06/23/2016 - Wildland Firefighter Physical Training Recruitment

"We need your help in developing a physical training program designed specifically for Wildland Firefighters."

The Missoula Technology Development Center-USFS, in conjunction with the University of Montana, California Polytechnic State University, and Colorado State University, are working to develop a direction on this wildland fire physical training (PT) program.  One of the early steps in this process is to understand what WLFFs currently do for PT, both pre-employment and during employment along with what types of programs they enjoy.  This program will be based on the best science available but also one that meets WLFF needs, is easy to use in multiple formats, and will help you do your job effectively and safely.

To see the full announcement, follow this Survey Link

Help them to understand what you are currently doing for PT, so they can work to standardize the requirements and hopefully improve your efficiency and safety.

06/22/2016 - National Technology Development Center (NTDC) Fire Shelter Project

The Fire Shelter Project Review was initiated in 2014. The project is pursuing advances in materials that may offer increased protection by slowing the transfer of heat through the shelter layers. Historically, many high-temperature resistive materials are relatively heavy, bulky, fragile and/or toxic. These are all attributes that are not suitable for fire shelters. A few entities are submitting promising materials for testing, one of those is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) located in Hampton, Virginia.

Please read the entire article to find out how the project is progressing and what it means to you out in the field.

Wildfire Magazine Article on the Fire Shelter Review Project

6/2/16 NIMO Assists R5 with Southern Sierra Tree Mortality

The Boise NIMO Team is in CA this week facilitating a planning meeting for Southern Sierra Tree Mortailty. The meeting included representatives from the R5 Regional Office, Sierra NF, Sequioa NF, and Stanislaus NF. Regional Forester Randy Moore opened the meeting with Leaders Intent. Randy and Deputy Regional Forester Jeanne Wade-Evans both actively participated in the meeting.

NIMO used the Intent Based Planning Process to identify Gaps. Factors were identified and validated centering around Political, Security, Economic, Social, Infrastucture, and Information Dimensions. Once the gaps were identified they were each categorized by priority and if they were currently actionable. Intent Based Planning is being taught by Misson-Centered Solutions in their NWCG L-481 Intent to Action course. More info on this course can be found at: https://mcsolutions.com

The objective of the meeting was to develop a Common Operating Picture between all USFS entities involved in Tree Mortality.

Tree Mortality is a long term event involving multiple Federal, State and Local agencies. NIMO will continue to be involved in Tree Mortality.

For more information on CA Tree Mortality go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/catreemortality/home



Boise NIMO IC Joe Reinarz facilitates the discussion to identify gaps as Boise PSC1 Dana Carter documents the gaps identified