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PMS 936-1

Repair Event Layer Files

Data Preparation | Gather Incident Information | Implement the Incident Directory Structure | Populate Base Data | Configure the ArcGIS Pro Project Template | Create the Edit Project | Create an Offline Copy | Repair Event Layer Files | Configure Feature Templates | Create and Share Web Maps

For a refresher on layer files, please see the GIS Concepts Review document.

Repair Event Layers in the Edit Project

Use the Event layers in the edit map instead of the GISS Edit service directly. While the symbols are now the same, several other settings are saved in the layer files that are not available directly from the service, including caching, advanced labeling, and symbol display order. Critically, each layer is set to not cache any data locally in ArcGIS Pro to ensure the data displayed is always up to date.

  1. Repair the path of the Event Group - All Layers  in the Contents pane of the edit map to the newly created Offline Copy in the \incident_data\edit folder (e.g. GISSEdit_NIFS_2024_9A5A34…).
  2. Remove the GISS Edit Service (National Incident Feature Service 2024) group to avoid confusion.
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    Drawing Order with GISS Edit Service crossed out and Label Point highlighted with exclamation.
  3. Save the Edit Project. Your Contents pane should resemble the following:
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    Edit 2024 Demo Highlighted

The Event Layer Files that are added to the provided map view of the Pro Project Template aprx can be found in the \tools folder in the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

Nearly every map is going to start with the Event Group All Layers YYYY.lyrx file, the primary two types being the Edit Project and Master Projects. The key difference between these two is the database to which the layer file path is repaired.

It is very important to keep these two separate because incident maps should never be created using the Offline Copy and data edits should never be made outside of the Edit Project.

Event Layer File Template Implementation Diagram

Flow chart showing the use of the template layer file used in both the Edit Project and Master Map Projects.

Keeping the Edit Project separate from Master Projects is a crucial component of the GISS Workflow and proper layer file management is essential to this.

A layer file stores symbology, labeling, and Feature Templates and can be used to quickly create projects. Layer files also store files paths and can easily add the wrong data to a project resulting in inaccurate products or wasted time editing the wrong database.

Following best practices will avoid any mishaps, but it is always important to be aware of what data you are working with and how all your databases, maps, projects, local copies, and layer files all fit together.

Event Layer Files in the \tools folder

  • Event Group All Layers 202X.lyrx – All NIFS layers with configured Event Point label classes that can be easily converted to annotation.
  • Event Group BAM Large Symbols 202X.lyrx – Oversized Point and Line symbols use in Briefing Area Map (BAM). Increase or decrease the size as necessary.
  • Event Group IR 202X.lyrx – Print symbology for the IR feature classes.
  • Event Group Repair Status 202X.lyrx – Group layer with Accountable Property, Event Point, and Event Line symbolized based on the RepairStatus field. This layer file should be used in conjunction with the Event Group All 2024 layer file to provide a Repair Status “halo” for features.
  • Event Group Simplified Web Symbols 202X.lyrx – Simplified symbology.
  • Multipage Label Lines 202X.lyrx – ‘Invisible’ Lines with assignment labels (e.g. Div, Branch) used in multipage map projects. Repair to the MultipageLabelLine feature class in the other_incident_data.gdb.
  • Structure Triage 202X.lyrx –Structure Triage symbology based on the guidelines in the Incident Response Pocket Guide page 14+15. Alternate Triage categories for California’s FIRESCOPE are included in the data but not provided as a layer file.

 

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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National Park Service Logo
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U.S. Fire Administration
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International Association of Fire Chiefs
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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.