![](media/image1.png){width="6.457638888888889in"
height="1.0152777777777777in"}

**FUTA STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING**

Friday; April 13, 2007

Albuquerque, NM

0900-1230

**[ATTENDEES]{.underline}**

-   Lisa Bye, BLM-NM State Office; Committee Chair

-   Susan McDonnell, FS, RO-AQM

-   Monica Martinez, FS, RO-AQM

-   Charley Luevano, BLM-NM, FUTA; Training Specialist

-   Mary Zabinski, FS, FAM; Committee Recording Secretary

-   Travis Dotson, FS, FAM/FUTA; FUTA Lead Field Coordinator

-   Duane Tewa, BIA-NIFC/FUTA; Training Specialist

-   Julian Affuso, FS, Lincoln NF; Detailed FUTA Lead Coordinator

-   Bob Lineback, NPS, Intermountain Region; SWCG Chair

-   Jerome Macdonald, FS-FAM; FUTA Program Manager, SWA-GATR

**[REVIEW OF 01/22/07 MEETING MINUTES]{.underline}**

Meeting began at 0900. Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed; no
corrections.

Updates on decisions made in that meeting:

-   The National Hazardous Fuels Funding Request for FY08 was sent to
    the National Interagency Fuels Coordination Group (NIFCG) in late
    January for their review.

-   Susan McDonnell will contact Ginger Brudevold Black for a copy of
    the letter to de-obligate FWS FY05 dollars.

-   The Fiscal Group has obtained all required agency signatures on
    Amendment 3 of the current Interagency Agreement.

-   FUTA\'s FY08 operating budget was reviewed at SWCG\'s February
    meeting.

-   Dean Clark (Deputy Regional FMO, NPS Intermountain Region)
    represented FUTA at the Burn Boss Refresher in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in
    late January, triggering several field projects for FUTA
    participants.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Decision]{.underline}**: The next FUTA budget meeting is October
    25-26 at FUTA. Will review FY07 transactions, refine and finalize
    the FY08 budget, and finalize the FY08 Operating Plan for the
    Agreement Amendment.

**[SPRING SESSION UPDATE (Affuso, Dotson, Luevano, Tewa)]{.underline}**

-   Very good class, smaller size (24 participants). Completed
    Rx-310/RX-300. Sponsored M-410, S-390, S-244. Good feedback on
    RX-310 cadre.

-   BEHAVE-Plus scheduling more effective when just prior to RX-300.

-   WFU-Stage 1 Workshop: Target audience was ICT4\'s and FUMA trainees.
    Participants outside FUTA (mostly FMOs, DIVS, OPS) felt Workshop was
    very applicable to them\--especially those on units just beginning
    to implement WFU\--and were interested in a Stage 2 Workshop as well
    so they can provide better oversight of WFU application on their
    units. Most FUTA participants were from units not yet applying WFU;
    they appreciated the exposure but felt it was beyond their scope of
    experience. Those attending felt integration was effective.
    Scheduled for 2 days for Fall Session. Need to develop future cadre.

-   Field portion was a more coordinated effort. Burned in 5 different
    states, all agencies. (See attachment.)

-   Brought in 6 field coordinators. Got good feedback on sending out
    field coordinators as a module while students were in required core
    curriculum. Field coordinators got work done in the field and built
    relationships that led to future field projects on those units.

-   Most broadcast burning accomplished was on FWS units in New Mexico,
    some on Flagstaff WUI. Projects in Arkansas and Kansas were very
    successful.

-   Did not use the BLM vehicles this session. With a smaller class, got
    by with available rigs. Chevy Tahoe breakdowns, proving ineffective
    as FUTA vehicles due to low transmissions and drivelines.

-   With an available ship, field coordinators lined up a PSDO class for
    6 FUTA participants while on the Ozark-St. Francis NFs in Arkansas.

-   First session at which 2 Leadership awards were presented: first
    selection made by FUTA staff and field coordinators, second made by
    peers. All students received a FUTA completion certificate and a
    book from the Leadership Reading Catalog selected by FUTA staff.
    Important that students receive such program recognition at this
    point in their careers.

**[FUTA CURRICULUM: ADVANCED ACADEMY (Affuso, Dotson, Macdonald,
Tewa)]{.underline}**

-   FUTA program staff are developing a new concept to replace the
    Spring Session with a 4-week Advanced Academy based on 400-level
    courses and to include a higher-level leadership management project.

-   Courses being considered are S-490, S-491, L-480, I-400.

