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of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.Center.

Wilderness Fire Resource Advisor

Roles & Responsibilities

Objectives:Objectives:

Define the Resource Advisor’s role in Define the Resource Advisor’s role in wildland fire.wildland fire.

Identify qualifications necessary to be an Identify qualifications necessary to be an effective Resource Advisor.effective Resource Advisor.

Familiarize participants with their Familiarize participants with their responsibilities while serving as Resource responsibilities while serving as Resource Advisor.Advisor.

Federal Wildland Fire PolicyFederal Wildland Fire Policy

HistoryHistory

1976 - Prescribed Natural Fire1976 - Prescribed Natural Fire 1988 - Yellowstone1988 - Yellowstone 1994 - South Canyon1994 - South Canyon 1995 - Federal Fire Policy Review1995 - Federal Fire Policy Review 1996 - PNF Escapes – R-61996 - PNF Escapes – R-6 1998 - Implementation Guide1998 - Implementation Guide 2000 - Cerro Grande2000 - Cerro Grande

2001 – Federal Fire Policy 2001 – Federal Fire Policy Review Review

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

First and foremost is that “Firefighter First and foremost is that “Firefighter and public safety is the first priority and public safety is the first priority in every fire management activity.”in every fire management activity.”

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

The second is that “The role of The second is that “The role of wildland fire as an essential wildland fire as an essential ecological process and natural ecological process and natural change agent will be incorporated change agent will be incorporated into the planning process.”into the planning process.”

Fire Creates PatternsFire Creates Patterns

Adds to diversityAdds to diversity Creates fuel breaks Creates fuel breaks

Replicates natural conditionsReplicates natural conditions Creates edge effectsCreates edge effects RecyclesRecycles

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles The third The third

principle is principle is “Fire “Fire management management plans, plans, programs, and programs, and activities activities support land support land and resource and resource managementmanagement plans and their plans and their implementationimplementation.”.”

RolesRoles

Incident Command System OrganizationIncident Command System Organization

Agency Administrator

Resource Advisor

Public InformationSafety Officer

Operations LogisticsPlans Finance

Incident Commander

The IC – RA RelationshipThe IC – RA Relationship

Simple fireSimple fire:: ICIC RARA

Moderately complex Moderately complex firefire:: ICIC RARA

Natural Resource Natural Resource SpecialistSpecialist

Cultural Resource Cultural Resource SpecialistSpecialist

Large complex fire:Large complex fire: ICIC AARAAR RARA

Natural SpecialistNatural Specialist Botanist, Fisheries, Botanist, Fisheries,

Forester, Forester, Hydrologist, SoilsHydrologist, Soils

Cultural SpecialistCultural Specialist Archaeologist, Archaeologist,

Tribal Rep, Tribal Rep, Historian, Historical Historian, Historical ArchitectArchitect

Figure 1. Figure 1. Incident Command Structure—Incident Command Structure—Small Fire with TeamSmall Fire with Team

Agency Administrator (e.g. District Ranger, Forest Supervisor)

Incident Commander Agency Administrator Representative

Lead Wilderness Resource Advisor (WRA1)

Technical Specialist (e.g., Archeologist)

Operations Section Chief OrPlanning Section Chief

Technical Specialist(e.g., Range Specialist)

Technical Specialist(e.g., Weeds Specialist)

Figure 2. Incident Command Structure – Large Fire with Team

Incident CommanderLead Wilderness Resource Advisor (WRA1)

Agency Administrator Representative

Assistant(WRA1)

WRA2 DIV ACoordinator

WRA2 DIV BCoordinator

WRA2 DIV CCoordinator

THSP (e.g., Hydrologist)

THSP(e.g., Archeologist)

THSP(e.g., Botanist)

THSP (e.g. HeritageSpecialist)

WRA2(e.g. Wilderness Specialist)

THSP(e.g., Soils Specialist)

THSP(e.g., Fisheries Specialist)

THSP (e.g., Range Specialist)

THSP(e.g. Archeologist)

Operations Section Chief

PlanningSectionChief

DIVSDIV A

DIVSDIV B

DIVSDIV C

Agency Administrator(e.g., District Ranger, ForestSupervisor)

The Incident Command System The Incident Command System and the RA Positionand the RA Position

RA acronym is READ in new Incident RA acronym is READ in new Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS)Qualification Certification System (IQCS)

DoI agencies will Red Card RA positionDoI agencies will Red Card RA position FS may Red Card as RA or as Technical FS may Red Card as RA or as Technical

Specialist (THSP) or informally by FMOSpecialist (THSP) or informally by FMO Obtain Red Card by agency policyObtain Red Card by agency policy Formal Task Book and Qualifications in Formal Task Book and Qualifications in

the future ???the future ???

