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Q**[uick]{.smallcaps}** T**[ip]{.smallcaps}**

> GIST to GISS Transition

**Forward**

The write-up references the GISS taskbook and the forthcoming transition
letter. Right now, neither of these are yet available on the NWCG
website. However, I understand that things are in the works and they
should be available soon.

**Introduction**

The Geo-spatial Task Group (GTG) and Incident Operations Standards
Working Team (IOSWT) have approved the position of Geographic
Information Systems Specialist, GISS. GISS is included in the 2006 PMS
310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, in the Incident Support
position category (page 108, PMS 310-1).

The GTG will develop a transition memorandum to explain the general
process for converting current Geographic Information Systems
Technicians (GIST) to the new GISS position. This document explains how
to perform the steps in IQCS to give existing GIST the GISS position
competency.

**Solution**

GIST was a Technical Specialist under the previous edition of the PMS
310-1. As such, there were no NWCG requirements to become qualified in
the position. The GISS position requires satisfactory position
performance, evaluated in an incident environment using the new Position
Task Book (PTB). The GTG has outlined a process to evaluate previous
incident experience as GIST at the local unit and determine whether that
experience demonstrated successful performance of the tasks in the new
GISS PTB.

The GIST position will be made **inactive** in June, 2006. Prior to
June, IQCS Account Managers should update fire experience records for
any responders who had GIST assignments during the past few fire
seasons. Those experience records will be used by local unit
qualifications review boards (USFS FQRC or the review process
established by your agency or organization) to assist in the
determination whether those qualified GIST should be converted to the
new GISS position.

IQCS will keep all responder GIST experience records intact, for
historical purposes.

GIST experience will be counted toward position currency in the GISS
position.

Current GIST-qualified personnel will remain qualified in that position
until June. Their position qualifications will continue to be sent to
ROSS until June, or until the GISS transition is completed to the
satisfaction of the GTG, whichever is earlier.

When the local unit determines a former GIST meets the GISS requirements
as described in the GTG memo, the IQCS Account Manager should manually
award the [GISS position competency]{.mark} to the individual. This will
cause GISS to appear on the Qualification Card screen with an Admin
Action status of "Q". Justification reasons will be required. The GISS
position competency should be back-dated on the competencies screen to
the same date as the earliest qualifying GIST experience (within the
previous 3 years), so that currency in the position will be correctly
calculated from any later GIST experience.

For new GISS trainees (responders without qualifying GIST experience),
the GISS Task Book is required and must be initiated in IQCS, and then
completed as usual.

Steps to manually award the GISS position competency to an individual:

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height="3.2680555555555557in"}

Next, go to the Competency Rating page to finish the manual award steps:

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height="2.736111111111111in"}

Change the effective date of the competency to match the GIST experience
date (within the past 3 years) that you used as the basis of the
conversion from GIST to GISS. Select "Attained" in the proficiency
drop-down, and click the "Justification" button to add your reason for
awarding the GISS position to this individual. Refer to the GISS
Transition letter/memo from NWCG for a sample of a justification
statement.

Don't forget to click the "Save" button at the bottom of the
Competencies screen to save your changes. The GISS position should now
appear on the Qualification Card screen in an "Admin Action" status of
"Q".