-   Target audience\--RXB2\'s, RXB1 trainees, FUMA trainees, prescribed
    fire specialists, and aspiring FBAN\'s and LTAN\'s.

-   Could get pretty creative with what a team of individuals at that
    level who have been through that training could accomplish on a
    unit\--more programmatic.

-   Also considering developing a WFU Stage 2 Workshop.

-   Originally thought about throwing RX-410 in the mix but that course
    will now be in FUTA\'s core curriculum. Will offer at front end of
    Fall Session because of FS requirement that individuals complete
    RX-410 before initiating Burn Boss task book.

-   Nationally, these courses are in high demand and require dedicated
    cadre and staff. Cited SWA as having one of the best S-491 cadre;
    getting pressure from other geographic areas to get folks into SWA
    cadre to \"grow\" cadre in other places.

-   New concept so would need to be marketed differently than routine
    Spring Session.

-   Need agencies\' perspective on advanced curriculum and what would
    best fit. Discussion between now and September.

-   Focusing on original vision of FUTA as a clearinghouse; time in
    March and April to work with individuals who are trying to get a
    single task completed to finish off their task book.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Decision:]{.underline}** By May 15, Jerome will write up a
    briefing paper on the Advanced Academy concept for review and Travis
    will write up a briefing paper for potential leadership management
    projects.

**[UPDATE ON NAFRI STUDY (Macdonald]{.underline}**)

-   The NAFRI strategic study has not yet taken place.

-   NIFCG has scheduled an April 20 conference call to discuss future
    strategy for prescribed fire training.

-   FUTA\'s current Interagency Agreement has 1 year remaining. To move
    FUTA in the right strategic direction for the future, FUTA program
    managers and the Steering Committee need guidance and direction from
    the NIFCG.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Decision]{.underline}**: Steering Committee members will contact
    their agency counterparts for results of the NIFCG conference call.

**[FALL \'07 NOMINATION UPDATE & SCHEDULE (Tewa)]{.underline}**

-   Nominations are open at this time. Deadline: July 12. Selections
    mid-July.

-   Orientation: September 30; graduation: November 15.

-   Will replace S-390 with RX-410.

-   Schedule will include RX-310 the first week in October, workshops
    (WFU, STEX, 40 Fuel Models) the second week. Students preferred
    BEHAVE-Plus to WFU, finding BEHAVE-Plus very helpful just prior to
    RX-300.

-   FUTA will do a field review of RX-341 this fall. Some changes in
    pre-work. Students would get credit for having taken Rx-300. Once
    testing of course completed, RX-300 would go to short 2-day course
    (implementation), rest to burn plan writing. Plan on doing that
    course in place of traditional Rx-300 (10/15-19), all welcome.

-   L-380 has been part of the FUTA curriculum but by now, most incoming
    students have had it. FUTA will facilitate students attending in the
    Southwest.

-   The SWA will also sponsor L-381 this fall.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Decision]{.underline}**: Jerome will alert the Steering Committee
    when FUTA\'s Fall Schedule is posted.

**[COMPUTER SYSTEMS UPDATE FY08 (Macdonald)]{.underline}**

-   **[Decision:]{.underline}** Will develop a 20-laptop cache at the
    Columbia Building.

**[COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP (Bye)]{.underline}**

Committee updated current membership list.

-   **[Decision:]{.underline}** Committee members will check with their
    agencies to fill vacant slots and send all updates to Mary who will
    post the final list on the FUTA Website. Jerome will check with Roy
    Hall on FS membership on the Committee and possible co-Chair.

-   **[Decision:]{.underline}** The Committee will review the Charter
    and send suggested changes to Lisa. She will prepare a draft Charter
    for review prior to the June conference call.

**[REVIEW of BUSINESS PLAN & STRATEGIC PLAN]{.underline}**

Committee members suggested edits to both documents.

-   **[Decision:]{.underline}** By April 30, Jerome and Mary will edit
    and finalize the Business Plan for distribution and posting on the
    FUTA Web.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Decision]{.underline}**: The Strategic Plan will serve as an
    Appendix to the Business Plan. Committee members will send comments
    to Mary following the June conference call.

**[NEXT CONFERENCE CALL]{.underline}**

Friday, June 15, 0930. Mary will check on availability of SWCC
Conference Bridge.

**[NEXT MEETING]{.underline}**

November 16, 0900, FUTA

The meeting adjourned at 1230.

/s/ LISA BYE

Chair, FUTA Steering Committee