**NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP**

**FISCAL YEAR 2001**

**ANNUAL REPORT**

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) was formed in 1976 by an
interagency agreement signed by the Secretaries of the Interior and
Agriculture. In 1993 the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
specifically the U.S. Fire Administration, was added by agreement.

The Governing body of NWCG consists of representatives of Federal
agencies and State partners:

Department of Agriculture:

Fire and Aviation Management, Forest Service

> Forest Fire and Atmospheric Sciences Research, Forest Service

Department of the Interior:

> Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Indian Affairs

National Park Service

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Emergency Management Agency:

> U.S. Fire Administration

National Association of State Foresters has both an eastern and western
State representative to ensure optimal use of all State personnel during
emergencies.

The National Fire Protection Association and Fire Control Officers Group
(Australia/New Zealand) are Associate members of the organization.

Late in calender year 2000 NWCG published its Bylaws and Operating
Principles document. This document provides direction and council to
NWCG Working Teams and Advisory Groups for budget and general operating
principles.

Jerry Williams, Forest Service was added to the membership of NWCG this
year to replace retiring Jose Cruz.

Don Artley, State Forester for Montana is the Chair of NWCG. The
detailed products of the NWCG are produced by the Working Teams and
Advisory Groups. The remainder of this report is a listing of the major
projects or products which are the Working Teams or Advisory Groups.
Additional information on any issue can be obtained by contacting the
NWCG Chair, the Executive Secretary or the Chair of the particular
Working Team or Advisory Group.

**[FIRE DANGER RATING WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

Chartered a WIMS re-engineering Task Group. This interagency group led
by Russ Gripp (R5-FS) was used by the Forest Service and their
contractor as a feedback mechanism/reality check to the field user
during the development and release of Phase 1 of WIMS reengineering.
Phase 1 is the conversion of WIMS to a web-interface environment and it
was completed and released in May 2001. WIMS on the web can be accessed
at [http://famweb.nwcg.gov/wims]{.underline}.

\$8,250 was applied to this project in 2001. The task group will
continue to serve through Phases 2 and 3. Travel funds for this purpose
are included in the 2002 and 2003 budget proposal but will need to be
added this Fall to the 2004.

In cooperation with the FWWT, new weather station standards have been
adopted by NWCG. Given these standards, including data transmission, the
FS will retire the Hub in November 2005. The Hub is a FS-supported
short-term phone line method of gathering fire weather data from
non-satellite telemetry weather stations.

The FDWT provided technical expertise and support to the development of
S-491 Intermediate NFDRS. This course is expected to be completed in
2002. No FDWT funds were spent or are anticipated.

Provided guidance to the National Weather Service and fire agencies in
the form of an issue paper on the numbering of fire weather forecast
zones.

Provided information regarding 1) quality of RAWS weather data collected
in the winter and 2) WIMS transmit times via FS RAWS Technotes.

Received approved Team charter, adopted a Team vision statement, and
initiated development of Team operating plan.

Conducted 2 Team meetings, in October 2000 and June 2001. Both of these
meetings explored cutting edge research that may be applied to the next
generation NFDRS. The June meeting was held jointly with the Fire
Weather Working Team. Also met with NWCG at their Feb. 2001 meeting.
Meeting-related expenses are budgeted through 2004.

**[FIRE EQUIPMENT WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT) experienced another very
successful year of activity. The group met in Luray, VA in October, 2000
to review accomplishments, as well as make a presentation to the parent
committee. The presentation before NWCG went very well and most of the
information shown below was reported at that time.

The key successes this past year include:

-   BDU implementation: The implementation plan for the switchover from
    nomex jeans to battle-dress utility (BDU) pants was started in
    June, 2000. This was a successful effort and the new pants are
    gaining wide field acceptance. There were some initial concerns in
    that there were not enough BDUs to meet the demand of all field
    units; however, by mid-July, 2001, things were progressing more
    smoothly. The National Interagency Support Cache will maintain the
    inventory of all old style jeans until it is not efficient todo so
    and then serviceable jeans will be made excess property. There
    should be about one more year of transition for this process.

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-   Quick connect: The Implementation Plan was completed and presented
    to NWCG at the June, 2001 meeting in Portland, OR. At that meeting
    it was decided to place the implementation of quick connect on hold
    until the state foresters could reevaluate their acceptance of it.
    There has been a tremendous amount of controversy generated since
    the NWCG October, 2000 decision was made public. There have been
    over 20 Congressionals received by the federal agencies over this
    decision. It was placed on hold until the January, 2003 meeting.
    There is a field test on five units, including a county engine
    occurring this year to provide more information to the decision
    makers at the January meeting. However, it appears, based on
    conversations with the International Association of Fire Chiefs that
    the decision may in fact be delayed until January, 2003.

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-   Various publications were updated this year and reissued:

> 1\. Spark Arrestor Guide
>
> 2\. Phase I -- Water Handling Guide is completed.

-   A Joint Meeting is planned with the Canadian Fire Equipment Working
    Group (FEWG) hosting in the USA at Orlando, FL by JP Greene, State
    Rep and the USDA Forest Service. The agenda will include many joint
    ventures for the two groups to evaluate.

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-   A draft Gel Specification has been developed and is available for
    review throughout the US and Canada.

