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Configure Feature Templates

Configuring the Feature Templates in the Edit Project is a crucial step towards ensuring all data is properly attributed. Many fields can be set to defaults that will populate automatically in most cases, saving time, and improving consistency.

The standardized attributes of the Event Schema serve as Feature-Level Metadata. Wildland fire is rapidly becoming an enterprise environment with distributed data and aggregated services. GIS data must be identifiable down to each feature in such a system so that users know crucial information such as currency and source.

Utilizing the Feature Templates is the best practice for automatically populating attribute with default values for several reasons:

  1. The Event Schema should not be modified, including database defaults.
  2. There may be multiple editors on an incident.
  3. Feature Templates will not transfer with the GDB when sharing or transitioning.

Esri Feature Template Documentation

Feature Templates should be configured in the Edit Project before making any edits.

  1. Configure Feature Templates
    1. Open the Manage Templates pane. This can be done from the Create Features pane or by clicking the dialog box launcher under the Features group on the Edit tab.​

      Select manage templates.
       
    2. Starting with Label Point, select all the features in the list and click Properties. ​
       
      Image
      Select the event point and use the shift key to select all features, then click properties.

    3. Set the values for IncidentName and IRWINID and any other defaults you wish to apply to your edits.

      In the properties window select Attributes.
       

    4. Repeat steps b-c for all the other layers.

Note: See the GISS Workflow for more information on Obtaining IRWIN IDs for Incidents and Complexes.
 

  1. Once the Feature Templates for each of the Event feature classes are configured, save a layer file as a backup. A layer file will store both the symbology and more importantly, all the incident specific template settings just configured.
    1. Right-click the Event Group - All Layers in the Contents pane and select Save as a Layer File under Sharing.
      Save the file to the incident_data\edit​ folder following the GeoOps naming convention {year}_{incident name}_{unit ID+local incident ID}_{your name}.lyrx
       
      Image
      Save the Event Group All Layers as a layer file.
      This layer file can be used to build a new Edit Project should you need to for any reason.

Note: ​In order to utilize all the settings saved in the layer file, add it to the map through the Add Data button. If the data has moved or you wish to apply it to a different feature class, you can repair/change the data source.

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Now Available

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the 2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, is now available. Visit NWCG's website to learn about the major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG. The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically and will be available from Great Basin Cache by early summer 2025.

All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache (GBK). Information on the ordering process can be found in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Catalog.

References:

2025 IRPG Information 

NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 

NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES 

NWCG NFES Catalog - Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2 

2025 Professional Reading Program

Date: February 18, 2025
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2025 Professional Reading list! The goal of the annual reading list is to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.

The five books chosen for this year are: Surf When You Can by Brett Crozier, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, Simply Managing by Henry Mintzberg, and Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Metcalf.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Task Group Volunteers Needed to Update the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289

Date: February 5, 2025
Contact: Julie Bennett, Incident Business Committee Chair

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) is requesting volunteers for a new task group to revise the 1981 version of the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289 and create an incident replacement job aid. The volunteers may be recruited from within or outside the Geographic Area Incident Business Committees.

References:

IBC Memorandum 25-02

IBC Correspondence

2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: February 4, 2025
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The NWCG Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. 

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) are also included.  

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

NWCG Memo: 2025-01 January 2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1