Unit 2 - Infrared Interpreter Position Overview

Introduction: Unit Objectives By the end of this unit, the students will be able to: Explain what is expected of an IRIN Explain the IRIN work cycle on an assignment List the steps necessary to become available for assignment as an IRIN

What Does an Infrared Interpreter Do? An IRIN is an overhead resource who works for the SITL (Situation Unit Leader) Situation Unit - Functional unit within the planning section responsible for the collection, organization and analysis of incident status information, and for analysis of the situation as it progresses. Reports to the planning section chief.

What Does an Infrared Interpreter Do? An IRIN can work under three different scenarios As a single resource co-located with an IMT “Old School” but less common As part of a “pod” of IRINs at a centralized location Common during periods of high fire activity in a given locale As a single resource working remotely from their home office. Most common

Roles and Responsibilities of the Infrared Interpreter Regardless of where the IRIN works: Primary Objectives: Quality Control of thermal imagery Determine heat perimeter Identify areas of heat and isolated heat sources Calculate acreage of the perimeter Produce shapefiles, summary map(s), kmz and log

IRINs: Tom Mellin National IR Program Manager Pilots: Dan Johnson IR Techs: Woody Smith Charles ‘Kaz’ Kazimir NIROPS “Organization” R4: Intermountain Region FS FAM Director of Operations Research & Development Operations

GACC IR Liaisons Northern:Lee Werth Rocky Mtn: Melinda McGann Southwest:Tom Mellin Great Basin:Hope Spriggs CA N/S:Kyle Felker Northwest:Jim Grace Southern:Scott Wilkinson Eastern:Liz McNichols Alaska:vacant

Aircraft vs. IRINs NIROPS aircraft are a national resource dispatched by NICC that can support multiple fires in multiple GACCs NOT assigned to the fire Fires receive the service IRINs are a single resource (overhead) that can support one or more fires Can be assigned to a Fire OR can be assigned to a GACC or Area Command to support multiple fires (usually as a member of a “pod”)

The Work Cycle of an IRIN: Scanner Request Submitted By SITL or IRIN using Online Ordering Go to bed (ROSS A# assigned) ZZZZZZZZZZZ Wake up Check on flight Expanded dispatch, AFF, IRCN, IRCR Imagery Delivered: Upload to FTP site “Land & Hand” Interpretation: Create Products Accurate Shapefiles / Maps/Log Delivered to IMT Before Morning Briefing IRIN Determines w/ SITL Additional Flight Eat, get ready FLIGHT

Traditional Role: One IRIN, One Fire Acquisition Delivery Interpretation Map Product Digital Product MorningBriefing

Pod and Remote IRIN Support: One IRIN, Multiple Fires ftp.nifc.gov/ NIROPS Interpreter(s) located at RO, SO, RD, hotel, home Phoenix data in WinZip archive Phoenix data in WinZip archive Shapefiles, PDFs, and log ftp.nifc.gov/ Incident Spec Data/ IR Incident

IRIN “Pods” Multiple IRINs at a single location central to multiple incidents If you are working in a pod A lead IRIN is assigned You will be responsible for at least one fire, probably more, depending on size and complexity You may work fires not in the local area Assume you will be out for 14 days

IRIN “Pods” Communication is key

Remote IRINs Support one or more incidents from home office May be individual incidents, or supporting a pod remotely Variable time length IRINs are responsible for communicating with the incident Communication can be challenging

Getting An Assignment ROSS (Resource Ordering & Self Status) Check with your local dispatch that you are in ROSS, listed correctly (trainee), and available (local, national) “available” means showing as available in ROSS and have supervisor approval to take an assignment Make sure local dispatch has current contact numbers (office, cell) After returning from assignment, make sure your status is re-set from “released from incident” to available. You are assumed to be available for 14 days In not, make sure the GACC and incident know this

Your Resource Order A resource order is your authorization to work for an incident and contains: “O Number” that identifies which resource you are “P code” that your will use for charging your time Contact information, instructions, and authorizations

Your Resource Order “O” Number “P” Code Cell Phone, Laptop, Rental Car

Your Resource Order ROSS (Resource Ordering & Self Status) “O” Number “P” Code Cell Phone, Laptop, Rental Car Work Remote

Your Resource Order “O” Number “P” Code Cell Phone, Laptop, Rental Car

Work remote

P Codes explained 4 digit Alpha Numeric code is generated for each fire by FIRECODE, e.g. DR27 Agency ID added depending on the Incident Hosting Jurisdiction, e.g. P4DR27 PA = BIA P# = Forest Service ( with # representing region) PN = State fires (any state) PD = BLM PP = Park Service PW = Fish and Wildlife Service

Unit Objectives - Review By the end of this unit, the students will be able to: Explain what is expected of an IRIN Explain the IRIN work cycle on an assignment List the steps necessary to become available for assignment as an IRIN

Questions?