Intelligence Support

Introduction

This position serves as staff support to the Intelligence Section of a Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC).  The incumbent works directly for the Intelligence Coordinator on an Intelligence Lead in gathering and disseminating critical information, and works within the Incident Management Team on an incident level or at a local level for the Incident agency.

Duties

• Provides continuous intelligence information to the Geographic Coordination Center’s (GACCs) Intelligence Coordinator or Lead through verbal and written communications.
• Collects incident situation information and prepares a daily report in the FAMWEB SIT Report program for submission.  Writes narratives indicating short and long term potential assessment based on local knowledge of weather conditions and ongoing anticipated incidents.
• Gathers and maintains statistical data on fire activity for use in special reports and planning efforts.  Assures the data is accurate and readily accessible.  Provides statistical data for the fire management portion of planning documents.
• Prepares local, GACC, or national situation reports for dissemination to the Center Manager, Intelligence Coordinator, Operations Coordinator, Fire Management Officer and staff, and others within the fire community and the GACCs area of influence.
• Collects, edits, and processes the Incident Information Summary (ICS-209) for use in reports and briefings, dissemination, and archiving in databases or spreadsheets for future analysis.
• Prepares information for daily briefings of the Center Manager, Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) group, and agency staff personnel.  Briefings include such information as problem incidents, multiple situations, resource availability, and other significant or major events pertaining to incidents.
• Tracks and prepares daily tactical reports detailing such information as location of aviation assets, crews, and incidents management team resources.  Uses various methods to accomplish this task such as Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS), Data Delivery System (DDS) or COGNOS analytics.
• Collects, edits, and processes weather data from the National Weather Information Management system (WIMS) for use in the Fire Family Plus (FFPLUS) program.  Results of outputs (e.g., ERC, BI, KBDI charts) are used to determine fire danger, fire potential, and staffing levels.
• Retrieves weather forecasts and Red Flag warnings from the National Weather Service for use in writing narratives for local situation reports and communicating to fire management personnel.
• Provides detailed resource availability information to the Predictive Services staff for use in various Fire Weather/Fire Danger Outlook products.
• Uses GIS data and software to update individual fires within the area of influence including mapping, downloading, and correction of data.
• Updates and posts a variety of documents to the Dispatch/Coordination Center website.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

• Incident Command System (ICS), National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) or Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS). If applicable, National Interagency Incident Management System, Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS), Data Delivery System (DDS), and various computer operations for data entry, storage and retrieval, and telecommunications systems.
• National, regional, and/or local mobilization policy and procedures as they relate to resource tracking and availability.
• Various land management agencies’ geographical boundaries of regional, State, and area offices in order to accurately portray fire or emergency situations.
• FAMWEB programs (e.g., WIMS, Site report, ICS-209, KCFast) in order to provide support for other dispatch offices/users of those programs within the area of influence.
• Database and spreadsheet programs where current and historical wildland fire data and information is stored and retrieved.
• The firefighting organization, dispatch/coordination system.  Terminology, techniques and resources used at the national, regional, and local level in wildland fire suppression, including logistical support needed, communications, and safety requirements.
• Experience in firefighting techniques and practices, equipment and resource use sufficient to converse, brief, and discuss with members of the wildland fire community when gathering or disseminating intelligence information.
• Fire weather terminology, weather effect on various fuel types, potential risks as an ignition source, and specific knowledge of weather as it influences fire behavior and fire suppression.
• Various reports, reporting requirements, and procedures used by local member agencies to effectively assist in development of new and ongoing reports and products.
• GIS or other mapping programs in order to produce or print fire perimeter, wildland fire location, or other maps used in presentations, briefings, or web production; and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor assigns work on the basis of project objectives and deadlines.

The incumbent is responsible for independently planning carrying out assigned activities and receives assistance on problems not previously dealt with.

The incumbent provides the supervisor with periodic progress reports.  Work is reviewed upon completion to determine that the objectives have been met.

Guidelines

Guidelines consist of handbooks and manuals that cover general regulations and procedures.  Instruction memoranda, mobilization guides, subject matter procedures, precedents, and oral instructions establish the standards within technical areas.

The incumbent uses judgment in interpreting and adapting existing methodology to the project at hand.

Complexity

The position deals with numerous computer hardware and software systems on a daily basis.  These each require a different approach and operation.  The position also deals with numerous wildland fire-related computer programs and reports.  A wide range of knowledge is required for operations, troubleshooting problems, and product dissemination processes.  A variety of operating procedures, methods, problems and assignments are frequently encountered that require careful diagnosis, coordination and communications skills to support planning and decision making.  This often includes dealing with conflicting and/or seemingly difficult standards and direction for the various agencies involved.  Many projects or reports have short time frames for completion, but still require utmost accuracy and precision.  The work is often of an emergency nature and is performed under stressful conditions due to the variety and amount of workload.

Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to provide support to the Intelligence and Dispatch functions of a local Geographic Area, or National user.

The position requires intense efforts in carrying out this work, which will result in more efficient and accurate data reporting processes and management.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are with Fire and Aviation Management personnel, dispatch personnel, information technology personnel at all levels, and the public.

Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are for the purpose of gathering and disseminating intelligence information, maintaining existing and future computer programs and applications, data management, and problem identification/solving.

Physical Demands

A 14-day assignment routinely requiring 12 to 14 hours per day is common.  Intense concentration while working under extreme pressure in rapidly changing situations is required, as is the ability to adjust to interruptions and outside demands.  Work is mostly sedentary with some standing and walking.  Noise levels and demands are constantly changing.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting, communications and briefing rooms.  Exposure to noise and interruptions is continuous.