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-   The Anadromous fish strainer report is almost complete. We are
    looking at a standard strainer for water drafting operations which
    will meet Infish/PACfish requirements for screen size and depth.

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-   The poly-vinyl bag on the shelter was re-designed to better be able
    open it in crisis situations. We are in the process of developing an
    implementation plan for this in light of all new shelters possibly
    being available in 2003.

Upcoming dates of interest for the group include:

Joint FEWT/FEWCG meeting, Orlando, FL - September 24-27, 2001

> FAM TDC Steering Committee - January 16-18, 2002
>
> CNH Wildfire Meeting - October 24-25, 2001
>
> BLM/GSA/FS Wilfire Conference - November 13, 2001

The State travel money has been expended to the 66% level and will be
completely spent by November 30, 2001. The NFES meeting costs and the
FEWT publication monies will be completely expended.

**[FIRE USE WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

Team Management (\$4,000 for 2 meetings) ‑ Working Team business
included two travel meetings: Missoula, Montana (November 7‑8, 2000) and
Denver, Colorado (June 5‑7, 2001).

Team Web Presence (\$0) ‑ The FUWT has a full presence on the NWCG Web
Page including the team charter, membership, business (minutes and
annual action plans, annual reports from FY 96 to present), and
activities.

Prescribed Fire Complexity Analysis (\$0) ‑ The team began updating the
1995 NWCG Prescribed Fire Complexity Rating System Guide. Completion of
a test version expected by the end of CY 01.

Fire Use Training Development

A task group developed a First Order Fire Effects Monitoring training
course to provide first order fire effects training to address skills
identified in the Fire Effects Monitor position task book and not
provided in the Field Observer (S‑244) training course (\$0). All
activities were coordinated with TWT and IOSWT and adjustments in the
Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification System Guide are proposed for
FY 02.

Advanced Fire Use Applications (S‑580) was completed (\$4000).

Air Quality/Smoke Management Issues (\$0) ‑ Agency comments were
incorporated into the NWCG Smoke Management Guide update and PMS
formatting arranged. Completion is expected in late CY 01.

**[FIRE WEATHER WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The Fire Weather Working Team has no funded projects and uses the
allocated budget only for State Member travel.

The FWWT met twice during 2001. Various fire weather issues were
discussed. Most significant of these were reports from regional groups
developing advanced weather modeling programs to assist with
implementation of the newly revised National Fire Policy, specifically
smoke management implications of that policy. The FWWT also finished the
NFDRS Weather Station Standards. The standards have been submitted to
the publication management staff.

The main focus of the FWWT this year has been the development of a new
Fire Weather Interagency Agreement between the National Weather Service
and the Fire Agencies. This agreement will set the framework for the
development of several other FWWT products and procedures aimed at
smoothing operational concerns between the agencies. Several interesting
developments have occurred that have changed the timeline for
accomplishing this task. The Department of the Interior was successful
in securing positions and funding to develop a fire weather program
management function at NIFC and the Geographic Area Coordination
Centers. This program is under development and many specific questions
remain to be answered. The Department of the Interior's newly appointed
program manager has joined the Fire Weather Working Team to help
integrate and coordinate efforts. Also, the National Wildfire
Coordinating Group has re-assigned the task to develop the Fire Weather
Interagency Agreement from the FWWT to a select working group at NIFC.
This new group is under the leadership of the Vice Chair of NWCG. The
FWWT is now waiting for the results of this working group's efforts.

**[INCIDENT BUSINESS PRACTICES WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

Meetings were conducted in October 2000, February 2001, May 2001,
Conference Calls in August and September 2001

Budget Applied: \$5,549.82

**[PROJECTS]{.underline}**

**[Incident Base Automation]{.underline}**

Submitted recommendation to NWCG at their October meeting on Incident
Base Automation. NWCG approved short-term recommendation.

-   Working Team developed Charter for Interagency Incident Automation
    Task Group

-   Working Team identified Task Group Members

-   Met with Task Group for transition and assignment

-   Facilitated a survey to Incident Management Teams as to applications
    they may be using this season

-   Receiving progress reports from Task Group

Budget Applied: \$3,205 (utilizing OF-288 revision funds and IBA Course
funds)

Percent Accomplished: 60%

Carryover into FY 2002: YES

**[Incident Business Coordinator's Meeting]{.underline}**

Attended, participated, and gave IBPWT progress report at this December
2000 meeting.

**[Incident Business Advisor Course]{.underline}**

Continued sponsorship of course development. Work with Subject Matter
Expert's. Final draft of the course released to SME's and working team
during September. Test teaching of the course set for October 30-31,
2001, to be held in Boise and sponsored by the Great Basin.

Final revision expected to be released in spring of 2002. Will go
forward at that time to work with the Training Working Team for review
and adoption.

Budget Applied: \$500

Percent Accomplished: 80%

Carryover into FY2002: YES

**[IBPWT Strategic Budget and Goals]{.underline}**

Developed and submitted WT budget and goals.

Completed December 2000.

**[Revised/Improved IBPWT Web Pages]{.underline}**

Developing redesign of the working team's web page. Working towards
presenting final version spring of 2002 with draft review at September
meeting.

