The Pacific Southwest Region 5
 Fire and Aviation Management
Strategic Plan

VISION FOR TODAY
VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Pacific Southwest Regional Logo including an outline maps of California, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Hawaii.

April 15, 2013

Pacific Southwest Region 5, Fire and Aviation Management
operates as
Wildland Fire and Aviation Management Leaders,
Safely Sustaining,
Protecting
and
Restoring Ecosystems.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES:

 

Purpose and Use of the Strategic Plan

This Strategic Plan is an enduring document that provides the vision, principles, and frame of reference used to guide all Region 5 Fire, Fuels, and Aviation Management (FAM) actions, decisions, and behaviors. It is dynamic and responsive to the mission of FAM in the Pacific Southwest Region.

 

VISION FOCUS AREAS

These areas are built upon the operational principles and form the operational agenda for achieving the Regional Fire and Aviation Management vision for the future.

Vision Focus Area 1

A Model of Excellence in Safety

· Fire and Aviation Management will attack the root behavioral causes of accidents and hazardous situations to create a culture of success in safety

Vision Focus Area 2

Natural Resources Integration

· Fire and Aviation Management will collaborate with other regional resource disciplines to help accomplish Ecological Restoration goals, emphasizing sustainable forest ecosystem management, forest roads, recreation, and watershed health

Vision Focus Area 3

Effective and Efficient Operations

· Fire and Aviation Management will operate as an effective team to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs

· Fire and Aviation Management will continually strive to give taxpayers the best value for their money

Vision Focus Area 4

A Workforce Capacity Built for Success

· Fire and Aviation Management will promote excellence in fire training programs and consider training an integral part of all aspects of the program

· Fire and Aviation Management will promote education - beyond fire qualifications - to give employees a larger framework of knowledge and to help make employees more valuable and marketable

· Fire and Aviation Management will recruit and retain a diverse workforce of qualified, skilled, and motivated employees

· Fire and Aviation Management will maintain an effective Regional Aviation program with the highest of standards in safety, training, certification, operating procedures, equipment and program management in support of the Forest Service mission, goals, and objectives.

Vision Focus Area 5

Effective Use of Technology

· Fire and Aviation Management will stay current with the latest technology, evaluating its effectiveness and training our workforce to use it to its full advantage.

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STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

The Program of Work is divided into Vision Focus Areas, with strategies identified for each.

Strategies are elements of a Vision Focus Area (VFA), and are supported by a series of cohesive and coordinated tactics that suppport and contribute to reaching the Vision. Strategies are intermediate in timeframe.

Tactics are short-term, measurable, and accountable actions that contribute to achieving the intent of a strategy. Each tactic is identified with a due date to display commitment ot accomplishemnt.

This plan uses a numbering scheme to track tactics and accomplishments. The tactic is assigned a number corresponding to the year it was developed; the numbering sequence is xx.n1.n2.n3

xx is the year the tactic was developed and adopted
n1 is the vision focus area
n2 is the strategy
n3 is the tactic numbered sequentially

For example, tactic 98.1.1.1 was introduced in 1998 and is the first tactic that works toward Strategy 1, which supports VFA 1.


APPENDIX A - Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities

This appendix lists the members of the strategic planning team, along with the roles and responsibilities of the members, the Fire and Aviation Management Board of Directors, chartered committees, and task groups.

APPENDIX B - Chartered Committees

This appendix lists all the chartered committees, who they report to, and the Board of Directors representative for each.

APPENDIX C - Acronyms

Included in this appendix are acronyms commonly used in the Strategic Plan, along with explanations.

APPENDIX D- Archives

Once a tactic is complete, it is moved to the archives to retain corporate memory.

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VISION FOCUS AREA 1

A Model of Excellence in Safety

· Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) will attack the root behavioral causes of accidents and hazardous situations to create a culture of success in safety.

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STRATEGY 1.1 - Ensure safety standards and guidelines are kept current.

2001.1.1.2

Review, update, and amend the SCBA programs.

Project Manager:
Peter Tolosano
Committee:
Division Chief
Due Date: 10/01/07---4/30/10

Status: SCBA is complete as of 7/1/03.
Currently being updated.
Remainder to be done by 10/01/07.
DRAFT Complete for review. 2/2/12. Final document completed 2/26/13.

