIFC website and needs to be moved to the SHWT website. This will be replaced with Entrapment Avoidance. Review in May.

ACTION ITEM: Follow up with NWCG Development Unit (Deb Epps) to determine if PMS 407, Common Denominators could be a stand-alone document. If in concurrence, SHWT recommends transferring this document to NWCG Training. (Ryerson)

ACTION ITEM: The team discussed implementing a new process to streamlining PMS issues. Forward this issue to the Branch Coordinator.

Liaison Assignments
The team questioned if liaisons will still be needed with the NWCG reorganization. It was determined that SHWT liaisons will still be needed for IAWF, and other external entities. Al King will serve as the IAWF liaison through the IAWF Safety Summit.

SHWT Representation to Geographic/National Meetings (Ryerson)
California Safety Officer’s Conference, April 13-17, San Diego (Palmer)
Pacific NW Safety Conference, March 17-19, Portland (Sutton)
International Association of Fire Chiefs, March 23-27, Reno (TBD)
IAWF Safety Summit, April 28-30, Phoenix (SHWT)
Spring ICAC Meeting (TBD)
NASF (TBD)

Incident Mangement Team Meetings
Great Basin IMT Meeting, April 7-8, Reno (TBD)
Northern Rockies, April 6-9 (Goeller)

Future Meeting Location/Hosting Schedule
May 11-15, 2009, Tulsa, OK (SE State Rep)
October 27-29, 2009 (NE State host)
Winter 2010, January (BIA host)
Spring 2010, San Diego (FWS host)
Fall 2010, Boise (NPS host)

Future 2009 Conference Call Schedule (All conference calls scheduled for 1300 MST)
February 19
March 19
April 23

2/20/09