Budget Applied: \$0

Percent Accomplished: 20%

Carryover into FY2002: YES

**[Incident Business Guidelines Review]{.underline}**

Responded to several issues raised from the field during 2000 season. In
response to those the WT developed proposed guideline language changes
for use by host units. Specific issues raised and memos issues were:

-   Specialty Items purchase limitations (Memo dated June 5, 2001)

-   Contractor Guidelines work rest and rest and recuperation (Memo
    dated June 5, 2001)

-   Incident Behavior Common Responsibilities (Submitted by Sandy Tripp,
    Adopted and supported by WT, Memo dated June 5, 2001)

Expending funds for recreation and entertainment type of things was also
raised as a concern. The WT has researched through regulations and laws
and has determined there is limited authority to spend funds on these
items, with some agencies unable to do so. The WT will send an updated
paragraph for the Incident Business Guidelines by the end of September
with guidance for Agency Administrators to sue relative to their unit
and agency.

Budget Applied: \$0

Percent Accomplished: 100%

**[Interaction Guide Development]{.underline}**

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) and Prevention/Education
Team operations were submitted to the working team as an issue. The
working team sponsored the development and implementation of interaction
guides for use with both types of resources.

-   Agency Administrator and Module Airborne Fire Fighting System
    (MAFF's) Liaison Officer's Interaction Guide produced (Memo dated
    June 18, 2001)

-   Host Unit and Prevention/Education Team Interaction Guide produced
    (Memo dated July 5, 2001)

Budget Applied: \$0

Percent Accomplished: 100%

**[Miscellaneous Memos]{.underline}**

The working team was approached on several occasions to provide input
and/or support to other issues. The working team responded to those with
memos to the appropriate audience. The memos addressed the following:

-   Agency Administrator's Guide to Critical Incident Management --
    request to post to the Internet and review and update. Memo
    submitted to the Safety and Health Working Team (SHWT) requesting
    they take the lead on this document (Memo dated May 4, 2001)

-   14 Day Policy -- request from MAC Group for input on implementation
    of the change in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide
    relative to the National Preparedness Level 5, back-to-back 14 day
    assignments and minimum of four days home prior to receiving another
    assignment (Memo dated April 6, 2001)

-   Transporting Wildland Firefighters -- working team contacted by SHWT
    to facilitate the field utilizing the newly developed "Focus on the
    Mission Transporting Wildland Firefighters" video (Memo dated July
    11, 2001)

-   14 Day Assignment clarification request from the field (Memo dated
    July 18, 2001)

Budget Applied: \$0

Percent Accomplished: 100%

**[INCIDENT OPERATIONS STANDARDS WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The 2001 year was a busy year for the Incident Operations Working Team
on several different fronts. Several new issues from the 2000 fire
season were brought forward to the IOSWT to research and make
recommendations on. A brief list of the issues and projects worked on by
the team is as follows:

-   Crew Typing, completed

-   410-1 revision, 75% complete, project funds not spent

-   Supported national All-Risk ICS review

-   Supported Fire Line Leadership proposal in conjunction with TWT

-   Participated in NFPA 1051 committee

-   Participated in IQS committee

-   Joint meeting with TWT

-   Initiated active relationship with IMS Consortium

-   Reviewed and recommended renewal of 14 day policy with minor changes

-   Extensive discussion and communication on Team Configuration Issue,
    95% complete, needs to be presented to parent group.

-   Reviewed and made recommendation on 10% trainee proposal in
    conjunction with TWT

-   Reviewed Fire Investigator position for inclusion into 310-1,
    decision pending, based on further work by Fire Investigation
    Working Team.

-   Reviewed and responded to Structure Protection Specialist position
    recommendation by Rocky Mountain Area.

-   Participated in Canadian ICS committee

-   Configuration of flowchart to determine process for identifying
    positions as technical specialist, ICS, Wildland Fire, or Fire Use
    in 310-1.

-   Review and recommendation of HECM PTB proposal.

-   Interaction with IHOP/IHOG to bring 310-1 qualifications and IHOG
    qualifications closer together. (ongoing)

-   Review and recommendation on "Turn Down" proposal.

-   Assisted in development of USCG Incident Mgmt. Handbook

-   Assisted the National ICS 209 Committee with development of
    automated ICS 209

**[INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

**FY 2001 BUDGET**

-   Budget: \$108,000

-   Spent: \$108,000

-   Redirected: \$0

-   Proposed Carryover: \$0

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-   Interagency IRM Support Tools

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-   Budget: \$50,000

-   Spent: \$50,000

-   Redirected: \$0

-   Proposed Carryover: \$0

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-   Update IRM Strategy Plan

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-   Budget: \$50,000

-   Spent: \$0

-   Redirected to GTG: \$5,000

-   Proposed Carryover: \$45,000

-   \% of project completed: 0%

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-   NWCG Website support

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-   Budget: \$5,000

-   Spent: \$1,500

-   Redirected: \$0

-   Proposed Carryover: \$3,500

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-   CASE Tool Support

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-   Budget: \$5,000

-   Spent: \$5,000

-   Redirected: \$0

-   Proposed Carryover: \$0

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-   State Travel

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-   Budget: \$13,000

-   Spent: \$13,000

-   Redirected: \$0

-   Proposed Carryover: \$0

**Accomplishments**

-   ***Administration and Management***

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-   PMO scope and charter approved by IRMWT and signed by NWCG

