Proposal To Be Delivered To NWCG For Their September Meeting

Fire Statistics

A White Paper

September 5, 2003

Prepared by: Fire Statistics Task Group This page intentionally left blank White Paper Fire Statistics

Acknowledgments

Members of the task group that participated in this effort included:

Andrea Olson – FWS Carl Gossard – BLM Carolyn Chase – USFS Corey Grant – BLM Dale Miracle – NPS Dean Berg – NPS Don Galloway – Texas Forest Service Gladys Crabtree – NPS Howard Roose – FPA Project – BLM Jim Stires – BIA – Chair, NWCG Judy Crosby – NWCG PMO Lou Ballard – FPA Project – FWS Mike Wallace – BIA Pat Durland – BLM Pat Moore – BLM Shari Shetler – BLM – Chair, NWCG IRMWT Tom Wordell – USFS

The group thankf the numerous individuals from all of the agencies who reviewed this document.

9/5/2003 Page 1 White Paper Fire Statistics

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Table of Contents

Introduction / Background...... 5 Methods Used to Gather Information...... 7 Where Are We Now...... 9 Goals...... 11 Stakeholders...... 13 What Works Well...... 15 What are the problems/issues...... 17 Evaluation Criteria...... 19 Alternative Solutions...... 21 Alternative 1...... 21 Alternative 2...... 23 Alternative 3...... 25 Alternative 4...... 27 Alternative 5...... 29 Scoring of Alternatives...... 31 Recommendation...... 33 Next Steps...... 35 Approval...... 37 Appendix 1...... Appendix 1-1 Current Systems and Forms...... 1-1 Appendix 2...... Appendix 2-1 Alternative 1 Strengths and Weaknesses...... 2-1 Strengths/Positive Impacts...... 2-1 Weaknesses/Negative Impacts...... 2-1 Appendix 3...... Appendix 3-1 Alternative 2 Strengths and Weaknesses...... 3-1 Strengths/Positive Impacts...... 3-1 Weaknesses/Negative Impacts...... 3-2 Appendix 4...... Appendix 4-1 Alternative 3 Strengths and Weaknesses...... 4-1 Strengths/Positive Impacts...... 4-1 Weaknesses/Negative Impacts...... 4-2

Appendix 5...... Appendix 5-1 Alternative 4 Strengths and Weaknesses...... 5-1 Strengths/Positive Impacts...... 5-1 Weaknesses/Negative Impacts...... 5-2 Appendix 6...... Appendix 6-1 Alternative 5 Strengths and Weaknesses...... 6-1 Strengths/Positive Impacts...... 6-1 Weaknesses/Negative Impacts...... 6-2 Appendix 7...... Appendix 7-1 Glossary...... 7-1

Introduction / Background

Wildland fire statistics are a basic measurement of fire-activity and provides one of the foundation data-sources for many interrelated processes used to measure, predict, and analyze the effectiveness of virtually every wildland fire program area. Federal fire statistics have been collected nationally since the early 1900’s, and electronically only since the 1970’s.

One of the results of the 1994 fire season was the Federal Wildland Fire Management Action Plan report, which was jointly signed by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture. Action item #79 directed the Federal wildland fire agencies to "standardize fire statistics and develop an easily accessible common database".

The National Interagency Fire Statistics Information Project (NIFSIP) was undertaken to analyze the business requirements and develop a shared repository of Federal fire statistics. In 1997, the NWCG recognized the need to include non-Federal partners in the effort, so it was moved from the Federal Fire and Aviation Leadership Council (FFALC) to NWCG for oversight and guidance. NIFSIP completed the business analysis in 1998, including a partnership arrangement with the US Fire Administration, to coordinate Federal fire statistics with the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) via the National Fire Information Reporting System (NFIRS).

The continuation of NIFSIP was put on hold due to a change in priorities and limited resource (people, time and dollars) availability. The project manager for NIFSIP became the project manager for the Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS). The National Fire Plan along with National Performance Measures were developed as a result of the 2000 fire season which further emphasized the inability of the fire community to bring all of its fire statistics data together to provide a consistent report to Congress. The National Fire Plan Operations and Reporting System (NFPORS) was sponsored by the Office of Wildfire Coordination (DOI) and the National Fire Plan Coordinator (USFS). The system was developed through a contract with Booz-Allen and Hamilton for upward reporting to Congress. NFPORS retrieves information from various agency databases also providing a user interface for direct data entry. The original scope of NFPORS was focused on being able to provide a single, consolidated report to respond to congress and report accomplishments based on the National Performance Measures.

The issue of a single gathering place for all fire statistics to reside for all agencies that fight wildland fire, including federal, state and local still remained. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) tasked the Information Resources Management Working Team (IRMWT) with establishing a Fire Statistics Task Group. That task group was assigned the responsibility to develop a recommendation to NWCG on a strategy to address fire statistics.

The Fire Statistics Task met on July 16, 2003, the afternoon of August 7, 2003 and the morning of August 8, 2003 to develop the information and recommendation presented in this white paper.

Methods Used to Gather Information

The Fire Statistics Task Group (FSTG) met on July 16, 2003 for a full day and then again on the afternoon of August 7, 2003 and the morning of August 8, 2003. The remainder of our work was done via email and telephone.

The meetings were structured to gather as much information as possible in a very limited timeframe. The group began by identifying all of the stakeholders for fire statistic: who enters the information, uses the information, or requests the information.

Next the task group listed all of the current systems (automated and manual) that somehow touch fire statistics. Individuals were then assigned with the task of providing who used the systems and a short description of that system.

The FSTG brainstormed the goals for fire statistics; following up with identifying what works well today and problems and issues that should be addressed.

The group documented Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for use as the project moves forward. This information was not relevant to this particular white paper and is therefore not included in this document.

The last step prior to identifying alternative strategies for fire statistics was to develop evaluation criteria to use is comparing the alternatives that were documented. The group then identified five alternative strategies and scored those alternatives against the evaluation criteria.

The final steps consisted of the group agreeing on the recommendation to go forward to NWCG and ending with listing some next steps for pursuing a solution to fire statistics.

The draft document was distributed for review and comment to the IRMWT and NWCG IRM/PMO. In addition, the team members distributed it to individuals within their respective agencies for review.

Where Are We Now

The fire community does not have a mechanism in place for standard reporting of fire information. There are no data standards for fire statistics information. We continue to have multiple/redundant systems. There is no data sharing between agencies and the states. There is no common data storage for collecting historic data. The results are inconsistent data, inaccurate consolidated reporting, and inconsistent records and data administration.

The fire community as a whole has many systems (automated and manual) in place that gather, store and report fire statistics.

See Attachment 1 for a list of the current systems identified by the FSTG.

The task group identified both short and long term goals for addressing Fire Statistics

Short Term  Common Data Standards for core elements  Accessibility – Timely Access when needed  Timely data reporting/entry  Common Core data set across agencies  Meets needs of various stakeholders  Common Data Warehouse  Adaptability  Quality control/validation at time of entry – Lat/Long  Agreement on spatial data standards: GIS capability that includes 2-d data (polygons)  Ability to easily submit corrections – Updates sent upward  Capability to provide accurate historic information  Complete/accurate information that meets stakeholder core needs  Identification of minimum standards  Simple Data Entry (KISS)

Long Term  Comprehensive, common data collection system  Accessibility – Timely Access when needed  Single Web based system utilized for multiple purposes  Meets needs of the various stakeholders  Common Data Warehouse  Agreement on spatial data standards – GIS capability  Capability to provide accurate historic information  Capture historic data: Non-electronic records and Non-matching electronic records  Simple Data Entry (KISS)  Eliminate Redundant Systems

Stakeholders

The stakeholders include many organizations and individuals at all levels within and outside of government. Fire statistics information is utilized by many different entities including the public, researchers, planner, agency management, other government entities, congress, oversight agencies, the media and other companies. The use of that information is as varied as are the stakeholders themselves. How the stakeholders use fire statistics information will determine what information is collected.

What Works Well

The Fire Statistics Task Group identified what is working well today. These have been sorted into six categories: Information Dissemination, Interagency Network, Data Use, Capability Exists, Existing Systems, and IT.

Information Dissemination  The Situation Report provides current fire information from the 209’s. It should be noted here that the 209’s are used to report Type I, Type II, Type III and sometimes extended attack fires. Therefore, only a small percentage of fires are accounted for by using the 209’s. This applies to all references to the 209’s in this document.  Reporting is generally timely.  There is a good reporting system for public information on fires.  There is a standard ICS-209 form being used by the interagency community.  The NICC Situation Report is a good mechanism for sharing data both internally and externally.  The SIT Reports and 209’s also provide “immediate” information for response planning.  Another effective tool used to disseminate information is maps showing current “large fires”. (It should be noted here that there is no common definition of “large”. The definition depends on what is burning.)

Interagency Network  There is already a formal organization, the interagency dispatch centers, to gather and disseminate fire information.

