NRCG Equipment Committee meeting Thursday January 22, 2004 DNRC Fire and Aviation Conference Room Missoula, Montana

Transcription

1 NRCG Equipment Committee meeting Thursday January 22, 2004 DNRC Fire and Aviation Conference Room Missoula, Montana The following committee members, liaisons and guest were present: Richard Grady Chairperson/DNRC Joe Wulfekuhle Vice Chairperson/DNRC Sue Beron Lolo National Forest Service Bruce Mottren Idaho Department of Lands Scott Kuehn Private Industry liaison Mike Frislie National Park Service Harvey Wolff Bureau of Land Management Miles City Ann Vogt Advisor BLM Base Operations - Billings Henry Speelman Bureau of Indian Affairs Northern Cheyenne Eastern Zone Roberta Whitlock NRCG Business Committee Liaison Mike Kopitzke NRCG Training Committee Liaison Mark Sherburn DNRC Billings Dan Bushnell Public Information Officer DNRC Fred Holmes DNRC - Kalispell DC Haas DNRC - Kalispell Ron Peppers Bureau of Indian Affairs Northern Cheyenne Walt Schopfer Bureau of Land Management Billings Jim Reuter Flathead National Forest Committee members and liaisons not present: Richard R. Willoughby FWP North Dakota Zone John Christianson North Dakota State Forestry John Dreadfulwater USFS Nez Perce NF North Idaho Zone Brett Waters NRCG Board of Directors/Montana County Firewardens Liaison Designated private contractor association liaisons ********************************************************************** Richard Grady explained that the morning s agenda would cover the upcoming NRCG Equipment Inspector Workshop in the development of the instructor cadere, agenda and the support from all of the interagency cooperators to assist with the workshops. The afternoon agenda will cover the equipment committee business work plan that needs to get comments back to the NRCG Business Committee liaison for the upcoming meeting of the NRCG Business Committee next week on 1/27-28/04 in Missoula. The lead coordinators for the workshops will be Bruce Mottern for Lewiston Idaho, Mike Frislie for Libby and Ann Vogt for Billings. Assistance for the individual workshops is being supported by the local DNRC, USFS, BIA, BLM, FWS and North Dakota unit/land/area offices. Names of individuals that can help the lead coordinators on the workshops were made available and they need to start working with the local agencies on assistance with the workshops. Roberta Whitlock and Sue Beron stated that they could provide assistance for Bruce Mottern in getting some lines of communication open up with the Forest Services offices in Northern Idaho.

2 A review was made regarding the 2003 workshops and everyone agreed that the format that was used in Billings worked well after input from the Missoula workshop a week before. Everyone all realized we are putting on three workshops, but felt it was important to provide assistance to those areas that expressed equipment inspection and contracting problems in those areas during A draft agenda was developed for the three workshops that will be finalized by March 3, 2004 with confirmation of instructors, speakers etc. The following key points were identified by the committee for the workshops agendas. Updates on the efforts of the NRCG Equipment Committee Updates on the Federal Regulations regarding DOT, state permits, exemptions, new driving hours, and other issues being discussed with local governments, private contractors, fire equipment specialists and contracting officers. Engines, Water tenders, Water Trucks, Heavy Equipment, ATV, Potable Water, Gray Water, Transports, Fuel Trucks, Pickup, Vans, Busses regarding classroom and hands on inspections in the field Coordination and assistance with contracting officers and some administration during the workshops Equipment inspections kits, various stages of equipment inspections, training requirements, certifications and red cards Mock model of tire depth and windshield standards that the NRCG Equipment and Business Committee are requiring under Chapter 20 of the IIBMH Updates to the Chapter 20 under the IIBMH for 2004 General comments regarding the key points for the instructors to cover during the workshops Fuel Trucks: Busses: DOT regulations, permits, spill containment kits Multiple tanks, red dye Restraint devices and samples that are acceptable Licensing, insurance, school busses vs. charter Transporting of fuel/chainsaws, etc Log Books Business and Contracting: Expectations between contracting officers and equipment inspectors Required contracting documentation/check lists Types of authority Various levels of equipment inspections Claims and damages Equipment Inspector Kits/Job Aids: What should they have (Pump gauges, clipboard, inspection forms, etc) Understanding of tire depth and windshield requirements Contractor checklists Photo documentation with digital, video cameras, dates, times, etc Contractor signatures and contracting officers signatures

