**NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS INTERAGENCY DISPATCH CENTER**

**MOBILIZATION GUIDE**

**CHAPTER 10 -- OBJECTIVES, POLICY, AND SCOPE OF OPERATION**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

[11 MISSION STATEMENT](#__RefHeading___Toc60578527) 1

[11.1 Total Mobility 1](#__RefHeading___Toc60578530)

[11.2 Priorities 1](#__RefHeading___Toc60578532)

[12 SCOPE OF OPERATION 2](#__RefHeading___Toc60578550)

[12.1 General 2](#__RefHeading___Toc60578551)

[12.1.1 National Response Plan 2](#__RefHeading___Toc60578553)

[12.1.2 Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
2](#__RefHeading___Toc60578555)

[12.1.3 Supporting All Risk Emergencies 2](#__RefHeading___Toc60578557)

[12.1.4 Mutual Aid Agreements 3](#__RefHeading___Toc60578560)

[12.2 Responsibilities of the Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center
3](#__RefHeading___Toc60578566)

[12.3 Responsibilities of the GPC Agencies
4](#__RefHeading___Toc60578567)

12.4 Responsibilities of the GPC Fire Duty Officer 5

[13 MOBILIZATION / DEMOBILIZATION 5](#__RefHeading___Toc60578568)

[13.1 Work Rest, Length of Assignment and Days
Off](#__RefHeading___Toc60578569) 6

[13.2 Incident Operations Driving](#__RefHeading___Toc60578570) 8

[13.3 Initial Attack Definition 8](#__RefHeading___Toc60578571)

[13.4 Resource Mobilization 9](#__RefHeading___Toc60578572)

[13.5 National and Area Resources](#__RefHeading___Toc60578573) 9

[13.6 Notification of Commitment of National Resources
10](#__RefHeading___Toc60578574)

[13.7 Unable to Fill Procedure 10](#__RefHeading___Toc60578575)

[13.8 Standard Cubes, Weight and Gear
Policy](#__RefHeading___Toc60578576) 10

13.9 Strike Teams/Task Forces 10

13.10 Wildland Fire Weather Forecasts 10

13.10.1 Fire Behavior Services 11

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578527 .anchor}

**11 MISSION STATEMENT**

The principal mission of The Northern Great Plains Interagency Dispatch
Coordination Center (GPC) is the cost effective and timely coordination
of land management agency response for wildland fire. This is
accomplished through planning, situation monitoring, and expediting
resource orders between the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), South Dakota State Wildland Fire Suppression
Division (SDS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Forest Service (USFS),
National Park Service (NPS), Wyoming State Forestry (WYS), National
Weather Service (NWS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and
other cooperating agencies.

The Northern Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center Mobilization Guide
(GPMG) identifies standard procedures that guide the operations of
multi-agency logistical support activity throughout the coordination
system. This guide is intended to facilitate interagency dispatch
coordination ensuring the timeliest and cost effective incident support
services are provided. This mobilization guide is intended to supplement
the Rocky Mountain Area Interagency Mobilization Guide (RMG) and the
National Interagency Mobilization Guide. The guide is an extension of
Agency Manuals, Handbooks, Directives, and Instructional Memorandums
relating to[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578530 .anchor} logistical support.

**11.1 Total Mobility**

Positioning and utilizing resources to meet anticipated and existing
incident, preparedness, severity, wildland and prescribed fire needs
regardless of geographic location or agency affiliation.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578532 .anchor}**11.2 Priorities**

When competition exists for resources, priorities will be established
depending on the Preparedness Level.

Priorities are established using National Standards (NMG 11.2). When
requested, GPC will submit a priority list to Rocky Mountain
Coordination Center (RMC). The single overriding suppression priority is
the protection of human life both that of our firefighters and of the
public.

In setting priorities, the following criteria shall be considered:

A. Maintaining initial action capability

B. Protecting communities and community infrastructure, other property
and improvements, and natural and cultural resources in the following
order:

1\. Communities

2\. Community infrastructure (including: long term effects to economic
sustainability and viability)

3\. Historically significant cultural resources

4\. Commercial businesses

5\. Principal residence (year-round homes)

6\. Non-principal residence (seasonal homes, cabins, etc.)

7\. Out buildings (barns, unattached garages, utility buildings, etc.)

