"Implementing the complete FPA vision will greatly improve the credibility of the planning and budget process for the wildland fire management agencies. In the long run, this will benefit all elements of our wildland fire programs. As we move forward with the development strategy for FPA, we will continue to keep you informed on the implementation process." Excerpt from the joint memo dated 9/8/2006 signed by Dale Bosworth, USDA Forest Service Chief and Nina Rose Hatfield, the Department of the Interior's Deputy Assistant Secretary - Business Management and Wildland Fire.

For more information visit http://fpa.nifc.gov or call Venetia Gempler 208-947-3786

September 2006

Project Status

Fire Program Analysis is undergoing changes as a result of lessons learned and subsequent review efforts. Issues raised during these reviews are influencing how FPA will be designed and built.

Reviews

• The After Action Review assembled representatives from the nine FPA Geographic Areas to discuss the FPA process and provide recommendations for improvements.
  • Two recommendations have already been implemented.
    1) The FPA ListServ function and 2) monthly conference calls with the Geographic Area FPA leads.
    • The FPA ListServ is a subscription service that delivers information directly into participant's e- mail inbox. The mailing lists are divided into two categories.
      1. General – includes newsletters, quarterly reports and departmental memos.
      2. Technical – end user information including software updates and troubleshooting.
      
• The Management Review Report has been released. This high level management review includes a scientific review of FPA's initial response model, FPA-PM.
  • The Management Review Report endorses the vision and goals of FPA while identifying challenges the wildland fire management agencies face in meeting that vision.
  • The report posed key questions and offered recommendations for consideration. Implementing those recommendations requires significantly more leadership, management oversight, direction, and support as well as managing and possibly renegotiating stakeholder expectations.

Project Updates

• An Interagency Science Team has been established to help the FPA team review, evaluate and recommend conceptual designs, architectures, data sources, analysis techniques and report writing.
  
• In response to the Management Review Report, AAR, and lessons learned, FPA is transitioning into a new organization and proposed new governance structure.

The FPA team has been organized into three workgoups to enhance effectiveness and efficiency at different organizational scales.

1. The Support workgroup includes communication, training, GIS and Administration.
2. The Fire Planning Unit workgroup will focus on developing a common tool considering issues at the FPU scale.
3. The National workgroup will focus on developing a common tool considering issues at the National scale.

The proposed new governance structure includes:

• An Executive Oversight Group (EOG) chartered by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) to provide project oversight. Membership may include interagency, interdisciplinary management and line personnel.
• Two business leads located in Boise, representing the Forest Service and the DOI.
• A Senior Executive Service certified Project Manager also located in Boise.

What's Next?

The FPA workgroups continue to meet with the Interagency Science Team. An architectural proposal is being developed to be presented to the EOG and WFLC in October along with the proposed governance structure.