Accompanied a post on 8/21/09 theysaid:
Congressional Direction/Emphasis
The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior must work together, along with State and other partners, to maintain sufficient preparedness. The Forest Service is to maintain the levels of readiness needed for public safety that were previously established while analyzing current readiness levels. Firefighter retention initiatives for high-risk areas initiated by Public Law 110-329 shall continue. There is recognition of the need to plan for future aerial fire suppression needs.
Earmarks and Priority Allocations
|
Agency Priorities |
|
Funding |
|
Region 1 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
Diversity project, 30,000 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
30,000 |
|
|
Position to support processing firefighter retirement cases |
50,000 |
|
|
Contract for developing firefighter retirement cases |
190,000 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
27,000 |
|
|
L-480 leadership course |
20,000 |
|
|
Total |
$321,500 |
|
|
Region 2 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
Fire prevention course (P310) |
15,000 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
9,000 |
|
|
L-480 leadership course (R2 R4 course) |
20,000 |
|
|
Total |
$48,500 |
|
|
Region 3 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
Diversity project, 15,000 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
15,000 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
19,800 |
|
|
L-480 leadership course |
20,000 |
|
|
Total |
$59,300 |
|
|
Region 4 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
National infrared aviation program |
1,420,000 |
|
|
Fire prevention course (P410) |
10,000 |
|
|
Diversity project, 10,000 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
10,000 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
23,400 |
|
|
Total |
$1,467,900 |
|
|
Region 5 |
Honor guard |
20,000 |
|
Apprenticeship academy ($500,000 in WFHF) |
3,250,000 |
|
|
Fire prevention school |
15,000 |
|
|
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
30,600 |
|
|
Firefighter retention initiative – to be distributed from carryover |
[ 24,049,000 ] |
|
|
Total |
$3,320,100 |
|
|
Region 6 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
National airspace coordinator |
75,000 |
|
|
Grant administration for partnership grants |
37,500 |
|
|
Ad Council Agreement ($400,000 in SPCF) |
400,000 |
|
|
IAFC project ($200,000 in SPCF) |
100,000 |
|
|
Diversity project, 82,500 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
82,500 |
|
|
Fire prevention video |
10,000 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
27,000 |
|
|
L-480 leadership course |
20,000 |
|
|
Total |
$756,500 |
|
|
Region 8 |
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
Virginia Coordination Center & WO red card support |
20,000 |
|
|
Host wildland urban interface exchange |
30,000 |
|
|
Diversity project, 107,500 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
107,500 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
19,800 |
|
|
L-480 leadership course (R8 & R9 course) |
20,000 |
|
|
Total |
$201,800 |
|
|
Region 9 |
Diversity project, $20,000 in WFHF, accomplishment report to WO |
20,000 |
|
Interagency aviation training |
5,400 |
|
|
Total |
$25,400 |
|
Region 10 |
Interagency aviation training |
14,400 |
|
Total |
$14,400 |
|
Agency Priorities |
|
Funding |
|
Rocky Mountain Research Station (22) |
Boise RWU (Research funds equally) |
575,000 |
|
MSO Fire Lab - Fire behavior System development and support |
400,000 |
|
|
Risk management and human factors research |
100,000 |
|
|
MSO Economics Group - suppression forecasts & fiscal analysis |
80,000 |
|
|
Science & economics support for the NFDSC – partial allocation |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Total |
$2,155,000 |
|
|
Northeastern Area (42) |
Fire preparedness training |
10,000 |
|
National fire prevention website operation |
25,000 |
|
|
Total |
$35,000 |
|
|
Missoula Technology Development Center (MTDC) (13)
|
Design validation process for smokejumper physical fitness program |
20,000 |
|
FS-14 parachute maintenance |
15,000 |
|
|
Rappel program support & contract requirements |
390,000 |
|
|
Firefighter respirator |
20,000 |
|
|
Interagency smokejumper delivery system |
70,000 |
|
|
Staffing for FFTR health & fitness program |
50,000 |
|
|
Total |
$565,000 |
|
|
San Dimas Technology Development Center (STDC) (13) |
Manage retardant flow meters |
100000 |
|
Equipment burn-over study |
150,000 |
|
|
Total |
$250,000 |
|
|
Agency Support |
Blue Sky Rains (WO – Fuels) |
65,000 |
|
NWCG operations, includes Boise based PMO (WO - NIFC) |
2,000,000 |
|
|
Medical standards program (physicals - R1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, & NEA) |
