Fires: An Increasing ThreatFires: An Increasing Threat 20062006

– 9.9 million acres 9.9 million acres burnedburned

– Set new recordSet new record

20072007– Fire potential above Fire potential above

average for much of average for much of the westthe west

– 2.5 million acres 2.5 million acres burned as of 7/9/07burned as of 7/9/07

– 19% above 10-year 19% above 10-year averageaverage

The U.S. spends approximately $2.7B annually in wildland fire suppression, preparedness, fuels management, and other activities.

WGA RequestWGA Request June 2005 WGA ResolutionJune 2005 WGA Resolution

– ““The Western Governors urge NOAA to: The Western Governors urge NOAA to: Complete a National Needs Assessment Complete a National Needs Assessment Report, by NOAAReport, by NOAA’’s Office of the Federal s Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, of federal, Coordinator for Meteorology, of federal, state and local fire managers state and local fire managers needsneeds for for weather information in their wildfire and weather information in their wildfire and prescribed fire decision making prescribed fire decision making processes and a processes and a frameworkframework to meet to meet those needs by the NWS and Predictive those needs by the NWS and Predictive Services.”Services.”

ICMSSR Action Item, November 2005ICMSSR Action Item, November 2005– ““OFCM should move forward to form a Joint Action Group OFCM should move forward to form a Joint Action Group

(JAG) under the Committee for Environmental Services, (JAG) under the Committee for Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs (CESORN), to review Operations, and Research Needs (CESORN), to review the needs and requirements for wildland fire weather the needs and requirements for wildland fire weather information, to include identifying organizational information, to include identifying organizational responsibilities and addressing the following issues: responsibilities and addressing the following issues: data collection, fire weather research, weather forecast data collection, fire weather research, weather forecast services, data assimilation, air quality, information services, data assimilation, air quality, information dissemination, education and outreach, and user dissemination, education and outreach, and user response.”response.”

By Spring, 2006, the Joint Action Group for By Spring, 2006, the Joint Action Group for the National Wildland Fire Weather Needs the National Wildland Fire Weather Needs Assessment (JAG/NWFWNA) was formedAssessment (JAG/NWFWNA) was formed

OFCM Response

– DHSDHS FEMAFEMA U.S. Fire AdministrationU.S. Fire Administration

– DOCDOC NOAANOAA NISTNIST

– DODDOD– DOEDOE– DOIDOI

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park ServiceNational Park Service Bureau of Land MgmtBureau of Land Mgmt U.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Indian AffairsBureau of Indian Affairs

– DOTDOT FAAFAA FHWA FHWA

– EPAEPA– HHSHHS– NASANASA– USDAUSDA

U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Forest Service– Subject Matter ExpertsSubject Matter Experts

State ForestersState Foresters UniversitiesUniversities

Cochairs: Dr. Allen Riebau, USDA/FS Mr. Eli Jacks, DOC/NOAA/NWSRepresentatives from:

JAG/NWFWNA

Obtained info via workshops and questionnairesObtained info via workshops and questionnaires

– Reached out to 2,100+ community membersReached out to 2,100+ community members

– Received input from 745, including reps from:Received input from 745, including reps from: National Association of State ForestersNational Association of State Foresters

National Interagency Fire CenterNational Interagency Fire Center

National Interagency Coordination CenterNational Interagency Coordination Center

National Wildfire Coordinating GroupNational Wildfire Coordinating Group

International Association of Wildland FireInternational Association of Wildland Fire

Many others (federal agencies, states, tribes, local Many others (federal agencies, states, tribes, local emergency managers, academia, private emergency managers, academia, private companies/industry, etc.)companies/industry, etc.)

Results:Results:

– Identified 47 validated needs in 9 functional areasIdentified 47 validated needs in 9 functional areas

Assessment ProcessAssessment Process

Assessment ProcessAssessment Process 9 Functional Areas9 Functional Areas

– Data collection and useData collection and use– Modeling, prediction, and data assimilationModeling, prediction, and data assimilation– Forecast products and servicesForecast products and services– Fire weather research and developmentFire weather research and development– Information dissemination and technologiesInformation dissemination and technologies– User response and decision supportUser response and decision support– Education, training, outreach, partnering, and Education, training, outreach, partnering, and

collaborationcollaboration– Socioeconomic factorsSocioeconomic factors– Funding and human resources (crosscutting)Funding and human resources (crosscutting)

