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I. BACKGROUND

On June 20, 2003, the Wildland Fire Leadership Council approved implementation direction for the Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy.

The National Fire and Aviation Executive Board (NFAEB) has been tasked to develop common language and unified direction or guidance for agency/bureau manuals, directives, handbooks, and guidelines to complete final implementation of this policy. This task will require NFAEB to coordinate with states in order that cooperative agreements and other reciprocal agreements reflect the implementation direction.

The NFAEB has formed, chartered, and delegated a task group to accomplish this implementation. The Federal Fire Policy Directives Task Group is composed of an interagency group of fire management specialists. Tasks will be prioritized and a timeline for completion will be developed. The task group will work with other task groups, committees and working teams in implementing the fire policy.

II. NAME

Federal Fire Policy Directives Task Group

III. MISSION

Establish a unified and cohesive federal fire management policy codified in agency, inter-agency and departmental manuals, guidebooks and other documents through clear, concise and uniform language across all agencies. The Task Group will develop a communication plan that describes how work and information will be shared with the five federal agencies that have wildland fire responsibilities.

IV. OBJECTIVES

1. Organize for success
2. Establish leadership roles and responsibilities (initial co-leads by FS and BLM delegates).
3. Work priorities and timelines:
   
   

   a.	Complete and implement tasks 1-8 identified in the Interagency Strategy for the Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy (June 20, 2003).
   b.	Show major progress on tasks to National Fire and Aviation Executive Board (NFAEB)
   c.	Complete tasks 1,2 & 8 by 3/31/05
   d.	Develop timeline for completion of tasks 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and present to NFAEB on August 24. Complete these tasks per agreed upon dates.
   e.	Meet with NFAEB group as necessary to resolve conflicts.

   
   
4. Review existing national agreements for compatibility.
5. Address budget and support staff needs, report initial needs to NFAEB on August 24.
6. Issues where consensus cannot be reached within the task group will be brought to NFAEB for resolution.

V. ORGANIZATION

Gregory Greenhoe - USDA Forest Service, Co-Chair
Rick Jensen - USDI Bureau of Land Management, Co-Chair
Andy Bellcourt – USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs
Fred Bird – USDI National Park Service
Rod Bloms – USDI Fish & Wildlife Service
Rose Davis – NIFC Public Affairs Specialist

VI. NFAEB BOARD AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide a charter and delegation of authority to the Directives Task Group to allow them to proceed and accomplish their assigned tasks and program of work.

VII. TASK GROUP CO-CHAIR AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Task Group Co-Chair has the following authority and responsibilities once the objectives and business plan is approved by NFAEB:

• is authorized to convene meetings and schedule agenda items.
• may make specific work assignments to Task Group members or appoint, sub-groups from outside the Task Group membership, to work on specific projects within the business plan.
• will distribute copies of the Task Group minutes within 7 days after a meeting to Task Group members and NFAEB.
• represents the Task Group in presenting recommendations to NFAEB and in contacts with outside individuals or groups.
• may recommend to NFAEB the need for further resources and authorities if they become evident. Bring irresolvable issues back to NFAEB for decisions.
• keeps NFAEB and Task Group members advised as to meeting dates and locations.

VIII. VICE-CHAIR AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Vice Chair has the following authority and responsibility:

In the absence of the Co-Chairs, the Vice Chair will assume the duties of the Co-Chairs.

IX. MEETINGS and REPORTS

A representative of the Directives Task Group will attend all NFAEB meetings and provide periodic reports of progress in accomplishing the eight tasks that have been assigned to the group.

Special findings and reports will be appropriately published after being approved by NFAEB. Business Plans will be submitted to the NFAEB bi-annually. Meeting schedules, financial considerations, objectives, work schedules, and work area descriptions will be submitted with the business plan.

X. APPROVAL

This Charter is effective as of the date of approval by the NFAEB. The Charter may be revised upon recommendations of a majority of the Task Group Members and with the concurrence of the NFAEB.

/s/ Phil Street for
Tom Harbour, Chair
National Fire and Aviation Executive Board

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