- National Predictive Service Group (NPSG)
-
Meeting Notes
Location: Southern
Members Present:
Guests:
Notetaker:
Laurel Simos, BIA, NIFC
Meeting Agenda Topics:
1. Introductions & Meeting Logistics – Bill
2. Center Manager Meeting Updates – Gerry
3. Review
and approval of
4. Pending Actions
· Update NWCG on web activities (Task 2004-32) – Jay Ellington (via conf. call)
· Discussion on Terminology for Fire Potential – Terry Marsha (via conference call)
· Report on new product development – Tom Rolinski
· GACC examples of existing products (Task 2004-26) – Mike and Rick
· Utilization of FCAMMS to generate NFDRS outputs (Task 2004-29) – Rick
· Questionnaire to identify “pinch points’, key successes and/or accomplishments for improving Predictive Services functionality (Task 2004-35)
· Experimental NFDRS data archival & transport to WFAS (Task 2004-40) – Rusty & Rick
5. User Needs Assessment – Gerry
Introduce Pat Winter and Heidi Biglercole – invited Social Scientists
§ Provide an overview of what the NPSG wants to achieve and the objectives of the User Needs Assessment, which “groups” within the Wildland fire agencies need to be included, what hierarchical levels need to be included, available funding, and other ideas.
§ Brainstorm with NPSG ideas to accomplish objectives
§ Finalize strategy, assignments, roles/responsibilities, funding, tasks, due dates and other items needed to proceed with User Needs Assessment
6. NPSG Charter – review and revise (add new members, etc.) – Tom
7. Improving the data infrastructure that supports and facilitates the integration of Predictive Services and the Wildland Fire program – Judy Crosby
8. User Feedback Discussion – Gerry
§ Field Users
§ GACC staff
§ Geographic Area MAC members
9. FY – 2005 Funding Decisions – Tom
10. Management of the National PS Program – Gerry
11. Next Meeting logistics & topics, wrap up and adjourn – Gerry
Exhibits
A.
Pending Actions Tracking Table (
B.
Completed Actions Tracking Table (
C. User Assessment Evaluation Procedure Alternatives (Goal #1) 3 pgs
D.
NSPG Framework Evaluation and Goals Final Draft (
E. National Fire Potential Product – Tom Rolinski 6 pgs
F. Presentation to NPSG – Judy Crosby 32 pgs
G. Final Met Working Group Operating Plan 3 pgs
H. Predictive Services Questionnaire on Success and Obstacles 3 pgs
I. Fire
Potential Definition and Terminology – Draft 1 pgs
Tuesday
–
Introduction and Center Manager Meeting Updates
Membership:
Discussion continued from previous meeting regarding the possible addition of another
state person to represent Eastern States. The GACC Managers agreed to add two
members to the NPSG, one being the Intelligence Coordinator at the NICC and the
second being a GACC Meteorologist (elected by the GACC Mets). Bill Plough will be leaving the NPSG due to
other responsibilities. The GACC Managers at their meeting in
Decision: NPSG to submit names to Don Artley for a replacement
representative for the Predictive Services NPSG to represent
Pending Actions Table Review
Pending Action Item Tracking Table Review – Tom
Task 2004-11 – 209/SIT reporting ownership/protection/consistency; (a) Change MOB Guide
b) Submit a request for NPSG to provide input to the NWCG fire occurrence task group during development of charter. Scope and data requirements will be removed from the Pending Action Item Tracking Table.
Status: Neal provided bullet items to
Task
2004-14 – NPSG project proposal process
Status: NPSG funding proposal was updated and will be
sent out by
Task
2004-32 – Status report on standard web page design and implementation
Conference
Call – Jay Ellington:
Status:
§
Provided briefing at Coordination meeting in
§ Looking for Host GACC site for Predict Services web
§ Per charter:
§ Task survey site – complete
§ Provide framework templates - now in place
§ Standardized labels – complete
§ 80-90% complete with implementation guide
§
Conference call to
§ Created templates – well received
§ Post National page by Mar 1
§ GACCS need their sites up by May 1
§ Need 1 additional member from the logistics side – some have expressed interest
§ 90% complete with National GACC website
§ 80-90% complete with GACC template
§ 80% complete with Implementation Guide – goal mid-February to completion.