Data Use  Fire statistics information is combined with other information which supports Predictive Services in modeling techniques which help define possibilities.  Effective prevention programs depend on accurate predictive and historical fire data.  Effective fire planning and fire program budgeting depends on accurate historical fire data.  Maps are provided in WFAS system showing fire danger nationwide as well as hazard/risk maps for various factors like weather/moisture.

Current Capability Exists  Data for small scale analysis is easily available for Federal lands. This data is accessible and automated.  Data warehousing capabilities exist so that the data can be stored in tabular format and in a spatial format at the same time.  There is an electronic database for input of fire occurrence information in all of the Federal and state agencies  The GACC detailed SIT reports are available on the Web

 Web access to Forest Service weather monitoring system and fire occurrence system exists  There is CD access to historical fire danger parameters (limited time span and coverage)  We have the ability to extract location from data (accuracy is questionable)  We do compile reports as required  Federal data is available electronically from a central location

Existing Systems  Current Fire Reporting Systems provide excellent canned reports with little effort  FMIS is easy, inexpensive and no training is required  The states have a modular data system that is easier to edit and change to respond to immediate needs/changes

Information Technology  GIS system/application of data  Spatial database engines allow for simultaneously storing of data in a tabular and spatial format

What are the problems/issues

The problems and issues that were addressed by the Fire Statistics Task Group included the lack of data standards, inadequate system capability, data integration issues, agency culture, the scope of the issue, and the quality of the information that does exist. Examples within each category are presented below.

Standards  There are no agreed upon data standards for fire occurrence data  There are no standard definitions  Use of the data is not consistent among agencies  Data integration efforts degrade data (least common denominator)  Too many systems, each collecting relatively the same information  No standard fire reports for all agencies  No data accountability standards or requirements  Multiple systems that produce inconsistent data  Need for various entities to collate data leads to inconsistent datasets, conclusions and recommendations  Different agency policies and reporting requirements  No interagency commitment to one system, one set of data standards, etc.  There are different statistics about the same question  Quality of data is suspect  “Official” fire and acre year-end stats are different than the NICC year-end stats  Lack of fire perimeter data and other geospatial information including datum and projection issues

System Capability  We must call each agency, including individual states, to get “official” year-end statistics  SACS is not forward compatible (no plan for system lifecycle)  Systems are not designed to interface with other systems that need to share data  Incompatible data  Manual interface is required  No centralized source of fire data  Inability to respond to inquiries about fire records  Query flexibility is limited  Lack of consistent National data set  Historical record management – no NARA input  Timeliness of Data Availability: Currently official records aren’t available until the following year  No “direct to digital” system. Field data collected on paper and must be entered into a system  Internet outages or court ordered shut downs

 No electronic storage of all collectable data on fires  Geospatial methods including GPS, GIS, and remote sensed data are being used to create data, but that data must be re-entered into a reporting system  ICS-209 reports are realtime reports that provide the best information at that point in time on Type I, Type II, Type III, and sometime Extended Attack fires. It does not provide archival data from the official fire reports. There is often conflicting information between the two reports.

Data Integration  Very difficult to combine data into one useable database  Duplicate systems may report the same fire many times  No common reporting system between all the agencies  Problem to collect/coordinate data records from various sources  Fire cost information not collected in the same system as fire occurrence data  Need reporting from local, state and Federal agencies  Different agencies place different values on accurate data collection resulting in inconsistent quality of information  No common identifier for each incident. One incident may have many identifiers: Fire Number, Order Number, Incident Number, Fire Code) Part of the issue here is that a fire can become part of a complex and a complex can become part of an area command.

Agency Culture  Departmental offices build systems that do not align with systems at the field level resulting in more work for the field.  Homeland Security and FEMA may place extra demands on the systems  Still have to break down the territorial attitude and individual egos and personalities.  Too much talk, not enough action  Always shooting at a moving target  Federal and state agencies are unable to agree on data needs  Agency IT security

Scope  Current systems are limited to fire, but should also consider reporting for all-risk  Scope of data needs to be updated  Need to include data that are needed to report on performance measures  Need to figure out a way to track “structures saved”.  People gathering the data are insulated from the data system

Quality  Lack of Quality Control at the time of data entry creates a nightmare later on.  Very little quality control for occurrence information  Accurate/timely data input is not a priority at the entry level  Current fire occurrence systems do not have enough built in quality control

Evaluation Criteria

Before identifying the alternative strategies or solutions, the task group developed some evaluation criteria for scoring each alternative. The primary criterion is a determination of how each alternative meets our goals as stated above.

Each alternative was evaluated by how it met the following:  Our goals  Cost Effectiveness  Time to implement  Maintenance Costs  Supports integration of existing systems  Upgradeable  Cost to Upgrade  Stability/Reliability  Adaptability – All Risk  Accessibility to all users  Ability to be modularized for agency-specific needs  Minimal data entry  How does the system solve the problems/issues identified  Level of resource commitment needed

Alternative Solutions

Alternative 1 Alternative 1 No Change (status quo)

Multiple systems Manual retrieval, Management Multiple data sets manipulation, and receives multiple formatting reports with inconsistent data NPS &

BIA System 1

BLM System 2 Report

FWS Management System 3

System 4

States

Systems 5-50

Description: No Change to present systems. Each Federal agency and all of the states maintain different systems. There is no communication between systems except for BIA and NPS presently. There are no core data elements defined and no data standards. This relies on manual data manipulation, retrieval and formatting. Management receives multiple possibly conflicting reports. See Strengths/Positive Impacts and Weaknesses/Negative Impacts for Alternative 1 in Appendix 2.

Alternative 2 Alternative 2 No Change to Existing Systems Add New Central Gathering Place where users can manually enter Core Data only

Multiple systems Manual mapping to Data is entered into Management Multiple data sets standard data set a single database receives one using a standard report with data set. standardized data NPS & BIA System 1

System 2 Report FWS Central Gathering Management System 3 Place (Core Data Only) USFS

System 4

States

Systems 5-50

Description : This alternative uses all of the existing systems as they are. The user must reenter Core Data into a central gathering place. There is no communication between systems except for BIA and NPS presently. There are core data elements defined with data standards defined for those core elements. This alternative still relies on manual data manipulation, retrieval and formatting. Management receives one consolidated report.

See Strengths/Positive Impacts and Weaknesses/Negative Impacts for Alternative 2 in Appendix 3.

Alternative 3 Alternative 3 No Change to Existing Systems Add New Central Gathering Place that electronically converts data to a standard format

Multiple systems Electronic Data is entered into Management Multiple data sets retrieval and a single database receives one mapping to using a standard report with standard data set data set. standardized data NPS & BIA System 1

System 2 Report FWS Central Gathering Management System 3 Place (Core Data) USFS

System 4

States

Systems 5-50

Description: Current Federal and state systems send data to a central data storage location. The core data are electronically converted to a standard format and entered into a standard data set. The system delivers standardized data reports to stakeholders.

Alternative 4 Alternative 4 Eliminate Redundant Systems Create New Central System (This may include re-design of an existing system)

Single systems Data is entered into Management Single, shared a single database receives one data set using a standard report with data set, plus a standardized data separate module for NPS & agency-specific data BIA

Report FWS Central Gathering Management Place

States

Description: This alternative is a single, shared system that incorporates all data elements for all reporting agencies. It incorporates single and interagency reporting.

Alternative 5 Alternative 5 - Hybrid Reduce Redundant Systems Create New Central System option for direct-input or electronic conversion

Some agencies use direct- Data manipulation Data is entered into Management input; with common data set; required for those a single database receives one others use old systems that interface with using a standard report with that will require older systems data set, plus a standardized data manual or electronic separate module for conversion agency-specific data

NPS & BIA

Report FWS System 3 Central Gathering Management Place

States

Systems 5-50

Description: This is the same as alternative 4 with the ability for agencies to utilize their individual systems and contribute to the central data repository.

Scoring of Alternatives

As indicated in a previous section, the task group identified evaluation criteria to be used to select the alternative that best meets the interagency goals regarding fire statistics, addresses the issues and solves identified problems. The task group reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of each of the alternatives against the criteria to determine their recommendation.

Following is a table indicating the composite scores given for each criterion and alternative. As you can see, the alternatives in descending preference are Alternative 5, Alternative 4, Alternative 3, Alternative 2, Alternative 1.

