1. 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: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&sec=fi re. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.

2. Wilderness Fire Resource Advisor Roles & Responsibilities

5. Objectives: Define the Resource Advisor’s role in wildland fire. Define the Resource Advisor’s role in wildland fire. Identify qualifications necessary to be an effective Resource Advisor. Identify qualifications necessary to be an effective Resource Advisor. Familiarize participants with their responsibilities while serving as Resource Advisor. Familiarize participants with their responsibilities while serving as Resource Advisor.

6. Federal Wildland Fire Policy

7. History 1976 - Prescribed Natural Fire 1976 - Prescribed Natural Fire 1988 - Yellowstone 1988 - Yellowstone 1994 - South Canyon 1994 - South Canyon 1995 - Federal Fire Policy Review 1995 - Federal Fire Policy Review 1996 - PNF Escapes – R-6 1996 - PNF Escapes – R-6 1998 - Implementation Guide 1998 - Implementation Guide 2000 - Cerro Grande 2000 - Cerro Grande

8. 2001 – Federal Fire Policy Review

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

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

11. Fire Creates Patterns Adds to diversity Adds to diversity Creates fuel breaks Creates fuel breaks Replicates natural conditions Replicates natural conditions Creates edge effects Creates edge effects Recycles Recycles

14. Guiding Principles The third principle is “Fire management plans, programs, and activities support land and resource management plans and their implementati on.” The third principle is “Fire management plans, programs, and activities support land and resource management plans and their implementati on.”

15. Roles

16. Incident Command System Organization Agency Administrator Resource Advisor Public InformationSafety Officer OperationsLogisticsPlansFinance Incident Commander

17. The IC – RA Relationship Simple fire : Simple fire : IC IC RA RA Moderately complex fire : Moderately complex fire : IC IC RA RA Natural Resource Specialist Natural Resource Specialist Cultural Resource Specialist Cultural Resource Specialist Large complex fire: Large complex fire: IC AAR RA Natural Specialist Botanist, Fisheries, Forester, Hydrologist, Soils Cultural Specialist Archaeologist, Tribal Rep, Historian, Historical Architect

18. Figure 1. Incident Command Structure—Small 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 Or Planning Section Chief Technical Specialist (e.g., Range Specialist) Technical Specialist (e.g., Weeds Specialist)

19. Figure 2. Incident Command Structure – Large Fire with Team Incident Commander Lead Wilderness Resource Advisor (WRA1) Agency Administrator Representative Assistant (WRA1) WRA2 DIV A Coordinator WRA2 DIV B Coordinator WRA2 DIV C Coordinator THSP (e.g., Hydrologist ) THSP (e.g., Archeologist) THSP (e.g., Botanist) THSP (e.g. Heritage Specialist) 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 Planning Section Chief DIVS DIV A DIVS DIV B DIVS DIV C Agency Administrator (e.g., District Ranger, Forest Supervisor)

20. The Incident Command System and the RA Position RA acronym is READ in new Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS) RA acronym is READ in new Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS) DoI agencies will Red Card RA position DoI agencies will Red Card RA position FS may Red Card as RA or as Technical Specialist (THSP) or informally by FMO FS may Red Card as RA or as Technical Specialist (THSP) or informally by FMO Obtain Red Card by agency policy Obtain Red Card by agency policy Formal Task Book and Qualifications in the future ??? Formal Task Book and Qualifications in the future ???

21. Agency Administrator’s Role Assists in development of the WFSA. Assists in development of the WFSA. Identifies expectations and delegates authority to the Incident Management Team. Identifies expectations and delegates authority to the Incident Management 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.

22. Resource Advisor’s Primary Role The Resource Advisor represents the Agency Administrator and communicates agency resource concerns to the Incident Management Team. The Resource Advisor represents the Agency Administrator and communicates agency resource concerns to the Incident Management Team. 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.

23. When Possible, Be Involved In Creating: The Delegation of Authority Letter The Delegation of Authority Letter A briefing packet for Incident Management Team A briefing packet for Incident Management Team And implementing the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA) and Wildland Fire Implementation Plan (WFIP) And implementing the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA) and Wildland Fire Implementation Plan (WFIP)

24. Your Role Is Performed By: Anticipating, identifying and evaluating potential impacts of fire operations on natural and cultural resources. Anticipating, identifying and evaluating potential impacts of fire operations on natural and cultural resources. Communicating legal requirements for resource protection to the Incident Management Team. Communicating legal requirements for resource protection to the Incident Management Team. Identifying political concerns. Identifying political concerns.

