PNWCG Meeting
January 21, 2015
Northwest Coordination Center
Attending:
FS – David Summer
BLM – Bobbie Scopa
BIA – Brian Tonihka
FWS – Proxy to BIA
NPS – Proxy to BLM
ODF – Doug Grafe
DNR – Bob Johnson, Mary Verner
OSFM – Proxy to WSP
WFM – Bill Slosson, Chuck LeBlanc, Assistant State Fire Marshall - Prevention
OFS – Proxy to WSP
WFS – Dennis Mason
Guests: Nick Giannettino
Leaders Intent – Create a smooth transition with both state partners – still need to identify a FWS & NPS rep. The
transition needs to be slow, open & honest as we move forward. PNWCG has a challenging workload this year with the
Feb 18 simulation, geoboard up and operational, and the program of work (Feb. 19). Need to prioritize as we move
forward. Value added and play to our strengths.
November Minutes – changes/corrections to Dan by Friday, January 23.
Tracking Commitments –
1. A. Process updated by IMT in April – ready by May
B. (enough T2 Crews) – no report out
C. (base camp development) Business group on radar
D. Uncertain of status
2. Not assigned. David – conversation with new GeoBoard and will work with Ops board for leverage
3. Dale retired and concern about support to PNWCG. Denise Blankenship will track down the mapping – David to
follow-up
4. David - Empower the GeoBoard and will discuss at the first meeting at the end of January
5. David – Albert was lead and need to ask ourselves if it is needed – Bob Johnson will assist
6. David - would like to get the video out and say a personal thank-you – Dan will make the first cut at a letter for
David to expedite.
Hot Topics:
Washington GeoBoard Closeout recognigtion – working on recognition to be presented at team training. Costs to be
split with DNR and WFS. It will bring closure to group. David will see what needs to be done for the Oregon GeoBoard
based on Washington’s response.
Redmond Air Center Report – David handed out the accomplishment report. Additional copies left with Dan
As of 2 days ago 55 million to augment the FS budget from Hazardous Fuels – room for special projects to utilize
money. Projects due Friday. Looking at projects regionally.
Staff updates at NWCC – 3 qualified candidates for Fire Analyst Position. Hope to have a selection by next week. Dolly
and Terry have announced 2015 as their last season.
DNR to talk about best value contract and how we mobilize with local contractors –
Interior Sec. Order - Sage grouse – habitat vs. timber – issued to Tribal leaders
Exec Simulation Update – Events in the last few years led to localized simulations for groups to work together and how
engagement worked throughout states, regions, and agencies. The idea was to get the executive group together and
have a simulation that tested the threshold that leads to engagement. It will be a high stress environment with variable
factors and conditions. The planning group has been working since last August to develop the simulation that will occur
on February 18 at the Embassy Suites. The 2014 AAR challenged ourselves to do better when we went to a PL4 & PL5.
Our job was to anticipate what next – PL6? A challenge for our executives to see what would happen with the decision
process and how prioritizing is utilized for the severity of the incident. The PNWCG group needs to be the conduit to be
sure the proper representatives from the participating agencies are involved and informed. This will trust our
relationships, communications and our trust. A collective lesson’s learned type document to be pushed out to other
GACC’s.
Dan – I don’t think I captured all of the list correctly
ODF – Doug Decker , Karen (?), Nancy Hirsch, Doug Grafe (would like one observer)
WSP– Dave LaFave + 2 ( Wayne Center?)
FS – Jim Pena, Becky Heath, Tracy Top (sp)(exec assistant), David Summer
BLM – Jerry Perez (State Director), Teresa Hanley, Bobbie Scopa, Mike Haske (Deputy State Director for Natural
Resources), Jeff Fredrizzi
BIA – Brian Tonihka, Boddie Shaw
OFSM – Decision hasn’t been made – Mark plus 1
OFM – Marianna and maybe Jim Walker + 1 (Heidi Moan – Governor’s office)
DNR – State Forester (name) , Mary Verner, Bob Johnson and possibly Jerry Day as an observer
FWS – Bret Fave, Brian Gales & Kevin G (?)
