WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE

WILDLAND FIRE DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM

GENERAL The Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) is a web-based decision support program for agency administrators to describe the fire situation, create incident objectives, develop a course of action, evaluate risks and document the process. Federal agencies are required to use this tool on all fires that escape initial attack. The Division is not required to use WFDSS on its fires, however this tool will be used to develop a course of action on multijurisdictional fires involving federal and state/private lands. It is essential that Division objectives be included when developing incident strategies on multijurisdictional fires. Because of this, it is important that the Division understands how the system works and becomes involved in the process.

DIRECTION Generally, it is the Area FMO or Area Manager that represents the Division when providing input into WFDSS. Decide prior to the fire season who will be the Area representative. • Get training. The USFS or BLM usually offers training on the WFDSS each spring. • Get a profile. This will allow you to monitor incidents being managed in your area from anywhere you can access the internet. • Designate someone in each area to review and approve decisions on multijurisdictional fires. This is the official decision record of the incident. These decisions can be of great importance when negotiating cost share agreements once the incident is over.

WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE

Division Employees Are Not to Engage In Fighting Structure or Vehicle Fires

GENERAL • The Division is only responsible for wildland fire protection, in pursuant to 65A-8-210(1), and County MOU Agreement found here: (https://ffsl.link/EnterpriseIBM) - for QR code see 7.3 on page 192. Division employees are not trained or equipped to suppress nonwildland fires. There may be Wardens who are members of fire departments and are trained for these types of fire. If those Wardens become involved in a non-wildland fire incident they are considered to be acting as a member of a fire department and not as part of the Division. This does not prohibit Division employees from engaging in exterior exposure protection. • The Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) contains important information that can be referred to when fighting fires in the Urban Interface. Reference the Wildland/Urban

Interface Firefighting section in the IRPG (https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/461) - for

QR code see 7.4 on page 192. • DON’T SECOND GUESS YOURSELF—BE READY FOR TOUGH DECISIONS. • ALWAYS DOCUMENT EVERY DECISION OR TAKE PHOTOS OF STRUCTURE BEFORE

FIRE HITS.