How To Manage A Multi Agency Coordination System In California

Transcription

1 Multi-Agency Coordination System Publication MACS GROUP PROCEDURES GUIDE MACS April 25, 2011

2 NOTICE This Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) document establishes MAC Group Procedures specifically intended for use by fire service agencies in California represented by FIRESCOPE and the California Wildfire Coordinating Group (CWCG). Although this Guide is for the California Fire Service, it is written to support all hazard emergencies and, therefore, has application and utility for the emergency management community. This guide supplements existing agency, state and federal directives and guidelines currently in use and complies with the California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This guide describes components of the MACS Information Management System, Modes of Operation, Preparedness Levels and the process and procedures by which California Fire Service Multi-Agency Coordination System Groups will function in California on all hazard incidents that require the use of multi-agency or multi-department fire service resources on single or multi-jurisdiction incidents. This guide incorporates procedures agreed to by FIRESCOPE and the California Wildfire Coordinating Group that link the various fire service MAC Groups in California. Currently these MAC Groups are the Northern California and Southern California Geographic Area MAC Groups, and the statewide California MAC Group (CalMAC). Each of the Geographic Area MAC Groups and CalMAC, depending on National Preparedness Levels, will be required to communicate and coordinate with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group s National MAC Group located at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Understanding the MACS organizational structure is especially important in providing critical incident information to request and allocate fire based resources to incidents within and outside the State of California. Access to the information described in this document is through the FIRESCOPE Website at Fire agencies with response capability must obtain a password to fully access the system. For additional information contact the California Governor s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Fire and Rescue Divison, FIRESCOPE Program in Riverside at (951) i

3 CONTENTS CONTENTS... 1 INTRODUCTION... 2 MAC Group Purpose and Function... 2 Local Level and Operational Area MACS... 3 Regional Level MACS... 3 Geographic Area MACS... 4 California Multi-Agency Coordination (CalMAC)... 4 CalMAC Role... 5 CalMAC Authority... 5 CalMAC Responsibilities... 5 CalMAC Representatives... 6 National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC)... 6 MODES OF OPERATION AND CWCG PREPAREDNESS LEVELS... 7 FIRESCOPE MACS Modes of Operation... 7 California Wildfire Coordinating Group Preparedness Levels... 8 Preparedness Level (PL) Description... 9 MAC GROUP MEETINGS Conference Calls In-Person Meetings MAC GROUP REPORTS Reports Criteria Resource Status, Drawdown INCIDENT PRIORITY RATING PROCEDURES Incident Priority Rating Matrix APPENDIX A: CalMAC Conference Call Format and Roll Call.... A-1 APPENDIX B: Briefing Report Format... B-1 APPENDIX C: MACS Group Position Duties and Responsibilities C-1 APPENDIX D: MACS Resource Designation System Forms Packet July D-1 APPENDIX E: Northern California Geographic Area MAC Group Operations Guide May E-1 APPENDIX F: Southern California Geographic Area MAC Group Operations Guide August F-1 APPENDIX G: California MAC Group Procedures Guide (to be developed)... G-1 1

4 INTRODUCTION The Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) is a component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), as well as the California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). It is essential to integrating and coordinating multi-agency emergency response and management. The function of multi-agency coordination has shown to be most effective when it takes place in a preplanned and organized Multi-Agency Coordination System. While ad-hoc arrangements among agencies can be made to work, it is more effective to establish MACS procedures in advance. A multi-agency coordination system incorporates facilities, information systems, internal and external communication systems, interagency reciprocal, and mutual aid agreements, common procedures, terminology, training and qualifications, all integrated into a common operating system that ensures effective interagency and inter-jurisdictional coordination. Some of the key MACS components in the California MACS include the California Mobilization Guide, the FIRESCOPE Field Operations Guide, the FIRESCOPE Radio Frequency Guide, the MACS Resource Designation System, and this MACS Group Procedures Guide. All provide important guidance in development and maintenance of the Statewide Multi-Agency Coordination System. These and many more FIRESCOPE documents are available on the FIRESCOPE Website at and through FIRESCOPE Document Control at the Southern Geographic Area Coordination Center at 2524 Mulberry Street in Riverside, California This guide will discuss one component of the MAC System, the MAC Group; its function, purpose, membership and organization for the California Fire Service. Also discussed are activation procedures and the processes used to evaluate incidents with regard to resource allocation and the situation status reports and general information sharing necessary to support the MACS Decision Process. Other items discussed include support organization requirements. Most importantly this guide establishes common processes and procedures to ensure information sharing and incident evaluation processes are consistent. Although this guide is directed to the fire service, it has application to all emergency management and is adaptable by supplementing key resources and information pertinent to specific emergency requirements. MAC Group Purpose and Function A Mac Group typically consists of Agency Administrators or their designees who are authorized to commit agency resources and funds. Their function is to support incident management through coordinating their collective resources, sharing incident information, implementing coordinated strategic policies to prevent and/or combat a growing emergency(s). In order to accomplish this objective the MAC Group must establish a common operating plan. The area represented can be a City, County/Operational Area, Region, such as one of the six Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regions or a Geographic Area, such as Northern and Southern California Geographic Areas or a Statewide MAC Group such as CalMAC. 2