-   Developed PMO Strategic Plan and FY2001 Annual Work Plan

-   IRMWT Strategic Planning

> o Identified strategic initiatives, goals, and objectives for the
> IRMWT
>
> o Identified Relationships between IRMWT and PMO, NWCG, Agency IRM,
> and NWCG Projects

-   Developed FY2002 PMO Annual Work Plan

-   Developed and tracked FY2001 PMO budget and procurement plan

-   PMO Office consolidated at one location (BLM, Idaho State Office
    building)

-   PMO Personnel Development/Training

> o Cost Xpert training (4 attendees)
>
> o DAMA Int'l. Data Management Conference (2 attendees)
>
> o FTS Conference (2 attendees)
>
> o GSA-FTS2001 Conference (1 attendee)
>
> o Building a PMO training (3 attendees)
>
> o Strategic Planning (4 attendees)
>
> o EEO, Diversity
>
> o Conduct and Ethics

-   ***Products Developed***

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-   Project Charter Guidelines and Template

-   Project Status Report format and guidelines

-   (Draft) Project Plan Guidelines

-   (Draft) White Paper Guidelines and Templates

-   (Draft) Document Review Policy and Process

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-   ***Program Development***

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-   Data Architecture

> o NWCG Data Administration Working Group (DAWG) Concept Paper
>
> o (Draft) NWCG Data Stewardship Program (guidelines & procedures)
> paper

-   Applications Architecture

> o Wildland Fire Applications Inventory Concept Paper
>
> o "Default" application standards policy statement

-   Project Management

> o Identified and selected a standard project cost estimating tool
> (CostXpert)

-   Repository

> o Selected and procured document repository software

-   ***NWCG***

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-   NWCG IRM Program Manager

> o Attended NWCG meetings
>
> o Identified IRM activities and initiatives for feedback to the IRMWT
>
> o Assessment of NFP summary reporting activity

-   NWCG WWW/Internet domain (WWW.NWCG.GOV)

> o Technical and administrative contact responsibilities transferred to
> the PMO Repository Manager

-   ***Support of Projects and Initiatives***

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-   Project Status Reporting

> o Distributed Project Status Report format & guidelines
>
> o Requested status reports from known projects & initiatives

-   IQCS Project

> o Reviewed and reported on the Information Study Report
>
> o Helped draft and reviewed the Design Phase Project Charter
>
> o Reviewed and reported on the draft procurement document (Request for
> Quotation -- RFQ, including SOW)
>
> o Recorded and transcribed the record of the Vendor Conference on the
> RFQ
>
> o PMO member on Technical Proposal Evaluation Committee
>
> o IRMWT Advisor on Technical Proposal Evaluation Committee
>
> o Attended DOI IRM & HRM briefings
>
> o Reviewed and helped draft the SOW system interface amendment

-   ROSS Project

> o Attended Core Team and other meetings
>
> o Reviewed correspondence and documentation
>
> o Reviewed SOW for ROSS support organization
>
> o Communicated on a near daily basis with ROSS Project Manager and
> implementation team

-   Incident Business Practices Working Team (IBPWT) Task Group

> o Attended meetings and helped draft charter for IBP Incident Base
> Task Group
>
> o Presented PMO orientation
>
> o Developed IRM Initiatives at Incidents paper

-   GeoMAC Project

> o Provided project charter guidelines and helped draft inter-agency
> charter for FY2001 Prototype Project

-   RERAP Project

> o Provided project charter guidelines

-   Radio Narrowband

> o Prepared White Paper for NWCG

-   National Fire Plan Reporting Project

> o Attended meetings and developed observations regarding dual Forest
> Service (FS) / Department of the Interior (DOI) efforts. Encouraged
> and developed contacts between FS & DOI
>
> o Provided composite dictionary of wildland fire terminology

-   Fire Planning Budget Project

> o Provided project charter guidelines and project organization
> guidance

-   Fuels Applications

> o Provided initial fire applications inventory to Dan Keller in
> support of fuels applications research and analysis

-   WIMS Reengineering

> o Attended meeting in Kansas City

-   Network

> o Informed through agency members and PMO regarding progress and
> activities

-   Satellite Data Communications

> o Looking at potential

-   Lightning Contract

> o Briefed on planned activities

-   NWCG Website

> o Transfer DNS to PMO
>
> o Webmaster attended a course on Web Accessibility Standards
>
> o Surveyed Working Teams to identify immediate problems and corrected
> many of those identified
>
> o Met with Education Working Team and identified need to develop a
> project charter to determine requirements and design for the future
> NWCG Website

-   Monthly IRM Coordination Meetings at NIFC

> o Initiated monthly coordination meetings at NIFC to keep informed of
> emerging issues

-   Briefed on 30 Meter/Landfire

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-   ***Interaction with Working Teams***

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-   Information Resource Management Working Team

> o Attended all meetings
>
> o Established partnership and collegial relationship through NWCG
> Charter

-   Incident Business Practices Working Team

> o Attended IBPWT meeting
>
> o Presented IRM Initiatives at Incidents paper
>
> o Presented PMO orientation

-   Fire Danger & Fire Weather Working Teams

> o Attended joint meeting
>
> o Presented PMO orientation

-   Wildland Fire Education Working Team

> o Attended meeting
>
> o Presented PMO orientation
>
> o Identified NWCG Web Page issues

