Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group
Operations Committee
Meeting notes: January 27, 2016
Committee members present via call: Ted Pierce (NWCC), John Szulc (BIA), Greg Funderburk
(NPS), Lonnie Click (WA – Fire Service), Kevin Kleinworth (WA-DNR), Joe Krish (BLM), Steve
Rawlings (USFS), Bobbie Scopa (PNWCG Liaison)
Absent: Karen Swearingen (ODF), Bob Madden (OR-Fire Service), Brian Gales (FWS),
Guests: None
**Reviewed November meeting notes.
Existing Business
Deliberate Risk Assessment (DRA):
Noel Livingston and Rawlings distributed survey regarding DRA to field users (IC’s, Captains group,
AA’s) to solicit feedback. Small work group led by Noel will insure that by the spring Team meetings in
March 2016 the geographic area will have one template to utilize. It will be left to each IMT or unit to
determine DRA process for examining risk, intent is to have a standard template provide a consistent tool
for communicating with users.
November Action: Rawlings/Gales will insure completion through Noel and roll out of template at Team
training in March. Post approved DRA on the NWCC-MAC Web Page (Pierce).
20150127 Update: Propose standard template for teams to use. (Don’t want to invade team processes.)
Template should be available by team meeting in March. Intent to have resources receive a consistent
message from all PNW Teams. (Steve and Brian)
Geo Board and IC Council Update:
Downsized Interagency T2 IMT’s from nine to eight in 2016. ICAPS is now open for the two Type 1
and eight T2 interagency Teams. Consistent messages from IC interviews – Theater of operations was
good, additional info to define process requested, Area command insulated teams from AA’s and reduced
complete communication and info sharing, good relationships with READS and AA’s. Private
landowner law discussion, briefing to occur at Team training. ICAPS extended through December 21st.
November Action: (Need lead POC for this) Add agenda Item in January to look at crew contract,
opportunity for contract OVHD, local logging equipment and increased utilization of fire service outside
of state mobilization and conflagration. Potential contacts Incident Business Team and NWSA rep.
20150127 Update: This topic is an attempt to capture (WA State, Local, Municipal) equipment for
greater utilization in the interagency environment. Currently, resources are available in database without
a method to dispatch. These resources are “Blue Card” certified, but not recognized by NWCG. Lots of
dead ends that need to be worked through at Olympia. Rewriting WA mobilization plan. Resources will
need to be NWCG qualified. (Must meet 310-1 qualifications). Field representative will be assigned to
incidents with these resources. (Lonnie) (Not action, just update)
Private Landowner Law: WA, 70+ pieces of new legislation proposed. Landowner Liaison needed,
Law Enforcement may be the best liaison. County Emergency Manager could be liaison.
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Discussion for Team meeting. (Need to have OPS CHIEF breakout prior to OPS breakout.)
Invite landowner representatives to team meeting.
We need to be sensitive during conversations to not offend landowner representatives.
ACTION: This group needs to suggest topics for discussion at Team meeting. (GALES
send to SEAN SHELDON)
20150127 Update: Team selections on 1/26, continue to have vacancies on teams even with reduction in
total number of teams. Discussion of ICT1, discussion of AK resources (pooling resources and working
on rotation.) Continued shortages in Key Locations, (Only 2 ICT2 Trainees, and 0 ICT1 Trainees)
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Need to look at applicants for primary positions that were not selected.
May consider filling vacancies on Teams 6-9 (OR Teams) with team members from WA.
Discussion of combining alternate pool with AK alternate pool.
Discussion of rules for Drawdown of teams.
Discussion of mobilization and transfer of command timelines.
Alaska Team Letter:
Alaska Coordinating Group letter to PNWCG on hold until Bobbie returns from AK. This should remain
with PNWCG or Geo Board.
November Action: Scopa transfer the request to the Geo Board as OWT has limited to no involvement
with IMT oversight. Pierce/Gales will look for 2013 process document for supporting positions on
Alaska Teams with individuals from PNW.
20150127 Update: Geoboard moving forward with this.
 PNWCG going to task PNW OWT and GEOBOARD with AK Team Topics. (We began working
on this in 2012.)