Agency Administrator’s RoleAgency Administrator’s Role

Assists in development of the WFSA.Assists in development of the WFSA. Identifies expectations and delegates Identifies expectations and delegates

authority to the Incident Management authority to the Incident Management Team.Team.

Monitors safety and finance issues.Monitors safety and finance issues. Deals with the local politics of fire.Deals with the local politics of fire.

Resource Advisor’s Primary Resource Advisor’s Primary RoleRole

The Resource Advisor represents the Agency The Resource Advisor represents the Agency Administrator and communicates agency Administrator and communicates agency resource concerns to the Incident resource concerns to the Incident Management Team. Management Team.

The exact nature of the role will vary with The exact nature of the role will vary with individuals and between incidents but should individuals and between incidents but should be spelled out in the Delegation of Authority be spelled out in the Delegation of Authority letter.letter.

When Possible, Be Involved In When Possible, Be Involved In Creating:Creating:

The Delegation of Authority LetterThe Delegation of Authority Letter A briefing packet for Incident A briefing packet for Incident

Management TeamManagement Team And implementing the Wildland Fire And implementing the Wildland Fire

Situation Analysis (WFSA) and Wildland Situation Analysis (WFSA) and Wildland Fire Implementation Plan (WFIP) Fire Implementation Plan (WFIP)

Your Role Is Performed By:Your Role Is Performed By:

Anticipating, identifying and evaluating Anticipating, identifying and evaluating potential impacts of fire operations on potential impacts of fire operations on natural and cultural resources.natural and cultural resources.

Communicating legal requirements for Communicating legal requirements for resource protection to the Incident resource protection to the Incident Management Team.Management Team.

Identifying political concerns.Identifying political concerns.

Role - Continued:Role - Continued:

Coordinating the integration of resource Coordinating the integration of resource concerns.concerns.

Ensuring that planned mitigation Ensuring that planned mitigation measures are carried out effectively.measures are carried out effectively.

Guiding the development of short & long Guiding the development of short & long term natural resource and cultural term natural resource and cultural rehabilitation documents.rehabilitation documents.

Other RolesOther Roles

Promoting a Promoting a better better understanding understanding of the Resource of the Resource Advisor’s role Advisor’s role among Agency among Agency Administrators, Administrators, fire staff and fire staff and Incident Incident Command Command Teams.Teams.

A Few Basic Tips:A Few Basic Tips: Figure out how to fit into the fire organization Figure out how to fit into the fire organization

and system.and system. Gain respect and credibility by being able Gain respect and credibility by being able

and willing to work side-by-side with fire and willing to work side-by-side with fire fightersfighters

Respect the limits of your knowledge and Respect the limits of your knowledge and experience.experience.

Utilize the fire and resource skills of others.Utilize the fire and resource skills of others. Be prepared for non-typical situations:Be prepared for non-typical situations:

- different languages- different languages- need for graphics and demonstrations- need for graphics and demonstrations

QualificationsQualifications

Sikorsky HelicopterSikorsky Helicopter

Resource Management Resource Management Knowledge Knowledge

Basic map reading skills.Basic map reading skills. Ability to acquire knowledge of the area:Ability to acquire knowledge of the area:

Topographic featuresTopographic features Vegetation typesVegetation types Critical areasCritical areas Types of visitors and inhabitantsTypes of visitors and inhabitants Improvements, roads, etc. Improvements, roads, etc.

Knowledge of Local Resource Knowledge of Local Resource

Concerns, Laws, Policy & PlansConcerns, Laws, Policy & Plans Ability to acquire knowledge of local politics & Ability to acquire knowledge of local politics &

land use plansland use plans Knowledge of guidelines & policies related to Knowledge of guidelines & policies related to

natural & cultural resource managementnatural & cultural resource management Experience in implementation of these policies, Experience in implementation of these policies,

including mitigating and protecting measuresincluding mitigating and protecting measures On wilderness fires, knowledge of those special On wilderness fires, knowledge of those special

considerationsconsiderations

Oral & Written Communication Oral & Written Communication SkillsSkills

Effective communication with the Effective communication with the Incident Management Team and the Incident Management Team and the agency administrator is a fundamental agency administrator is a fundamental responsibility.responsibility.