-   Training, IOS, Fire Equipment, National Coordinators, & IBPWT

> o Jointly involved with PMO in standardizing Unit Identifiers

**Other Meetings Attended**

-   DOI IT Conference

-   USFS NIST Meeting

-   NPS Fire Mgmt Conference

-   National Coordinator's Meeting

-   CISCO Meeting

-   Departmental meetings, DOI and USDA through NITC and NBC

-   Alaska Fire Service Orientation

Proposed additional projects for FY 2002

-   Initiate Formal NWCG Website Design Project

> o Identify Business Lead
>
> o Develop Charter
>
> o Identify Project Team (SME's and Technical)
>
> o Identify Funding Requirements

-   Initiate Fire Budget Planning System Project

> o Identify Business Lead
>
> o Identify Sponsoring Agency
>
> o Develop Charter
>
> o Identify Project Team (SME's and Technical)
>
> o Identify Funding Requirements

***[RADIO NARROWBAND ADVISORY GROUP]{.underline}***

**[Budget]{.underline}**

\$1500 for State representatives travel.

**[Accomplishments]{.underline}**

Completed the first initial testing of the EFJ Johnson handheld. This
was delayed from the 200 season due to the redesign of the AA clamshell
battery. The redesign clamshell is currently being examined and most
likely will be on the new Department of the Interior (DOI) contract.

Tested the Daniels P25 VHF repeater/UHF link and UHF repeater system in
parallel with an National Incident Radio Support Cache (NIRSC) analog
system during the 2001 Rainbow gathering. This duplicated the NIRSC
systems commonly used on fires and incidents.

Tested the effects of antenna polarization which included the King EPH
radio. The reason for testing the King is the widespread use of chest
packs for holding the radio. In addition, a test was conducted to
determine the effects of interchanging the antennas among radio models
from different manufacturers and the effects of using telescoping
antennas versus the small rubber coated coiled antennas.

The NIRSC purchased 250 P25 Motorola XTS3000 UHF radios and 200 P25
Racal VHF radio for the NIRSC. Some of these radios were utilized on
wildfires this season in the analog mode.

The Radio Narrowband Advisory Group will meet the week on October 29th
in Mesa, Arizona in conjunction with the DOI and Forest Service National
Telecommunication meeting.

**[PUBLICATIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

PMS is the only working Team that we have accepted a calendar year
report on accomplishments. This report coincides with the annual
inventory at the Great Basin Warehouse in Boise, Idaho.

PMS has no established budget and manages the system of publications for
all agencies through the Great Basin Warehouse. They have established a
Home Page that is receiving fairly heavy public and agency use. They
will be communicating with other Working Teams and Advisory Groups about
making more publications available on this web site. The PMS Home Page
address is: http://fwspceaa.nifc.r9.fws.gov/\~olson/pms/pms.html.

**[SAFETY AND HEALTH WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The following is the NWCG's Safety and health Working Team's Annual
Report for fiscal year 2001. It provides an overview as to the
accomplishments of the Working Team's budget and Action Items.

The total FY 2001 budget was \$90,000. The funds were assigned and
expedited for the following projects.

+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| **N     | **Project**   | **     | **Description**      | **Stat    |
| umber** |               | Budget |                      | us/Lead** |
|         |               | Am     |                      |           |
|         |               | ount** |                      |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 1       | Work/Rest     | \$     | Field research:      | On-goin   |
|         | Issues        | 15,000 | assignment length,   | g/FS-MTDC |
|         |               |        | operational period   |           |
|         |               | (All   | length, R&R among    |           |
|         |               | used)  | various crews        |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 2       | Energy,       | \$     | Field research: Type | On-goin   |
|         | nutrition and | 25,000 | I & II crews (inc.   | g/FS-MTDC |
|         | health        |        | measures of immune   |           |
|         |               | (All   | fx, oxidative        |           |
|         |               | used)  | stress,              |           |
|         |               |        | nutrition/intake,    |           |
|         |               |        | energy expenditure,  |           |
|         |               |        | body                 |           |
|         |               |        | composition-pre,     |           |
|         |               |        | during and post fire |           |
|         |               |        | season               |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 3       | Fitness &     | \$     | Develop, evaluate,   | On-goin   |
|         | work capacity | 10,000 | and implement        | g/FS-MTDC |
|         |               |        | medical standards,   |           |
|         |               | (All   | monitor work         |           |
|         |               | used)  | capacity test admin; |           |
|         |               |        | study need for       |           |
|         |               |        | graduated standards  |           |
|         |               |        | for Type I & II      |           |
|         |               |        | crews.               |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 4       | *Safety Gram* | \      | Continued and        | Completed |
|         |               | $5,000 | expanded to include  | &         |
|         |               |        | "lessons Learned"    | On-going  |
|         |               | (All   |                      | SAFE      |
|         |               | used)  |                      | i         |
|         |               |        |                      | nitiative |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 5       | Leadership    | \$     | Training Development | On-going  |
|         | and Decision  | 20,000 |                      | SAFE      |
|         | Making        |        |                      | i         |
|         |               |        |                      | nitiative |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
| 6       | State Travel  | \$     | Cover costs of 3     | Completed |
|         |               | 15,000 | state reps: W, S & E | &         |
|         |               |        |                      | On-going  |
|         |               | (All   |                      |           |
|         |               | used)  |                      |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+
|         | **TOTAL**     | **\$   |                      |           |
|         |               | 90     |                      |           |
|         |               | ,000** |                      |           |
+---------+---------------+--------+----------------------+-----------+

The activities and accomplishments of the Safety and Health Working Team
involved team members, Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC)
staff, members of the Federal Fire and Aviation Safety Team (FFAST) at
NIFC, Steve Holder, S.A.F.E. Initiative program manager and Janelle
Smith, NIFC External Affairs.

