PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP
COMMUNICATION, PREVENTION & INVESTIGATION WORKING TEAM
MISSION:
To promote a better understanding of wildland fire through communication, prevention and
investigation using a coordinated interagency effort.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
1. Provide focus and direction, emphasizing the importance of education in the overall
wildland fire management programs.
a. Facilitate fire prevention efforts that reduce loss and suppression costs.
b. Support and enhance relationships with national, state, regional, tribal and local
partners.
c. Support the efforts of public information officers.
2. Foster interagency cooperation, coordination and communication in the areas of
prevention, investigation and public information dissemination.
a. Promote training and standards in coordination with the Steering Committee
and the Training Working Team.
b. Facilitate information among prevention, information and investigation officers
within the region.
c. Provide support to other working teams and perform tasks as assigned by the
Steering Committee.
3. Provide expertise in communication, prevention and investigation as related to wildland
fire and community outreach.
a. Work to reduce the incidence of unwanted human-caused wildfires by
advocating personal responsibility.
b. Promote fuel management education in the Pacific Northwest.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Working Team will be composed of one representative from each of the following
agencies: Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Office of State
Fire Marshal, Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Washington Department of
Natural Resources. The working team may invite other agencies or organizations to participate
as ad hoc members.
OFFICERS:
The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall serve one year terms. The Vice-Chairperson shall
advance to the position of Chairperson after completion of a one year term or upon vacancy of
the Chairperson. At the first meeting of the year a vice-chair will be elected.
OFFICER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Chairperson
 Responsible for administrative action to ensure mission attainment for the working
team; assign tasks groups as needed.
 Establish the time and place for all working team meetings.
 Request attendance of specially qualified individuals for any working team meeting.
 Represent the Working Team in dealings with the Steering Committee.
 Assemble, correlate and otherwise prepare all material to be acted upon by the working
team.
 Ensure meeting notes are taken and distributed.
Vice-Chairperson
 Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson during the absence of the
Chairperson.
 Act as a clearing house for progress reports, recommendations and information on
committee activities. Record, edit, file and distribute working team meeting notes.
All Members
 Responsible for active participation in Working Team meetings and projects.
 Responsible for developing and reporting upon projects as assigned.
 Give assistance, as requested by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and review
information submitted by other group members.
 Serves as a conduit between the Working Team and respective agency personnel to
inform them of working team actions and keep them posted on current progress and
new developments.
MEETINGS:
Regular meetings will be held at least quarterly or more frequently if deemed necessary.
QUORUM:
A minimum number of 4 organizations need to be represented to conduct a meeting: Forest
Service representative, Oregon state representative, Washington state representative, and one
Department of the Interior agency representative (BLM, BIA, Fish and Wildlife, or the Park
Service). Proposals requiring a vote shall have the same minimum composition.