CHARTER
NASF FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Mission/Purpose
The NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee exists to address wildland fire issues of national concern to state and territorial governments. The Committee will actively work with the federal wildland fire agencies, representatives of local government jurisdictions, non-governmental organizations, and federal and state emergency management organizations to ensure that NASF concerns are satisfactorily addressed, both operationally and in national level policy. In carrying out its mission, the Committee will emphasize safety, federal, state and local cooperation and cost containment. Further, the Committee will monitor proposed federal legislation related to wildland fire issues and make appropriate recommendations.
Operational Guidelines
The NASF President will appoint the Committee Chair, Vice-Chair, and all committee members. Membership shall include appropriate representation from the three NASF regions, one of which shall be the chair of the NASF Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) Committee. The intent of this appointment is to facilitate a close working relationship between the two committees, in order to ensure a consistent and coordinated NASF response to fire related issues.
In addition, the national Fire Directors of the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Director of the DOI Office of Wildland Fire Coordination (OWFC), and a representative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be invited to participate on the Committee in liaison roles.
The Committee will operate by consensus with the Chair presiding. Procedurally, a formal motion followed by a unanimous vote documents concurrence. Each committee member takes responsibility to air dissenting opinions for committee consideration and deliberation and, most importantly, to provide an alternative solution when there is disagreement. If consensus cannot be reached in a reasonable time, the issue may be tabled until a future meeting or assigned to a small group for further analysis and recommendation. If an immediate decision is required, it will be made based on a majority vote of all members present. Once a decision is made, all committee members will support the decision. A simple majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum of the Committee. The Committee will make recommendations to the NASF Executive Committee through the Chair, or to the full NASF body through the formal resolution process.
The NASF Fire Director will provide staff assistance to the Committee. Under the direct supervision of the Chair, the Fire Director will assist in developing meeting agendas, take meeting minutes, and after approval by the Chair, produce final minutes for committee members and the NASF website. The Fire Director will also represent the NASF and the Committee at various meetings and undertake special assignments as directed by the Chair.
The Committee will hold a minimum of two formal meetings each year. Between meetings, business will normally be conducted by conference call or by electronic mail. Prior to meetings, the Chair will solicit agenda items from each member. When the agenda has been finalized, the Chair will notify each member of the upcoming agenda items and provide any available background information.
Responsibilities & Objectives
The Committee will annually develop a committee work plan that addresses the goals and objectives identified in the NASF Strategic Plan. The Chair will solicit objectives for the annual work plan from the committee membership, and forward a completed document to the NASF President. The Fire Director will also assist the Chair in developing the annual work plan and is responsible for ensuring it is posted on the NASF website.
Standing objectives of the Committee will include:
1. Ensure that accurate, state fire occurrence statistics are available for national reporting each year.
2. Continue active involvement in the National Fire Plan, the Implementation Plan for the 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy, and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
3. Maintain active membership on the following national groups.
· Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC).
· National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).
· National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC).
· LANDFIRE Executive Oversight Committee.
· Fire Program Analysis (FPA) Executive Oversight Group.
4. Maintain active involvement with the following organizations: WGA, SGA, NEMA, IAFC, NVFC, NACo, USDA FS, BLM, BIA, NPS, FWS, DOI-OWFC, USFA, FEMA, NWS, NFPA, and ITC.
5. Work to identify ways to reduce or contain wildland fire suppression costs.
6. In cooperation with the NASF Legislative Committee, actively pursue federal legislation to achieve identified objectives in the NASF Strategic Plan.
7. Work with the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the Interior fire agencies to ensure the continuation of the SFA/VFA and RFA grants through the federal appropriations process.
8. Ensure a strategy for a sustainable, interagency aviation program (including large air tankers) that will effectively and cost-efficiently support state suppression programs.
9. Continue to monitor, discuss, and evaluate the role of state forestry organizations in responding to non-wildfire emergencies.
Contacts and Liaisons
The Chair will serve as the primary contact for the Committee and will represent the Committee on the NASF Executive Committee. The Chair may designate another committee member to represent the Committee when appropriate. Important external contacts include: Western and Southern Governors Associations, National Emergency Management Association, FEMA and the US Fire Administration, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish & Wildlife Service, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, Inter-tribal Timber Council, National Fire Protection Association, and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
The NASF Fire Director shall represent the NASF on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Further, the NASF Fire Director, under the supervision of the Chair, will represent the NASF at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) at Boise, Idaho, and serve on the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group NMAC). Whenever the Fire Director is required to take time off from NMAC responsibilities for mandatory R&R, the Chair shall ensure that a suitable replacement is identified. State Foresters on the Committee shall be the first option.
The Chair will designate a committee member or staff person to serve as liaison to the NASF Communications Committee. The Chair may also designate committee members or staff to serve as liaisons to other committees or organizations as necessary. The Chair will normally represent the NASF on the national Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC).
Communications
The Chair will collect and distribute, or otherwise assure the distribution of, all communications addressed to the Committee to all committee members. In addition, the Chair is responsible for ensuring the distribution of meeting minutes to all committee members. The Fire Director will assist the Chair in compiling an annual report of committee activities and submit it to the President prior to the NASF annual meeting each fall. The Chair will ensure that the Committee works closely with the NASF Communications Committee on important, national issues.
Approved by the National Association of State Foresters Executive Committee.
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Kirk Rowdabaugh, President Date
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