Northern Rockies Coordinating Group

Prevention and Education Committee

Meeting Notes

February 11-13, 2002

 

Members Present:

 

Cathy Scofield

USFS, R1

Connie Fox

USFS, Lolo NF

Brent Christopherson

County Fire Wardens, Miles City

Tim Sayles

Missoula Rural Fire District

Marci Goheen

USFS, Kootenai NF

Sandy Groth

USFS, North Idaho

Mike Dannenberg

BLM, MT State Office

Bill Breedlove

USFS, Gallatin NF

Pat Cross

DNRC, Missoula

Terina Mullen

USFS, Lewis & Clark NF

Denny Sutherland

NPS, Yellowstone Park

Dean Sprandel

BLM, Miles City

Marianne Baumberger

USFS, Gallatin NF

 

 

Discussion Items:

 

Discussion

Action

 Review of last meeting’s minutes.

Ø       Member Roles & Responsibilities:  Stress communication and the responsibility to get the information out.

Ø       Great Basin P & E Workshop:  Confusion exists due to the Olympics.

Ø       Readiness Review:  Make sure to include prevention ,mitigation and education component.  Will have 2-3 committees for eastern zone review.

Ø       Preparedness Levels:  Still needs action.

Ø       Restrictions:  Making progress on action plan items, excluding the communication plan. 

Ø       Living with Fire:  Available from Mike @ BLM or Pat @ DNRC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terina will work on communication plan, with the help of Cathy and Mike.

 Prevention, Mitigation and Education Directory

Ø       Compile mailing lists from workshops, etc.

Ø       Construct by zones (for communication purposes)

Ø       Have by next year’s workshop

Ø       Include on website, with official business info only

Ø       Must update on yearly basis

Sandy will design template and send to zone reps.  Reps will complete information and return to Sandy.

(March 8th)

Urban Interface Field Guide

Ø       Proposing photo guide (flip-chart style)

Ø       BLM has interest and funding ($80-120K to contract out)

Ø       Target professional public and employees

Ø       NRCG endorsement would qualify it as an inter-agency project

Ø       Mike asking for comments and suggestions

Ø       Could double as training package for urban interface

Ø       Take 4 to 5 months to create proposal

Submit comments and suggestions to Mike.

Website

Ø       Committee business on NRCG website

Ø       Need one for external public (w/links, messages, events)

Ø       Would be a central point of information

Need more research.

Prevention Training

Ø       April 22 through 26

Ø       Industrial operations and railroads

Ø       2 days in classroom, 2 days in field (per topic)

Ø       Target those doing inspections

Connie, Tim, Pat and Cathy to coordinate.

Restrictions Document

Ø      Are boundaries finalized?

Ø      Look at area descriptions for accuracy.  Add YNP to southcentral.

Ø      Decide who has authority to issue permits.

Ø      Decide who has authority for enforcement of violations?

Ø      Appendix for exemptions/mitigated measures.

Ø      Documents need to be reworked and complete by June 1st.  Will need more agency review/feedback.  Include statement regarding “guidelines only”, etc.  Additions to Proposed Exemptions and Standards include the following:  Agriculture, Construction for New Home and Road Construction).

Ø      Electronic version of area plans placed on website (contact info?)

Agency administrators agree on boundaries.  Mike to rework documents with additions/changes.

Restrictions Training Package

Ø      Need a “Train-the-Trainer”

Ø      Should have a training in each area by the end of May

Ø      Meeting with area coordinators by the end of March

Ø      Dena presented PowerPoint training package

Training for area coordinators Friday, March 29 at 10:00.  University Room at the Bozeman Holiday Inn

(587-4561)

WUI Assessment Form

Ø       Discussed need for standardized form for consistency

Ø       Discussed need for consistency w/people doing inspections

Ø       Passed out and discussed several examples of rating forms

Needs further research

2003 NR Workshop Topics

Ø       Brainstorm and submit topics to Mike

Ø       Put together ICS team at next meeting

Ø       Possible locations in SE Idaho (Sun Valley, Pocatello, ID Falls)

Ø       Will look at brochures from John Skinner regarding facilities

All submit ideas to Mike.

Zone Reports

Ø      Northwest Montana

·         concerns regarding interpretation of restrictions

·         communication during restriction time

·         looking for modules for educational opportunities

Ø       Southwest Montana

·         working on area plan and boundaries

·         planning spring meeting and restrictions training for zone

Ø       North Idaho

·         planning spring meeting (end of May/beginning of June)

·         area plan?

Ø       Central Montana

·         working on fire prevention plan

·         working on area plan and boundaries

Ø       Eastern Montana

·         need a meeting for all the new hires

·         volunteer assistance program for rural FD in ND and SD

Ø       Fire Wardens

·         appreciate opportunity to participate in committee

·         communication continues to be important

 

Ø       USFS R1

·        excited about new director

 

 

Next Meeting

Ø       May 20-23 in Coeur d’Alene

Sandy to coordinate.