2,705,000 |
|
|
Efficiency analysis program support (WO - P&B) |
600,000 |
|
|
National aviation proficiency training (WO - NIFC) |
165,000 |
|
|
Situational awareness (WO- P&B – Hold) |
5,000 |
|
|
GPS flight following (WO - Aviation) |
325,000 |
|
|
FSM rewrite and doctrine communication (WO - Risk Mgt) |
125,000 |
|
|
Develop aviation education/safety training, SSLAM (WO - Aviation) |
180,000 |
|
|
NASA Agreement - aircraft airworthiness certification (WO - NIFC) |
200,000 |
|
|
Operational load monitoring (WO - Aviation) |
1,100,000 |
|
|
Satellite & infrared technology for aircraft (WO - NIFC) |
250,000 |
|
|
SME national program support (WO – NIFC) |
175,000 |
|
|
P-3 Storage (WO-Aviation) |
80,000 |
|
|
International wildfire conference (WO – Partnerships) |
50,000 |
|
|
Accident investigation training & analysis (WO – Risk Mgt) |
500,000 |
|
|
Large aircraft Analysis (WO – P&B) |
200,000 |
|
|
Large Fire Independent Panel Review (WO – P&B) |
360,000 |
|
|
National weather station & lightning system O&M (WO – NIFC) |
200,000 |
|
|
National aviation resource management (WO - P&B – Hold) |
7,276,600 |
|
|
Total |
$16,561,600 |
|
|
Unallocated Reserve (1509) |
Diversity funding to be distributed to regions |
85,000 |
|
National fire decision support center - (WO - P&B) |
2,600,000 |
|
|
Regional aviation contract funds withheld pending validation – to be distributed to regions |
4,000,000 |
|
|
Total |
$6,685,000 |
|
Region 5 |
Honor guard |
20,000 |
|
Apprenticeship academy ($500,000 in WFHF) |
3,250,000 |
|
|
Fire prevention school |
15,000 |
|
|
Subject matter expert travel |
4,500 |
|
|
Interagency aviation training |
30,600 |
|
|
Firefighter retention initiative – to be distributed from carryover |
[ 24,049,000 ] |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firefighter physicals for Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 9, and 10 and the Northeast Area will be paid for by the Medical Standards program through funding in the Washington Office. This program is undergoing changes, additional direction will be forthcoming. Region 5 will be incorporated into the program in FY 2011.
National aviation resources are funded as follows:
The Washington Office is funded for contracts and leases for:
· Up to 20 airtankers
· Up to 35 national Type I & 2 helicopters/helitankers
· 1 crew jet transport
· Leases for up to 15 lead planes
· 7 Type 2 national efficiency helicopters
· Effective FY08, regional allocations were reduced for 18 regional helicopters under the national helicopter contract and assigned to the WO;
|
Funds Withdrawn for National Contract ($1,000’s) |
|||
|
R3 |
R4 |
R5 |
R6 |
|
114 |
732 |
3,344 |
1,664 |
E. Targets – Performance
Any reallocation of Preparedness dollars to other activities requires national office approval.
Program Expectations - Resources and Firefighting Production Capability (FFPC) expectations are established at the levels shown in the table below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
FY 2010 Resource Capability Expectations |
|||||||||||
|
Table B.1 |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
R5 |
R6 |
R8 |
R9 |
R10 |
NIFC |
Total |
|
FFPC |
1,050 |
620 |
1,870 |
1,645 |
5,305 |
1,720 |
1,805 |
1,270 |
15 |
|
15,300 |
|
Firefighters |
1,100 |
484 |
1,208 |
1,040 |
3,651 |
1,657 |
845 |
470 |
25 |
|
10,480 |
|
Prevention |
40 |
5 |
66 |
50 |
167 |
52 |
15 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
IHC |
120 |
100 |
300 |
140 |
400 |
200 |
60 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
Smokejumper |
135 |
|
|
70 |
40 |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eng, crew, etc. |
805 |
379 |
842 |
780 |
3,044 |
1,330 |
770 |
446 |
25 |
|
|
|
Engines |
101 |
48 |
117 |
81 |
260 |
166 |
87 |
85 |
5 |
|
950 |
|
Helicopters |
10 |
3 |
10 |
21 |
19 |
9 |
13 |
2 |
|
Up to 35 |
122 |
|
Type 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 35 |
|
|
Type 2 & 3 |
8 |
2 |
10 |
19 |
19 |
7 |
13 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Type 2 Nat'l Eff |
2 |
1 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Airtanker |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
Up to 20 |
22 |
|
Large |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to 20 |
|
|
SEAT |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heavy Equipment |
|
|
17 |
1 |
67 |
14 |
83 |
28 |
|
|
210 |
|
Tenders |
|
|
7 |
|
48 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dozers |
|
|
10 |
1 |
19 |
6 |
54 |
22 |
|
|
|
|
Tractor Plows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
6 |
|
|
|
Earmarks and priority Allocations
The following priority projects have been identified. Managers are authorized to utilize up to the amounts specified as needed. Individual WFSU codes will be established for each priority.
