CHARTER
Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team
I.
BACKGROUND
The National
Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) was formed January 1974 to expand operational
cooperation and coordination of the United States Department of Agriculture and
Department of the Interior and the various member agencies within these
departments and the National Association of State Foresters. Working Teams are
established by the NWCG to analyze specific problem areas in the fire management
and recommend solutions. Wildland/Urban
Interface is one of the Working Teams deemed necessary.
II.
NAME
The name of
the group is the Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team, hereinafter referred to
as the "Working Team", of the NWCG.
III.
AUTHORITY
The Working
Team is established pursuant to the charter authority granted to the parent
National Wildfire Coordinating Group through the respective Secretaries of
Agriculture and Interior, via the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the
NWCG, dated March 16, 1976. The
deliberations of this Group are exempt under Section 204 of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
IV.
PURPOSES
To provide
a forum to increase the public awareness of the wildland/urban interface fire
problem, to develop local solutions to the issue, to form partnerships among
problem solvers and interest groups, and to promote safety for firefighters
and the public in the wildland/urban interface.
To provide
coordinated leadership for national interest groups, and Federal and State fire
agencies in addressing issues regarding fire activity and potential
vulnerability to disastrous fire activity in wildland/urban interface areas.
These may include quality of programs, standards of development,
information flow, operational continuity, training, implementation of technical
changes, coordination with research, problem identification and/or needed system
changes.
To provide
technical support, advice, information, and recommendations to NWCG on all matters
concerning wildland/urban interface issues, activities, and programs.
V.
RESPONSIBILITY
1.
Prepare and submit to the USDA Forest Service an annual Work Plan which describes proposed projects and
activities and their time frames and
budget costs.
2.
The Chairperson shall provide the NWCG Liaison with progress updates in a
timely manner for presentation at each regularly scheduled NWCG meeting.
3.
Coordinates with and assists other NWCG Working Teams, other teams,
groups, or organizations with wildland/urban interface issues.
4.
Prepare an annual written report of the status of all projects and budget
expenditures.
VI.
MEMBERSHIP
Members will
be appointed to represent each of the following agencies/organizational units:
USDA Forest Service - 2 representatives
Department of the Interior - 2 representatives (from any agency)
National Association of State Foresters - 3 representatives
United States Fire Administration - 1 representative
National Fire Protection Association - 1 representative
National Association of State Fire Marshals - 1 representative
International Association of Fire Chiefs - 1 representative
National Emergency Managers Association - 1 representative
The Group may invite additional technical advisors to serve on the Group
or on special assignments and task forces as the need arises.
VII.
PROCEDURES
A Chair and
Vice-Chair will be elected by majority vote of the membership to serve two-year
terms. In the event the
Chair is vacated prior to the expiration of a term, the Vice-Chair will advance
to the position of Chair to fill the unexpired term.
Upon vacating of the Vice-Chair, the membership will elect a replacement.
In the event the Chair is unable to preside, the Vice-Chair assumes
that responsibility.
VIII. MEETINGS
A meeting
will be held annually with additional meetings called by the Chair based on purpose and
need . The Chair will schedule
meetings, circulate the agenda and pertinent documents, and distribute minutes
of the meetings to the membership.
The Chair
will ensure that minutes of each meeting are recorded and distributed to the
membership.
Meeting
locations will be selected based on purpose, efficiencies, and
cost-effectiveness. Costs for time
and travel will be borne by the Working Team member's agency or sponsoring
agency. Costs other than the above
will be borne by the Program budget.
IX.
APPROVALS
This Charter
may be revised by agreement of a majority of the Working Team members.
This Charter is effective as of the date of approval by the Chair of NWCG.
NWCG Chair
Date