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National Incident Feature Services

Purpose

The National Incident Feature Service (NIFS) refers primarily to an ArcGIS Online (AGOL)-hosted feature service. The NIFS is designed for use on wildland fires of any size to improve standardization and compatibility nationwide. It helps streamline data sharing, speed deployment of web and mobile applications and improve situational awareness for firefighters. Because the NIFS is available to all wildland fire personnel, regardless of agency or affiliation, data can be easily shared near-real time and at any location.

The NIFS is hosted on AGOL and can be accessed using a NIFC AGOL account.

While often referred to as a single entity, the NIFS actually is a suite of services that are all sourced from the same underlying data. Multiple services of the same data are needed to control the different permissions and access of multiple applications and user groups. See the Service List for a description of the individual services.

The NIFS must be used by all Geographic Information System Specialists (GISS). Editing the National Incident Feature Services and other hosted feature services is an essential skill for the role of a GISS.

Specifications

The GISS will adhere to the following:

  • Approval of features in the NIFS is the responsibility of the Situation Unit Leader (SITL). GISS should work with the SITL to ensure there is a process in place to review and approve data in the NIFS.
  • The NIFS is a shared service, users with the GISS role will be able to view/edit all records on the service, including adjacent fires. It is critical that the GISS only edit data for the incident to which they are assigned.

References

Responsibilities

The GISS will load and manage incident data within the NIFS. Any data edits should be synchronized with the NIFS. The GISS will work with the SITL to ensure all data within the NIFS is the most accurate representation of the wildfire incident. GISS will use appropriate care when working with the NIFS to ensure no adverse impacts to other incidents using NIFS.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form