Composite Score Sheet

Criteria Weight Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt 5 Accessible to all Stakeholders 5 5 80 125 125 120 Capable of providing Historic Information 4.5 76.5 81 94.5 85.5 99 Common Core Data 5 25 100 125 120 130 Common Data Standards (including GIS) 5 25 65 105 110 100 Complete Accurate Information 5 50 80 100 110 115 Cost Effective Development 2.5 47.5 50 45 37.5 45 Cost to Maintain 3 42 42 45 54 60 Development Time 4 92 92 92 64 76 Flexible/Adaptable (including all risk) 4.7 18.8 47 84.6 89.3 98.7 How well does the system solve the 5 5 60 90 115 120 problems/issues identified? Minimal Data Entry 5 60 15 105 120 110 Stability/Reliability 5 70 50 75 85 85 Supports integration of existing systems 4.4 17.6 39.6 88 88 96.8 Supports Timely Data Entry/Reporting 4.2 42 42 75.6 96.6 92.4 TOTAL of all participants 576.4 843.6 1249.7 1299.9 1347.9

Recommendation

The Fire Statistics Task Group recommendation is to proceed with Alternative 5. This alternative provides a solution that meets all of the stakeholders needs. The development of this alternative can be phased to meet minimum requirements of identifying core data, setting agreed upon data standards, providing a centralized repository for that information resulting in a consolidated, consistent report to management. This phase can be followed by then including the mechanism for both manual data entry and electronic retrieval and transfer of information. Finally, this solution can finally provide a migration path to eliminate redundant systems as agencies retire legacy systems and thereby reduce the number and cost of systems being maintained.

Next Steps

The task group developed a list of the next steps required to move forward past this proposal as follows:

1. Assign a Business Lead

2. Assign a Project Manager

3. Assign a Managing Partner

4. Develop the Investment Proposal

5. Develop a Project Charter for the selected Alternative

6. Develop the Interagency Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding

7. Develop a project plan and request for funding

8. Identify an Interagency Project Team

9. Begin the Requirements Analysis utilizing the existing task group and the DAWG

a. Identify Core Data Elements

b. Develop the Data Standard for each of those Core Data Elements

Approval

The decision by NWCG to accept the recommendation of the Fire Statistics Task Group is effective as of the date of signature. By signing, the signatories indicate their agreement and support to pursue the recommended strategy. Furthermore, NWCG shows their concurrence with specific actions as identified by a signature for each item listed below.

______Date: ______Chair, NWCG

Specific Actions:

Assign a Business Lead Responsible: NWCG (list of candidates provided) Date: January, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Assign a Project Manager Responsible: NWCG (list of candidates provided) Date: January, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Assign a Managing Partner Responsible: NWCG Date: January, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Develop the Investment Proposal/Project Charter/CPIC Documentation Responsible: Business Lead, Project Manager Date: March, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Develop the Interagency Agreement and/or Memorandum of Understanding Responsible: Business Lead, Project Manager Date: March, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Develop a project plan and request for funding Responsible: Business Lead, Project Manager Date: March, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Identify an Interagency Project Team Responsible: Business Lead, Project Manager Date: March, 2004 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Begin the Requirements Analysis utilizing the existing task group and the DAWG :

1. Identify Core Data Elements Responsible: Fire Statistics Task Group, DAWG Date: Start November, 2003 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

2. Develop the Data Standard for each of those Core Data Elements Responsible: Fire Statistics Task Group, DAWG Date: Start November, 2003 Concur: ______Date: ______Comments:

Appendix 1

Current Systems and Forms

System Name Who Uses It? System Description Aviation - AMIS An ORACLE relational database management that handles Aircraft Use Information for both contract and Forest Service owned aircraft. The information is summarized and reported to USDA and GSA on a regular basis. The system is designed to allow units to share data and reports between units. FASTTRACS USFS, NPS(R6) FASTRACS stands for Fuel Analysis, Smoke Tracking, and Report Access Computer System. It provides a system for planning, tracking, and reporting fuels management related activities and replaces the former Smoke Management System utilized by the Pacific Northwest Region. Fire Behavior USFS, BIA, BLM, A variety of programs exist to quantitatively predict NPS, USFWS, States, fire spread, intensity, spotting potential, long term Contractors, other. spread risk, fire effects, etc. Some examples include Farsite, BehavePlus v.2, RERAP, FOFEM, NEXUS, FEIS, etc.

http://www.frames.gov/tools/ This is a FS page but has information on most of the “tools” such as FARSITE (Fire Area Simulator), BEHAVE (new BEHAVE plus), etc. Used to predict fire behavior. Fire Family Plus USFS, BIA, BLM, NPS, Fire Family Plus is a Windows based program that USFWS, States, Contractors, analyzes historical fire weather and fire occurrence other records from WIMS and Federal wildland management agency databases to produce NFDRS indices, determine seasonal severity and relationships between seasonal indices and fire occurrence trends, perform conditional climatology analysis, and a variety of other functions.

1 9/5/2003 Appendix 1-1 White Paper Fire Statistics

Fire Reporting BLM Information website System http://www.nifc.blm.gov/cgi/nsdu/FireReporting.cgi Login name and password required. For fire reports, a DI-1202 is filled out and signed and the information entered into the system. Included are statistical, agency, fire management, site and trespass data. Canned reports are available (many and varied). Specific reports can be run by data analysts at NIFC. Searches can be done for specific reports. FireBase USFW FireBase is an expert system designed to assist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire managers in determining staffing levels and associated budget planning and allocation. FireBase processes fire occurrence data to determine adequate staffing and budget levels for the agency wildland fire program. FireCode USFS, BIA, BLM, The FireCode system will be a web-based NPS, USFWS application accessed by the dispatch community to generate FireCodes. One FireCode will be created for each suppression action or fire severity and used by all Federal wildland fire agencies for obligations related to that incident or project. The FireCode will become the project code as part of an agency’s accounting string which will provide a common number to query for all Federal wildland fire expenditures. FIREPRO NPS This is a program within SACS that analyzes fire occurrence data to help determine fire budgets for each of the NPS regions and parks that have active fire programs. There are analysis matrices within the program that determine positions, equipment and support funding needed. FIRESTAT USFS An application to electronically enter and store information from the FS-5100-29 Individual Fire Report form. The information is initially acquired by filling out the fire report form that is then input to files on the local computer. Periodically the files are transmitted to the National Information Technology Center in Kansas City, where it is loaded into the National Interagency Fire Management Integrated Database (NIFMID) for historic analysis. Regional and National reports and analyses may be generated using this centralized database.

FMIS USFWS FMIS is a system that collects information about wildland fires and treatments on FWS lands. It is all done over the web behind a fire wall on a FWS server. It takes 2 levels to access the system. There is a download module where the raw data can be downloaded and used in another database. There is also a query module where custom reports can be produced. FORBS USFS Objective of this application is to model effects of fuel treatment over time in relation to fire behavior. FORBS utilizes fire occurrence and weather observations with potential fuel treatments to evaluate the treatments effect upon fire behavior and initial attack success. IIAA USFS Interagency Initial Attack Assessment (IIAA) is a tool used to develop budget requests as part of the National Fire Management Analysis System (NFMAS) process. KCFAST/NIFMI USFS KCFast is a menu-based computer application that D simplifies data retrieval from the National Interagency Fire Management Integrated Database (NIFMID). MIS BLM Financial Management Information System (FMIS): http://mis.blm.gov/ Uses BRIO software and SQL, allowing users to query and analyze financial data on-line through the Intranet using web browser to access the home page. NFIRS States/US Fire Administration The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) has two objectives: to help State and local governments develop fire reporting and analysis capability for their own use, and to obtain data that can be used to more accurately assess and subsequently combat the fire problem at a national level. To meet these objectives, the USFA has developed a standard NFIRS package that includes incident and casualty forms, a coding structure for data processing purposes, manuals, computer software and procedures, documentation and a National Fire Academy training course for utilizing the system. NFPORS BIA/BLM/USFWS/NPS/USFS Fuels, restoration and rehabilitation, and community assistance reporting system. www.nfpors.net Requires approval to set up login and password. Used to collect data from fuels, R&R, and CA with a link to BLM Fire Reporting System to report performance measures from the National Fire Plan 1 9/5/2003 Appendix 1-3 White Paper Fire Statistics

Planning – Interagency Initial Attack Assessment (IIAA) is a IIAA/PCHA tool used to develop budget requests as part of the FPA National Fire Management Analysis System (NFMAS) process.

Personal Computer Historical Analysis (PCHA) is a fire planning program developed to complete the Historical Analysis required for the National Fire Management Analysis System (NFMAS).

The FPA Preparedness Module Project is under development to automate a system for wildland fire preparedness resource planning and replace the systems currently in use by the five Federal wildland fire management agencies.

New system in the building process. Purpose is to provide managers with a common interagency process to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative fire management strategies through time to meet land management goals and objectives. Project will re-engineer the business process so all five Federal agencies use the same budget request process, models, assumptions and displays. Fire module will be preparedness. Prediction – USFS, BLM, FWS, Data is compiled from a variety of sources Cheetah, National BIA, NPS, External including, but not limited to: Sit/209, GIS, Fire Large Fire Affairs, FEMA, GACCs, occurrence databases, FireFamily Plus, FX-Net, Locations, States, Public Internet, etc. These data are analyzed and packaged NFDRS into variety of products for information and Experimental decision support Products Cheetah was developed to support examination and analysis of fire occurrence patterns and corresponding fire suppression resource requirements at the GACC and National levels.