§ Estimated date Feb 10-14 to complete template
§ Guide needs to be distributed with a letter from National MAC after complete.
To see site, go to: URL: www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/national_web
Other website issues: U.S.D.A. is requiring its agency to follow standard format for website design. We will have to look into this at some point, but NPSG suggests testing the GACC template this year. Will respond to agency directives as needed
Terminology for Fire Potential – Terry Marsha (via Conference Call)
Tasked to provide term definition – Definitions group - Presented alternatives for terminology. A draft of the definitions as revised by the NPSG – (see Exhibit I)
Decision:
Hold off on confirming definition until Rick Ochoa presents it to the Fire
Danger Working Team in early February 2005 for their review.
7-Day Significant Fire Potential Product – Tom Rolinski
PowerPoint Presentation – (see Exhibit E)
Change map/image – NPSG supports the prototype design
Assessing Daily Fire Potential Handout – Gerry
In order to get project “on line” by next year (May of 2006), parts of the implementation may need to be contracted. Recommend sending a proposal to DRI for an estimate. A decision needs to be made by early spring in order to meet the project timeline.
Decision:
NPSG agrees this is the correct course for a national product - Tom Rolinski to
lead. Tom will canvas the GACC’s to refine
budget estimates. NPSG needs to transmit
decision to GACC Managers on direction for this product. This will be accomplished via a letter issued
by Kim Christianson to the Center managers.
Tom will refine implementation plan.
Neal will include this initiative with discussion with the Directors and
how fire managers are benefiting from use of the product. NPSG agreed to provide initial funding for
2005 (pending confirmation of available funds).
Pending Actions Table Review (continued)
Task
2004-29 – Assessing the value of
mesoscale models in predicting fire danger
Tom issued a handout to the NPSG explaining current status of mesoscale fire danger predictions under Blue Sky.
Action:
Rick Ochoa will discuss this with Paul Schlobohm about taking this task on
under FENWT.
Task:
2004-35 – Predictive Services
Questionnaire
Action:
Tom, Heidi Biglercole, and Rick worked on drafting a questionnaire during the
meeting. The questionnaire will be sent to
METS, Coordinators, and Center Managers and followed up with phone interviews. Chuck, Mike, Heidi, and Chip will refine the questionnaire
and develop a package that will go out to the questionnaire recipients. Chuck, Mike, and Chip will make phone calls to
the METS, Center Managers and Intelligence people to interview them and receive
feedback. Plan to initiate questionnaire
February 2005.
Task:
2004-40 – Archiving experimental NFDRS products – Task Completed
Rick
Ochoa talked with Larry Bradshaw and Gene Petrusco about the need to archive
gridded experimental forecast maps into WFAS.
Larry and Gene are planning to develop a method to archive these
products by April 2005. Note:
Task: 2004-23 – Ensure PS Webpage gets posted to FAMWEB
Status:
On
track to be implemented by May 2005. Jay Ellington will spearhead process and draft
an implementation letter to be forwarded to Neal, Alice and Tom
Task: 2004-24 – Naming
conventions
Status: Ongoing. Needs to be wrapped into website implementation letter
Task: 2004-26 – Inventory
and examples of PS products
Discussion – There were some unresponsive GACCS when this information was requested. Go back to goal 2 and reassess the needs for goal #2 – need to be specific, clear and qualitative. The feedback was incomplete and some did not respond. Determine how to accomplish this task.
Decision: Mike, Charlie and Rick will review Goal 2 objectives and deliverables to develop an inventory checklist/worksheet to send out to the GACC’s. Need performance standards.
Wednesday –
Task
2005-03 – Update NPSG Strategic Plan Appendix A with
historical information
Chip briefed the NPSG on the appendixes for program background, framework document and questionnaire. Fire Ecology strategic plan template; passed out Appendix A – Program background, Appendix B – The Framework Development Process, and Appendix C – The Strategic Framework Development Process.
Decision:
Gerry and
Chuck will update Appendix A with historical background and references that
describes the evolution of Predictive Services.
