This document is contained within the Fire Management Toolbox on Wilderness.net. Since other related resources found in this toolbox may be of interest, you can visit this toolbox by visiting the following URL: e. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.

READ (Wilderness) Roles & Responsibilities Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center Interagency Resource Advisor Training Grand Junction, CO March 6 th - 8 th, 2007

Objectives Delineate roles.Delineate roles. Provide examples of real-world application of READ responsibilities.Provide examples of real-world application of READ responsibilities. Stimulate discussion of different approaches to the READ job.Stimulate discussion of different approaches to the READ job. As you listen, record each role or responsibility you note.

“You’re not done until the paperwork is done.”

1000 hours On-call READ Jun is sitting in his office, taking care of paperwork from sites found during survey in front of one of the 3 WFU fires the park is managing. The phone rings and dispatch alerts him that a new fire has been reported. READ J walks to dispatch.

1015 hours Dispatch has plotted a rough location of the fire. Helitack is en-route to the fire and is reporting torching and spotting with wind and slope-driven growth to the north. No recent lightning activity and proximity to a trail suggest that the fire is human caused. Although in the Fire-Use Zone and in wilderness, the probable cause and fire behavior prompt a suppression response.

1030 hours Battalion 31 is assuming IC of the fire and is headed to the helibase for a recon flight. READ J grabs READ kit, IA gear and heads to helibase as well.

1145 hours B31 and READ J circle fire several times, getting fuels assessments, fire behavior reports and progress updates from on-the- ground squads. READ J has brought a GPS and is able to get a perimeter during flight. Fire behavior is picking up as day heats up.

1330 hours After returning to helibase, READ J hears B3 report to FMO the need to order and support crews. READ maps suggest great gray owl habitat to the southwest of the fire, very little archeological survey, no T & E species and no no-dip water bodies in the area. Lots of helicopters inbound… B3 goes to FMOs office which is now ICP, READ J returns to office.

1430 hours With the new perimeter information, READ J is able to leave message for wilderness manager and wildlife biologist about GGO habitat. READ J prints more copies of READ maps and detail maps, and heads to ICP.

1530 hours The fire will probably escape initial attack. Rapid growth, and the lack of local resources has led to the decision to order a Type II team. They are expected to arrive at 1900 hours for a briefing. READ J calls READ Joe M, and asks him to come in to help out.

1600 hours READ J begins to prepare briefing package for incoming team, calls 2 line READs. READ M looks over Delegation of Authority & WFSA templates with FMO. Wildlife Biologist calls with phone number of USGS researcher who has worked in the area recently and has more information.

1700 hours USGS researcher calls back- observed nest does exist in one area to the southwest of the fire. “Fledglings should be out of nests by this time of year but can we avoid overflights?” Many flights are being planned to support spike camps.

2000 hours READ M presents general resource concerns, answers logistical questions at in-briefing. Gathers initial plan information. READ J provides Planning and Operations with standard resource message for IAP, copies of resource maps, digital data and READ plan for tomorrow.

Day 2: 0700 Briefing meeting- team takes fire. Lead READ M finds out meeting times with team. Calls Regional BAER Coordinator & RMS liaison for emergency consultation. READ J prepares briefing for crews, checks himself and READs E & C in with Resource Unit Leader. Line READs C & E are briefed on assignments by READ J.

D2: 0745 READ M transitions ongoing WFU incidents from READ J, meets with FMO/AREP to brief on resource concerns. Helps team locate new base camp and ICP. READs J, C & E travel to helibase.

D2: 0845 READs J, C & E arrive on fireline. READ J briefs crews on MIST, & wilderness spike camp etiquette. READ J meets with Division Supervisors to pick spike camps. READs C & E follow crews into respective Divisions, doing archeological clearances.

D2: 1400 hours READ J is walking handline, beginning to catalog rehabilitation needs. READs C & E radio in preliminary reports: no arch sites in handline.

D2: 1430 hours READ J calls in needs for tomorrow to READ M. READ M attends planning meeting.

D2: 1900 hours READ M provides updated resource information for IAP, briefs AREP/FMO. READs J, C & E debrief, complete unit logs while in the field.

D3: 0700 hours READs J, C & E attend morning spike camp briefing. READ J addresses need for proper food storage and trash back-haul. READ M attends base camp briefing, relays resource message.

D3: 0800 hours READ J reports to READ M the need for a representative from Wildlife management to put together better food storage plan. READ M goes through Planning staff to order needed wildlife READ and storage boxes.

D3: 0900 READ J continues to walk handline, looking for trash, possible emergency rehabilitation needs. READs C & E continue to monitor handline production on respective divisions.

D8: 2000 hours READ J wonders if he is still married and what home-cooked food must taste like. READ M unwittingly pitches his tent on a cow pie.

So, class… what does a READ do?

AREP and READ Agency Administrator: Assists in development of the WFSA.Assists in development of the WFSA. Identifies expectations and delegates authority to the IMT.Identifies expectations and delegates authority to the IMT. 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: The Resource Advisor represents the AREP and communicates agency resource concerns to the IMT.The Resource Advisor represents the AREP and communicates agency resource concerns to the IMT. The exact nature of the role will vary with individuals and between incidents but should be spelled out in the Delegation of Authority letter.The exact nature of the role will vary with individuals and between incidents but should be spelled out in the Delegation of Authority letter.