Various experimental products are under development to forecast and display fire potential and fire locations.

BlueSkyRAINS (New) predicts smoke impact using real time high resolution weather forecasts and ArcIMS/GIS plus a hundred others. See www.frames.gov/tools/

Prevention – BLM, USFS, States RAMS provides a consistent process for developing RAMS prevention and fuels management programs. RAMS allows users to prioritize areas within their planning unit, consider various prevention and/or fuels treatment alternatives, and develop a budget.

RAMS includes three components: Assessment, Prevention, and Fuels. The assessment portion of RAMS is intended to identify the highest priority areas in which to consider fuels and/or prevention work. In the fire prevention module, users develop one or more fire prevention options, with costs and work details. The RAMS fuels analysis identifies potential fuels treatment strategies and projects. A final report printed from RAMS shows any or all of the Assessment, Prevention, or Fuels work. ROSS / MIRPS/ Dispatch The resource ordering, status, and reporting process WILDCAD is the core business function of the national interagency wildland incident dispatch organization. The Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS) is an interagency software application that will link approximately 400 Federal, state, municipal, and local agency and interagency wildland incident dispatch offices to share resource order and status information. The intent of the project is to develop a national interagency, interconnected network system that that provides dispatchers near real-time information.

The Multi-agency Incident Resource Processing (MIRPS) is being utilized by California for resource tracking and status.

WildCAD is a GIS-based Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system developed by Bighorn Information Systems for wildland fire agencies. It provides information on incidents and resource status, automated response guidance based on user- defined criteria and a variety of reports. SACS – BIA/NPS This system is used to enter, maintain and develop Occurrence reports for wildland fire occurrence. The DI-1202 is used as the master reporting form. Access to the system is via Internet or dial-up. Agency and/or user Ids and passwords are used to gain access to the system.

SAFENET/SMIS SAFENET is a form and process that was developed in response to concerns expressed by front line firefighters as a way to be heard and get unsafe situations resolved. It is a method for reporting and resolving safety concerns encountered in wildland fire, prescribed fire or all risk operations. The information provided on the form is used to help collect important, safety-related data at the National Interagency Fire Center, to determine long-term trends and problem area. The development of SAFENET was recommended in Phase III of the Wildland Firefighter Safety Awareness Study.

SMIS is the Department of the Interior’s Safety Management Information System. The unique system consists of two principal components specific to the Interior Department – (1) Accident Reporting, and (2) Injury and Accident Information. The system prepares reports required by the DOI, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Sit Report / ICS- USFS, BLM, FWS, The Sit Report system is an upward reporting tool 209 / IMRS – BIA, NPS, External for units and coordination centers to provide Situation Report Affairs, FEMA, GACCs, information regarding emergency response activity, States, Public locally and nationally. Information covers such items as fire danger, resource availability, fire activity, prescribed fire and other events.

The 209 Program is a web-based application that allows for more efficient processing of the Incident Status Summary, Form ICS-209 The ICS-209, is used for reporting information on incidents of significance

The IMSR collects information from the Sit Report and 209 programs and then manually summarizes it into a daily/weekly report.

State System(s) Independent System for Each Software packages and applications for capturing State fire occurrence data vary from state to state. However, each state does annually report certain summarized data to the USDA Forest Service . While some states have adopted NFIRS, most have developed independent fire reporting systems and databases. Even where a common software may be in use by more than one state, the specific application and reporting criteria will vary between different states. As a result, it is difficult to assemble and display the full scope of the wildland fire problem across the country.

In an effort to address this problem, the NASF Fire Committee met with the State Fire CMS (Chiefs, Managers, Supervisors) from all 50 states in January 2003. From this meeting a commitment was made by all of the states to begin collecting a set of common core data for consolidated reporting.

Appendix 2

Alternative 1 Strengths and Weaknesses

Alternative 1

Strengths/Positive Impacts  Change o Minimal change for field users o No need to change o No change needed o Then we are done o No change to current situation o None  Cost o No development cost o No additional cost or resources required o Minimal cost to this one o No additional cost o No funding pulled from other needed projects to develop a new system o No additional cost  Historical Data o Contains Historical Data o Provides history as is currently available  Design o Development time is minimal o No new system design  Training o Requires no training to learn a new system o No new training for field users to input data o Some are easy to use  Agency Issues o Controlled by agency o Individual agencies can easily change data o Respective agency personnel know existing system

Weaknesses/Negative Impacts  Standards o No data standards for data elements o Bad Data (inconsistent) o Inconsistent data between agencies o Data standards for other dependent applications do not exist

9/5/2003 Appendix 2-1 White Paper Fire Statistics

o No common core data o No standards o Few common data standards definitions o Different core elements between agencies  Data Issues o No accuracy of information o Same fire reported multiple times o Allows for varied interpretation of data elements by each agency o Geospatial data is lacking or inaccurate (perimeter, Lat/Long) o No consolidation of data o Manual retrieval and manipulation o Does not meet current mandates of existing policy or requirements. o Data inconsistencies will exist between the information generated from each system o Proliferation of stovepipe applications o Integration into common data is difficult o No core data identified  Reporting o We will still have different information on reports to congress o Does not meet management desires for a single report o Reports inconsistent o No standard report available to management o Not accessible to all stakeholders  Redundancy o No interface between systems o Does not replace obsolete systems that input data o Existing redundancy of systems will remain o Requires duplicate data entry into two different systems which can result in transcription errors. o Too many systems o Some offices will have to use more than one system to enter the same data for different agencies. (Service First Organizations) o Does nothing to eliminate redundant systems o No interface with other systems  Usability o Not readily accessible o Does not address the issue of obsolete technology in SACS o Labor intensive o Is not flexible/adaptable o Time consuming when compiling data o Requires many people to input data into the system o Does not solve problems/issues identified o Does not address current needs

Appendix 3

Alternative 2

Strengths/Positive Impacts  Training o Least impact to field o No training needed o Users know existing systems o No new training for field users to input data  Agency o No changes required to agency current systems o Agency has control o Allows agencies to maintain current systems o All agencies can keep their existing data and system configurations  Data o Common Core Data o Could define common data standards o Core data standards developed and data available o Ability to access all agency data o Core data will be available in one place o Provides management with consistent, standardized data o Does define core data o Does provide historical data in so far as it currently exists o Does provide a single consistent set of data o Consolidation of data o Data entered into a single database using a standard data set o Defines data standard for reporting purposes o Provide standard data set which can be used for a standard report o Information is warehoused in one place  Cost o Minimal development time o Cheaper cost to develop o Moderate cost to develop o Minimal cost to maintain  Reporting o Management receives one report o It will be easier to produce consistent reports o Meets management desires for a single report  Miscellaneous

o Minimally solves problems/issues identified

Weaknesses/Negative Impacts  Redundant and Labor Intensive o Manual reentry of data o Labor intensive o Costly in terms of data entry o Redundant systems will still exist o Requires duplicate data entry into two different systems which can result in transcription errors. o Reentering data o Redundant data entry o Multiple systems o Redundant data entry (time and cost) o Will have to manually reenter data o Doesn’t eliminate redundant systems  Loss of Accuracy o Information accuracy is low o Manual mapping to data warehouse could produce errors o Manual entry encourages entry of bad data o Manual entry is time consuming  Data Standards o Does not ensure that existing systems will use data standards o Common data standards between agencies does not currently exist  Multiple Data Sets o Requires manual mapping to a standard data set (more data entry) o Data gathering for interagency work is not consistent o Multiple data sets o Some offices will still have to enter in more than one system if they service more than one agency (Service First Organizations) o Duplication of Effort  No System Interface o Does not support interface with existing systems o No interface between systems  More Costly o Additional cost to maintain on additional system o Cost to maintain existing systems high compared to other alternatives o Long term cost is expensive due to number of systems to maintain o Additional cost in developing a new system (hardware/software), and maintaining yet another system  Miscellaneous o Will require new training to learn how to get data into the central warehouse. o Manual mapping leads to fewer data set updates

o Not flexible/adaptable o Proliferation of stovepipe applications o Doesn’t modularize for agency specific needs o May not support timely entry of data o Does not replace obsolete systems that input data o Does not take advantage of up-to-date tools

Appendix 4

Alternative 3

Strengths/Positive Impacts  Data Standards o Provides standard report to management o Core elements are identified o Common core data o Common data standards o Data standards are established o Defines data standards for reporting purposes o Have standardized reports  Data Transfer o Reduces impact as far as reentry of data over alternatives 1 and 2 o Method reduces errors during transfer/updating stage o Eliminates duplicate data entry o Single point for data access o Electronic retrieval and mapping o Electronically converted o Electronic conversion allow for faster updates o Reduces data entry o Minimal data entry o Requires only one entry  Cost o Can be done quickly o Should be able to develop and deploy quickly o Less expensive to develop o Lower development cost than other alternatives o Cost effective to agencies with good systems  Agency Issues o Has the ability to modularize for agency specific needs o Agencies have control o Least impact to field users o No training required for field users that input data o Users know systems o Can use current system o Allows agencies to maintain agency specific needs/systems o Supports interfacing with existing systems o Maintains agency knowledge (no retraining)

