Overview What is the GTG? Who are the members of GTG? Accomplishments Strategic Plan Being part of the interagency fire GIS team

What is the GTG? Interagency group created in October 1999 Reports to the Information Resource Management Working Team (IRMWT) under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Provides the NWCG IRMWT and all other NWCG working teams with quality information and advice concerning the use of geospatial data, applications, and processes in support of interagency wildland fire management

NWCG Membership USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration National Association of State Foresters Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service Fire Systems Research, U.S. Forest Service Intertribal Timber Council Source: National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Working Teams

Goals and Objectives of GTG Provide a coordinated interagency point of contact for the NWCG IRMWT regarding the use of geospatial technology Recommend and review interagency standards and processes Encourage and recommend the development of geospatial data and applications to support interagency fire management Provide a coordinated interagency point of contact for the NWCG IRMWT regarding the use of geospatial technology in support of wildland fire management. B. Work to ensure coordination with all NWCG Working Teams, Federal, and State agencies at all levels to provide proper and efficient use of geospatial technology in the support of wildland fire management. Interact with existing technical groups that specialize in areas of geospatial sciences that may influence the use of geospatial components and technologies for wildland fire management. C. Recommend and review interagency standards and processes to ensure that quality geospatial information and tools are available for use in wildland fire management activities.

Who are the Members ? Agency Member Technical Advisors USFS Joe Frost Katy Madrid Hipke BLM Susan Goodman Sean Triplett NPS Doug Stephen Brian Sorbel FWS Bill Leenhouts (Vice Chair) BIA Luther Arizana Ted Tower, Richard Moore USGS Liz Lile John Guthrie Eastern States Sue McLellan (Chair) Western States Skip Edel IRMWT Liaison Andrea Olson (FWS)

Web Site: gis.nwcg.gov

GTG Direction 2001 IRMWT gave clear direction to GTG stating that the group was not operational, but a standards organization No involvement with GEOMAC No involvement with operational training

Standards Facilitate data sharing Increase interoperability among geospatial technologies Standards contribute to making life simpler Increase the reliability and effectiveness of the GIS products produced. The purpose of geospatial standards in wildland fire management is to

Data Standards Data layer standards Data item standards Fire Perimeter Fire history (polygon) Data item standards NWCG Data Administration Working Group http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/pmo/dawg.htm

GTG Accomplishments 2002 Presented two issue papers to IRMWT Developing an Interagency Standard for the Transfer and Documentation of GIS Fire Perimeters A Recommended Approach for Simplifying Wildland Fire Occurrence Reporting and Creating GIS Layers from Wildland Fire Occurrence Data

GTG Accomplishments The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Data Administration Working Group has approved: Daily Fire Perimeter Data Layer Standard Fire History Data Layer Standard These standards were developed by the NWCG’s Geospatial Task Group (GTG) and are an agreed upon minimum interagency national standard. Source: Information Bulletin No.2007-056 03-MAR-2007 Local field offices may add attributes to meet their needs.

GTG Accomplishments The NWCG Geographic Information System (GIS) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Incidents Project (GSTOP) June 2006 Details in another presentation

GIS Technical Specialist: 4 Types of Positions ICS positions Wildfire Skill positions Technical Specialist Positions Wildfire Skill Positions GTG proposed that the GIST be transferred from a Technical Specialist position to an ICS position with a position task book and required / recommended training

Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) Position was included in the 2006 release of the Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1. The PMS 310-1 is available on the NWCG Publication Management System web page Information about the GISS position can be found on page 105 of the PMS 310-1 document.

GISS The GISS position has replaced the GIS Technical Specialist (GIST) position The GIST position title and code will be made inactive in IQCS. The GIST position title and code will no longer be used on incident qualification cards or in the Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS).

GISS A transition guidance letter has been released from NWCG specifying grandfathering procedures for the GIST to GISS conversion, and is available on the NWCG website. Links to Task Book & information are on the GTG website: gis.nwcg.gov

GAO Report on Geospatial Technologies and Wildland Fire

GAO Report on Geospatial Technologies and Wildland Fire Recommendations Develop an interagency geospatial strategy for effectively using geospatial information technologies in all phases of wildland fire management Develop an interagency IRM strategy for wildland fire management Develop an interagency enterprise architecture for wildland fire management

NWCG Geospatial Task Group’s Geospatial Strategic Plan The GTG vision is that geospatial technologies are pervasive and transparent in wildland fire management and that the resulting products and services are integral to and enhance decision making in all phases of wildland fire management.

Strategic Plan Goals DATA: Quality geospatial data is easily accessible and used appropriately. SYSTEMS: Stable, trusted, effective, and dependable systems that have a geospatial component are available to meet wildland fire needs. INFRASTRUCTURE: A common interagency infrastructure is in place to meet the business needs of the wildland fire community.

Strategic Plan Goals… STAFFING: Personnel are willing and able to support, maintain, and utilize geospatial technologies as appropriate. USE OF NEW PRODUCTS: The wildland fire community is using the most appropriate geospatial technology. COMMUNICATION: Effectively communicate wildland fire interagency geospatial issues, policies and standards.

Be part of the team http://gis.nwcg.gov You can recommend issues by contacting a GTG member or your IRMWT representative http://gis.nwcg.gov

Final thoughts

Final Thoughts GTG