NPS - Todd Johnson
WFM – State Fire Marshall , Assistant Fire Marshall, Deputy Fire Marshall and possibly one more
NIFC – 1 or 2 more possible NMAC rep (Dan will follow up)
February Workshop – February 19 at Embassy Suites – Need to reconnect with committees. Allow time for the
committees to talk to allow the transformation to the new strategy. All PNWCG members need to review
Transformation paper. David would like an additional facilitator so Dan can listen and participate. Carla has been asked.
A letter needs to be drafted to set up the Feb. 19th meeting.
9:00-10:00
PNWCG meet
10:00 – Begin
A report out from the 18th – Bridge lessons learned from simulation– David – possibly others
We need to be deliberate about letting folks know who we are – 5 new members of PNWCG. Spend some time with
introductions
AM Report out from Committees
What are you working on?
What 2015 items do PNWCG need to weigh in on?
What are the long term issues that need to be prioritized?
After Lunch
PNWCG report out
Transformation
Accomplishment
Issues
Dialogue with committees
a. Begin setting up next steps for strategic planning
b. Possibly asking committee chairs to assist with POW
February Expectations:
What is the PNWCG?
a. Defining our roles and POW
b. Why, PNWCG
Dan – will set up a room for folks attending can meet from 8-10 on Feb. 19th. Dan will also work with Carla on agenda
and will draft a letter for committee chairs regarding their expectations for the meeting.
NWSA Letter –Background: NWSA asked to meet with ODF to discuss the T2 contract. They were disappointed with
PNWCG’s approach to the new model and thought it was a step back. They wanted the face-time with the entire
PNWCG. Bobbie – we would expect their disappointment, but that doesn’t mean we need to go back to the previous
model. This has led to David to talk about the “partnership” at the NWSA conference.
Letter addresses the main topic of concern regarding on-line training. How do we hold people accountable?
Bobbie - PNWCG should stay consistent with National standards. On-line training is an acceptable training avenue. We
have not received anything in writing from people opposed to on-line training.
We need to acknowledge the letter we received, address concerns and the position of PNWCG - we embrace National
Standards. National policy makes sense and we as PNWCG will be following National standards.
David will take letter to CiCi for the contracting staff to draft a reply. PNWCG reviewed the online training; we discussed
and will continue to follow the National standard. Send to all 9 Associations on PNWCG letterhead.
Other concerns from the Contractor Mtg:
- Contactors feel that Task Force leaders and Division Sups are holding folks on the line to get their 16 hours.
(possible feedback to IMT’s at annual meeting)
- ICPI – behavior on the fire – being accused of inappropriate comments (anti-contractor type comments) to
contractors and lack of knowledge of resources/equipment. Not projecting professionalism
- They want consistency between the VIPR agreements and ODF
- They think water tender operators, dozer and other heavy equipment operators need to take S130,S190 and at
least the light pack test.
IMT Management
AK T1 IMT in NW rotation - Coordinating Group Advisory Council – Doug Alexander
Doug would like to get the AK T1 team more exercise and coordinate with PNW rotation. It has worked in other GACC’s.
AK doesn’t have a deep pool and would like to also utilize your folks to fill in vacancies within their team.
Bobbie’s concerns: I understand the pool is shallow and sometimes there is overlap in T1 & T2 teams – we don’t have a
deep pool as well. Maybe at some point we look at throwing everyone in the same pool to fill teams. Implementation?
Questions/issues that Ops need to digest. Doug understands the concerns, but for right now give it a try to see how it
can work. There is a lot of details, but believes the operations group should take the lead on the details.
ODF Doug – this is not a new idea – a draft with particulars was created approximately 3 years ago. Focus was on
resource sharing. The reason it did not go through is that the task was to just look at it. Timing is an issue because of our
transition to one Geo Board. We need to be sure that we can get our own rotation correct before we add to it.
Intent: trying to get into the rotation, develop a relationship and to fill deficiencies. Would like to incorporate the
governance into one.