3 ************************************************************************************ Monday NRCG Equipment Inspectors Workshops Lewiston, Libby and Billings Draft Agenda Format Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Open Remarks NRCG Equipment Updates Introduction of Instructors Logistics Federal Motor Carrier, DOT Updates, State permits, exempts Heavy Equipment Pickup, Vans Evaluations/close outs Water tenders. Water Trucks Potable Water and Gray Water Engines Training Issues, Training records and qualifications Tires and windshields Transports, Fuel Trucks, Busses, ATV Evaluations/close outs Equipment Kits and Inspection process Equipment inventory requirements Updates regarding contracting officer expectations Hands on experience reviewing equipment in the field All day field training working with fire equipment specialist and contracting officers on completing Equipment inspections and contracting of some equipment for pre-season EERA administration Review updates to the Chapter 20 of the Interagency Incident Business Management Handbook Final close out, workshop evaluations and certificates (The workshops will start at 1300 hours on Monday and end around 1100 hours on Friday morning)

4 The following actions items were identified regarding the workshops: Action item #1: A review was made of the notification letter drafted by Kevin Erickson and nomination form. The proposed changes were made and Grady/Whitlock will get back with Erickson on the proposed changes by 1/30/04. It was noted that all nomination forms for the Lewiston and Libby workshops will be sent to Kevin Erickson and the Billings workshop to Ann Vogt. Deadlines for the nomination forms for all the workshops will be due by February 25, All information regarding the workshops will get posted on the NRCG web site, agency offices and working with Dan Bushnell PIO with DNRC and the individual workshop lead coordinators. Action item #2 The cost of printing for the student workbooks and job aids will be handled through Roberta Whitlock. Bruce Mottern is coordinating the changes to the 2004 Job Aid booklet, so everyone needs to get there comments to Bruce by March 1, Those participating in the workshops will need to bring copies of the IIBMH, Fireline Handbook, NWCG Pocket Guide, and NWCG Fireline Handbook. Committee will get copies of the latest NWCG water handling book for the workshop Grady/Whitlock/Kuehn/Erickson/Beron will meet on Wednesday - February 11, 2004 in Missoula at 1000 hours at the Lolo National Forest and Sue Beron will coordinate a meeting room. Grady will coordinate with Erickson and the individual workshops coordinators on the individual workshop agendas by March 2, Current recommendations to the Job Aid Booklet: Baffle Balls will add more information on what is acceptable Certified weight certificates certified scales vs. non certified weight scales Gate valve discharge 3 is 588 gpm & 4 is 945 gpm Wheel Chocks Updated information Tires and Windshields Chapter 20 IIBMH standards that will be beyond DOT Standards Pump tests Annual, Structural vs. wildland,various tip sizes Hose testing Recommendations Type I & II structural requirements NWCG and NFPA Action item #3 A lot of support is needed for the Lewiston workshop upon the request of Bruce Mottern. He will work on getting support from Idaho Department of Lands, but needs assistance with the local Forest Service offices. Roberta Whitlock will work with Bruce on getting the word to the USFS contracting officers and Fire management Officers on getting some assistance. The DNRC FAMB will help with logistical needs regarding a speaker kit, flip charts, etc. These type of requests need to be coordinated with Mike Kopitzke with DNRC. Mike stated that the following equipment and items would be available from his office if needed. Power point projector Micro-phone/speaker set Name tags/table tents

5 The lead workshop coordinators need to work with the local interagency partners on getting some assistance regarding logistical items needed for the workshops. They are responsible in getting arrangements on meeting rooms, equipment for the hands on training, etc. Grady reminded the lead workshop coordinators to ask for help from all of the committee members in any way regarding the workshops. The workshop in Lewiston will be held at the Red Lion Inn. Everyone on the committee helping with the workshop in Lewiston will stay at the Red Lion Inn to help off set the cost of the rooms, and they will offer state and federal room rates. Attendees that need lodging will be ask also to stay at the Red Lion Inn to help off set the costs. The workshop in Libby will be held at the old Champion Building and Ann Vogt will make arrangements for a meeting room in Billings at one of the larger motels. Ann Vogt, Roberta Whitlock and Sue Beron will help coordinate on the financial and contracting needs to secure the facilities of the meeting rooms. Ann Vogt stated that she has the support and commitment for funding to help with the Billings workshop with BLM. Grady will work on making contacts with the DOT representatives in Montana working with Bruce Mottern for the State of Idaho, powerpoint presentations from 2004, Dan Bushnell on some of the PIO press releases, student workbooks, letters of support for agency individuals that need authorization from their immediate supervisors to help with the workshops. Grady asked that the last item on the letters please get back to him by February 12, 2004 Action item # 4 Grady as the Chair will be available to help with all three of the workshops, and will fill in as needed. Will provide help in the opening remarks of the workshop and updates to the NRCG Equipment Committee. Kevin Erickson, Roberta Whitlock and Sue Beron also indicated their commitment to the workshops. Dan Bushnell will help coordinate the media contacts for Idaho, Washington and Montana. Bruce stated that Lewiston has a newspaper, but the TV news station coverage will be out of Spokane, Washington. The following individuals were identified to help the lead workshop coordinators with the individual workshops. Lewiston Idaho: Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho State Police and USFS Libby Montana: Fred Holmes, DC Hass, Steve Tigan, Pam Bell, Harold Gremell DNRC Scott Kuehn Don Hammock USFS Jim Reuter Flathead National Forest Contracting officers with the local USFS offices Billings Montana: Harvey Wolff BLM Miles City John Christianson North Dakota Richard R. Willoughby - FWS Darrell Kurk, Mark Sherborn DNRC Billings office Walt Schopfer BLM Billings Linda Spitzler Ann Vogt will contact on level of interest Henry Speelman and Ron Peppers BIA