 Data o Complete/accurate (maybe) o Includes historic where available o Accessible to stakeholders o Provides common, consistent, national data o It will be easer to produce consistent reports o Single database o Central storage of data o Meets management desires for a single report o Single database using standard data set o Core data will be available in one place o All Core data in one place o Provides management with consistent, standardized data o Management gets one report based on standard data

Weaknesses/Negative Impacts  Cost o The cost for both alternatives 4 and 5 are the highest. Which would be the most costly would require knowledge of development and implementation strategies as well as what systems would be scheduled to be replaced and when. Therefore, depending on how the individual on the Fire Statistics Task Group views the system development, which would cost more over the life cycle of the project and system is debatable. o Maintenance cost more for so many systems o High costs to maintain all the different systems o Additional maintenance (for mapping data) will be required every time one of the existing systems change o Multiple systems to maintain o Additional cost in developing a new system (hardware and software), and maintaining yet another system o Costly to develop a system plus add the database for gathering core data o More expensive that alternatives 1 and 2  Redundant/Old Systems o Many agencies/states don’t have a good system o Some systems way past their life cycle o Does not replace obsolete systems used to generate data o Does not significantly upgrade current systems, just consolidates core data o Proliferation of stovepipe applications o Offices serving more than one agency will still have to enter data into more than one system (Service First) o Redundant systems will still exist o Redundant data systems  Data Standards o Current systems may not have core data

o Converting data from different systems may lose accuracy o Maintain data standards problem  Interface o Some change (costs) to current systems will be required o No system interface o Interagency data collection is difficult (different reports)

Appendix 5

Alternative 4

Strengths/Positive Impacts  Goals o Meets OMB requirement to reduce duplicative systems o It meets all our goals o Meets management desires for a single report o Separate module for agency specific data o Minimal data entry o Eliminates duplicate data entry  Data Set o Common, standard data o Solves problem of many systems with no common definitions and standards o One report with standard data o Data standards guaranteed o All data is in the same format o Same core elements for all o Data entered into single database using standard data o Data standards established o Provides management with consistent, standardized data o Quality Control capability that applies to everyone o Support core elements o Supports data standards o Same standards for all  Cost o Will probably take less time to implement o Eliminates cost of supporting and maintaining existing systems o One system should equal, lower maintenance cost o Could possibly reduce cost over time o Lower total cost per effectiveness than other alternatives o Provides a single system for all; lower maintenance and user support costs o Lower maintenance cost  Single System o Everyone will be using one system to enter data o Central storage o Single shared dataset o Single system o Eliminates redundant systems

o Consistent data elements for fire community o Should be accessible to all users o Single point of entry o One stop shopping for stakeholders o Seamless approach to data entry by all parties nationally o Easy for user to work for or data enter for another agency o Training on data entry systems is consistent o Service First organizations will be able to use one system for all the agencies they service o Standardized reports accessible from single point  Ability to Upgrade o Adaptable to all risk o Easily upgraded o Opportunity to establish (model) the future requirements for fire statistics o Accurate data o Opportunity to take advantage of new tools o Replace outdated systems o Upgrades all systems

Weaknesses/Negative Impacts  Cost o The cost for both alternatives 4 and 5 are the highest. Which would be the most costly would require knowledge of development and implementation strategies as well as what systems would be scheduled to be replaced and when. o Task Group Individual Comments regarding cost are as follows: . Development Cost . Additional cost in developing a new system (hardware/software) . Expensive . Initial development cost could be high . Development Cost . Costly . $$$ . Probably most expensive . Development costs will be higher . Expensive and timely to develop . Lot of time/cost to make changes for individual agencies . More costly for all agencies  Lack of Agreement o All agencies including states to agree on one system o Not everyone wants to participate to this extent o Some agencies/states may not buy in o Requires total agreement among agencies on data elements to be collected  Development o Single point of failure o If system goes down all agencies could be down at same time

o May be more effort to develop o Time to go through entire process is long o Requires complete system redesign o Development longer o Time consuming  Training o New system for users to learn o Requires training to related costs for users  Data loss o Agencies could lose some agency specific data elements

Appendix 6

Alternative 5

Strengths/Positive Impacts  Common Systems o Central Gathering Place o Allows individual parties option of using their system but contributing data for national use o Provides common, core data o Common data set o Defines data standards for reporting purposes o Data accessible from single point o Core elements consistent o Core data exists in central warehouse o Common Data standards o Will still have core elements o Agencies can add additional elements o Provides management with consistent, standardized data o Will have same standards  Redundancy o Eliminate redundant systems o Eliminates duplicate data entry for some o Meets OMB requirement to reduce duplicative systems  Miscellaneous o Eliminates cost of supporting and maintaining some of the existing systems o Can be into production in short time o No training issues  Reports o Ability to receive consistent reports from one location o Meets management desires for a single report o One report with standard data o Standardized outputs  Flexibility o Most flexible in terms of inputs and outputs o Interfaces existing systems o Greater flexibility for all stakeholders and agencies o Provides for a new system for those agencies that have this need o Agencies have option to keep existing system o Allows agencies that wish to, to upgrade and fully incorporate over time

o Best of the worlds with flexibility/adaptability and solving problems o Service First offices will only have to use one system to enter data o Provides flexibility (primarily for states) to use existing systems reducing the fiscal impact of getting new hardware and software

Weaknesses/Negative Impacts  Cost o The cost for both alternatives 4 and 5 are the highest. Determining which alternative would be the most costly would require knowledge of development, system replacement and implementation strategies. Task Group Individual Comments regarding cost are as follows: . High cost . Expensive, inconsistent data entry . Additional cost in developing a new system (HW/SW) and maintaining yet another system . Additional cost to maintain different systems . Most costly change for systems, training, etc. . Maintenance of older systems is higher . Expensive to maintain all systems  Time o Long development time o Use of existing systems requires manual or electronic conversion – time consuming  Training o Will need to retrain people to use new system  Data o Additional workload in transferring information to a data repository o Data standards are not consistent o Increased flexibility of allowing a mix of systems to feed a central data base may limit what data will exist in the central data base o Could cause some inconsistency in data conversion o Data manipulation causes problems o Update of single database means changes to each agency/state system link  System Related Issues o More complex to maintain o Does not eliminate redundant systems o Requires changes in existing systems o Still keeps some stovepipe applications o Additional maintenance (for mapping data) will be required every time one of the existing systems change

Appendix 7

Glossary The terms below are a subset of the terms identified in the NWCG Glossary that are pertinent to the topic of fire statistics. All of the terms included do not appear in body of this document, but are included here for completeness.

Term Definition An agency is a division of government with a specific function, or a non-governmental organization (e.g., private contractor, business, etc.) that offers a particular kind of Agency assistance. In ICS, agencies are defined as jurisdictional (having statutory responsibility for incident mitigation), or assisting and/or cooperating (providing resources and/or assistance). A facility which serves as a central point for one or more agencies to use in processing Agency / Area information and resource requests. It may also serve as a dispatch center for one of the Coordination Center agencies. Agency Dispatch The agency or jurisdictional facility from which resources are allocated to incidents. A person working within an agency organization who processes resources to and from Agency Dispatcher incidents. (see also DISPATCHER) Line officer (or designee) of the agency or jurisdiction that has responsibility for the Agency Executive or incident. These usually include; NPS Park Superintendent, BIA Agency Superintendent, Administrator USFS Forest Supervisor, BLM District Manager, FWS Refuge Manager, State Forest Officer, Fire Chief. An individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has Agency been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that agency's participation Representative at the incident. Reports to the incident liaison officer. Allocated Resources Resources dispatched to an incident, that have not yet checked in. Tasks given to resources to perform within a given operational period, based upon tactical Assignments objectives in the incident action plan. A system of interactive computer programs for modelling fuel and fire behavior, comprised BEHAVE of two systemsBURN and FUEL. Build-up The cumulative effects of long-term drying on current fire danger. Build-up The increase in strength of a fire management organization. Build-up The accelerated spreading of a fire with time. Build-up Towering cumulus clouds which may lead to thunderstorms later in the day. A relative measure of the cumulative effect of daily drying factors and precipitation on Buildup Index fuels with a ten-day timelag. Burn An area burned over by wildland fire. Burn A reference to a working fire. The state of the combined factors of the environment that affect fire behavior in a specified Burning Conditions fuel type. An estimate of the potential difficulty of fire containment as it relates to the flamelength at Burning Index the head of the fire. A relative number related to the contribution that fire behavior makes to the amount or effort needed to contain a fire in a specified fuel type. Doubling the burning index indicates Burning Index that twice the effort will be required to contain a fire in that fuel type as was previously required, providing all other parameters are held constant. That part of each 24-hour period when fires spread most rapidly; typically from 10:00 AM Burning Period to sundown.

