DISPATCH STEERING COMMITTEE

---

In 1985, the U. S. Forest Service hosted the first interagency meeting of Southwest Fire Agency dispatchers, where it was agreed upon to hold an annual Dispatchers Workshop.  The need for a Steering Committee to identify issues and concerns and to promote interagency resolutions through appropriate channels was identified during the March 1989 Dispatchers Workshop.  A Memorandum of Agreement for the Southwest Fire Management Board was signed on May 15, 1991, by the cooperating agencies of the Southwest Area.  The Board then authorized the establishment of the Southwest Area Dispatch Steering Committee and accepted the Charter.  The committee is fully integrated and staffed by all of the agencies involved. 

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Committee is to provide an interagency forum to identify and resolve issues pertaining to the dispatch function and mobilization of emergency incident resources in support of the policies and procedures of all agencies.

MEMBERSHIP
The committee is comprised of agency selected Fire Dispatchers, Coordinators, and others from within the SWA Dispatch/Coordination system.  These individuals are voting members and conduct Committee business.  The Committee selects a Chairperson, Vice person, and a Secretary from it's membership.

Committee Representation:

• 3 - Forest Service
• 3 - Bureau of Indian Affairs
• 2 - Bureau of land Management 
• 1 - State of Arizona
• 1 - State of  New Mexico
• 1 - National Park Service
• 1 - Fish & Wildlife Service
• 1 - Southwest Coordination Center
• 1 - Zone Coordination Center Manager

---

DISPATCH TRAINING NEEDS :
Contact Nicole Finch | nfinch@fs.fed.us

GENERAL DISPATCH CONCERNS:
Contact Shanna Niemynski | sniemynski@fs.fed.us