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November 16

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NWCG Executive Board

Meeting Minutes – 19 November 2016

 

Participants

Participants name followed by agency

 

 

NWCG
Participants

 

Executive Board:  Bob Roberts, vice-Chair (BIA), Dan Smith (NASF), John Glenn, Chair (BLM), Russ Babiak for Shane McDonald (FWS), Will May (IAFC), Mark Koontz (NPS).  Not Present:  Aitor Bidaburu (USFA), Frank Guzman (USFS), Tim Sexton (RD&A), Jim Erickson (ITC), Rod Bloms (DOI OWF Liaison).

 

NWCG Staff: Krysta Shultz (Executive Secretary), Sean Cross (NWCG Program Manager), Tim Blake (Branch Coordinator), Paul Schlobohm (NWCG FMB Liaison), Deb Fleming (Branch Coord/Training Dev Program Manager)

 

 

Other
Participants

Training Program Representation:  Josh Haney, Mark Cantrell, Wendell Welch.

 

Meeting handouts are available upon request via email at blm_fa_nwcg_executive_secretary@blm.gov

 

Item

Topic

Presenter

Action Taken

1

Welcome, Agenda Review

Paul Schlobohm

N/A

2

FY2016 End of Year Budget Review

Deb Fleming

Outcome of the FY16 budget were presented to the Executive Board.

3

NWCG Leadership Curriculum Tasking Update

Deb Fleming

Progress is being made toward the drafting of the tasking, in the form of a Program Review, to the Operations Training Committee.  A final draft will be presented to the Board in December or January.  Mark Koontz offered to be an Executive Board liaison to the group, if needed.

4

NWCG Annual Meeting

Paul Schlobohm

Board reviewed a rough draft of the Annual Meeting agenda with a final draft to be vetted via email 14 December 2016.

5

Lightning Round

All

N/A

6

Training System Assessment Update

Josh Haney

Deb Fleming

Sean Cross

Board members given a presentation that described the analysis of training system, the relationships between similar positions and publications, and demonstrated the approach being taken to improve system effectiveness and efficiency. 

7

FMB & NWCG Support of WFIT

Paul Schlobohm

Review and discussion of NWCG and FMB activities in support of WFIT.

 

Date
Participants

<p>
<strong>Executive Board: &nbsp;</strong>Bob Roberts, vice-Chair (BIA), Dan Smith (NASF), John Glenn, Chair (BLM), Russ Babiak for Shane McDonald (FWS), Will May (IAFC), Mark Koontz (NPS).&nbsp; Not Present:&nbsp; Aitor Bidaburu (USFA), Frank Guzman (USFS), Tim Sexton (RD&amp;A), Jim Erickson (ITC), Rod Bloms (DOI OWF Liaison).</p>

<p>
<strong>NWCG Staff: </strong>Krysta Shultz (Executive Secretary), Sean Cross (NWCG Program Manager), Tim Blake (Branch Coordinator), Paul Schlobohm (NWCG FMB Liaison), Deb Fleming (Branch Coord/Training Dev Program Manager)</p>

Other Participants

<p>
Training Program Representation:&nbsp; Josh Haney, Mark Cantrell, Wendell Welch.</p>

Attachment
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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

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Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
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LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

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LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

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RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91