Fire Management KnowledgeFire Management Knowledge

Basic knowledge of both fire behavior Basic knowledge of both fire behavior and fire suppression impacts.and fire suppression impacts.

Basic understanding of Wildland & Basic understanding of Wildland & Prescribed Fire Management Policy.Prescribed Fire Management Policy.

Working knowledge of the ICS system.Working knowledge of the ICS system.

Knowledge and experience in fire Knowledge and experience in fire behavior, suppression and management behavior, suppression and management is is essentialessential to the Resource Advisor’s to the Resource Advisor’s effectiveness and quality of adviceeffectiveness and quality of advice..

RA’s Are Not Always Line Certified, RA’s Are Not Always Line Certified, But:But:

Resource Advisors who won’t leave base Resource Advisors who won’t leave base camp are required to have Standards for camp are required to have Standards for Survival.Survival.

Resource Advisors who are not line certified Resource Advisors who are not line certified and go on the line must be with someone who and go on the line must be with someone who is line certified and haveis line certified and have Taken Standards for SurvivalTaken Standards for Survival Passed a Light Work Capacity TestPassed a Light Work Capacity Test Carry a Red CardCarry a Red Card

To Be Line Certified:To Be Line Certified: Resource Advisors must haveResource Advisors must have

Taken:Taken: Standards for Survival.Standards for Survival. I-100 – Introduction to ICS I-100 – Introduction to ICS S-130 – Basic Firefighting TrainingS-130 – Basic Firefighting Training S-190 – Introduction to Fire BehaviorS-190 – Introduction to Fire Behavior

Passed the Light Work Capacity Test and Passed the Light Work Capacity Test and carry a Red Cardcarry a Red Card

Received permission from the Division Received permission from the Division Supervisor.Supervisor.

Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

Meet the minimum physical fitness Meet the minimum physical fitness requirements of your unit.requirements of your unit.

The Strenuous Work Capacity Test is The Strenuous Work Capacity Test is recommended recommended In order to access areas of concern.In order to access areas of concern. To gain credibility with fire fighters.To gain credibility with fire fighters.

Other Suggested Courses:Other Suggested Courses:

S-244 – Field Observer S-244 – Field Observer S-290 - Intermediate Fire Behavior (self study S-290 - Intermediate Fire Behavior (self study

available)available) S-336 - Fire Suppression TacticsS-336 - Fire Suppression Tactics RX – 340 – Introduction to Fire EffectsRX – 340 – Introduction to Fire Effects S-580 – Advanced Fire Use Applications S-580 – Advanced Fire Use Applications Fire in Ecosystem ManagementFire in Ecosystem Management Leave No TraceLeave No Trace

Qualifying ExperienceQualifying Experience

Other fire experienceOther fire experience Wilderness knowledge and experienceWilderness knowledge and experience One satisfactory training assignment One satisfactory training assignment

(suggested)(suggested)

Duties & ResponsibilitiesDuties & Responsibilities

Areas of Responsibility:Areas of Responsibility:

SafetySafety Reconnaissance & AnalysisReconnaissance & Analysis Planning & StrategiesPlanning & Strategies Reports & DocumentationReports & Documentation Operations & ManagementOperations & Management

Safety PrecautionsSafety Precautions

Communicate with the teamCommunicate with the team Get listed in the Incident Action PlanGet listed in the Incident Action Plan Follow the “10 Standard Fire Orders”Follow the “10 Standard Fire Orders” Be aware of the “18 Situations That Shout Be aware of the “18 Situations That Shout

Watch-out”Watch-out” Use LCESUse LCES

LCESLCES

LookoutsLookouts

CommunicationsCommunications

Escape RoutesEscape Routes

Safety ZonesSafety Zones

Carry:Carry:

A map & communication planA map & communication plan A programmable scanning radioA programmable scanning radio Appropriate fire gear, including a tool!Appropriate fire gear, including a tool!

Regular DutiesRegular Duties

Regular DutiesRegular Duties

Strategy MeetingsStrategy Meetings

Morning BriefingsMorning Briefings

Night Shift BriefingsNight Shift Briefings

Line WorkLine Work

Spike Camp ManagementSpike Camp Management

Be involved in Be involved in selecting sites.selecting sites.

Be there with the Be there with the spike camp spike camp manager before manager before the crews get the crews get there.there.