The Safety & Health Working Team took action on 22 items received during
the past fiscal year.

13 projects on the Team's Action Log were successfully completed or made
significant progress on many issues. Some of the notable actions
include:

-   **Safety Alert:** A new electronic messaging alert system was
    conceived, developed and established to quickly ensure safety
    related items and breaking news could be directed to and from the
    key safety personnel through appropriate federal and state wildland
    agencies. This notification system has three levels of alert:
    ***Safety Warning***- a safety hazard that poses an imminent treat
    to life or property, ***Safety Advisory***-an advisory on safety
    information that isn't related to imminent or potential threats of
    injury, and ***Safety Bulletin***- factual confirmation of a serious
    accident, incident or fatality.

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-   **SHWT Web Site Development:** A web site was developed and posted
    on the web at the NWCG parent group site. The SHWT site provides
    visitors with access to: Reference Material; Team Activities; Safety
    Alerts; Entrapment and Fatalities Information; and various links.

-   **Wildland Fire Safety CD-ROM:** A contract has been submitted to
    "Americanize" the Canadian *Wildland Fire Safety on the Fireline*
    CD-ROM interactive training program. The visuals will change to US
    firefighters and locations, and some case studies will change. The
    CD is targeted to volunteer firefighters, new wildland firefighters
    and as a review for seasoned firefighters.

-   **FY2000-2001 *Safety Gram*:** The past year's report was complied
    and disseminated. The *Safety Gram* is the most comprehensive
    listing of US fatalities and entrapments on wildland fires. It
    summarizes wildland and prescribed fire entrapments, injures and
    fatalities for all wildland fire management organizations throughout
    the United States. In CY2000 there were twenty-two (22) fatalities
    and three (3) shelter deployments reported to NWCG. The *Safety
    Gram* is also available on the S&H WT website.

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-   **Safety Flagging:** After researching the problem of the existing
    color scheme for "escape route" flagging, MTDC has recommended that
    the color for "escape route" be changed to hot pink with "escape
    route" in black lettering printed on it. Further, that the SHWT
    recommended that this be placed into national cache system; a memo
    requesting a Jan. 1, 2002 implementation date was sent to the Fire
    Equipment Working Team.

-   **Work/Rest Issues:** MTDC continues to review research on prolonged
    work, including long shifts, extended assignments (up to twenty one
    days), and factors that influence health and performance of wildland
    firefighters.

-   **Energy, Nutrition and Health:** MTDC has contracted with the
    University of Montana to conduct laboratory and field studies on
    immune function during prolonged work, in training and on the
    fireline.

-   **Work Capacity Tests and Medical Examination:** MTDC tracking
    federal, state and other fire agency implementation. Investigating
    the "arduous" category for non-line positions; analyzing wildland
    firefighter fatalities to make recommendations to prevent them in
    future; and assisting in field trails of medical standards for
    wildland firefighters.

***Membership***

For the second year in a row, the SHWT has had considerable change among
its' members. Wini Sorenson, FS has departed and has been replaced by
Michelle Ryerson-Grett; Mike Bescoter, F&WS has also left the Team and
has been replaced by John Gould; and Dick Mangan retired and has been
replaced by Chuck Whitlock for FS-MTDC

**[TRAINING WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

There was a significant amount of turnover on the Training Working Team
(TWT) during FY01. Bob Murgallis, National Fire Academy, and Don
Johnson, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, became members of the
TWT. Sue Riedman replaced Deb Epps as Logistics. Dave Engle, NWCG
Development Unit, retired and Deb Epps replaced him as an advisor. Rich
Wands, NARTC Director, replaced John Roberts as an advisor. Larry
Hamilton replaced Harry Croft as NWCG Liaison to the Team. Hunter
Wistrand, Aviation Committee Chair retired; the future of this committee
has yet to be decided. Dan Francis, FIRESCOPE Representative, will
retire after our September meeting and his replacement has not been
named.

**[Specific Accomplishments]{.underline}**

The TWT continues to meet annually with the geographic area training
representatives and the IOS Working Team. These meetings have proven
helpful in resolving issues and greatly increasing the communication
information flow. There are no plans to deviate from this schedule.

For the NWCG Development Unit the fiscal year started out with a back
log of courses to be completed due to turnover and under staffing within
the Unit. Fifteen courses were completed this fiscal year and will all
be available in the Publications Management System (PMS) by this fall
(including S-216, S-258, S-355, S-356, S-357, S-358, S-360, S-403,
S-404, S-440, S-450, S-460, S-470, M-410, and J-158). There are four
courses that were to be completed in FY01, but will be carried forward
into FY02, they are S-215 Wildland Fire in the Urban Interface, S-400
Incident Commander, S-420 Command & General Staff, and S-491 NFDRS. Upon
completion of these courses we should be back on schedule.