 If they need help from OWT, they may ask.
 Shared alternate pool and shared training pool for 2016 Fire Season.
520 Nomination Process completed for 2017 Class:
OWT no longer provides oversight for T1 IMT’s, S520 nomination process should transfer to new
oversight.
November Action: Szulc to pass this process to the Geo Board to work with IC Council and Training
Working Team to determine who takes ownership of 520 processes in order to stay ahead of needs. Geo
Board should oversee PNW application process for 2017 course.
20150127 Update: No action to date…Does this belong with Geoboard? It should not sit with Ops
because of our limited scope within Operational Functional area. Geoboard and ICs have greater
knowledge of potential S520 candidates.
ACTION: Szulc will present this to Geoboard. (Write an official correspondence to GeoBoard)
Purpose and Focus of Operations Committee (OWT)
Meeting in January to pull out charter and make sure we know what we need to focus on, what is
important to us, and how can we best serve the firefighters.
Action: OWT come to January meeting prepared to discuss/develop POW for 2016 and beyond. What
can and should we take on and lead up through PNWCG to enhance operations and fire management in
the PNW.
20150127 Update: SEE BELOW REGARDING OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ROLE
Charter: (Hardcopy Edits)
PNWCG / OPS LIAISON
Bobbie accepting new position and Brian no longer active at PNWCG will require new liaison.
November Action: Scopa provide replacement name before leaving current position.
20150127 Update: (Suggestion to keep it simple: Whoever fills in behind Bobbie will sit as PNWCG
liaison.) (Should be from SORO)
ALL HAZARD COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS AND MOBILIZATION:
Type 3 Response more often than Type 1 or Type 2
November Action: (Click) to bring info to January meeting.
20150127 Update: (WA mob plan has wildland fire and all hazard complexity analysis) (Lonnie Suggestion that PNW Mob Guide include “NIMS All Hazard Complexity Analysis.”) (Ted - PNW Mob
Guide could have a link to the NIMS Analysis) (Intent of providing consistency across agencies and
teams.)
ACTION: (Lots of Mob Guides out there, need someone to point all of these to the same place, the
NIMS Analysis.) Propose that PNWCG accept the NIMS Complexity Analysis is available
consistently through all Mob Guides in addition to NWCG Wildland Fire Complexity Analysis.
(Lonnie) (Part of Program of Work)
Monitor Consistencies of various mob guides throughout PWR.
Task Order (1410-02) for Type 2 Crew Requirements:
Waiting for PNWCG to give specific direction and elaborate on task and its end state.
November Action: Gales to request through PNWCG liaison the current need for this tasking. Does
PNWCG want OWT to look at a new balance for Type of crews in the PNW. Tie this with crew contract
evaluation discussion.
20150127 Update: Talk of lessening Type 2 IA crew standards, Need to bolster not lessen Type 2 IA
standard. Talk of Type 1 Contract Crews, Do we need more Type 1 Crews and are Contract Type 1
Crews the answer?
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Should Agency Crews have the same standard as Contract Crews?
Red Book Standards are not consistent with Contract Standards (Contract Standards are tougher)
Contractors pushing for Type 1 Contract Crews
ACTION: Need to review PNWCG Task Order for Crews.
Goal for Tasking: Make recommendation to PNWCG to take forward to NWCG.
Agreed that Agency and Contract crews meet the same standard for Type 2 IA. (Steve and Ted)
(Formalize) (Part of POW)
PNWCG PL5: FAST Team Report
Expect taskings in the future to the PNW working teams from report findings through PNWCG.
20150127 Update: Nothing at this time…
Wildland Fire Modules
November Action: (Rawlings) Consider Briefing Sheet: Capability and Use of Wildland Fire Modules
20150127 Update:
National look at what’s available by geographic area and order history.
Interest in establishing Type 1 modules within PNW. (Is there a need?)
BIA (Warm Springs) is attempting to establish a module. (Has hired several positions.)
“It’s all about funding.”
Fuels Funded? (NPS has had problems with this.) (USFS could “lock down” modules during prescribed
fire season to avoid potential conflicts with fuels funding.)