C. Limiting costs without compromising safety

D. Meeting agency suppression objectives

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578550 .anchor}**12 SCOPE OF OPERATION**

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578551 .anchor}**12.1 General**

GPMG contains dispatching procedures and organizations. Included is a
directory and catalog of personnel equipment, aircraft, and supplies to
assist in obtaining prompt and adequate response to ensure management of
all wildland fire and prescribed fires within agency standards. Each
unit will provide GPC with their individual unit's information to
supplement the GPMG. (Refer to RMG 12.1)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578553 .anchor}**12.1.1 Federal Response Plan**

(Refer to RMG 12.1.1 and NMG 12.1.1)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578555 .anchor}**12.1.2 Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance**

(Refer to RMG 12.1.2 and NMG 12.1.2)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578557 .anchor}**12.1.3 Supporting All Risk
Emergencies**

GPC is capable of supporting non-fire incidents provided there are
Agreements or MOU's in place that identify payment procedures. Great
Plains Dispatch Center Cooperating Agencies will normally function in a
support role in a coordinated response to non-wildland fire emergencies.
An agency may take the lead role for purposes of expediency in life
threatening situations or when non-government emergency service programs
are unable to provide support. Specific agency policies and
administrators will provide direction in determining the availability of
resources in conjunction with existing programs in order to support and
coordinate with local authorities. (Refer to NMG 21.4 Cost
Coding.)[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578560 .anchor}

**12.1.4 Mutual Aid Agreements**

Mutual aid agreements have the primary purpose of providing Initial
Attack (I.A.) and short term logistical support between adjoining units
and dispatch centers. I.A. is the first response of suppression forces
dispatched to wildfires under established and planned direction. The
forces are normally in sufficient amounts to successfully achieve the
appropriate management response without need for major reinforcements in
a reasonable period of time. GPC has the authority to utilize the
initial attack resources of adjoining units and centers across adjacent
geographic area boundaries.

Mobilization will be within the legal authority of existing formalized
parent agreements. Local formal agreements and MOU's are not necessary.
However, cooperating units will identify operating procedures in local
operating plans. (Refer to GPMG 13.3 and RMG 13.4 for I.A. definitions
and policies.)

Prior to the mobilization of I.A. resources, it is agreed that:

A. There will be communication between all centers.

B. An official resource request will be processed through dispatch
channels for I.A. resources remaining on the incident beyond I.A.

C. No I.A. resource responding across geographic boundaries will be
mobilized further than that adjoining center boundary.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578566 .anchor}**12.2 Responsibilities of the
Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center**

GPC shall serve as the dispatch office to provide logistical support to
incidents in the GPC dispatch area. GPC will coordinate movement of all
support resources within the area.

The GPC manager has delegated authority as identified by the signatories
of the GPMG. The delegated authority is outlined within this guide and
establishes policies and procedures for the mobilization of personnel,
equipment, supplies and aircraft for incident emergencies and
presuppression in the GPC dispatch area, the Rocky Mountain area and
Nationally.

**GPC will:**

A. Act as a focal point for information concerning overall incident
situations within the Great Plains dispatch area including but not
limited to fire danger, current or projected activity, and resource
status.

B. Determine the amount and location of available overhead, crews,
equipment, aircraft, supplies, and transportation. Anticipate and
communicate initial and long-term needs and priorities for sharing
available resources.

C. Coordinate the movement of incident emergencies, preparedness,
severity, wildland and prescribed fire needs, personnel, equipment,
aircraft, crews and supplies from one location to another.

D. Coordinate with local MAC group to determine priorities for resources
in multiple fire situations.

E. Coordinate rosters, schedules, and mobilization of Great Plains area
resources. (i.e. Type I and Type II team members, Buying Team members,
and Crews)

F. Keep Agency administrators informed of existing and projected
critical fire situations.

G. Determine the need to preposition suppression resources at the most
strategic locations and initiate the movement using resource-ordering
process in conjunction with the local MAC group and local FMO's.

H. Comply with acceptable dispatch standards and procedures.

I. Participate in active analysis of fire, coordination, and dispatch
activities.

J. Prior to fire season, initiate GPC recommended changes in policies
and procedures and Cooperative Agreements that affect GPC.

K. Provide leadership and support in training programs to facilitate
current dispatch and coordination needs.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578567 .anchor}**12.3 Responsibilities of the
Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center Agencies**

**GPC Agencies shall be:**

A. Responsible for all fire activity within their respective protection
boundaries, including initial attack and project support.

B. Responsible for interagency agreements to facilitate a cost effective
and responsive emergency management program, and the development of
Mobilization Guides, Operating Plans, Aviation and Safety Plans.