The development cycle was started for S-110 Basic Fire Suppression
Orientation, S-130 Firefighter Training, S-212 Wildfire Power Saws,
S-270 Basic Air Operations, S-445 Training Specialist and D-311 Initial
Attack Dispatcher. These courses are scheduled for completion by the end
of FY02.

Beginning this fiscal year, all courses put on the shelf are also
available in PDF format via CD ROMs that can be ordered through PMS. All
fifteen courses completed this year have associated CD ROMs. In
addition, the Field Managers Course Guide has been updated and now
available electronically through the NWCG PMS web page.

For further information on course status see the NWCG Development Unit
web site under www.fire.blm.gov/training/main.html.

FY01 marked the final year that the BIA funding for Development Unit
positions will be provided through NWCG; in February NWCG approved a
plan to staff the Unit by funding from the individual agencies. The BIA
went from four positions to their current two positions in the Unit, one
project leader and one editorial assistant. Other new positions in the
unit include a project leader and an editorial assistant funded by the
USFS, a project leader funded by the NPS and an editorial assistant
funded by the FWS. Upon hiring of these individuals the Unit will be
fully staffed. The BLM is hiring a Distance Learning position under the
Fire Training Group that will assist in the process of bringing several
NWCG courses into an online learning environment.

The Team, in partnership with IOS & Fire Behavior Working Teams, will
complete a review of the LTAN needs, qualification standards, and
delivery systems by February 2002.

The TWT received recommendations on the leadership curriculum and
related issues from the Leadership Task Group in February. The TWT is
now in the process of organizing an interagency committee to create an
implementation plan. The \$40,000 in the FY01 budget for Leadership
Course Development will need to be carried over into FY02.

**[WILDLAND FIRE EDUCATION WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The final report for the Arson Grant program was completed and delivered
to the parent group in 2001. The report was completed at no cost to the
budget.

The Electronic Bibliography update and team web page re-design has been
contracted and the project is on-going. The funds, \$12,500, have been
obligated for completion in FY 2002.

The brochure project, *Wildland Fire in America*, is 50% complete. The
final draft is complete and is now ready for printing. The printing
costs, \$35,000, will need to be available to spend in FY 2002.

The *Communicator Guide - Wildland Fire* was completed and is available
in both a printed format through the Center of Excellence and
electronically on the web. This project provides comprehensive reference
information about wildland fire for educators and communicators.

The *Fire Role and Use Message* projects is currently being developed
and will go out to bid in October/November. The funds for this project,
\$60,000, will be needed in FY 2002 to complete the project.

The WFEWT experienced the loss of several members of the team and has
been working below capacity for most of FY 2001. The orientation of new
members is on-going. Two team positions remain unfilled, one from the
state the other from the FWS.

**[WILDLAND FIRE INVESTIGATION WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The Fire Investigation Working Team was chartered in May of 2000 to
address issues related to the field of widlland fire investigation.
Currently, the primary project for this group is the development of
professional standards for the certification of fire investigators,
comparable to those already existing for structural fire investigators.
The final product will include the professional standard which will set
training and experience requirements for three levels of investigator,
(Type III, II and I). The standard will be accompanied by written
proficiency exams, Position Task Books and a specific training course
for each level.

The working team has met twice during FY 2001 and has accomplished the
following on this project:

FY 2001 accomplishments to date:

-   Developed draft of standard.

-   Distributed draft to field for peer level, technical review and
    comment.

-   Reviewed comments and edited final draft. (10/2000)

-   Developed drafts of Type I, II and III investigator Position Task
    Books. (11/2000)

-   Met with IOS and Training Working Teams for review of draft
    materials. (1/2001)

-   Finalized draft PTBs and Section L standard, based on input from IOS
    and Training Working Teams. (3/2001)

-   Begin development of training curriculum. Prepared draft outlines
    for the revision of P-151 and the development of P-251 and P-351
    (5/2001)

-   Met with NWCG parent group and presented draft standard and PTBs
    (6/2001)

-   We will plan on attending the NWCG meeting in Maine where we expect
    a decision from the parent group on the draft material.

-   Our next working team meeting is scheduled for 11/14-15, 2001, in
    Boise.

Our only expenditures to date have been travel expenses for three of our
state agency representatives. (I am still waiting for the actual cost
from Shelley, but it is approximately \$6,000)

Our plan at this time is to begin immediate work on the revision of the
P-151 training package. This will incur development and publication
costs. Any money that we do not spend at this time, we would like to see
held over and applied to our next year's budget.

**[WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE WORKING TEAM]{.underline}**

The Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team is not directly funded by NWCG
but is a recognized WT. Firewise workshops and the development of the
Firewise concepts is their predominant project. Following is a report of
their activities.

The assessment phase of the Firewise Communities/USA program is complete
and a report has been issued. Seven pilot communities were visited by
the Firewise team members during April and May, where they met with
community representatives and evaluated local wildland/urban interface
fire conditions. Based on these visits, assessment reports were prepared
and delivered to each community at the end of June. Each community is
now determining how to respond to the assessment by creating its own
Firewise plan. Follow-up visits designed to monitor local progress began
in late August and will continue into September. A final visit will be
paid to each pilot area in September or October to assist in creating a
Firewise implementation schedule.