Discussion of fire potential definition
resumed:
The
NPSG had a lengthy discussion regarding definitions
Decision: Mike and Tom drafted a definition for
resource capability. NPSG continued
refinement of the definition for “significant fire potential”. Final decision on terminology will be made
following fire danger working team meeting in February 2005.
Goal #1 – Develop and implement a user
assessment process so that user needs are understood and defined.
Introduced
Pat Winter and Heidi Biglercole, Social Scientists from
Pending Actions Table Review (continued)
Task 2004-30 – Engage research to help NPSG with issue resolution
Action: Gerry will talk to leaders in FS Research
(e.g. Tom Quigley & Mike Hilbruner).
Chuck with help from Gerry & Tom will develop an abstract with
references to help articulate issues within NPSG.
Task 2004-32 – Status report on standard
web page implementation
Action: Complete – update provided via conference
call with Jay
Task 2004-33 – Contact with Social
Scientists for user assessment
Action: Complete – Social scientists attended this
meeting and made recommendations, (see Exhibits C & F)
Task 2004-34 – Invite Kim Kelly regarding the development of needs
assessment and product development at NWC
Action:
Gerry will invite to an upcoming NPSG meeting
Task 2004- 35 –
Develop questionnaire to identify “pinch points”
Action:
Tom, Heidi & Rick drafted questionnaire & will send out prior to
survey. Chuck, Mike and Chip will
perform phone survey spring 2005.
Task
2004-36 – Review Goal #7 data standards development
Action:
Complete – Judy Crosby attended January 2005 meeting, gave a presentation and will
continue to provide advice to NPSG (see Exhibit F).
Task
2004-37 – GACC product
issuance performance check
Action:
ongoing – Rick Ochoa and Kim Christensen will set up monitoring protocol for
2005 fire season.
Task
2004-38 – DRAFT NPSG framework
Action:
Complete – Draft framework developed.
Strategic plan development still needed (see task 2005-05).
Task
2004-39 – NPSG issue identification and mitigation
Action:
In December 2004 Kim gave presentation to NMAC about PS issues, funding and
support. Gerry, Kim, Neal and Rick will
craft letter to GACC boards and center managers. A process needs to be developed to provide
annual updates to NFAEB on PS issues (spring 2005 meeting).
Task
2004-40 – Archiving experimental NFDRS products to WFAS
Action: Complete – Larry Bradshaw and
Gene Petrusco will develop process by April 2005
Task
2004-41 – Proposal for data
collection approach
Action:
Mike Bevens wrote proposal to NPSG Fall 2004.
NPSG is tentatively planning to fund the proposal in 2005.
Task
2004-42 – Spot forecast agency
policy issue statement
Action:
Rick will write an issue paper about the need for NWS to update spot weather
forecast and to define agency requirements.
Issue paper will be transmitted to FENWT in 2005.
Task
2005-01 – Fire Occurrence Reporting System (FORS) concerns
Action:
Complete – Neal will provide brief Alice Forbes with regards to the scope of
project to NFAEB January 2005.
Task 2005-02 – Seven-Day Significant Fire
Potential product
Action: Tom Rolinski will lead the implementation of this
product and solicit input from the GACC's to refine the budget request. NPSG will develop a letter for Kim to send
out to GACC center managers February 2005 about the plan for developing and implementing
this as a national product.
Task 2005-04 – Recognition and performance awards
Action: Neal, Tom, and Gerry
will work on recognition of superior performance supporting NPSG goals Spring
2005
Task 2005-05 – NPSG Strategic plan
development
Action: NPSG begin to
develop outline and content for strategic plan
Charter
Charter was reviewed in December 2004. Membership section was modified in draft form.
Action:
Sign and post on website. Gerry
has timed-out of his Chair position, Tom Wordell becomes Chair. NPSG members voted Rick Ochoa to become
vice-chair. Proposed amendments to the membership portion
of the charter; Kim will take Charter to Center Managers for approval.
FENWT Representation – NPSG will nominate Tom as Chair to Paul Schlobohm to represent NPSG
on new Fire Environment Working Team.
Meetings: Week of March 28th (probably 29, 30,
31) -
Week of
May 30th (May 30, June 1 and 2) - TBD
October
or November – TBD
Meteorologist Working Group Operating
Plan – Rick Ochoa
Action:
Rick made minor editorial corrections
and will present to Meteorologist Working Group for approval.