C. Responsible for preparedness in order to meet daily-anticipated fire
suppression requirements.

D. Responsible for ensuring adequate and timely staffing of all
incidents through the Interagency Dispatch System. This includes
overhead team requirements and Expanded Dispatch Organizations.

E. Responsible for maintaining all equipment and supplies to Agency and
National Fire Equipment Standards.

F. Responsible to assess and perform risk/benefit analysis prior to
requesting extensive night mobilization.

G. Responsible to ensure all resource requests are filled with FULLY
Qualified personnel.

H. Responsible for adequately informing GPC of all intelligence
regarding resources, weather, and incident information. This includes
anticipated critical fire situations or fire activity that may exhaust
unit response capabilities. This information will be utilized to provide
yearly statistical reports.

I. Responsible for complete and accurate documentation in support of
emergency activities and legal requirements.

J. Responsible for administrative details including training,
contracting, discipline, housing, time keeping, equipment, and any
project work for shared resources based on the unit.

K. Determine needs for prepositioning of forces or deviations from
approved and published staffing levels, and take appropriate action.
(This includes obtaining severity authorization approval and initiating
resource order request through the appropriate dispatch channels.)

L. Responsible for the active support of incidents by making qualified
personnel available for wildland and prescribed fire activities.

M. Responsible for providing the training and support to wildland and
prescribed fire personnel to assure safe, efficient, and effective
incident activities.

**12.4 Responsibilities of the GPC Fire Duty Officers**

Each Agency is responsible for providing a Fire Duty Officer (DO) and
will provide GPC the name of the duty officer with work and after hours
contact numbers. Such duty officers shall be available as scheduled

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578568 .anchor}**13 MOBILIZATION /
DEMOBILIZATION**

GPC will coordinate the movement of all resources in the Great Plains
Dispatch boundaries. GPC plans and executes a safe, rapid
mobilization/demobilization program to minimize fire costs, commensurate
with values at risk, and consistent with all agencies resource
management objectives. When GPC has depleted jurisdictional and mutual
aid resources, request for assistance shall be placed first with their
"neighbors" and second with RMC. The resource order form that is issued
from the Resource Ordering Status System (ROSS) will be used. When GPC
provides resources to RMC, units are responsible for ensuring the
resources being dispatched meet the criteria specified in the National
Wildfire Coordinating Group Qualification and Certification Handbook
(NWCG, PMS 310-1).

**13.1 Work Rest, Length of Assignment and Days Off**

**A. Work/Rest Guidelines**

Work/rest guidelines should be met on all incidents. Plan for and ensure
that all personnel are provided a minimum 2:1 work to rest ratio (for
every 2 hours of work or travel, provide 1 hour of sleep and/or rest).

Work shifts that exceed 16 hours and/or consecutive days that do not
meet the 2:1 work/rest ratio should be the exception, and no work shift
should exceed 24 hours. In situations where this occurs (for example,
initial attack), incident management personnel will resume 2:1 work/rest
ratio as quickly as possible.

The Incident Commander or Agency Administrator must justify work shifts
that exceed 16 hours and those that do not meet 2:1 work to rest ratio.
Justification will be documented in the daily incident records.
Documentation shall include mitigation measures used to reduce fatigue.

**B. Length of Assignment**

**1. Assignment Definition:** An assignment is defined as the time
period (days) between the first full operational period at the first
incident or reporting location on the original resource order and
commencement of return travel to the home unit.

**2**. **Length of Assignment:** Standard assignment length is 14 days,
exclusive of travel from and to home unit, with possible extensions
identified under Assignment Extension.

Time spent in staging and preposition status counts toward the 14-day
limit, regardless of pay status, for all personnel, including incident
management teams. (Refer to NMG 13.1 and IIBMH 10, Section 12.7-2).

Military battalions are mobilized on a 30 day commitment (including
training and travel), by prior agreement, as well as the Strike Team
Leader and Battalion Liaisons assigned to those units. Assignment to
FEMA incidents may also be extended to 30 days. However, Incident
Commanders will give strong consideration as to the health and
conditions of these crews and personnel by varying the intensity and
exposure of their assignments. Government and contract pilots will
adhere to the Interagency Interim Flight and Duty Limitations. (Refer to
RMG 24.16 and NMG 24.16)

**3. Day Off:** After completion of a 14 day assignment and return to
the home unit, two (2) mandatory days off will be provided (2 after 14).
(State regulations may preclude authorizing this for State employees.)
Days off must occur on the calendar days immediately following the
return travel in order to be charged to the incident. If the next day(s)
upon return from an incident is/are a regular work day(s), a paid day(s)
off will be authorized.