COMPLETE

Signed Copy posted to intranet on April 15, 2013

STRATEGY 1.2 - Ensure that Forest Service personnel understand and practice safety standards.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 1.3 - Attack the root behavioral causes of accidents. Create a culture of safety excellence.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 1.4 - Ensure that all personnel understand their role in safe FAM program implementation, organizational planning, funding, and incident staffing.

No tactics identified at this time.


VISION FOCUS AREA 2

Natural Resources Integration

· Fire and Aviation Management will collaborate with other regional resource disciplines to help accomplish Ecological Restoration goals, emphasizing sustainable forest ecosystem management, forest roads, recreation, and watershed health and restoration.

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STRATEGY 2.1 - Provide leadership, planning, and support for the management of fire in restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

 
2010.2.1.1
Regional review of fire facilities for hazmat runoff and solutions to address this issue. Project Manager:
Jerome Caston
Committee:
Facilities & Engineering
Due Date: 06/2010 report
Status:
follow-up w/ Jerome Caston
04/15/13
2010.2.1.4
Revise the Strategic Plan for Managing Hazardous Fuels in the Pacific Southwest Region document, to incorporate current direction, document progress since the last version, and reflect key aspects of the pending 2010 cohesive strategy.  Project Manager:
Robin Woods
Committee:

Due Date: 6/2012
Status:
10/2010
In Progress
Prepared for 6/2011 BoD Meeting Agenda
Draft presented at 6/2011 BoD Meeting
Presented to 2/2012 BoD
follow-up w/ Rob Griffith
04/15/13
2011.2.1.1
Incorporate key actions from R5 Fuels Strategic Plan as tactics in the R5 FAM Strategic Plan. Project Manager:
Shawna Legarza
Committee:
Strategic Plan Comm./
Robin Woods
Due Date: 4/1/2012
Status:
Presented to 2/2012 BoD
follow-up w/ Rob Griffith
04/15/13

STRATEGY 2.2 - Involve the public as a partner to support the management of fire in restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 2.3 - Establish and maintain predictive service units in support of fire management for restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

 No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 2.4 - Ensure that air quality issues enhance progress in the management of fire in restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

 
     

STRATEGY 2.5 - Establish and maintain integrated, interdisciplinary support for management of fire in restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

2010.2.5.1
Develop interim BMP for 2010 to prevent the spread of invasive species through FAM operations

Project Manager:Task Group lead by
Jeanne Pincha-Tulley and Arlen Cravens
Due Date: 06/2010

Status: update 04/2010
follow-up w/ Jeanne and Arlen 04/15/13

STRATEGY 2.6 - Provide assistance to other disciplines in support of the Natural Resource Agenda in the following areas: · Watershed health and restoration · Sustainable forest ecosystem management · Forest roads · Recreation.

 No tactics identified at this time.

VISION FOCUS AREA 3

Effective and Efficient Operations

· Fire and Aviation Management will operate as an effective team to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

· Fire and Aviation Management will continually strive to give taxpayers the best value for their money.

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STRATEGY 3.1 - Develop operating plans to provide the best customer service possible. Use these plans to deliver services, maintain and boost staffing levels, increase resource availability, and make efficient funding decisions. Keep these plans current with customer expectations, technological changes, and budget trends.

2010.3.1.1
Develop a definition of “Immediate Need” with the end state of inclusion in the CAL MOB Guide, including Dispatch procedures Project Manager:
Dan Snow/Jay Kurth
Committee:
Due Date: 6/2010 
need to update
2/2013
Check with Pam Greenwood 04/15/13
2010.3.1.2
Review the status/conditioning and futuring of our radio system (backbone, consoles, handheld, and other devices) with CIO to develop a purchase, repair and replacement program that meets regional operational needs.
(see 2010.5.5.1)
Project Manager:
TBD - Gary Beihl
Committee: (Team)
Dan Snow/Jay Kurth
Due Date:

Status: update 06/2010
Ongoing
Will check with Jon re: status
2/2012
follow-up w/ James Whiteside
04/15/13

 

STRATEGY 3.2 - Change budget and operational systems to create management incentives for safer, smarter, and more cost-effective decisions.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 3.3 - Ensure appropriate expenditure of funds and proper implementation of Fire and Aviation Management programs.

