**MINUTES**

**INTERAGENCY FIRE PROGRAM COMPETITIVE SOURCING**

**CHARTER MEETING**

Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Time: 2:15 -- 3:30 PM

Location: USDA

> Yates Building
>
> 1400 Independence Ave., SW\
> Washington, D.C. 20250

**[Attendees]{.underline}**

DOI: Donna Kalvels, Kathy Garrity-(FWS), Barb Loving, Mark Beighley,
Kathy Libby (BLM), Sue Richardson (BLM)

FS: Jacqueline Myers.

VIA PHONE: Kathy Winship (FWS), Kevin Kahn (FWS), Jim Glenn (BLM), Denny
Truesdale (FS), Tom Nichol (NPS), Mark Bache (FS), Betsy Walatka (FS),
Bob Kuhn (FS)

**[DISCUSSION]{.underline}**

[Aviation Training]{.underline}

-   DOI will not include aviation training in the wildland fire training
    study. The majority of aviation training in DOI is not fire-related
    and it would not be advantageous to separate that portion

-   Bob Kuhn estimated that the final FTE count for aviation training
    would be 20 -- 25 FTE

-   Suggestion was made that FS do a separate study of their aviation
    training

-   Jacque proposed that a combined aviation training study be
    considered for the future

-   Denny Truesdale stated that the state and private wildfire groups
    want to include the aviation training with the wildland fire
    training

**ACTION ITEM #1: Jacque Myers will prepare a business case for
postponing the study until it can be a joint DOI/FS study.**

**ACTION ITEM #2: Jacque Myers will pursue a postponement of the
aviation study with John Pasquintino, OMB. Donna Kalvels will provide
status of training and dispatch with Ann Kendrall, OMB.**

**As a follow-up to Action Items 1 and 2 above, Jacque Myers has
arranged a meeting between FS, DOI and OMB on May 1 to discuss these
issues.**

**ACTION ITEM #3: DOI will begin discussions with the assistant
secretary and other members of the aviation community to introduce the
interagency aviation training**

**DECISION: DOI and FS will proceed with wildland fire dispatch and
training studies only\
**

[Training & Dispatch]{.underline}

-   Much discussion was held regarding the value of an initial survey of
    the entire fire community to determine who spends a minimum of 5% of
    time annually performing training and dispatch.

-   The training study will move forward without aviation training

-   Bob Kuhn proposed that the scope of the initial dispatch survey
    should include all dispatch because in many locations fire dispatch
    functions are combined with law enforcement dispatch

-   Agreement was made that the Interagency Fire Charter Group will be
    the steering committee for both studies.

-   Leadership buy-in beyond the Charter Group is paramount to the
    success of the studies.

-   Donna Kalvels asked what level of participation FS will need from
    DOI on the dispatch study. Bob Kuhn responded that SMEs and some
    line officers (request nominations from the fire directors) to
    provide leadership input will be required.

**ACTION ITEM #4: Bob Kuhn and Kathy Garrity will prepare briefing
papers for senior management to inform them of the training and dispatch
studies and explain the process and anticipated outcomes. The briefing
paper on training is attached.**

**ACTION ITEM #5: Donna Kalvels, Mark Beighley, and Barb Loving will
inform bureau management of the studies**

[Contract Issues]{.underline}

-   In order to improve efficiency in working with MAI on the training
    study, Donna Kalvels requested that Betsy Walatka delegate COTR
    duties to Kathy Garrity, while maintaining the financial control.

-   Betsy informed the group that FS does not allow anyone from another
    agency to act as a COTR on a FS contract

**ACTION ITEM #6: Jacque Myers will pursue delegation to Kathy Garrity
through the Contracting Officer**