Define Define expectations for expectations for camp.camp.

River Bank Design Cost of 4 (with 4 extra tanks) was

approximately $1,300 in 2002 Use RV toilet paper.

Helispot Location & ConstructionHelispot Location & Construction

Air OperationsAir Operations

Snag FallingSnag Falling

Pumps & Water UsePumps & Water Use

Structure Protection

Fire Tool BoxFire Tool BoxHeritage Protection

Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

SpikedaceMexican Wolf

Gila Trout

Mexican Spotted Owl

Project Flying FishProject Flying FishProject Flying Fish

Saddling UpSaddling Up

ElectroshockingElectroshocking

Dumping Fish into PannierDumping Fish into Pannier

Temporary Holding PenTemporary Holding Pen

Fish TankFish Tank

Flying FishFlying Fish

Transferring Fish Transferring Fish

Preventing The Introduction of Preventing The Introduction of Noxious Weeds & Invasive PlantsNoxious Weeds & Invasive Plants

Power wash Power wash equipmentequipment

Check tents, Check tents, clothing, cargo clothing, cargo nets & stocknets & stock

Working With Teams & Working With Teams & CrewsCrews

Information BoardsInformation Boards

Working With The PublicWorking With The Public

The public may The public may need to be need to be notified and/or notified and/or removed from removed from the fire area. the fire area.

This can include This can include outfitter camps, outfitter camps, homes and homes and towns.towns.

PUBLIC INFORMATIONPUBLIC INFORMATION

Media & Public RelationsMedia & Public Relations

Mop-up ConsiderationsMop-up Considerations

Mop-up standards are a decision negotiated Mop-up standards are a decision negotiated between the Forest, the IC or Team, and the line between the Forest, the IC or Team, and the line overhead.overhead.

Strive for the minimum necessary to secure the Strive for the minimum necessary to secure the line from escape, based on anticipated weather. line from escape, based on anticipated weather.

The standard is a balance between resource The standard is a balance between resource values and the ability to mitigate for safety.values and the ability to mitigate for safety.

Minimizing mop-up impacts requires longer Minimizing mop-up impacts requires longer monitoring/patrolling and the element of risk. monitoring/patrolling and the element of risk.

RestorationRestoration Needs Needs

Suppression Suppression Effects:Effects:

Fire lineFire line HelispotsHelispots Dozer linesDozer lines CampsCamps Water sourcesWater sources Fire effectsFire effects

TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS

Help transition between teams or Help transition between teams or between the team and the local unit – a between the team and the local unit – a critical time. critical time.

Attend close-out meeting when home Attend close-out meeting when home unit assumes responsibility for fire to unit assumes responsibility for fire to include remaining rehabilitation needs include remaining rehabilitation needs and local obligations.and local obligations.

Identify priorities and the need for Identify priorities and the need for projects, including Burned Area projects, including Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER). Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER).

Rehabilitation ConsiderationsRehabilitation Considerations

Rehabilitation work can be minimized by Rehabilitation work can be minimized by using Minimum Impact Strategies & using Minimum Impact Strategies & Techniques (MIST) during the Techniques (MIST) during the suppression phase.suppression phase.

The objective of rehabilitation is to The objective of rehabilitation is to mitigate or eliminate resource damage mitigate or eliminate resource damage where possible, in order to preserve where possible, in order to preserve natural conditions. natural conditions.

The standards applied can significantly The standards applied can significantly affect the cost of a fire.affect the cost of a fire.

BAER Rehab = Restoring the

effects of the fire

Suppression Or BAER RehabilitationSuppression Or BAER Rehabilitation

Suppression Rehab = Restoring the effects of fire suppression

The Resource Advisor & BAERThe Resource Advisor & BAER

Liaison between Agency Administrator & Liaison between Agency Administrator & Baer TeamBaer Team

Technical advisorTechnical advisor Maintains documentation for unitMaintains documentation for unit

In Wilderness: Motorized authorizations/reportsIn Wilderness: Motorized authorizations/reports

Resource Advisor’s RoleResource Advisor’s Role

Be specific and “hands-on” as an advisor. Be specific and “hands-on” as an advisor. The more you know about the specific The more you know about the specific

area, the more effective you’ll be to the area, the more effective you’ll be to the Agency Administrator, the IMT and the Agency Administrator, the IMT and the resource.resource.

A philosopher will not get the job done.A philosopher will not get the job done.