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PMS 936-1

Backup and Sharing

Backup and Sharing | Back Up and Share Incident Data | NIFC FTP and QR Codes

Data is backed up to ensure the work of the GISS is not excessively impacted by computer failures or data corruption and to preserve the incident record. The National Incident Feature Service (NIFS) now serves as the official source for all incident data and should be updated daily. The NIFS is backed up and archived to EGP servers every few minutes.

Data sharing ensures all individuals involved with an incident have the information needed to do their jobs and that team transitions are effective and efficient. As of 2019, posting incident data to the NIFC FTP is no longer required. Sharing through the official incident FireNet Team is also a common practice. Follow the guidance of the incident SITL for sharing and posting products.

GISS Workflow Diagram: Back Up and Sharing

Back Up and Sharing – Repeat as Necessary

  1. Back up incident data
  2. Post digital map products to the NIFC FTP site or designated SharePoint folder nightly. Use QR codes if desired.
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Backup and Sharing Org chart

Figure 1. GISS Workflow Diagram: Back Up and Sharing
(click image to open larger)

 

Data Sharing Guidelines

“Data sharing” refers to the process of distributing data to other interested and authorized parties or agencies during an incident.

By the end of each operational period, at a minimum, the three primary Event Data Layers (Point, Line, and Polygon) should be updated in the National Event Feature Service.

Data are occasionally shared directly with other authorized users. The GISS should consult the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) with any question about whether a request for data should be fulfilled.

Any incoming team will need a copy of the incident data and working files. Often this data sharing is accomplished by copying the incident’s GIS subdirectory to an external hard drive, which the incoming team will keep. Good communication is needed between the outgoing GISS and the incoming and/or host agency GIS to ensure complete and useful incident data transfer.

Sensitive Data

Sensitive data include but are not limited to cultural and archeological resources, and/or sensitive, threatened, and endangered species and/or data subject to the Privacy Act. These data are usually obtained from the local agency and are returned to the agency at the end of the incident.  Adhere to agency requests pertaining to these data while on the incident.

A procedural document for the incident may be created in cooperation with the local unit and SITL to ensure the proper handling of sensitive data. Remove sensitive data from hardware that leaves the incident.

The GISS should check with the SITL about how to label sensitive data on incident map products; maps containing these data are for incident operational purposes only and must not be shared or posted to public-facing FTP sites or websites.

Do not collect or label sensitive data on web maps, in AGOL, or mobile devices unless there is a way to password protect this information. Sensitive data are not retained with the incident archive.

Sensitive data should be flagged to ensure that they are not shared or archived. A ‘restricted’ folder is provided at the root of the GeoOps Folder Structure for storing sensitive data.

Some data (e.g., IR data) may be considered sensitive or “For Official Use Only” on incidents where homes and structures are threatened. It is imperative the GISS communicate with the SITL and/or the Planning Section Chief and Incident Commander to ensure that only approved information is posted.

Job Aids

YouTube Playlist: Back Up and Share

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

  • Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
  • Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
  • Do you need help building capacity?
  • What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

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Forest Service Logo
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Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
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Bureau of Land Management Logo
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National Park Service Logo
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Fish & Wildlife Service Logo
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State Foresters Logo
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U.S. Fire Administration
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Intertribal Timber Council Logo
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International Association of Fire Chiefs
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Department of Defense Logo

Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.
 

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NASA Logo

NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

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NWCG new website look.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

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WFLDP Professional Reading Program logo
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WFLDP PRP book covers

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

  • Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
  • The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
  • The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
  • Emotional Agility by Susan David
  • Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

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Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

  • Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
  • Reference new Incident Position Standards.
  • Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
  • Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
  • Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
  • Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).
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Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book
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Banner image of the Wildland Fire Learning Portal website

NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.