The project is being coordinated by Judith Leraas Cook who states, "The
Firewise Communities/USA Program is a follow-up to the Firewise
Communities

Workshop series. Incorporating a flexible template that can be tailored
to ensure maximum wildland fire protection and education for the
communities, this

Firewise module enlists the commitment and cooperation of community
leaders, fire staff and single-family homeowners. Local solutions to
specific fire protection

challenges become possible by employing the Firewise Communities/USA
methodology."

One of the Firewise pilots is Briargate which is a soon-to-be
constructed planned community located in the western suburbs of Ormond
Beach, Florida. Firewise

inclusions in the construction include underground utilities, paved
roads, hydrants and planned setbacks within the construction. During the
1998 wildfires near Daytona, this area was evacuated for over three and
one-half days. The assessment mentioned large areas of pine forests,
palmetto growth and gallberry

vegetation---all capable of sustaining a fast-moving and intense fire
during wildfire season. Pine trees have been thinned in selected
sections of the development; vines have been reduced, as has the height
of the underbrush. All this has served to lower the fuel hazard level.

Firewise Communities/USA provides information that encourages
communities to balance sustainable ecological lifestyles with effective
wildfire protection. It

provides an effective management approach for preserving wildland living
aesthetics. Hyde Park II and III are established residential communities
located on the edge of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They contain a mature Pinon
Pine and juniper canopy along with steep topography capable of producing
what is known as a stand-replacement fire. The assessment process
identified the need to thin the pinon juniper canopy. Properly thinning
will not only mitigate the fire hazard, but also better maintain a
healthy ecosystem during time of drought. Hyde Park II and III's
assessment also recommended replacing flammable roofs with non-flammable
alternatives replacing common plastic skylights with tempered glass, and
encouraging stucco exteriors---already a popular choice.

Timber Ridge is unique among the pilot areas because it is one of the
few that contains overlapping ignition zones, meaning that one house's
flammability will

affect others should any ignitions occur during a wildfire. The
assessment suggested thinning over-grown stands of pine, pinon juniper,
gambel oak and

manzanita. It noted that existing mountain mahogany and ceanothus burn
less readily. Timber Ridge residents were encouraged to begin reducing
fuels in

their home ignition zones and to move then into the development's common
areas and service easements. Non-flammable, deciduous trees were
suggested for landscape plantings. Dead pine needles and other flammable
vegetation were identified as another hazard. The Prescott area has been
actively involved with the wildland/urban interface issue since 1990,
when it created the Prescott Area Wildland/Urban Interface Commission.
Prescott was also the site of one

of the year 2000 Firewise Communities Workshops.

Firewise Communities now has available to display two new portable
exhibits for use at workshops, meetings, and conferences. The tabletop
and floor exhibits bring attention to the Firewise Communities program
and highlight our many stakeholders and partners by name and logo. They
were debut at the NFPA's America's Fire Expo in Miami, FL in July and
the Fire-Rescue International 2001 sponsored by the International
Association of Fire Chiefs in New Orleans, LA. Look for the exhibit at
the next Firewise Communities Workshop to be held at Hidden Valley, PA
September 24-26, 2001. The exhibits were designed by Absolute Imaging,
www.absolut-imaging.com and manufactured by Skyline Displays & Services,
[www.skylinedisplays.com]{.underline}. All Firewise Communities /USA
pilots are required to observed the following standards in order to
retain Firewise recognition status:

-   Sponsor a local Firewise task force

-   Maintain a plan that identifies local solutions to the
    wildland/urban interface fire issue

-   Invest \$2.00 annually per capita in local Firewise projects

-   Observe a Firewise Communities/USA day each spring dedicated to a
    Firewise project

-   Submit an annual report documenting local achievements In the next
    update we will spotlight some of the other Firewise Communities/USA
    pilot areas including Frenchtown (Montana), Glendale (California),
    Orange County (Florida) and Sundance (Utah).

Firewise Communities Program Sponsors:

The National Firewise Communities Project is supported by the National
Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and their Wildland Urban Interface
Working Team, consisting of the following organizations:

-   FEMA-US Fire Administration

-   National Association of Emergency Managers

-   National Association of Fire Chiefs

-   National Association of State Fire Marshals

-   National Association of State Foresters

-   NFPA® International

-   USDA Forest Service

-   USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs

-   USDI Bureau of Land Management

-   USDI Fish & Wildlife Service

-   USDI National Park Service

Stakeholder Groups:

The following is a list of national organizations and private companies,
referred to as Stakeholders, which help steer the project and select
workshop participants:

-   American Forests

-   American Institute of Architects

-   American Planning Association

-   American Red Cross

-   American Society of Landscape Architects

-   Community Associations Institute

-   Congressional Fire Services Institute

-   Environmental Systems Research Institute

-   FEMA - Project Impact

-   Institute for Business and Home Safety

-   Insurance Services Office (ISO)

-   International Association of Fire Chiefs

-   International Association of Wildland Fire

-   International Codes Council

-   International Fire Marshal Association

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-   National Arbor Day Foundation

-   National Association of County Officials

-   National Association of Home Builders

-   National Association of State Fire Marshals

-   National Emergency Management Association

-   National Multi Housing Council

-   National Volunteer Fire Council

-   Society of American Foresters

-   Space Imaging

-   The Nature Conservancy

-   USDA Rural Utilities & Rural Development

-   Western Fire Chiefs

-   Wildland Firefighting Magazine™