Term Definition The least aggressive wildfire suppression strategy, typically allowing the wildland fire to Confine a Fire burn itself out within determined natural or existing boundaries such as rocky ridges, streams, and possibly roads. A moderately aggressive wildfire suppression strategy which can reasonably be expected to Contain a Fire keep the fire within established boundaries of constructed firelines under prevailing conditions. Containment The act of controlling hazardous spilled or leaking materials. Completion of a control line around a fire and any associated spot fires which can Containment reasonably be expected to stop the fire's spread. Co-op Fire Refers to federal, state, and local cooperative fire programs. An agency supplying assistance including but not limited to direct tactical or support Cooperating Agency functions or resources to the incident control effort (e.g. Red Cross, law enforcement agency, telephone company, etc.). Cooperative Fire A staff unit within the branch of State and Private Forestry or Aviation and Fire Protection Management in the National Forest System, USDA Forest Service. Local agency or person who has agreed in advance to perform specified fire control Cooperator services and has been properly instructed to give such service. The process of systematically analyzing a situation, developing relevant information, and informing appropriate command authority of viable alternatives for selection of the most effective combination of available resources to meet specific objective The coordination Coordination process (which can be either intra- or interagency) does not involve dispatch actions. However, personnel responsible for coordination may perform command or dispatch functions within limits established by specific agency delegations, procedures, legal authority, etc. Term used to describe any facility that is used for the coordination of agency or Coordination Center jurisdictional resources in support of one or more incidents. An organized group of firefighters under the leadership of a crew boss or other designated Crew official. The implementation of a command decision to move a resource or resources from one Dispatch place to another. Dispatch Center A facility from which resources are assigned to an incident. A person who receives reports of discovery and status of fires, confirms their locations, Dispatcher takes action promptly to provide people and equipment likely to be needed for control efforts. A period of relatively long duration with substantially below-normal precipitation, usually Drought occurring over a large area. A number representing the net effect of evaporation, transpiration and precipitation in Drought Index producing cumulative moisture depletion in deep duff or upper soil layers. Any incident which requires the response of a fire protection organization's attack units Emergency and/or support units. Emergency Person employed as emergency worker on forest or wildland fire which threatens damage Firefighter to property under public management. Hired for the duration of the emergency only. Energy Release The computed total heat release per unit area (British thermal units per square foot) within Component the flaming front at the head of a moving fire. Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping, water, and hose capacity but Engine with less than the specified level of personnel. A situation where personnel are unexpectedly caught in a fire behavior-related, life- threatening position where planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, inadequate, or Entrapment compromised. An entrapment may or may not include deployment of a fire shelter for its intended purpose. These situations may or may not result in injury. They include "near misses." Escaped Fire Fire which has exceeded or is expected to exceed initial attack capabilities or prescription.

Term Definition Escaped Fire Situation A decision-making process that evaluates alternative suppression strategies against selected Analysis environmental, social, political, and economic criteria. Provides a record of decisions. An organization needed to support an incident which expands along with the Incident Expanded Dispatch Command System. Classification for a fire not originating in a building, but which ignites building(s). A fire Exposure Fire originating in one building and spreading to another is classified under the original cause of fire. A wildland fire that has not been contained or controlled by initial attack forces and for Extended Attack which more firefighting resources are arriving, en route, or being ordered by the initial Incident attack incident commander. Extended attack implies that the complexity level of the incident will increase beyond the capabilities of initial attack incident command. Extreme implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, Extreme Fire prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, strong convection column. Behavior Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously. A reported smoke or fire requiring no suppression; for example, brush burning under False Alarm control, mill smoke, false smoke, etc. FIRDAT (Fire Data A routine of FIREFAMILY that combines historical weather records with the equations of Manipulation the NFDRS to produce frequency distributions of the NFDRS indexes and components. Program) Official group or organization compelled and authorized under statutes or law to control Fire Agency fires within a designated area or upon designated lands. Review of fire management actions taken on a specific fire, group of fires, or fire season in Fire Analysis order to identify reasons for both effective and ineffective actions, and to recommend or prescribe ways and means of doing a more efficient job. Also called hot line review. Fire Behavior The manner in which a fire reacts to the influences of fuel, weather, and topography. Person responsible to the planning section chief for establishing a weather data collection Fire Behavior Analyst system and for developing fire behavior predictions based on fire history, fuel, weather, and topography. Fire Behavior Prediction of probable fire behavior, usually prepared by a fire behavior analyst, in support Forecast of fire suppression or prescribed burning operations. Fire Behavior A set of mathematical equations that can be used to predict certain aspects of fire behavior Prediction Model when provided with an assessment of fuel and environmental conditions. Fire Behavior A system that uses a set of mathematical equations to predict certain aspects of fire Prediction System behavior in wildland fuels when provided with data on fuel and environmental conditions. For statistical purposes fires are grouped into broad cause classes. The nine general causes Fire Cause used in the U.S. are lightning, campfire, smoking, debris burning, incendiary, machine use (equipment), railroad, children, and miscellaneous. Fire Cause Class Any class into which wildland fires are grouped according to their origin. Fire Climate Composite pattern of weather elements over time that affect fire behavior in a given region. Fire Crew General term for two or more firefighters organized to work as a unit. Detrimental fire effects expressed in monetary or other units, including the unfavorable Fire Damage effects of fire-induced changes in the resource base on the attainment of organizational goals. Fire Damage Method of determining financial or other losses resulting from a fire. Appraisal Sum of constant danger and variable danger factors affecting the inception, spread, and Fire Danger resistance to control, and subsequent fire damage; often expressed as an index. A relative number indicating the severity of wildland fire danger as determined from Fire Danger Index burning conditions and other variable factors of fire danger. A fire management system that integrates the effects of selected fire danger factors into one Fire Danger Rating or more qualitative or numerical indices of current protection needs.

Term Definition Fire Danger Rating Geographical area within which climate, fuel, and topography are relatively homogeneous, Area hence fire danger can be assumed to be uniform. Standard 24-hour period beginning at 1000 hours, during which most wildfires undergo a Fire Day predictable speeding up and slowing down of intensity, depending primarily on the influence of weather and fuel factors. Fire Death Fire casualty which is fatal or becomes fatal within one year of the fire. Fire Detection Act or system of discovering and locating fires. (Syn. DETECTION) Fire Discovery The act of determining that a fire exists; does not include determining its location. A rural or suburban fire organization, usually tax supported, that maintains fire companies Fire District and apparatus. It is also called a fire protection district. Fire Effects The physical, biological, and ecological impacts of fire on the environment. The surrounding conditions, influences, and modifying forces of topography, fuel, and Fire Environment weather that determine fire behavior. The number of fires per unit time in some designated area. The size of the area must be Fire Frequency specified (units-number/time/area). The part of a fire within which continuous flaming combustion is taking place. Unless Fire Front otherwise specified, the fire front is assumed to be the leading edge of the fire perimeter. In ground fires, the fire front may be mainly smoldering combustion. A fuel complex, defined by volume, type condition, arrangement, and location, that Fire Hazard determines the degree of ease of ignition and of resistance to control. A numerical rating for specific fuel types, indicating the relative probability of fires starting Fire Hazard Index and spreading, and the probable degree of resistance to control; similar to burning index, but without effects of wind speed. Those wildland areas where the combination of vegetation, topography, weather, and the Fire Hazardous Areas threat of fire to life and property create difficult and dangerous problems. The average number of fires in a specified area during a specified time period. (Syn. FIRE Fire Incidence OCCURRENCE) Fire Information A personal computer (PC) program that merges fire and weather/index files, and allows Retrieval and plotting and analysis of fire occurrence and fire danger. Evaluation System Injury suffered as the result of a fire that requires (or should require) treatment by a Fire Injury practitioner of medicine within one year of the fire, regardless of whether treatment was actually received. Time (in years) between two successive fires in a designated area (i.e., the interval between Fire Interval two successive fire occurrences); the size of the area must be clearly specified. Procedure undertaken to determine, at a minimum, when, where, how a fire (or fires) Fire Investigation started, and by whom. Activities required for the protection of burnable wildland values from fire and the use of Fire Management prescribed fire to meet land management objectives. Fire Management Statement, for a specific area, of fire policy, objective, and prescribed action; may include Plan maps, charts, tables, and statistical data. The average number of fires in a specified area during a specified time period. (Syn. FIRE Fire Occurrence INCIDENCE) Fire Occurrence Map A map that shows by symbols the starting points of all fires for a given period. Fire Perimeter The entire outer edge or boundary of a fire. Systematic technological and administrative management process of designing Fire Planning organization, facilities, and procedures to protect wildland from fire. Activities undertaken in advance of fire occurrence to help ensure more effective fire suppression; includes overall planning, recruitment and training of fire personnel, Fire Presuppression procurement and maintenance of firefighting equipment and supplies, fuel treatm and creating, maintaining, and improving a system of fuelbreaks, roads, water sources, and control lines.