Bobbie: If we gave both Ops committee a task to explore opportunities for AK & NW: integrating the rotation,
opportunities to combine teams, integrating governance (T1 first and then a phased approach for all teams) & timeline –
would this be adequate to move this forward? Doug agrees that this is a start.
Draft a tasking letter and proceed. I don’t know if this was assigned to anyone?
National IMT Rotation - as part of the EIM process.
FYI - Alternatives put together by the GACC Managers. This document is a draft and interest in developing a rotation
that makes sense. The intent is to take it on – no task has been assigned.
Every Geographical area can make decisions outside the National rotation when conditions warrant.
ACIC Survey – FYI – passed out to read and be aware that it exists. Future discussions may be needed.
Notes from the GACGAC Meeting –
Highlights – updated IMSR – issues with containment issues/suppressed, etc. New large fires changed to New Large
Incidents. In the incident table, the “Ctn” column refers to % Containment for incidents on which line is being
constructed 100% of the distance around the incident. The “Comp” refers to % Completion of objectives for incidents
that will not be constructing line completely around the perimeter. All Incident Table reports acres and resources on all
reporting incidents—some entries may only periodically update rather than update daily. 6 minutes to Safety is shifted
to the back of the report.
Multiple coaching will be needed as we approach the season – Topic for IMT meeting.
Task group redefining PL levels – making it more understandable with the data we use.
EIM – big message, no decisions have been made. Approach has been softened and the number of teams has changed
to each GACC having as many as they can support. Closer to the status quo and more to do with succession.
Area Command – reduce number of teams to three. Joe Stutler was quick to say their skills are not appreciated or
desired. Need to look at what is best. How does NIMO relate to Area Command.
310-1 – trying to develop speed to competency – become qualified at a faster rate without deteriorating
Interagency Dispatch Implementation Project – implementation project with main focus on SME group, IT and
governance.
Clarification needed using Fire Department personnel – less than full time
Tribal Crews and where they stand in prioritization vs. contract crews. Tribal Enterprise and get out from under the BIA
– concern with dispatch order.
Increase of concern with discipline issues with crews – conversation regarding one person vs. whole crew
National Standards for Incident Stress Management Peer support
Geographic Area Training Representatives (GATR) has piloted a project for prioritizing trainees on fires. Started in NW
and has spread to other GATR’s.
Unprotected Lands Update – Background – E. OR & E WA there is no jurisdiction/responsibility/authority for many
agencies. ODF wrote a white paper around the policy issues – 10 years ago. In places like Central Oregon, the BLM is
showing up and functioning outside their scope of responsibilities and can be held responsible. The BLM is looking at the
problem and updating the situation by way of a report from a contractor. The hope is an interagency group to put
together to review of what was found/presented in the report.
PNWCG Updates Facilitator – primarily FS & BLM have covered – interest was minimal. David is still trying and moving forward. Still need
to decide if we want to continue to reach out or contract.
Last meeting it was decided that Albert would be the Vice-Chair. Albert left the group – need a replacement. The
replacement would have some standing with the group for at least a year. However, with all the changes we need to
identify a Vice-Chair and a potential replacement for David as Chair. David would try to spend quality time with the ViceChair for succession.
Vice Chair – A new person could step in and in a year have enough time to take the Chair position.
Chair (possible June exit or late fall exit) – possible to appoint an interim
Co-Lead Geo Board – Bob Johnson can commit to the Geo Board. DNR and FS will be the liaisons to the GeoBoard
Proposed for continuity of leadership – Jeff or Bobbie step into Chair for the duration of David’s tenure and a Vice-Chair
be appointed and after a year step into the Chair position. David will figure it out and bring to group for decision.
AAR
As a newcomer – there is a lot of moving parts with a lot of responsibility.
Bob – appreciates the opportunity to have the dialogue. Looks forward to working with folks.
Bobbie – a little anxiety of the size of the group, David’s upcoming retirement and what it means. This group has made
tremendous progress in the last few years with our working relationships – concern with the diminishing size of the
group and how it will affect relationships
Appreciation to Dan for stepping into the facilitation role
Dan shares the same anxiety as Bobbie – tremendous progress has been made in relationships and we need to own it as
we move forward in this time of change.