All length of assignment rules apply to aviation resources, including
aircraft pilots, notwithstanding the FAA and agency day-off.

Pay entitlement, including administrative leave, for a paid day(s) off
cannot be authorized on the individual's regular day(s) off at their
home unit. Agencies will apply holiday pay regulations as appropriate. A
paid day off is recorded on home unit time records according to agency
requirements.

Casuals (Ads) and contract resources are not entitled to paid day(s) off
upon release from the incident or at their point of hire.

Home unit Agency Administrators may authorize additional day(s) off with
compensation to further mitigate fatigue. If authorized, home unit
program funds will be used.

**4. Assignment Extension:** Assignments may be extended in situations
where life and property are imminently threatened, suppression
objectives are close to being met, a military battalion is assigned, or
replacement resources are unavailable or have not yet arrived. The IC
must perform a risk management process before considering extension of
the resource. The process will identify and document the risks involved
with extending the resource and fatigue counter measures employed. A
copy of the documentation should be provided to the individual(s).
(Refer to NWCG Exhibit 28.13)

The resource and their Geographic Area Coordination Center Manager, home
agency administrator and the IC must agree with the extension. The
Agreement Extension Form should be attached to timesheets.

Upon completion of the standard 14-day assignment, an extension of up to
an additional 14 days may be allowed (for a total of up to 30 days,
inclusive of mandatory days off and exclusive to travel).

Upon release from the assignment, regardless of extension duration, two
(2) mandatory days off will be provided immediately following the return
to the home unit and chargeable to the incident. (See above for
compensation of days off guidelines).

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578569 .anchor}**13.2 Incident Operations
Driving**

In the absence of more restrictive agency policy, these guidelines will
be followed during mobilization and demobilization of resources.
Individual agency driving policies shall be consulted for all other
non-incident driving.

**A.** Agency resources assigned to an incident or engaged in initial
attack fire response will adhere to the current agency work/rest policy
for determining length of duty day.

**B.** No driver will drive more than ten (10) hours (behind the wheel)
within any duty day. Multiple drivers in a single vehicle may drive up
to the duty day limitation, provided no driver exceeds the individual
driving (behind the wheel) time limitation of ten (10) hours.

**C.** A driver shall drive only if they have had at least eight (8)
consecutive hours off duty before beginning a shift.

**Exception**: Exception to the minimum off-duty hour requirement is
allowed when **essentia**l to:

1\. Accomplish **immediate** and **critical** suppression objectives, or

2\. Address **immediate** and **critica**l firefighter or public safety
issues.

**D.** As stated in the current agency work/rest policy, documentation
of mitigation measures used to reduce fatigue is required for drivers
who exceed sixteen (16) hour work shifts. This is required regardless of
whether the driver was still compliant with the ten (10) hour individual
(behind the wheel) driving time limitations.

**13.3 Initial Attack**

Initial Attack (I.A.) is defined as the first response of suppression
forces dispatched to wildfires under established and planned direction.
The forces are normally in sufficient amounts to successfully achieve
the appropriate management response without need for major
reinforcements in a reasonable period of time. (Refer to RMG 12.1.4)

Dispatching of Area initial attack resources within and across the
defined GPC boundaries shall comply with the following:

**A.** GPC has the authority to utilize the resources of adjoining units
within the GPC area as stated in the GPMG Ch. 21.

**B.** Mobilization will be within the legal authority of existing
formalized parent agreements. Cooperating units and centers must
specifically identify operating procedures in local operating plans.

**C.** Aircraft such as air tankers, helicopters, lead planes, smoke
jumper aircraft, etc. are considered initial attack resources when they
can be dispatched and arrive on scene within one hour of I.A. request.

**D.** Ground resources are considered initial attack resources when
they can be dispatched and arrive on scene within three hours of I.A.
request.