Improving the data infrastructure that
supports and facilitates the integration of Predictive Services and the
Wildland fire enterprise architecture – NPSG Goal #7
Judy Crosby made a presentation on Wildland Fire Enterprise Architecture to the group – (see Exhibit F). Judy agreed to continue to provide oversight and guidance to NPSG with regards to data standards.
Action:
NPSG framework was modified to
incorporate enterprise architecture language to Framework page 2.
Thursday –
BIN Items
Implementation
of 7-Day “Significant Fire Potential” product:
Summary - The issue is whether or not the new 7-Day product will conflict with existing weekly outlook products (for example in the Southwest).
These
issues need to be worked out during implementation so they make sense and don’t
confuse the customer. An implementation
plan needs to be developed to address these concerns and educate center
managers and GACC predictive service units about how the new 7-Day product will
be implemented.
Implementation Plan needs to include the following:
· Address whether something replaces a product or is in addition to the product.
· Ensure that verification process is followed.
· Identify when other current products are determined to no longer be required.
Expectations:
· Daily product: would like North and South Ops to come together and help NPSG determine criteria for verification.
· Determine at least one verification process.
· Verify different things: actual numbers, large fire activity, and both should be verified the same way, validity of product.
· Validation is part of implementation plan.
· Review the validation process. – Chuck to identify some people to provide pier review throughout the GACC’s. Need a larger base of people to provide pier review on the processes.
·
Present the process in other places/forums (
· Get feedback on approach (analytical, etc.)
· Set or standard process which is uniform across GACC’s
· Document the processes – provide a record. Re; a process library – Judy.
· Verify the data standards and colors to be used
· Identify any products which are going to be replaced and when – may or may not be related to this document.
· During implementation, look for issues by running things simultaneously – work with GACCs
Structured
implementation:
· Identify who will declare when things are operational?
· Identify the protocol for direction – mob guide – letter to GACC’s – adherence, etc
The
process:
· As GACC’s become operational, they need to ‘certify’ when they are ready to go and coordinate the “roll out” of their products. As a result of that, they will need to coordinate the decision to stop using former product.
· Need a process of notifying the user when product meets the requirements. Rick and Kim will put a statement in the mob guide.
Documentation
of procedures:
Operating protocols for overriding the model by the person who is issuing the product - allows the operator to make adjustments. The principles need to be documented in the user guide.
Define terms and ensure there is a glossary of terms
Document/define data standards
In
addition:
· The NPSG is appreciative and supportive of the efforts Tom Rolinski has made. Tom Rolinski will contact the NPSG for assistance and support.
· Tom Rolinski will set up a technical advisory NPSG or implementation task group who can technically assist the GACC‘s.
· Tom Rolinski and two others will provide training or a workshop in order to help facilitate accomplishing the tasks at the GACC’s.
·
Realistically, the
Action:
Tom Rolinski will develop a brief implementation plan spring 2005. Chuck plans
to issue the 7-day significant fire potential product along side of his weekly
outlook product and will run them side by side to help assess similarities and
differences between the two products. (2005-02)
Action: Validation and verification process should be part of the implementation plan for the new “Seven Day Significant Daily Potential” product. Needs pier review and should be validated by a broad base of disciplines. (2005-02)
Recognition:
During the year, there are a number of people who do outstanding work for the NPSG, and/or do ongoing work during the year which greatly benefits Predictive Services. NPSG needs a mechanism for thanking and recognizing these people.
Decision:
Neal, Tom and Gerry will get together and work out a proposal for
awards/recognition and bring a proposal to the next meeting spring 2005. (2005-04)
Reminder of prior agreements:
·
The proposal and discussions made by Tom and Tim
on validation, verification and evaluation and agreement by GACC center
managers
o Weekly product
o Monthly product
· Reminder to Predictive Services
· Naming conventions
· Items due by certain dates – monthly outlook
Action:
Charlie and Rick will take the lead to go back through notes, look through
items for ongoing commitments – share by email with NPSG. (2005-06)
Upcoming Predictive Services meeting scheduled
for
It
is not cost effective to host this meeting in
Action:
Kim will contact Dave Curry to determine another location for this meeting. (2005-07)
Assessment Workshops - Rick:
The NPSG has some concerns about this workshop:
· Electronic copies of the reports come out quickly. Hard copy of report sent out too late. Hard copies will come out within two weeks after the workshop.
