Northern Rockies
Fire Program Analysis (FPA)
Committee Charter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
PURPOSE .............................................................................................................. 3
II.
SCOPE OF ACTION ............................................................................................ 3
III.
MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION .......................................................... 3
Northern Rockies FPA Committee Charter
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IV.
RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................................... 4
V.
COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................ 5
VI.
OBLIGATION OF FUNDS ................................................................................. 6
VII.
APPROVAL .......................................................................................................... 6
Northern Rockies FPA Committee Charter
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I.
Purpose
The Fire Program Analysis (FPA) system supports analysis of alternative
organizations and strategies on an appropriate interagency landscape scale to
achieve fire management objectives in a cost effective manner. The FPA system
provides federal wildland fire agencies (federal agencies) with a common process
for fire management planning and budgeting. Therefore, the Fire Program
Analysis system must be developed and implemented through a coordinated
interagency effort in order to achieve an optimal level of program effectiveness.
In order to meet the needs of the federal wildland fire program provided by
federal policy guidance as well as Congressional and executive direction, the five
federal agencies began implementing FPA in June 2008 (policy references may be
found at http://www.fpa.nifc.gov/).
The purpose of this charter is to identify how the five federal wildland fire
agencies, and participating non-federal agencies, in the Northern Rockies
Geographic Area (NRGA) will organize themselves for successful
implementation of FPA. This charter establishes the understanding that each
agency agrees to serve as a participant in the implementation of the FPA system
by developing and enhancing working relationships to promote a coordinated
interagency effort. While only federal wildland fire agencies are obligated to
implement FPA, continued participation from the States (Montana, Idaho, South
Dakota, and North Dakota) will be encouraged.
II.
Scope of Action
The scope of the Northern Rockies FPA Committee (NR FPAC) is to provide
guidance, advice, monitoring and assistance to field units in the interagency
implementation of FPA. FPA is an interagency analysis that includes an
aggregation of all lands being considered in the analysis called a Fire Planning
Unit (FPU).
Twelve Interagency FPUs have been identified in the Northern Rockies and are
listed in the NR FPAC Annual Operating Plan (AOP). Contact information for
the lead in each FPU can also be found in the NR FPAC AOP. The AOP tiers to
this Charter.
III.
Membership and Organization
The NR FPAC will consist of a core group comprised of representatives from
each federal wildland fire agency within the Northern Rockies. However if an
agency within the Northern Rockies has neither land administered nor budgeted
resources owned by units under their office included in a NR FPU, then they
would be represented on a FPAC in another geographic area. NR FPAC members
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are typically the fire planning representative at a Department of Interior agency
Regional/State office or Forest Service Regional office. Agreement on issues or
processes will be made by consensus (vote) of the federal wildland fire agencies.
Voting authority will reside with and consist of, one representative from each of
the five federal wildland fire agencies. In instances where voting is necessary,
each agency must submit a unified vote to ensure there are no “ties”. Consensus
on issues will be sought as the primary means of agreement, but may not always
be attainable. Participating non-federal cooperators are encouraged to attend
meetings in a non-voting, advisory role, to provide input into the decision-making
process.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the NR FPAC will be chosen by the committee
members and approved by the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group (NRCG).
These positions may rotate on an annual basis, or as deemed appropriate by the
FPAC and the NRCG. There will be an agency rotation for the positions so that
the agencies share in providing leadership to the committee. Different committee
members may take the lead on individual tasks or projects, which will be
determined on an as-needed basis.
Agency membership of the NR FPAC as well as names and contact information
for members can be found in the NR FPAC Annual Operating Plan.
Subject matter specialists may be requested periodically to participate with the
committee. They would serve as advisors providing input on specialty subjects
and assignments to benefit all the FPU’s within Northern Rockies. Examples are
GIS support, training, aviation, etc.
IV.
Responsibilities
The Northern Rockies Coordinating Group’s primary responsibility is to provide
coordination, assistance and monitoring of FPA implementation for all agencies
consistently and fairly. Issues, problems, and concerns raised by FPUs are
expected to be solved at the lowest management level. Where this is not possible,
those issues may be brought to the NRCG for elevation to the appropriate national
level representatives (FPA and/or agency fire management).
Line Officers at the various levels, from the FPU to the state/regional level to the
national level, are ultimately responsible for dispute resolution among partnering
agencies. If any FPU runs into a dispute among the partner agencies FPU
representatives that cannot be resolved by the FPU, then that dispute is elevated
by the FPU representatives to the next level of agency line management for
resolution. However, where possible the NR FPAC will facilitate this process
working with the agencies to resolve the conflict.
The NR FPAC’s primary responsibility is to provide consistent information flow
to all FPUs from and to the National FPA Team. This information flow also
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includes the gathering and disseminating of information that will help FPUs
implement FPA, schedule training or workshops, and disseminate Tech Tips and
other pertinent information from the National FPA Project. The committee serves
as a collection point for information, including issues/problems/concerns that may
arise during the implementation of FPA.
Responsibilities of the NR FPAC include the following:
Assist with FPU boundary re-alignment or changes by coordinating with
the National FPA Project leads, local FPU teams and neighboring
geographic areas as necessary.
Promote consistency between FPUs whenever possible through the
development and distribution of program tools and aids that are consistent
with inter-agency direction.
Promote and facilitate effective communication between Northern Rockies
FPUs and the National level FPA Project.
Assist with the resolution of issues through consistent coordination with
the FPA Project, agency representatives, States, or other appropriate
entities.
Review this Charter annually to ensure compliance and accuracy and
revise only when needed.
Update the Annual Operating Plan each year for the NR FPAC and submit
to the NRCG Chair.
Participate in monitoring of FPA implementation as necessary.
Coordinate/facilitate NRGA after-action reviews, complete reports, or
compile lessons learned as deemed necessary and appropriate to ensure
successful/effective implementation of FPA among the agencies
Implement a certification process and ensure all FPU runs are certified in a
consistent and timely manner.
Develop and implement procedures for review or audit of alternatives for
submission to the national budget, ensuring compliance with national
budget direction.
V.
Communication
The FPA Committee members representing their respective agency are
responsible for ensuring timely communication with their agency at appropriate
levels. A representative of the FPA Committee will participate in GA Lead
conference calls, and will disseminate information to FPUs in a timely manner.
Committee meetings and conference calls will be scheduled on an as-needed
basis. The Chair is responsible for scheduling these meetings and conference
calls. Members may request that a conference call or meeting be scheduled
through the Chair as needed. Each committee member or an acting representative
is responsible for attending meetings and/or conference calls.
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VI.
Obligation of Funds
This document is not a legal instrument that authorizes the obligation of funds.
VII.
Approval
This charter is effective on the date of signature. The signatory of this Charter is the
Chair of the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group whom, through consensus represents
the agency partners, and has been delegated this authority through the respective
agencies. By signing, the signature indicates agreement, and support of the Northern
Rockies Coordinating Group and commitment to the successful implementation of the
Fire Program Analysis system within the Northern Rockies.
/s/
Cory Winnie
Chair, Northern Rockies Coordinating Group
Northern Rockies FPA Committee Charter
12/14/2011
Date
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