|
Deputy Chief Priorities |
Funding 1,000 $’s |
|
NIMO salary, travel & equipment (3,978 authorized) |
4,400 |
|
MAFFS training & certification |
4,300 |
|
Retardant EA follow-up |
200 |
|
National radio cache operations to support incidents |
270 |
|
National & regional aviation contracts (120,000 authorized) |
150,000 |
|
Incident computer acquisition & operation – “thin client” |
2,000 |
|
National fire information desk operations |
300 |
|
National IT operations to support incident activity |
2,300 |
|
Replace retardant flow meters (SDTDC – 1381) |
100 |
|
Burned area reflectance mapping (RSAC – 1304) |
350 |
|
Chief’s fund |
450 |
|
AQM and IT fire support (Bus Ops - 2501) |
658 |
|
VIPR (Bus Ops – 2501) |
3,700 |
|
Total |
$ 169,028 |
|
Authorized |
138,606 |
|
Unauthorized Reserve (30,000 aviation contracts & 422 NIMO) |
30,422 |
Additional agency priorities are funded at the Washington Office through Suppression funds. These include, but are not limited to, IT projects specific to suppression activities, agency support costs (i.e., Cost Pools), etc..
B. Congressional Direction/Emphasis
There is interest in providing advance budgetary planning during the summer wildfire season. The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, should ensure that cost containment is at priority when suppressing wildland fires. The Department of the Interior and the Forest Service should continue reports required previously and to examine, using independent panels, any individual wildfire incident which results in expenses greater than $10,000,000. The 10-year fire suppression average is fully funded and a contingency fund is provided.
The Disaster Relief and Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, designated $25 million for preparedness for retention initiatives in areas of high risk of catastrophic wildfire that face recurrent staffing shortages. In addition, $3 million were earmarked in the FY 2009 appropriations for retention initiatives. Distribution of these funds will be in conjunction with the “carryover” process and will be coordinated with Region 5 by WO-FAM and WO-PBA.
|
Retention Initiatives (1,000 $’s) |
|
|
Fiscal Year |
Region 5 |
|
FY 2009 |
3,951 |
|
FY 2010 |
24,049 |
|
Balance |
0 |
Preparedness funded personnel will charge base salary to Suppression in support of incidents with the expectation that Preparedness (WFPR) fund balances will be withdrawn by the Washington Office to offset suppression expenditures.
|
FY 2010 Preparedness Allocation Summary (1000’s) |
|||||
|
Unit |
Region & National Program |
Special Projects** |
Prior Helo’s to National Contract |
National Helicopter Managers |
|
|
R1 |
57,632.2 |
321.5 |
|
300.0 |
|
|
R2 |
29,709.0 |
48.5 |
|
180.0 |
|
|
R3 |
60,756.2 |
59.3 |
(114.0) |
120.0 |
|
|
R4 |
57,590.9 |
1,467.9 |
(732.0) |
360.0 |
|
|
R5 |
205,965.5 |
3,320.1 |
(3,344.0) |
780.0 |
|
|
R6 |
78,433.7 |
756.5 |
(1,664.0) |
300.0 |
|
|
R8 |
35,014.8 |
201.8 |
|
|
|
|
R9 |
22,784.8 |
25.4 |
|
|
|
|
R10 |
2,849.6 |
14.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
550,736.6 |
6,215.4 |
(5,854.0) |
2,040.0 |
|
|
|
** Does not include $24 million to Region 5 for firefighter retention initiative. |
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