2014 Type 2 IA & Type 2 Crew Utilization and Fire Shelter Design Surveys

USDA Forest Service OMB no. 0596-0226 exp. 07/31/2014

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Type 2 IA -Type 2 Fire Crew Utilization

NWCG has tasked the Operations and Workforce Development Committee with evaluating the standards, use, and effectiveness of Type 2 IA and Type 2 crews.

Issue:

During low to moderate fire activity, Type 1 crews are fully committed and typically remain in that status for the duration of the fire season. Tactically, Type 2IA and Type 2 crews are established to compliment Type 1 crews. However, Type 2IA crews are underutilized and the use of Type 2 crews is even more limited. The result is an overwhelming imbalance of crew deployments, which in the long term affects response capability and local ability to support the staffing of Type 2 and Type 2IA crews. Additionally, over the course of a long fire season, this imbalance exacerbates fatigue management issues with Type 1 crews.

In order to complete this evaluation and provide meaningful recommendations to NWCG, we are asking for your responses to the following questions.

When placing an order for a handcrew, what is your most important consideration in order of priority? Please prioritize each item.

• Availability

• Capability

• Cost

• Efficiency

• Logistics

Type 2 IA

Why do you typically order Type 2 IA Crews? (Choose one)

1. These were the crews needed to implement preferred strategy

2. Type 1 crews were not available

What are the major advantages of using Type 2 IA crews?

What if any are the major disadvantages with using Type 2 IA crews?

What percentage of the time do you use Type 2 IA crews for initial attack?

What percentage of the time do you split Type 2 IA crews into modules for tactical missions?

What percentage of the time do Type 2 IA crews meet your needs and expectations?

Do Type 2 IA crews perform to the current standards?

Are the current standards for Type 2 IA crews useful?

If you think the standards should be changed, how should they be changed?

Do Type 2 IA crews limit suppression effectiveness/efficiency or implementation of selected strategy?

Comments?

Type 2

Why do you typically order Type 2 Crews? (Choose one)

1. These were the crews needed to implement preferred strategy

2. Type 1 or Type 2 IA crews were not available

What are the major advantages of using Type 2 crews?

What if any are the major disadvantages with using Type 2 crews?

What percentage of the time do you use Type 2 crews for initial attack?

What percentage of the time do Type 2 crews meet your needs and expectations?

What percentage of the time do Type 2 crews perform to the current standards?

Are the current standards for Type 2 crews useful?

If you think the standards should be changed, how should they be changed?

Do Type 2 crews limit suppression effectiveness/efficiency or implementation of selected strategy?

Comments?

Are there significant performance differences between Type 2 IA and Type 2 crews?

Do you refrain from using these crews due to concern for their safety?

If you do please explain.

If the crews sent to your fire were not what you ordered, did you have to adjust strategies and tactics?

Additional Comments

Please check the appropriate position below. (Check the Primary box for your primary role related to this survey):

Home Unit Position

• Duty Officer

• Fire Staff Officer

• Fire Management Officer

• Assistant Fire Management Officer

• DIVS

• Module Leader

  • Engine

  • Crew

    • Type 1

    • Type 2 IA

    • Type 2

• Other

Primary ICS position

• IC

• Type 1

• Type 2

• Type 3

• OPSC

  • Type 1

  • Type 2

  • Type 3

• SOF

  • Type 1

  • Type 2

  • Type 3

• PSC

  • Type 1

  • Type 2

  • Type 3

• Branch Chief

• DIVS

• Other

Geographic Area

• Eastern

• Southern

• Southwest

• Northwest

• Northern Rockies

• Rocky Mountain

• East Basin

• West Basin

• North Ops

• South Ops

Agency:

• USFS

• NPS

• BLM

• FWS

• BIA

• State

• Local Government

Type 2 IA & Type 2 crew standards: Crew Standards

http://gacc.nifc.gov/eacc/logistics/crews/crews_files/MinimumCrewStandards.pdf