A Resource Advisor is… the link between resource managers and incident managers.the link between resource managers and incident managers. the Subject Matter Expert on resources.the Subject Matter Expert on resources. the AREP’s eyes & ears.the AREP’s eyes & ears. the go-to contact for fire managers.the go-to contact for fire managers. a technical specialist.a technical specialist.

Summary of Roles & Responsibilities Data Gathering and ReconnaissanceData Gathering and Reconnaissance Analysis, Planning & StrategyAnalysis, Planning & Strategy Daily Operations & DocumentationDaily Operations & Documentation Final DocumentationFinal Documentation READ Guide p. 8

Data Gathering & Reconnaissance Pre-plan, pre-stage informationPre-plan, pre-stage information Identify resource concernsIdentify resource concerns Review management plansReview management plans Communicate with subject-matter expertsCommunicate with subject-matter experts Develop resource protection prioritiesDevelop resource protection priorities

Analysis, Planning & Strategy Provide input to WFSA & WFIPProvide input to WFSA & WFIP Provide input in operational briefing, strategy, & planning meetingsProvide input in operational briefing, strategy, & planning meetings Gather & provide information for IAPGather & provide information for IAP Provides input on environmental restrictionsProvides input on environmental restrictions Provide recommendations & standards for suppression rehabilitationProvide recommendations & standards for suppression rehabilitation Participate in team transitionParticipate in team transition

Daily Operations & Documentation Provide input to daily validation of WFIP or WFSAProvide input to daily validation of WFIP or WFSA Attend daily meetingsAttend daily meetings Maintain communication with IC, IMT & AREPMaintain communication with IC, IMT & AREP Serves as AREP as neededServes as AREP as needed Presents resource information at briefingsPresents resource information at briefings Monitor implementation of protection & rehabilitationMonitor implementation of protection & rehabilitation Gathers & documents damage to resourcesGathers & documents damage to resources Recommend need for BAER teamRecommend need for BAER team Complete daily unit log (ICS-214), CTRComplete daily unit log (ICS-214), CTR

Final Documentation Complete local reporting documentation for incident fire package and agency representativeComplete local reporting documentation for incident fire package and agency representative Recognize Crews and Individuals For Exceptional PerformanceRecognize Crews and Individuals For Exceptional Performance Complete ReportingComplete Reporting Whenever Possible, MonitorWhenever Possible, Monitor Update Maps/Data Layers/InventoriesUpdate Maps/Data Layers/Inventories Complete DebriefingComplete Debriefing

Transitions Should be a watch-out situationShould be a watch-out situation On-unit vs. off-unitOn-unit vs. off-unit Use a standard form if possibleUse a standard form if possible Try to overlap-get a WREAD traineeTry to overlap-get a WREAD trainee You may need to take a breakYou may need to take a break You may be helping with a team transitionYou may be helping with a team transition

Hard Work

Complex issues, confusing signs

Strategy: Plan Ahead Update inventories and stage informationUpdate inventories and stage information Engage fire managers & partnersEngage fire managers & partners Train yourselfTrain yourself –Physically –Fire-wise Train othersTrain others –Other SMEs –Fire managers PracticePractice Set up a systemSet up a system Stage equipmentStage equipment Review & revise plansReview & revise plans Develop templatesDevelop templates

Critical Information Description of fire regimesDescription of fire regimes –Ecological Thresholds VegetationVegetation Fire historyFire history FuelsFuels –Fuel Models –Fuel Loads Spatially explicit descriptions of sensitive resourcesSpatially explicit descriptions of sensitive resources Preferred locations for firefighting infrastructurePreferred locations for firefighting infrastructure

Manage Your time effectivelyManage Your time effectively Get your restGet your rest Know and respect your limitationsKnow and respect your limitations Strive towards a better understanding of fire in landscapesStrive towards a better understanding of fire in landscapes Strategy: Be Happy* Ok, maybe not “Happy” but take care of yourself…

Strategy: Communication IC introduction “What can I do for you?”IC introduction “What can I do for you?” Develop relationship with teamDevelop relationship with team Avoid adding stressAvoid adding stress Be availableBe available Follow-through on requestFollow-through on request Keep issues in context relative to the fireKeep issues in context relative to the fire

Strategy: Addressing Conflicts Be ProactiveBe Proactive Use diplomacy before authorityUse diplomacy before authority Resolve disagreements at the lowest appropriate levelResolve disagreements at the lowest appropriate level Use ICS chain of commandUse ICS chain of command If you and IC are at an impasse, go back through line officerIf you and IC are at an impasse, go back through line officer Document IssuesDocument Issues

Strategy: Use the “Authority of the Resource” “ Because I’m the resource advisor and I have a delegation of authority that empowers me to make these decisions.” “Because taking advantage of the natural opening will eliminate the need to fell 20 trees. It’s the minimum necessary action to insure that when we leave here there will be no lasting impacts from our activities.”

Bring & Use Proper PPE! Bring & Use Proper PPE! Have your Initial Attack Pack and Red Bag packed! Have your Initial Attack Pack and Red Bag packed! Strategy: Be Fire-ready!

Who’s the Resource Advisor?

And remember… you are an advisor, not a decision-makeryou are an advisor, not a decision-maker at times, you will be uncomfortableat times, you will be uncomfortable remain assured you are filling one of the single most important roles in the fire organizationremain assured you are filling one of the single most important roles in the fire organization you may be shockedyou may be shocked you will be frustratedyou will be frustrated

Summary Come PREPARED…Come PREPARED… Work safely, go home.Work safely, go home. Document, document, document!Document, document, document! Communicate, communicate, communicate!Communicate, communicate, communicate!