ACTION: Funderburk reach out to NPS modules to see if a briefing paper exists.
(Part of Program of Work) (Research for future needs)
Short Haul
Action: Is there a need for white paper educating firefighters on the use and expectation of Short-haul.
Are all other options considered first (ground transport, heli-spot and etc.)
20150127 Update:
Firefighters are becoming accustomed to having short haul as an option.
Should short haul aircraft be assigned to incidents?
Short haul capable aircraft can be utilized for other missions on active incidents. (Short-haul mission on
request.)
Agreed: Briefing paper is needed.
ACTION: Need to educate OPS on the use of Short-haul. (Someone should talk with aviation
group.) Write email to Bobbie or call Aaron Schoolcraft to request aviation committee take care of
this.) Joe and Steve will talk to Aaron.
POW – Research, Briefing Sheets, etc.
Type 3 Teams
Out of area teams prepositioned several times during 2015 and generally utilized with good results.
Use of local IMT3s sometimes drains local leadership.
Suggestion for our GACC to provide IMT3s for out of area use. (SW or AK specifically)
November Action: Develop Briefing Sheet (Click) Standardization of IMT3s and Utilization inside and
outside of GACC, potential to formalize a Washington and Oregon T3 IMT.
20150127 Update:
 Standardization (New standards in 310-1) (Many folks lacking new Type 3 standards)
 DRAFT – briefing paper available. (Nate LeFeuvre) Proposal: Two Type 2 Teams identified in
PNW and statused as such. CGAC memo regarding IMT Configuration Alternatives.
RESPONSE: Build capability by utilizing the teams that already exist.
 WA has approximately 7 organized Type 3 teams (some agency personnel supporting DNR
involvement)
 Continued desire to build Ad-hoc Type 3 teams on emerging incidents.
 Teams mobilizing outside of GACC required to meet new 310-1 Standard.
POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION: Need to standardize the Type 3 team standard for “status” through
GACC. (Lots of folks working independently to create Type 3 Teams. How can we pull this together?)
Formalization of standard team configuration (roster and qualifications) and standard mobilization
protocols.
CLARIFIED ACTION: Develop a standard configuration (number and qualifications) for PNW
Type 3 Teams to mobilize within and outside of the GACC. (Lonnie)
Medical Response Protocol:
Insure agencies continue to require page 108 from IRPG as part of the medical plan.
November Action: Add to package for out of geographic area teams and mention during AA session at
Team training.
20150127 Update:
Consistent within R6. Out of GACC resources not familiar with our SOPs.
POW – Work to ensure standardization. (REVIEW and Perhaps request that PNWCG take to NWCG or
AAs)
SUMMARIZE PROGRAM OF WORK:
Deliberate Risk Assessment (DRA):
 Propose Standard Template for all PNW Teams to Use
 Provide Template for Agency Administrators to provide to Out of Area Teams
All Hazard Complexity Analysis:
 Propose that PNWCG accept the NIMS Complexity Analysis as the standard for All-Hazard
Response
 Once accepted, Ops. Comm. will work to incorporate the NIMS Analysis into all PNW
Mobilization Guides as the standard for All-Hazard Response.
Mobilization Guides
 Monitor consistency of Mobilization Guides throughout PNW
 Incorporate NIMS All-Hazard Complexity Analysis (See Above)
Task Order (1410-02) Type 2 Crew Requirements
 Review PNWCG Task Order for Crews
 Recommend to PNWCG that Crew Standard should be the same for Contract and Agency Crews.
(Request PNWCG take this to NWCG for standardization)
Wildland Fire Modules
 Develop Briefing Paper on the Capabilities and Use of Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules
(WFM)
 Provide guidance for agencies to determine the need for WFM in PNW.
Short-haul
 Develop Briefing Paper on the Capabilities, Limitations, and Appropriate use of Short-haul
capable aircraft from agencies and cooperators.
Type 3 Teams
 Develop a standard configuration (number and qualifications) for PNW IMT3s to status and
mobilize within and outside of the GACC.