**E.** GPC will make notification of National and Area resources as
outlined in GPMG 13.6.

**F.** When it becomes evident that the incident will not be contained
or controlled during initial attack, the initial attack resources will
be formally requested on resource orders through established dispatch
channels.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578570 .anchor}**13.4 Resource Mobilization**

Orders for resources shall be initiated by the unit responsible for the
incident (prescribed fire, wildland fire, non-fire, etc). Resources must
be mobilized on Resource Orders by using the Resource Ordering Status
System (ROSS) and processed through established dispatch channels using
the standard National Coordination system. (Refer to NMG 13.4)

All resources mobilized beyond Initial Attack at their local area level
will adhere to NWCG Physical Fitness Standards.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578571 .anchor}**13.5 National and Area
Resources**

National/Area resources are those fire suppression resources whose
primary duties are for the National and Area support of fire incidents.

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| National Resources                |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| National Area Command Teams       | > Fire Weather RAWS Systems       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > National Type I Incident        | > Lead Planes                     |
| > Management Teams                |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type I Interagency Hotshot Crew | > Infrared Aircraft               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Smokejumpers                    | > Type 1 and 2 Helicopters        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > National Contract Mobile Shower | > National Contract Mobile Food   |
| > Units                           | > Services Units                  |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > NIRSC Telecommunication         | > Large Transport Aircraft        |
| > Components                      |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > ATMU                            | > Critical Cache Items            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Air tankers                     | > National Interagency Caches     |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Smokejumper Aircraft            | > Aerial Supervision Module       |
|                                   | > (ASM1)                          |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Modular Airborne Firefighting   | > National Contract Mobile        |
| > System (MAFFS)                  | > Commissary Services Units       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type 1 Buying Teams             |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Area Resources                  |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type 2 Incident Management      | > Type 3 Helicopters              |
| > Teams                           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type 1 RM/EB Buying Team        | > SEATS                           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type 2 Crews                    | > Cache Vans                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| > Type 2 Buying Teams             |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578572 .anchor}**13.6 Notification of Commitment
of National Resources**

Notification of commitment of National and Area resources will be
according to NMG 13.6 and RMG 13.6.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578573 .anchor}**13.7 Unable to Fill Procedure**

A 48 hour "unable to fill" policy exists nationally. RMC will return
requests to GPC with a '**UTF'** 48 hours after receipt unless notified
that the order can be filled. (Refer to NMG 13.7)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578574 .anchor}**13.8 Standard Cubes, Weight and
Gear Policy**

All personnel dispatched off their unit must conform to the following
limitations:

**A.** One frameless, soft pack not to exceed 45 pounds

**B.** Web gear or briefcase (not both) not to exceed 20 pounds

**C.** Maximum allowable crew weight, including equipment is 5100 lbs.

All personnel will adhere to weight limitations. Items that exceed
weights will be shipped home at individual's expense. **(**Refer to NMG
13.8 and RMG 13.8)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578575 .anchor}**13.9 Strike Teams/Task Forces**

Strike Teams and Task Forces will be formed at the local level. When
strike teams are ordered, every effort will be made to roster strike
teams in ROSS however; it is the discretion of the dispatcher to decide
which process will work best. The local dispatch office will be
responsible for assigning individual "E" request numbers to each of the
five engines making up the team. Dispatch will verify if a Strike Team
Leader (STEN) is needed. If a STEN is needed Dispatch will assign an "E"
and an "O" request number. When state engines are to be assigned, due to
administrative constraints, the overhead and engine requests should be
processed to the same state organization. RMA engines will be staffed
with (3) engine people, rather than the NWCG standard of two (2).
Engines ordered from outside the RMA will be ordered with three (2)
personnel for type 4, 5 and 6 engines and with (3) personnel for type 3
engines unless the incident specifically requests other staffing. GPC
uses two (2) personnel within the zone unless otherwise requested.
**(**Refer to NMG 13.9 and RMG 13.9)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc60578576 .anchor}

**13.10 Wildland Fire Weather Forecasts**

GPC will disseminate in a timely manner, all fire weather forecasts to
all firefighting personnel on all wildland fires in the GPC IA dispatch
area. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Rapid City, SD, Aberdeen,
SD, North Platte, NE and Cheyenne, WY provide fire weather forecasts for
our fire zones. The NWS office issues one (1) annual operating guide
that provides details about the fire weather zones, operational dates,
times and terminology.

**13.10.1 Fire Behavior Services**

The Rocky Mountain Area has an established Fire Behavior Analysts (FBAN)
network. FBAN\'s throughout the Area have been assigned specific areas
of responsibility. As fuel and fire behavior situations change, the FBAN
disseminates information through their network and to RMC who will make
further distributions to the field. The FBAN network provides area wide
fire behavior predictions weekly at Preparedness Level III and daily at
Preparedness Level IV and V.