6 The next planning meeting regarding the Equipment Inspector workshops will be on Tuesday March 2, 2004 starting at 0800 hours at the DNRC Fire and Aviation Management Conference Room in Missoula. It is important that everyone involved with the workshops plans on attending this meeting, If there are individuals that cannot attend this meeting, they need to get their comments to the lead workshop coordinators by March 1, 2004 so they can be discussed at the meeting. The following NRCG Equipment Committee Business items were discussed upon the majority of the committee membership present and the work plan agenda that was presented by the Chair. 1. Updates to the committee membership will be completed by Joe Wulfekuhe due 2/1/ NRCG Equipment Brochure was reviewed and Grady never received any feed back from the October meeting. It will be incorporated into the upcoming inspector workshops. 3. Grady reported on the input to the contractors questions from the October 2003 meeting with the NRCG Board of Directors. All the NRCG committee chairs met with Tracy Nimlos on 1/12/04 at the USFS Region 1 office in Missoula and reviewed the consolidated answers to the contractor questions. The answers will be posted on the NRCG Web site by the first week of February Recommendations to changes regarding Chapter 20 of the IIBMH were discussed from the minutes of the October 2003 equipment committee meeting and submitted to Roberta Whitlock with recommendations to the NRCG Business Committee meeting scheduled for 1/27-28/04. No recommendations for radios in The committee does recognizes this is a safety issue, at the same time is very much aware that private and local governments are already installing communication equipment (mobiles and handhelds) in engines and water tenders. NRCG Business committee concerns are this would required changes in the rates, which no rates on equipment will be changing for The committee will address this issue for 2005 after getting input from the NRCG Operations Committee. Will incorporate the recommendation concerning ¾ hose, fittings, etc as outlined in the October 2003 committee minutes for update to the Chapter 20 supplemental in the IIBMH for 2004 The NWCG Fire line handbook revisions are being planned for distribution by Spring of It was noted that dozer and tractor plow wording is in the new updates. Equipment committee again recommends the NRCG Business Committee make it very clear to Interagency Dispatch Centers that the dozer typing found under Chapter 20 is what is used in the contracting and dispatching within Region 1. Committee recommends that wildland form products that are on the approved MTCD listing regarding the contracting of the 5% Adjustment of wildland foam. Barricade and other gels are not part of the MTCD list will not be adjusted on EERA for rates and not 5% adjustment for foam metering devices.

7 The tire depth and windshield issue will stand as noted in Chapter 20 of the IIBMH. The committee recognizes that NRCG has a higher standard then the DOT standards. The committee feels this is a safety issues regarding off highway use of the equipment for fire suppression, types of roads that equipment is traveling and concerns of claims and damages. A mock model will be prepared by Kevin Erickson and Scott Kuehn to show the differences between DOT and NRCG standards. The equipment committee may need to develop a photo fact sheet for contracting officers, and fire equipment specialists for the upcoming fire season to help with clarification to the contractors. Under shop trucks changes in the wording at the request of the Billings BLM office will be incorporated. Will be looking at the wording ton, diesel mechanic, etc. to reflect psi; maximum and minimum on tank capacities. Committee supports no cross or multi-typing of equipment, since contracting officers and fire equipment specialists need to follow the matrix with the changes being made. It has created problems regarding accurate data into ROSS and a false picture of actual accountability of resources that are contracted and available within the Region. ROPS and FOPS- Grady/Kuehn/Erickson/Whitlock need to work on the wording in Chapter 20 by March 1, Skidgine formula will be reviewed and Whitlock will make changes as necessary. Gray Water Referred to NRCG Business Committee for 2005 changes Page 57 of 90 will add 2 adapters ¼ turn to 11/2 NH Fire extinguisher rating Bruce Mottern will research the DOT wording and what should be required. Most everyone on the committee feels that a minimum of 21/2 lb (ABC) Multi-purpose fire extinguisher is needed. Page 69 of 90 ATV operator compliance language requires buying team verify certified operators are provided and agreed to place burden on the IMT vs. buying team Make changes as needed regarding GVW to be GVWR Weed washing equipment is being reviewed and Dan Bushnell stated he would contact the Montana Department of Agriculture if they had any standards. Baffling requirements are found in different documents. Need to discuss some recommendations at the upcoming workshops.