2010.3.3.1
Establish process for reviewing DPA adjustments where the local units don’t agree.

Project Manager:
Willie Thompson
Committee:

Due Date: 6/2010 

Status:
Expected to be included in CFMA re-write
2/2012
follow-up w/ Joe Millar
12/10/12
COMPLETE

CFMA approved 4/2013 (Exhibit E)

2010.3.3.2
Develop a new “class” of FAM vehicle for each vehicle that requires a "red lights and sirens" package to include cost and build up into the FOR. Project Manager:
Allan Setzer
Committee:
Regional Fire Equipment
Due Date: 10/2010 

Status:
Needs new program mgr.
RFEC to report back
2/2012
Complete for CO's, Eng's, Crew Carriers
12/10/12

need to follow up on utilities 4/15/13

 

STRATEGY 3.4 - Make resource allocations, funding, and procedural decisions based on economic criteria to maximize output per dollar expended.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 3.5 - Upgrade the inventory and database of R5 fire facilities, integrate this work with other R5 facilities and funding programs, and advocate as appropriate.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 3.6 - In each identified program area, identify, analyze and where determined appropriate by BoD, implement cost savings measures that will enable the Region FAM to continue to provide 5376 FFPC while "living within" our allocated WFPR funding levels.

Program Area 1: Administration

No tactics identified at this time.

Program Area 2: Aviation

No tactics identified at this time.

Program Area 3: Communications

2012.3.6.3

Develop Regional standards and most cost efficient method of delivering cell phones, pagers, handheld radios, and satellite phone services for identified FAM users.

Project Manager:
Jay Kurth - ENF
Team Members:
Tom Hudson - R05
Eric Martinez - BDF
Captain Committee Chair Prevention Committee Chair Dispatch Committee Chair
IHC Committee Chair
Due Date: 06/13

Status Report:

ONGOING
04/15/13

Check with Bob Knopp in RO for cell/sat phones 4/15/13


2005.3.6.3.1

Review existing cell phone and pager contracts, their rate structure, users, and coverage areas. Determine appropriate FAM users, as well as accessories needed.

Team Members Assigned:

Status:
ONGOING
Check w/ BoD
04/15/13

2005.3.6.3.2

Review existing handheld radios by users and standard module types. Determine appropriate FAM users, as well as accessories required. Develop regional standard number of handheld radios by standard module configuration.

Team Members Assigned:

Status:
ONGOING
Check w/ BoD
04/15/113

CNF BC on National Committee

2005.3.5.3.3

Review use of existing satellite phones. Identify appropriate FAM users for this type of technology. Determine appropriate accessories. Develop a regional standard module configuration and a cost efficient method of delivering services to FAM users.

Team Members Assigned:

Status:
ONGOING
Check w/ BoD
04/15/13

Program Area 4: Dispatch

No tactics identified at this time.

Program Area 5: Facilities

2005.3.6.8

Identify opportunities within each Forest to combine existing Fire stations. Determine effect on Initial Attack efficiency vs. facilities costs (deferred maintenance, new construction, WCF etc.) Develop a cost analysis/efficiency review to determine feasibility and savings from the consolidation plan.

Project Manager:
Jerome Caston in conjunction with Strategic Services
Team Members:
2 Rangers
RO Engineering
Employee from ANF Planning Staff,
Elizabeth Wright,
Facilities Steering Committee.
Due Date: 11/12

Status:

Data collection is complete.
Analysis needs to be done.
2/12
Check w/ Jerome Caston 04/15/13

Program Area 6: Fleet

2005.3.6.9

Identify all existing vehicles in FAM by module type, base location and vehicle class. Develop a regional standard for number of vehicles and equipment for vehicles by class by module type and base locations.

Project Manager:

Team Members:
Aaron Bilyeu, Mike Strawhun,
Kit Bailey, TMU
Mobile Fire Equipment Committee.
Due Date: 11/12

Status:
Data collection is complete.
Analysis needs to be done.
2/12
Incomplete and in process. Will finalize with MFEC
04/15/13

Program Area 7: Operations

Program Area 8: Training



VISION FOCUS AREA 4

A Workforce Capacity Built for Success

· Fire and Aviation Management will promote excellence in fire training programs and consider training as an integral part of all aspects of the program.

· Fire and Aviation Management will promote education - beyond fire qualifications - to give employees a larger framework of knowledge and to help make employees more valuable and marketable.

· Fire and Aviation Management will recruit and retain a diverse workforce of qualified, skilled, and motivated employees.

· Fire & Aviation Management will maintain an effective Regional Aviation program with the highest of standards in safety, training, certification, operating procedures, equipment and program management in support of the Forest Service mission, goals, and objectives. 

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STRATEGY 4.1 - Promote excellence in fire training.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 4.2 - Improve Fire and Aviation Management employee retention.