25. Role - Continued: Coordinating the integration of resource concerns. Coordinating the integration of resource concerns. Ensuring that planned mitigation measures are carried out effectively. Ensuring that planned mitigation measures are carried out effectively. Guiding the development of short & long term natural resource and cultural rehabilitation documents. Guiding the development of short & long term natural resource and cultural rehabilitation documents.

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

27. A Few Basic Tips: Figure out how to fit into the fire organization and system. Figure out how to fit into the fire organization and system. Gain respect and credibility by being able and willing to work side-by-side with fire fighters Gain respect and credibility by being able and willing to work side-by-side with fire fighters Respect the limits of your knowledge and experience. Respect the limits of your knowledge and 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 - need for graphics and demonstrations

28. Qualifications

29. Sikorsky Helicopter

30. Resource Management Knowledge Basic map reading skills. Basic map reading skills. Ability to acquire knowledge of the area: Ability to acquire knowledge of the area: Topographic features Topographic features Vegetation types Vegetation types Critical areas Critical areas Types of visitors and inhabitants Types of visitors and inhabitants Improvements, roads, etc. Improvements, roads, etc.

31. Knowledge of Local Resource Concerns, Laws, Policy & Plans Ability to acquire knowledge of local politics & land use plans Ability to acquire knowledge of local politics & land use plans Knowledge of guidelines & policies related to natural & cultural resource management Knowledge of guidelines & policies related to natural & cultural resource management Experience in implementation of these policies, including mitigating and protecting measures Experience in implementation of these policies, including mitigating and protecting measures On wilderness fires, knowledge of those special considerations On wilderness fires, knowledge of those special considerations

32. Oral & Written Communication Skills Effective communication with the Incident Management Team and the agency administrator is a fundamental responsibility. Effective communication with the Incident Management Team and the agency administrator is a fundamental responsibility.

33. Fire Management Knowledge Basic knowledge of both fire behavior and fire suppression impacts. Basic knowledge of both fire behavior and fire suppression impacts. Basic understanding of Wildland & Prescribed Fire Management Policy. Basic understanding of Wildland & Prescribed Fire Management Policy. Working knowledge of the ICS system. Working knowledge of the ICS system.

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

35. RA’s Are Not Always Line Certified, But: Resource Advisors who won’t leave base camp are required to have Standards for Survival. Resource Advisors who won’t leave base camp are required to have Standards for Survival. Resource Advisors who are not line certified and go on the line must be with someone who is line certified and have Resource Advisors who are not line certified and go on the line must be with someone who is line certified and have Taken Standards for Survival Taken Standards for Survival Passed a Light Work Capacity Test Passed a Light Work Capacity Test Carry a Red Card Carry a Red Card

36. To Be Line Certified: Resource Advisors must have Resource 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 Training S-130 – Basic Firefighting Training S-190 – Introduction to Fire Behavior S-190 – Introduction to Fire Behavior Passed the Light Work Capacity Test and carry a Red Card Passed the Light Work Capacity Test and carry a Red Card Received permission from the Division Supervisor. Received permission from the Division Supervisor.

37. Physical Fitness Meet the minimum physical fitness requirements of your unit. Meet the minimum physical fitness requirements of your unit. The Strenuous Work Capacity Test is recommended The Strenuous Work Capacity Test is 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.

38. Other Suggested Courses: S-244 – Field Observer S-244 – Field Observer S-290 - Intermediate Fire Behavior (self study available) S-290 - Intermediate Fire Behavior (self study available) S-336 - Fire Suppression Tactics S-336 - Fire Suppression Tactics RX – 340 – Introduction to Fire Effects RX – 340 – Introduction to Fire Effects S-580 – Advanced Fire Use Applications S-580 – Advanced Fire Use Applications Fire in Ecosystem Management Fire in Ecosystem Management Leave No Trace Leave No Trace

39. Qualifying Experience Other fire experience Other fire experience Wilderness knowledge and experience Wilderness knowledge and experience One satisfactory training assignment (suggested) One satisfactory training assignment (suggested)

40. Duties & Responsibilities

41. Areas of Responsibility: Safety Safety Reconnaissance & Analysis Reconnaissance & Analysis Planning & Strategies Planning & Strategies Reports & Documentation Reports & Documentation Operations & Management Operations & Management

42. Safety Precautions Communicate with the team Communicate with the team Get listed in the Incident Action Plan Get 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 Watch-out” Be aware of the “18 Situations That Shout Watch-out” Use LCES Use LCES

43. LCES Lookouts Lookouts Communications Communications Escape Routes Escape Routes Safety Zones Safety Zones

44. Carry: A map & communication plan A map & communication plan A programmable scanning radio A programmable scanning radio Appropriate fire gear, including a tool! Appropriate fire gear, including a tool!