8 The following training issues were discussed by the committee and were passed onto the NRCG Training Committee liaison Mike Kopitzke. Sue Beron will be the NRCG Equipment Liaison to the NRCG Training Committee. Roberta Whitlock will work with Mike concerning proposed changes that Grady and she discussed with the Chair of the NRCG Training Committee on 1/12/04. Looking at taking out the column on Basic Wildland Firefighter and the 16 hours, along with some of the NFPA wording concerning wildland and structural standards. Clarification on wording that outlines the requirements under regarding a FFT2 as the minimum training for some of the positions (water tenders, heavy equipment, etc) not associated with the single resources engine boss requirements. Standards for Survival and the annual refresher training requirements. Everyone agrees that individuals who have hand no standards of survival training in 2003 will need 8 hours for 2004 as required. DNRC requires 4 hours refresher training, BLM is looking at 5 hours, Forest Service and BIA 6-8 hours and Montana Logging Association is 8 hours Request NRCG Training Committee get some type of letter out to the agencies and contracting training providers for The question concerning camp crews and standards of survival requirements. DNRC employees that hire individuals as EFF need to refer to the wording in the DNRC 1100 Training Manual. Mike Koptizke stated ones needs to consider other issues regarding individuals servicing portapoties, governor visits, cache drivers, etc that are not assigned to fireline duties. USFS, BLM and BIA need to refer to internal policies. Big Iron tactics workshop is being planned for the spring of DNRC has individuals from the FAMB working with others, along with Scott Kuehn, Rod Richardson and Greg Greenhoe. Information regarding the Big Iron tactics will be forwarded onto the various state and federal agencies, along with private contractor associations and Montana Logging Associations. Training providers on the NRCG web site have been updated and encourage posting upcoming training schedules. Upcoming Incident Business issues involving the NRCG Equipment Committee. Ann Vogt and Richard Grady are the NRCG Equipment Committee liaisons to the NRCG Business Committee and will be attending the upcoming NRCG Business Committee meeting on 1/27-28/04 Kevin Erickson and Mike Frislie are the NRCG Equipment Committee liaisons to the NRG Operations Committee. Kevin did attend the previous NRCG operations committee and provided input as needed, but no issues at this time for the equipment committee. The draft white pages in the IIBMH are now being routed for internal review. The plan is for 2005 when a major rewrite of the IIBMH and supplemental changes will be made. Any changes for 2004 will be followed up on a summary sheet through the NRCG Business Committee. The plan is to have updates for 2004 out by the end of March Will also need to work on by 2005 recommendations regarding other Big Iron equipment (Feller bunchers, etc) regarding equipment standards and rates. The DNRC Fire Business Committee is getting input from Grady regarding the NRCG Equipment Committee. DNRC is currently working on revisions to Chapter 10, 50 and its 300- Incident Business Management Manual. Information is being provided regarding DOT regulations, inspections forms, etc.

9 The DNRC Fire Business Committee is also working on a DNRC Incident Business Advisor (IBA) position and has a sub working group finalizing the training requirements, duties and responsibilities of the IBA within DNRC. Grady and Kuehn will be working on the recent changes regarding driving hours, the letter concerning contractor exemptions that have been routed regarding correspondence from the DOT Washington Office, comments and information received from Bruce Mottern. The committee will take the position that private contractors are considered commercial motor vehicle carriers and not considered emergency firefighting equipment. The emergency exemption does not apply since general private contractors are being hired for extended attack incidents, with some exceptions of initial attack incidents, under some Incident Management System that is already in place by the state and federal agencies. The Chair recognizes it may take some time in the drafting of a qualify letter, with the appropriate documentation and photo s that addressed the committee questions and concerns to the DOT Washington Office. ****************************************************************** The Chair announced the resignations of John Dreadfulwater and Joe Wulfekuhle from the committee due to changes in their jobs and directions from their supervisors. The Chair and committee members expressed their appreciation to John and Joe on their dedication, expertise and interagency commitment to the committee. The Chair will be sending a letter on behalf of NRCG thanking them for their service to the committee. The Chair will ask among the committee membership if someone would like to serve as the co-chair during the interim. If someone is interested, he will appoint that individual to serve until the 2004 fall election. Membership present at the meeting directed the chair to proceed with filling the co-chair position. The Chair thanked Sue Beron for taking notes regarding the committee meeting and will review them with corrections and editing as needed concerning the minutes of the meeting. They will be forwarded to Tracy Nimlos to be posted on the NRCG Web site, committee membership, NRCG liaisons and interested individuals. The meeting notes were reviewed, edited and has been accepted by the Chairperson /S/ Richard E. Grady Richard E. Grady rgrady@state.mt.us CHAIRPERSON NRCG EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE 1/23/04