Term Definition Activities, including education, engineering, enforcement and administration, that are Fire Prevention directed at reducing the number of wildfires, the costs of suppression, and fire-caused damages to resources and property. A map maintained on a large fire to show at given times the location of the fire, Fire Progress Map deployment of suppression forces, and progress of suppression. Computerized interagency summary of fire suppression qualifications of listed personnel. Fire Qualifications Available information includes fire training record, fire experience record, and physical fitness testing score for each individual. Periodicity and pattern of naturally-occurring fires in a particular area or vegetative type, Fire Regime described in terms of frequency, biological severity, and area extent. An official record of a fire, generally including information on cause, location, action Fire Report taken, damage, costs, etc., from start of the fire until completion of suppression action. These reports vary in form and detail from agency to agency. Fire Resources All personnel and equipment available or potentially available for assignment to incidents. Fire Risk The chance of fire starting, as determined by the presence and activity of causative agents. A number related to the potential number of firebrands to which a given area will be Fire Risk exposed during the rating day (National Fire Danger Rating System). Fire Risk A causative agent. Period(s) of the year during which wildland fires are likely to occur, spread, and affect Fire Season resources values sufficient to warrant organized fire management activities. A legally enacted time during which burning activities are regulated by State or local Fire Season authority. The organized fire protection service; its members, individually and collectively; allied Fire Service organizations assisting protection agencies. Degree to which a site has been altered or disrupted by fire; loosely, a product of fire Fire Severity intensity and residence time. A number that results from manipulating raw data pertaining to wildland fires according to Fire Statistic a specified procedure; associated with samples. All work and activities connected with fire-extinguishing operations, beginning with Fire Suppression discovery and continuing until the fire is completely extinguished. Fire Suppression The management structure, usually shown in the form of an organization chart of the Organization persons and groups having specific responsibilities in fire suppression. Fire Suppression The personnel collectively assigned to the suppression of a specific fire or group of fires. Organization Fire Suppression The personnel responsible for fire suppression within a specified area. Organization Fire Weather Weather conditions which influence fire ignition, behavior, and suppression. Set of computerized FIREMODELS run during fire season at the operations coordination FIRECAST center on preselected locations to indicate possible fire spread from those points for that date. FIREFAMILY (Fire A computer program that uses historical weather data for fire planning. Its three major Data Program) routines are FIRDAT, SEASON, and FIRINF. Firefighter Person whose principal function is fire suppression. Qualified firefighters, together with their equipment and material, used to suppress Firefighting Forces wildland fires. Firefighting A computer program through which the technology of FIRESCOPE is transferred to areas Technology outside southern California, where complex, multi-agency fires and other incidents Implementation commonly occur. Program Computer program which, with specified information, predicts an hourly rate of spread FIREMODEL from a point of origin.

Term Definition Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies. A multi-agency coordination system designed to improve the capabilities of California's wildland fire FIRESCOPE protection agencies. Its purpose is to provide more efficient resources allocation and utilization, particularly in multiple or large fire situations during critical burning conditions. The rate of heat release per unit time per unit length of fire front. Numerically, it is the Fireside Intensity product of the heat yield, the quantity of fuel consumed in the fire front, and the rate of spread. The product of the available heat of combustion per unit of ground and the rate of spread of Fireside Intensity the fire, interpreted as the heat released per unit of time for each unit length of fire edge. The primary unit is Btu per second per foot (Btu/sec/ft) of fire front. Generally understood to mean an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, Forest Service some states also use Forest Service, e.g., Colorado State Forest Service. Fuel Combustible material. An array of fuels usually constructed with specific loading, depth, and particle size to meet Fuel Bed experimental requirements; also, commonly used to describe the fuel composition in natural settings. Simulated fuel complex for which all fuel descriptors required for the solution of a Fuel Model mathematical rate of spread model have been specified. An identifiable association of fuel elements of distinctive species, form, size, arrangement, Fuel Type or other characteristics that will cause a predictable rate of spread or resistance to control under specified weather conditions. Fuel Type Division of wildland areas into fire hazard classes. Classification A political boundary designated by the wildland fire protection agencies, where these agencies work together in the coordination and effective utilization of resources within Geographic Area their boundaries. The National Interagency Mobilization Guide in Chapter 20, section 21.1, identifies the area encompassed by the eleven NWCG Geographic areas. A fuel complex defined by kind, arrangement, volume, condition, and location that forms a Hazard special threat of ignition and resistance to control. Map of the area of operations that shows all of the known aerial hazards, including but not Hazard Map limited to power lines, military training areas, hang gliding areas, etc. Human-caused Fire Any fire caused directly or indirectly by person(s). Pertains to the Incident Status Summary, Form ICS-209, which is used for reporting ICS-209 information on incidents of significance. The information included on the form often determines the priority of a given incident, and thus its share of the resources available. Ignition Any occurrence resulting in a wildland fire. An occurrence either human-caused or natural phenomenon, that requires action or support Incident by emergency service personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources. The actions taken by the first resources to arrive at a wildfire to protect lives and property, Initial Attack and prevent further extension of the fire. Initial Response Resources initially committed to an incident. The range or sphere of authority. Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal responsibilities and authority for incident mitigation. Jurisdictional authority at Jurisdiction an incident can be political/geographical (e.g., city, county, state or federal boundary lines), or functional (e.g., police department, health department, etc.). The agency having land and resource management responsibility for a specific Jurisdictional Agency geographical or functional area as provided by federal, state or local law. A fire burning with a size and intensity such that its behavior is determined by interaction Large Fire between its own convection column and weather conditions above the surface. Large Fire For statistical purposes, a fire burning more than a specified area of land e.g., 300 acres. Lightning Fire Wildfire caused directly or indirectly by lightning.

Term Definition Line Officer Agency Administrator. Local Agency Any agency having jurisdictional responsibility for all or part of an incident. Local Responsibility Lands on which neither the state nor the federal government has any legal responsibility for Area providing fire protection. In ICS, this is a top-down management activity which involves a three-step process to achieve the incident goal. The steps are: establishing the incident objectives, selection of Management by appropriate strategy(s) to achieve the objectives; and the tactical direction associated with Objectives the selected strategy. Tactical direction includes: selection of tactics, selection of resources, resource assignments and performance monitoring. Individuals within ICS organizational units that are assigned specific managerial Managers responsibilities, e.g., staging area manager or camp manager. The process and procedures used by all organizations, federal, state and local, for Mobilization activating, assembling, and transporting all resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident. Suppression action dictated by one or more management constraints that affect strategy Modified Suppression and/or tactics. A generalized term which describes the functions and activities of representatives of involved agencies and/or jurisdictions who come together to make decisions regarding the Multi-Agency prioritizing of incidents, and the sharing and use of critical resources. The MAC Coordination organization is not a part of the on-scene ICS and is not involved in developing incident strategy or tactics. Multi-Agency An incident where one or more agencies assist a jurisdictional agency or agencies. May be Incident single or unified command. Multijurisdiction An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that have a statutory responsibility for Incident incident mitigation. In ICS these incidents will be managed under unified command. A system wherein two or more fire departments, by prior agreement, operate essentially as Mutual Aid a single agency to respond routinely across jurisdictional boundaries to render mutual assistance in combating fire emergencies. The collected technical fire protection standards prepared by various committees of the National Fire Codes National Fire Protection Association and published annually in 15 volumes. National Fire Danger A uniform fire danger rating system that focuses on the environmental factors that control Rating System the moisture content of fuels. National Fire Nonprofit educational and technical association formed in 1896, headquartered in Quincy, Protection Massachusetts, and devoted to the protection of life and property from fire through Association development of standards of fire protection and public education. Public lands, generally forest, range, or other wildland, administered by the Forest Service, National Forest Lands USDA. Consists of all national forest lands, the national grasslands and land utilization projects National Forest administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, and other interests as System defined in Section 9 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 National Interagency Coordinates allocation of resources to one or more coordination centers or major fires Coordination Center within the nation. Located in Boise, Idaho. A facility located at Boise, Idaho, jointly operated by several federal agencies, dedicated to National Interagency coordination, logistical support, and improved weather services in support of fire Fire Center management operations throughout the United States. National Interagency Fire Management An ORACLE database that contains wildland fire reports and weather data. Located at the Integrated Database - National Computer Center, Kansas City. NIFMID An NWCG developed program consisting of five subsystems which collectively provide a National Interagency total systems approach to all-risk incident management. The subsystems are: The Incident Incident Management Command System, Training, Qualifications and Certification, Supporting Technologies, System and Publications Management.