Medical Response Protocol
 PNW Teams utilizing standardized 9 Line for Incident Medical Response
 Provide Agency Administrators with the 9 Line Template for Out of Area Teams
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Need to discuss/develop consistent level of incident medical support throughout PNW. (Line
Qualified EMT, Ambulance, etc.)
NEW BUSINESS:
Relevancy and Purpose of Group
1. Additional Representation? (Aviation Rep., IC Rep., All-Hazard Rep.) Sometimes these roles are
represented by existing committee members. Sometimes we may need to invite additional
members to represent these roles. Reach out to other PNWCG committees as necessary.
2. Where does our tasking originate:
 Direct from PNWCG
 Elevation from field/unit concerns
 Safety
 Operational Efficiency
 BIG tasks, and little tasks
 Open Communication amongst committee members
Incident Medical Support: Need to discuss consistency with incident medical support. Line Qualified,
Ambulance, etc.
Agency Update
USFS:
 Meeting with Regional Forester: Twisp River
 Fire-Hire (centralized) R1, R3, R4, R5, R6 moving this direction.
 2017, R6 will use centralized Fire-Hire.
 GS-08 FEO Upgrades (PFT)
 Engine Academy?
 Looking at Fire Season, Regional Forester, engagement.
 Regional Line Officer Team looking at post season learning sessions.
 Dispatch – Look at options for consolidation of Dispatch Centers
 Bobbie going on 120 day detail. (Filling behind with Detailer.)
 Larry Sutton in Gage’s position (AD of Operations)
 Craig Glaser (AD of Resource Integration)
BLM:
 Short-haul exploration (wait and see what USFS does.)
 Hiring
DNR:
 Trying to acquire additional funding…Plea for $25 million (pre-recession level)
 Need additional dispatch, Engines
 Upcoming meetings: (NW Compact, Hands Across the Border)
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Personnel Changes (Want to hire ADM of Operations and ADM of Aviation)
NPS:
 Large Fire Reviews, and Large Fire Cost Review ongoing from 2015 fire season.
 Mt. Ranier NP, short-haul aircraft up for 2016 Fire Season
BIA:
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Dolly Davis and Terry Retired from NWCC
Lynn Dias retired
Fuels Position filled (Steve Hepner)
Fall FMO meeting in Spokane
o Tribes concerned with attaining resources during PL5. Looking for a solution to
serve smaller agencies.
o Prioritizing fires based on resource values, economic, cultural, spiritual significance.
o Dispersed housing in WUI. (How do you weight dispersed tribal housing vs. summer
homes, etc.)
o Push to move from 4 tier Dispatch System to 3 tier Dispatch System. (1 qualified
aircraft dispatcher with PNW BIA) (Push for interagency cooperation relevant to
Dispatch and Aircraft dispatch.)
NWCC:
 Possible Details for 2016 fire season (filling behind retirement vacancies)
 Annual report coming out in mid-February
 Call for mob-guide updates currently out…Plan to send to printers in April for Distribution on
May, 1.
Washington Fire Service:
 Type 3 Team Development
 Legislature in Session:
o WA Fire Chiefs seeking funding.
o EMS
o Restructure of 1% limit for Fire Districts (1% of Tax Base for Fire Districts)
o Rural Fire Authority – Not as much revenue as a Fire District
o Haz-Mat
o North Bend Training Center
o WA State Fire Marshalls Office looking for additional support and personnel.
o Fireworks Regulations
o Amphitheater Surcharge – Increased Call Volume due to events.
Oregon Fire Service:
USFWS:
February Meeting:
February 17th at NWCC, 0900 (Need to verify location)
2016 Operations Working Team Members and Chair Order
Brian Gales – USFWS representative (Chairperson)
Steve Rawlings – USFS representative (Vice Chairperson)
Karen Swearingen – ODF representative
Lonnie Click – WA Fire Service representative
Greg Funderburk – NPS representative
John Szulc – BIA representative
Robert Madden - OR Fire Service representative
Joe Krish – BLM representative
Kevin Kleinworth – DNR representative
Ted Pierce – Dispatch Rep.
Bobbie Scopa – PNWCG Steering Liaison
John Ketchum – Ad Hoc member