Example: Forecast Example: Forecast Products & ServicesProducts & Services

NWS Red Flag WarningsNWS Red Flag Warnings

Extremely beneficial Extremely beneficial product for usersproduct for users

Frequently usedFrequently used

Enhancements needed Enhancements needed include longer lead include longer lead times and wider times and wider disseminationdissemination

Example: Example: Fire Weather R&DFire Weather R&D

Community needs better Community needs better understanding of how climate understanding of how climate change and variability impact change and variability impact wildland fire threatwildland fire threat

Potential base to build on:Potential base to build on:

– Forest Service Northern Global Change Forest Service Northern Global Change Research ProgramResearch Program

Example: Information Example: Information DisseminationDissemination

Coordinated, “One-stop” Website for Coordinated, “One-stop” Website for Fire Weather Data & ToolsFire Weather Data & Tools

Easier access to all relevant regional data/productsEasier access to all relevant regional data/products

– Operational and experimental productsOperational and experimental products

– Product accuracy informationProduct accuracy information

– Product training and reference materialProduct training and reference material

– Information on latest research effortsInformation on latest research efforts

– Archived dataArchived data

Base to build on: Base to build on:

– Rocky Mountain GACC Internet page is a site with Rocky Mountain GACC Internet page is a site with considerable info addressing some of these areasconsiderable info addressing some of these areas

Example: Decision-Example: Decision-Support ToolsSupport Tools

Users want better decision-support tools Users want better decision-support tools for smoke management for smoke management

Development must include more Development must include more collaboration with and feedback from collaboration with and feedback from the user communitythe user community

Base to build on: Base to build on:

– NOAA Air Resources Laboratory smoke NOAA Air Resources Laboratory smoke analysis & forecast products out to 48 hrsanalysis & forecast products out to 48 hrs

Example: TrainingExample: Training

Users want comprehensive, proven, fire Users want comprehensive, proven, fire weather training/certification programsweather training/certification programs

Build on best practices among existing Build on best practices among existing training programstraining programs– The National Wildfire Coordinating Group The National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Training Working Team has widely used and Training Working Team has widely used and successful training programs, however,successful training programs, however, They need to be validated against current They need to be validated against current

training requirementstraining requirements They need to be available for entire communityThey need to be available for entire community Must address core competenciesMust address core competencies

Example: Example: Socioeconomic FactorsSocioeconomic Factors

Use existing tools to inform and educate Use existing tools to inform and educate the publicthe public

State-of-the-art outreach tools can be State-of-the-art outreach tools can be adapted for public outreach, adapted for public outreach, understanding, mitigating, and understanding, mitigating, and responding to wildland fire threatsresponding to wildland fire threats

Base to build on:Base to build on:

– Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station research on socioeconomic resiliencyresearch on socioeconomic resiliency

Summary and JAG Next StepsSummary and JAG Next Steps

Summary: Identified 47 validated needs within 9 Summary: Identified 47 validated needs within 9 functional areas. Summary document available functional areas. Summary document available onlineonline

JAG Next Steps (approved by ICMSSR and WGA):JAG Next Steps (approved by ICMSSR and WGA):

– Developed detailed needs reportDeveloped detailed needs report

– Work with agencies and interagency groups on a gap Work with agencies and interagency groups on a gap assessment and a coordinated plan to close the gapsassessment and a coordinated plan to close the gaps

– Leverage existing and planned capabilities at all levels; Leverage existing and planned capabilities at all levels; build vertical and horizontal partnershipsbuild vertical and horizontal partnerships

CESORN ActionCESORN Action Recommend the CESORN establish a Wildland Fire WGRecommend the CESORN establish a Wildland Fire WG This WG should:This WG should:

– Monitor agency progress toward meeting identified Monitor agency progress toward meeting identified needsneeds

– Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure established needs are being efficiently addressedestablished needs are being efficiently addressed

– Monitor the needs of the community to address new and Monitor the needs of the community to address new and changing needs as they arisechanging needs as they arise

– Reach out to wildland fire and land management Reach out to wildland fire and land management agencies at the state, tribal, and local levels to: agencies at the state, tribal, and local levels to:

Ensure their needs are documented and addressedEnsure their needs are documented and addressed Help them meet their needs through Federal actionsHelp them meet their needs through Federal actions

This WG will stand up prior to the completion of This WG will stand up prior to the completion of current JAG work and will carry forward JAG current JAG work and will carry forward JAG recommendationsrecommendations

Questions?Questions?