· Cost of the workshop is within reason.
· Report was labor intensive - they will have a writer-editor at meeting. Rick, Tim, Greg and Heath are on the steering committee.
· Steering committee needs to consider a post-meeting update which does not necessitate a meeting.
· Revalidate prior workshop
· Eastern Workshop: same timeliness problems with the product/report.
Writer-editor is already on board for the March Western Assessment Workshop.
Follow-up
and provide report on both workshops to the
User Assessment Evaluation Procedure
Proposal (NPSG Goal #1) – Heidi and Pat
(See Exhibit C)
Action: In support of using methods 1, 2, and 3. Designing and developing the survey that
goes out to federal individuals via mail, email, and web. Put into OMB approval circuit so it can be
expanded and integrated with web pages so we can go with ongoing
evaluation. Support the use of limited
number of focus groups yet to be defined in number and locations. (2005-08)
Evaluation:
In focus groups open to gathering comments of products and services and will be
put into/through normal procedures. Verify
using evaluation to achieve.
Action:
Explore feasibility - Heidi will call Tom and report back. Will come up with a mini proposal with what
needs to be done and how much it will cost.
Will be initiated summer for optimizing feedback, and will have it back
to the NPSG by April 2005. For the
development of questions: Heidi will
draft some survey questions then meet with Tom, Rick, Charlie and in Boise in
tentatively the week of April 4. Draft
questions to be prepared by the April meeting.
(2005-08)
NPSG needs to recruit and fill NASF representative for group. Preferably this person should have:
· Interest in the NPSG
· Knowledge about the subject matter
· Time to make a real commitment to the NPSG.
· Knowledge of state concerns and have worked with feds
· Understanding of federal issues and concerns
· Knowledge but doesn’t necessarily need to be a technical expert.
· Ability to work well in a group environment
· Ability to represent diverse agency perspectives
· Ability to maintain a connection with all of the states, engage them in the processes, and will communicate and solicit feedback as well as pass along concerns
Action:
NPSG recommendations will be passed along to Don Artley for consideration after
providing him with the profile. Tom and
Bill will conference call Don Artley and discuss. (2005-09)
MET Working Group Plan
Exhibit G
NPSG Meeting Notes
Action:
notes were approved
Definitions:
Action:
Rick will take proposed definition for “fuel dryness” and “fuel condition” to
the combined meeting of the FDWT and FWWT to get their review and input before
making final decision on definitions.
(2005-10)
ERC Model G:
Decision:
NPSG felt is was important for the GACC’s to continue the verification on the monthly
outlook product. Convey to the Center
Managers that the verification on the “weekly” ERC-G product is no longer
required, and reiterate that the “monthly” product and verification continue to
be produced. This will also be addressed during the severity request
period. Include a mob guide reminder
about the agreement that was made and the expectation that the Centers provide
this. (2005-11)
GACC Product Issuance
Action:
Items which are late, not addressed, or not prepared properly will be tracked
and addressed by NICC. Verification
report on the thirty-day must be submitted to Heath Hockenberry one month prior
to the fall meeting of the annual Predictive Services meeting. Letter to the Center Managers will go out by
the end of February. (2005-12)
Vice-Chair:
Decision:
Rick Ochoa has been nominated and voted as Vice-Chair. (2005-13)
Funding
Tom
reviewed last year’s budget expenditures and the group discussed budget
proposals and decisions for 2005.
Management of the National PS Program
Action: Kim, Neal and Gerry will provide bullet statements
within the next two weeks and will conference with NPSG. (2005-14)
Predictive Services Questionnaire
Exhibit H
Will send out, give time to review, establish time frames.
Next Meeting
Chip will do the logistics for the
meeting: has internet access.
Logistics:
Meeting Room Requirements:
Projection Access
Ability to order food in
Invite Predictive Services Guests, earlier in meeting to be more effective
NPSG Meeting Dates:
Spring Meeting
Start at 0800 on the 26th