A publication of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Resource Advisor Guide PMS 313 AUGUST 2017 Resource Advisor Guide August 2017 PMS 313 The Resource Advisor Guide establishes NWCG standards for Resource Advisors to enable interagency consistency among Resource Advisors, who provide professional knowledge and expertise toward the protection of natural, cultural, and other resources on wildland fires and all-hazard incidents. The guide provides detailed information on decision-making, authorities, safety, preparedness, and rehabilitation concerns for Resource Advisors as well as considerations for interacting with all levels of incident management. Additionally, the guide standardizes the forms, plans, and systems used by Resource Advisors for all land management agencies. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners. NWCG operations standards are interagency by design; they are developed with the intent of universal adoption by the member agencies. However, the decision to adopt and utilize them is made independently by the individual member agencies and communicated through their respective directives systems. Table of Contents Section One: Resource Advisor Defined ...................................................................................................................1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................1 Trust Resources Defined: ...................................................................................................................................2 Natural Resources Defined: ................................................................................................................................2 Cultural Resources Defined: ...............................................................................................................................2 Special Management Areas: ...............................................................................................................................2 Resource Advisor Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................................3 Ensure Safety ......................................................................................................................................................3 Be Prepared ........................................................................................................................................................3 Home Unit Preparedness Guidelines ..................................................................................................................4 Deployment Preparedness Factors......................................................................................................................4 Gather Information .............................................................................................................................................5 Communicate ......................................................................................................................................................5 Document ...........................................................................................................................................................6 Provide Feedback ...............................................................................................................................................6 Read Positions ........................................................................................................................................................6 Qualifications Guides .........................................................................................................................................7 The Fireline Resource Advisor ...............................................................................................................................8 The Role of Lead READs and the Resource Advisor Coordinator ........................................................................8 Recommended Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities .......................................................................................................9 Desired READ Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities .................................................................................................10 Effective Resource Advising ................................................................................................................................11 Be Prepared ......................................................................................................................................................12 Critical Analysis and Decision Making ............................................................................................................12 Rational Decision-Making ................................................................................................................................13 Decision Errors .................................................................................................................................................13 Address Conflicts with Care .............................................................................................................................14 Documentation .................................................................................................................................................15 Provide Feedback .............................................................................................................................................15 Section Two: Incident Response .............................................................................................................................16 READ Responsibilities .........................................................................................................................................16 Pre-Incident Preparedness ....................................................................................................................................17 Assembling a READ Kit ..................................................................................................................................17 Host or Attend a Resource Advising Training .................................................................................................18 Mobilization .....................................................................................................................................................19 Incident Activities ............................................................................................................................................19 Resource Advisor Guide i Daily Operations and Documentation ..............................................................................................................20 Data Gathering and Reconnaissance ................................................................................................................21 Analysis, Planning, and Strategy ......................................................................................................................22 Rehabilitation and Suppression Damage Repair ..............................................................................................23 Documentation .................................................................................................................................................23 Check-Out and Demobilization ........................................................................................................................24 Incident Management Principles and Standards ...................................................................................................24 Scaling a Response Effort ................................................................................................................................24 Appropriate Response Strategies ......................................................................................................................24 Cost Effective Incident Management and Resource Protection .......................................................................25 Other Considerations ........................................................................................................................................25 Appendix A: Safety ..................................................................................................................................................26 Standard Orders and Watch-Out Situations..........................................................................................................27 Personal Protective Equipment .............................................................................................................................28 Right To Refuse Risk ...........................................................................................................................................31 Ten Questions Every Responder Must Ask and Answer Yes To Before Engaging in Incident Response ......31 Safety For The READ ..........................................................................................................................................32 Aviation Safety .....................................................................................................................................................34