No tactics identified at this time.

 

STRATEGY 4.3 - Improve recruitment of a high-quality and diverse workforce by expanding candidate pools at both entry and merit promotion levels.

2010.4.3.2
Improve the communication of the R5 Open and Continuous roster processes to reduce duplication/redundancy in outreach and recruitment activities utilizing the RLT and Civil Rights or Strategic Workforce Planning and Diversity Committee Project Manager:
Gary Biehl, Sharon Allen-Brick
Committee:
Due Date:

Status:
update 04/2010
2/12 update: CR has agreed in principle, waiting for approval for letter.
Check w/ Gary Biehl
04/15/13

 

STRATEGY 4.4 - Establish standards to ensure Fire and Aviation Management employees are well trained and highly qualified

2002.4.4.4

Develop administrative training (personnel, budgeting, etc) for Module leaders as key developmental experience for chief officer positions.

Project Manager:
Sharon Allen-Brick
Committee:
WFDT
Due Date: 06/13

Status: Suggest this would be a good tactic for Division Chiefs. May be incorporated into Regional Fire Leadership academy's
2/12
Identify what the needs are and how they can be satisified.
Check w/ Sharon AB
04/15/13

2010.4.4.2
Develop a plan to assure GS -5/6/7 Demo hires attain the same courses as are offered at the Apprentice Academy, when slots are not available in the National program Project Manager: Task Group
Sharon Allen-Brick
Mike Minton
Committee:
Due Date:
06/2010
02/2012
Working on it with National Apprenticeship Office
Check w/ Sharon AB
04/15/13
2010.4.4.3
Develop a process to ensure that Fire and Fuels personnel meet FS FPM qualification standards by October 1, 2013
Provide written strategy to BoD by June 2012

Project Manager:
Sharon Allen-Brick
Committee:
CFC
Due Date: 06/2012

05/2010
begin implementation
UPDATE:
6/11, needs a written strategy.
Some actions taken (priority trainees at PFTC in 2011 and 2012)
02/2012
Ongoing
Check w/ Sharon AB
04/15/13


STRATEGY 4.5 - Provide necessary staffing to safely and efficiently manage incidents using FAM employees, other personnel, and private sector resources.

2010.4.5.1
Engage a Task Group to develop tactics to improve overall workforce capacity to support Fire Management. Project Manager:
TBD vice A. Setzer
Committee: (task group)
Yolie Thomas
Sharon Allen-Brick
LOT
Due Date:
Status: update 06/2010
update 02/2012

Check w/ Sharon AB
04/15/13

2010 4.5.3
Update/review Standard Module Org. Project Manager:
Gary Biehl
Committee:
Due Date:
Status: update 06/2010
02/2012
proposal to review 04/2012
Check w/ Gary Biehl
04/15/13

STRATEGY 4.6 - Ensure that all incident facilities are accessible to enable physically challenged employees to participate.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 4.7 - Realign Aviation Management workforce, skills, abilities, and resources to effectively maximize and support the Forest Service mission with current technologies.

No tactics identified at this time.


VISION FOCUS AREA 5

Effective Use of Technology

· Fire and Aviation Management will stay current with the latest technology, evaluating its effectiveness and training our workforce to use it to its full advantage.
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STRATEGY 5.1 - Evaluate and plan for the effective use of computer-aided information management technology to support Fire and Aviation Management jobs.

2010.5.1.1
Explore web page or ftp area with password protection for status checks and deliverables Project Manager:
Carolyn Higgins
Committee:
Technology
Due Date:

Status: update presentation 06/2010
Continue to pursue SharePoint solution
06/2012
SharePoint BoD site created.

Completed


STRATEGY 5.2 - Train employees to implement current market technologies available for Fire and Aviation Management operational use.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 5.3 - Realign Fire and Aviation Management workforce skills, abilities, and cultural values to maximize computer-aided technology.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 5.4 - Use technology to reduce employee risk and exposure to Fire and Aviation Management operational hazards.

No tactics identified at this time.

STRATEGY 5.5 - Evaluate and plan for the effective use of communications technology to support Fire and Aviation Management

2010.5.5.1
Have independent contractor review backbone radio system in Region. Report to BoD on situation (ref. 2010.3.1.2)
Project Manager:
vice Torrez & Stingley
Committee:
Due Date:

Status:
update 06/2010
update 02/2012
Sustainable areas coverage
Check w/GACC Center Managers
04/15/13


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