BACKUP SLIDESBACKUP SLIDES

OFCM Background Jan 1964: OFCM formed in response to Public Law 87-

843– Accountable to Congress and OMB

– Coordinate agency budgets and activities

Report budgets and activities in annual Federal Plan

1980: GAO study revitalizes OFCM

– Independent function with full-time staff

1985: DOC IG reviewed OFCM and made two specific recommendations, directing OFCM to:– Perform crosscut studies to review agency weather programs

and requirements

– Document OFCM studies; make information available to interested parties in the decision-making and budgeting processes

OFCM Mission: OFCM Mission: To ensure the To ensure the effective useeffective use of federal of federal

meteorological resources by meteorological resources by leadingleading the the systematic coordinationsystematic coordination of operational weather of operational weather requirements, services, and supporting requirements, services, and supporting research, research, among the federal agenciesamong the federal agencies

High-level focus on:High-level focus on:

– Needs and requirementsNeeds and requirements

– Issues and problems Issues and problems

– Studies, reports, plans, and handbooksStudies, reports, plans, and handbooks

– Crosscut reviews, assessments, and analysesCrosscut reviews, assessments, and analyses

OFCM Background

Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)

Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR) National Space Weather

Program Council

Committee for Space Weather

National Aviation Weather Program Council

Committee for Aviation Services and Research

Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs

Environmental Information Systems and Communications

Integrated Observing Systems

Climate Analysis, Monitoring and

Services

Cooperative Research

Working Group for Urban Meteorology

Program Councils

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

Standing Committees

National Operational Processing Centers

Program Council

Committee for Operational Processing Centers

OFCM Background

VADM CONRAD LAUTENBACHER, JR., USN (RET.) Chairman

DR. SHARON L. HAYS Office of Science and Technology Policy

DR. RAYMOND MOTHA Department of Agriculture

BRIG GEN DAVID L. JOHNSON, USAF (RET.) Department of Commerce

MR. ALAN SHAFFER Department of Defense

DR. JERRY ELWOOD Department of Energy

MR. SPANKY KIRSCHDepartment of Homeland Security (OS&T)

DR. MICHAEL SOUKUPDepartment of the Interior (NPS)

MR. RALPH BRAIBANTIDepartment of State

MR. RANDOLPH LYONOffice of Management and Budget

MS. VICTORIA COXDepartment of Transportation (DOT/FAA)

MR. DAVID MAURSTAD Department of Homeland Security (FEMA)

DR. ALAN STERNNational Aeronautics and Space Adm.

DR. JARVIS MOYERS (Acting)National Science Foundation

MR. PAUL MISENCIKNational Transportation Safety Board

MR. JAMES WIGGINSU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

DR. LAWRENCE REITEREnvironmental Protection Agency

MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSONFederal Coordinator

FCMSSR Members

OFCM Background

MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSON, ChairmanFederal Coordinator

MR. THOMAS PUTERBAUGHDepartment of Agriculture

MR. JOHN E. JONES, JR.Department of Commerce

RADM FRED BYUS, USNDepartment of Defense (U.S. Navy)

BRIG GEN LAWRENCE A. STUTZRIEM, USAFDepartment of Defense (U.S. Air force)

MR. RICKEY PETTYDepartment of Energy

MR. SPANKY KIRSCHDepartment of Homeland Security (OS&T)

MR. JOHN VIMONTDepartment of the Interior (NPS)

MR. ANTHONY FURST (Acting)Department of Transportation (FHWA)

MR. JAMES H. WILLIAMSDepartment of Transportation (FAA)

DR. JONATHAN M. BERKSONDepartment of Homeland Security (USCG)

MR. JEFFREY MACLUREDepartment of State

DR. S. T. RAOEnvironmental Protection Agency

MR. JOHN GAMBELDepartment of Homeland Security (FEMA)

DR. RAMESH KAKARNational Aeronautics and Space Adm.

DR. JARVIS MOYERSNational Science Foundation

MR. DONALD E. EICKNational Transportation Safety Board

MS. LETA A. BROWNU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

MS. MELISSA BRANDTOffice of Management and Budget

ICMSSR Members

OFCM Background

Departments of:

• Agriculture• Commerce• Defense• Energy• Homeland Security

• Science & Technology• FEMA• Coast Guard

• Interior• State• Transportation

• Environmental Protection Agency• National Aeronautics and Space

Administration• National Science Foundation• National Transportation Safety

Board• Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Independent agencies:

Executive Office of the President:

• Office of Management and Budget• Office of Science and Technology

Policy

OFCM Partners

OFCM Background