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1. Responsibilities.
a. Regional Office. The Regional Forester is responsible for managing the Regional
situation management process. This is handled by the situation coordinator in the
Public Affairs Office. The coordinator will track developing and on-going
information pertinent to the Region. Developments will be submitted and analyzed
by appropriate Staff Directors, facilitated by the coordinator or Public Affairs
Director and Forest personnel. Action plans will be developed if necessary,
implemented if needed, and monitored.
Situation updates, will be submitted monthly by Forest Supervisors and Regional
Staff Directors. Updated situation notebooks will be distributed monthly to the
Regional Forester, Deputies and Staff Directors. Forests and directors will receive
the update monthly.
b. Forests. Forest Supervisors are responsible for establishing and implementing the
situation management process on their units and for managing developments as they
arise. New situations of local significance, or that have Regional implications, need
to be promptly submitted to the Regional Public Affairs Office for entry into the
notebook.
2. Definitions.
a. Situation. Any current or future development, conflict, or event that could disrupt
accomplishment of Forest Service objectives or programs.
b. Situation Recognition. Situations are recognized by employees and public at all
levels. Recognition may come through formal or informal business or social contacts,
mass media, impending legislation and individual concerns. All employees need to
be aware of and recognize events which have the potential of interrupting
management activities.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 1600-91-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/11/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1600 – INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1690 - INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
3. Situation Management Process.
a. Overview. Once a situation is recognized as being of significant, or potentially
significant local or Regional impact, it is relayed to the situation coordinator in the
Public Affairs Office with the following information:
(1) Topic
(2) Situation statement:
(3) Background information: (When, where, & how did the situation arise and
who is involved)
(a) Media coverage: (if any)
(b) Letters of concern: (if any)
(4) Brief analysis: (Why is this a situation for the Forest Service?)
(5) Current Forest Service position:
b. Analysis. Affected Staff Directors and Forest Supervisors are responsible for
developing of a strategy proposal which spells out a particular course of action for
management review and support. The strategy proposal will identify:
(1) Potential problems for the Region.
(2) Opportunities to get ahead of the situation.
(3) A team leader if an action plan needs to be developed.
c. Action Plan. The Plan will define the Regional response and/or policy on the
situation. It should:
(1) Identify the preferred alternative.
(a) Identify key contacts for and against issue.
(b) Identify need to make congressional contact.
(2) Contain a timeframe for implementation.
(3) Identify Forest officers responsible for making contacts (items a and b) and
monitoring.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 1600-91-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/11/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 1690 - INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
d. Monitor. To assess the effectiveness of action plans it should:
(1) Inform the situation coordinator monthly, or more often if needed, on the
current developments.
(2) Modify action plan as situation changes.
(3) Recommend removal of situation from notebook.