45. Regular Duties

47. Strategy Meetings

48. Morning Briefings

49. Night Shift Briefings

50. Line Work

51. Spike Camp Management Be involved in selecting sites. Be involved in selecting sites. Be there with the spike camp manager before the crews get there. Be there with the spike camp manager before the crews get there. Define expectations for camp. Define expectations for camp.

52. River Bank Design Cost of 4 (with 4 extra tanks) was approximately $1,300 in 2002 Use RV toilet paper.

53. Helispot Location & Construction

54. Air Operations

55. Snag Falling

56. Pumps & Water Use

57. Structure Protection

59. Fire Tool Box Heritage Protection

60. Endangered Species Spikedace Mexican Wolf Gila Trout Mexican Spotted Owl

61. Project Flying Fish

62. Saddling Up

63. Electroshocking

64. Dumping Fish into Pannier

65. Temporary Holding Pen

66. Fish Tank

67. Flying Fish

68. Transferring Fish

69. Preventing The Introduction of Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plants

70. Power wash equipment Power wash equipment Check tents, clothing, cargo nets & stock Check tents, clothing, cargo nets & stock

71. Working With Teams & Crews

72. Information Boards

73. Working With The Public The public may need to be notified and/or removed from the fire area. The public may need to be notified and/or removed from the fire area. This can include outfitter camps, homes and towns. This can include outfitter camps, homes and towns.

74. PUBLIC INFORMATION

75. Media & Public Relations

76. Mop-up Considerations Mop-up standards are a decision negotiated between the Forest, the IC or Team, and the line overhead. Mop-up standards are a decision negotiated between the Forest, the IC or Team, and the line overhead. Strive for the minimum necessary to secure the line from escape, based on anticipated weather. Strive for the minimum necessary to secure the line from escape, based on anticipated weather. The standard is a balance between resource values and the ability to mitigate for safety. The standard is a balance between resource values and the ability to mitigate for safety. Minimizing mop-up impacts requires longer monitoring/patrolling and the element of risk. Minimizing mop-up impacts requires longer monitoring/patrolling and the element of risk.

77. Restoration Needs Suppression Effects: Fire line Fire line Helispots Helispots Dozer lines Dozer lines Camps Camps Water sources Water sources Fire effects Fire effects

78. TRANSITIONS Help transition between teams or between the team and the local unit – a critical time. Help transition between teams or between the team and the local unit – a critical time. Attend close-out meeting when home unit assumes responsibility for fire to include remaining rehabilitation needs and local obligations. Attend close-out meeting when home unit assumes responsibility for fire to include remaining rehabilitation needs and local obligations. Identify priorities and the need for projects, including Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER). Identify priorities and the need for projects, including Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER).

79. Rehabilitation Considerations Rehabilitation work can be minimized by using Minimum Impact Strategies & Techniques (MIST) during the suppression phase. Rehabilitation work can be minimized by using Minimum Impact Strategies & Techniques (MIST) during the suppression phase. The objective of rehabilitation is to mitigate or eliminate resource damage where possible, in order to preserve natural conditions. The objective of rehabilitation is to mitigate or eliminate resource damage where possible, in order to preserve natural conditions. The standards applied can significantly affect the cost of a fire. The standards applied can significantly affect the cost of a fire.

82. BAER Rehab = Restoring the effects of the fire Suppression Or BAER Rehabilitation Suppression Rehab = Restoring the effects of fire suppression

83. The Resource Advisor & BAER Liaison between Agency Administrator & Baer Team Liaison between Agency Administrator & Baer Team Technical advisor Technical advisor Maintains documentation for unit Maintains documentation for unit In Wilderness: Motorized authorizations/reports In Wilderness: Motorized authorizations/reports

86. Resource 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 area, the more effective you’ll be to the Agency Administrator, the IMT and the resource. The more you know about the specific area, the more effective you’ll be to the Agency Administrator, the IMT and the resource. A philosopher will not get the job done. A philosopher will not get the job done.