Term Definition A federal reservation administered by the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of National Park the Interior in order to conserve unique scenery, flora and fauna, and any natural and historic objects within its boundaries for public enjoyment in perpetuity A group formed under the direction of the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to National Wildfire improve the coordination and effectiveness of wildland fire activities and provide a forum Coordinating Group to discuss, recommend appropriate action, or resolve issues and proble of substantive nature. All lands, waters and interests therein administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the National Wildlife protection and conservation of fish and wildlife, including those that are threatened with Refuse System extinction. Any fire not posing a threat to resources or property of the jurisdictional agency, regardless Nonstatistical Fire of whether action was taken by the agency. A season when weather, fire danger, and number and distribution of fires are about Normal Fire Season average. Normal Fire Season Period of the year that normally comprises the fire season. Normal Fire Year The year with the third greatest number of fires in the past ten. That period of the fire season during which fires are expected to ignite most readily, to Peak Fire Season burn with greater than average intensity, and to create damages at an unacceptable level. Point of Origin Point of original ignition of a fire. Preparedness Condition or degree of being ready to cope with a potential fire situation. Mental readiness to recognize changes in fire danger and act promptly when action is Preparedness appropriate. A written plan providing for timely recognition of approaching critical fire situations, Preparedness Plan priority setting, the deployment of forces, and other actions to respond to those situations. A management ignited wildland fire that burns under specified conditions where the fire is Prescribed Fire confined to a predetermined area and produce the fire behavior and fire characteristics required to attain planned fire treatment and resource management objec Naturally ignited wildland fire that burns under specified conditions where the fire is Prescribed Natural confined to a predetermined area and produce the fire behavior and fire characteristics to Fire attain planned fire treatment and resource management objectives. Activities in advance of fire occurrence to ensure effective suppression action. Includes planning the organization, recruiting and training, procuring equipment and supplies, Presuppression maintaining fire equipment and fire control improvements, and negotiating cooperative and/or mutual aid agreements. Activities directed at reducing the incidence of fires, including public education, law Prevention enforcement, personal contact, and reduction of fuel hazards (fuels management). A number representing the chance that a given event will occur. The range is from 0% for Probability an impossible event, to 100% for an inevitable event. Agency responsible for providing direct incident management within a specific Protecting Agency geographical area pursuant to its jurisdictional responsibility or as specified and provide by contract, cooperative agreement, etc. The actions taken to limit the adverse environmental, social, political, and economical Protection effects of fire. A fire resulting from any operation or activity of a common carrier railroad, except Railroad Fire smoking. Range Fire Any wildfire on rangeland. The relative activity of a fire in extending its horizontal dimensions. It is expressed as rate of increase of the total perimeter of the fire, as rate of forward spread of the fire front, or as Rate of Spread rate of increase in area, depending on the intended use of the information. Usually it is expressed in chains or acres per hour for a specific period in the fire's history. Recreation Fire A fire resulting from recreational use, except smoking.

Term Definition Fire qualification card issued to fire rated persons showing their training needs and their Red Card qualifications to fill specified fire suppression positions in a large fire suppression or incident organization. Any wildfire that requires fire suppression to protect natural resources or values associated Reportable Fire with natural resources, or is destructive to natural resources. The natural resources of an area, such as timber, grass, watershed values, recreation values, Resources and wildlife habitat. Personnel, equipment, services and supplies available, or potentially available, for assignment to incidents. Personnel and equipment are described by kind and type, e.g., Resources ground, water, air, etc., and may be used in tactical, support or overhead capacities at an incident. Movement of an individual firefighting resource from its assigned standby location to Response another location or to an incident in reaction to dispatch orders or to a reported alarm. Responsible Fire Agency with primary responsibility for fire suppression on any particular land area. Agency (NFDRS) A number related to the potential of firebrands to which a given area will be Risk exposed during the rating day. Risk The chance of fire starting as determined by the presence and activity of causative agents. Any area wherein residences and other developments are scattered and intermingled with Rural forest, range, or farm land and native vegetation or cultivated crops. An organization established to provide fire protection to a designated geographic area Rural Fire District outside of areas under municipal fire protection. Usually has some taxing authority and officials may be appointed or elected. Fire protection and firefighting problems that are outside of areas under municipal fire Rural Fire Protection prevention and building regulations and that are usually remote from public water supplies. Analysis of factors which influence suppression of an escaped fire from which a plan of Situation Analysis attack will be developed; includes development of alternative strategies of fire suppression and net effect of each. Class A -one-fourth acre or less; Class B -more than one-fourth acre, but less than 10 acres; Class C -10 acres or more, but less than 100 acres;Class C -10 acres or more, but less than Size Class of Fire (As 100 acres;Class D -100 acres or more, but less than 300 acres; Class E -300 acres or more, to Size of Wildfire) but less than 1,000 acres; Class F -1,000 acres or more, but less than 5,000 acres; Class G -5,000 acres or more. Sizeup The evaluation of the fire to determine a course of action for suppression. A term used when reporting a fire or probable fire in its initial stages. In fire control the Smoke following types of smokes are recognized: LEGITIMATE SMOKE, FALSE SMOKE, DRIFT SMOKE, INTERMITTENT SMOKE, SMOKE HAZE, and SMOKE COLUMN. Application of fire intensities and meteorological processes to minimize degradation of air Smoke Management quality during prescribed fires. Smoking (As a Fire Wildfires caused by smokers from matches, lighters, tobacco, or other smoking material. Cause) Spot Fire Fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by a firebrand. The number that results from manipulating raw data according to a specified procedure; Statistic associated with samples. In general, an actionable fire, on which any fire agency reports and maintains specified Statistical Fire information (e.g., cause, date and point of origin, size, fire damage). Statistics The scientific study of numerical data based on natural phenomena. Strategy The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives. Structural Fire The protection of homes or other structures from wildland fire. Protection Structure Fire Fire originating in and burning any part or all of any building, shelter, or other structure. An agency providing suppression or other support and resource assistance to a protecting Supporting Agency agency.

Term Definition The most aggressive wildfire suppression strategy leading to the total extinguishment of a Suppress a Fire wildfire. Suppression All the work of extinguishing or confining a fire beginning with its discovery. Two or more firefighters stationed at a strategic location for initial action on fires. Duties Suppression Crew are essentially the same as those of individual firefighters. Fire that burns loose debris on the surface, which includes dead branches, leaves, and low Surface Fire vegetation. Sustained Attack Continuing fire suppression action until fire is under control. Deploying and directing resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives designated Tactics by strategy. Threat Fire Any uncontrolled fire near to or heading toward an area under organized fire protection. Refers to resource capability. A Type 1 resource provides a greater overall capability due Type to power, size, capacity, etc., than would be found in a Type 2 resource. Resource typing provides managers with additional information in selecting the best resource for the task. Any fire which threatens to destroy life, property, or natural resources, and (a) is not Uncontrolled Fire burning within the confines of firebreaks, or (b) is burning with such intensity that it could not be readily extinguished with ordinary tools commonly available In ICS, unified command is a unified team effort which allows all agencies with jurisdictional responsibility for the incident, either geographical or functional, to manage Unified Command an incident by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategie This is accomplished without losing or abdicating authority, responsibility, or accountability. The organizational element of an incident having functional responsibility for a specific Unit activity in the planning, logistics, or finance/administration activity. Area in which residences and other human developments form an essentially solid covering Urban of the landscape, includes most areas within cities and towns, subdivisions, commercial and industrial parks, and similar developments whether inside city limits or not. The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle Urban Interface with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. (Syn. I-ZONE, WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE) Natural resources, improvements, or other values that may be jeopardized if a fire occurs; Values-At-Risk estimated damages and benefits that may result from fires in a particular presuppression or suppression situation. Vehicle Fire Fire originating in or on a vehicle or mobile equipment. Volunteer Fire A fire department company or a response unit, the members of which are not paid. Company Volunteer Fire A fire department of which some or all members are unpaid. Department Legally enrolled firefighter under the fire department organization laws who devotes time Volunteer Firefighter and energy to community fire service without compensation other than Worker's Compensation or other similar death and injury benefits. An area established by the Federal Government and administered either by the Forest Service, USDA or National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, or Bureau of Land Wilderness Management, in order to conserve its primeval character and influence for public enjoyment, under primitive conditions, in perpetuity. A fire occurring on wildland that is not meeting management objectives and thus requires a Wildfire suppression response. An area in which development is essentially non-existent, except for roads, railroads, Wildland powerlines, and similar transportation facilities. Structures, if any, are widely scattered. Wildland / Urban The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle Interface with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. (Syn. I-ZONE, URBAN INTERFACE) Wildland Fire Any fire occurring on the wildlands, regardless of ignition source, damages or benefits.

9/5/2003 Appendix 7-10