5 MAC Group objectives in coordinating finances, equipment, personnel and resources are: Establish priorities for response Allocate critical resources based on established priorities Establish and/or implement communication systems integration Insure Information coordination both internally and externally Establish Intergovernmental decision coordination Develop strategies and contingency plans It is extremely important that MAC Group members have full authority from their respective agencies to commit resources, including equipment, personnel and fully represent their agency or department in MAC Group decisions. Local Level and Operational Area MACS Multi-agency coordination is an essential element in support of jurisdictional Emergency Operations Centers (EOC). The local or operational area MAC Group provides jurisdictional or area-wide direction and/or policy. The MAC Group also identifies priorities for response and allocation of resource use based on the established priorities. MAC Group intelligence gathering and information exchange activities are usually accomplished through the information systems established by the EOC, such as the use of the MACS Form 404 or ICS Form 209. The MAC Group usually meets prior to each operational period. After analyzing current situational information, establishes priorities and disseminates this information to the EOC for implementation in operational plans. In more complex emergencies the MAC Group may choose to establish support positions that work for a MAC Group Coordinator under the direction of a MAC Group Chairperson. The complexity of the situation and preplanned procedures should identify organizational structure, meeting locations and meeting frequency. Procedural guides or mobilization guides should establish and describe MAC Group activation procedures and identify required informational needs and decision requirements for the specific jurisdictional area(s) involved. More detailed MACS information can be found in FEMA s MACS Guide entitled Span of Control Tools in the NWCG I-401 Multi-Agency Coordination curriculum and in the SEMS. Regional Level MACS Multi-Agency Coordination may also be achieved by bringing together representatives from various political levels such as county governments and functional agencies to coordinate in an inter-jurisdictional Regional MAC Group. In California this could incorporate the Cal OES Regions I through VI. This level of coordination of emergency activities has potential to increase due to the complexity of incidents within Cal OES Regions and broader legal authorities within cities, counties, water districts, fire protection districts, etc. In areas where occurrence of complex incidents is more commonplace it may be beneficial to formally establish MAC Groups within applicable Cal OES Regions. Should Regional MAC Groups be establish, formal operating procedures should be developed and shared with the Geographic Area MAC Groups and any affected local MAC Groups. 3

6 Geographic Area MACS From a historical and informational standpoint, Geographic Area MAC Groups were established for the primary purpose of coordinating wildfire response and suppression activities among multiple regions and agencies in Southern California. FIRESCOPE initially established the Southern California Geographic MAC Group in the late 1970 s. In 1987, a MAC Group was formally established in Northern California representing the Northern Geographic Area. Each MAC Group has been activated numerous times since they were established. Currently the Geographic Area MAC Groups are established to ensure: Scarce or limited resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Participating agencies that provide resources do not impair their ability to carry out their own mission. Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information is made available to the public. Decisions are documented and tracked so that proper financial management can occur and financial responsibility is determined. Develop contingency plans and trigger points for implementation. The operation guides for the Northern California Geographic MACS Group, (NorCal MAC) and Southern California Geographic MAC Group, (SoCal MACS) are available on request. California Multi-Agency Coordination (CalMAC) During periods of significant statewide emergency activity that require high levels of emergency resource commitment, it may become necessary to activate a statewide MACS, herein referred to as CalMAC. The purpose of CalMAC is to prioritize incidents and manage resource allocation on a statewide basis. CalMAC may be activated when a Geographic Area exceeds its ability to meet resource needs and must rely on resource commitments from other Geographic Areas. When this occurs for extended periods, it can adversely impact statewide response capability. During periods of statewide resource drawdown, even though only one Geographic Area may be experiencing multiple incidents, it may be necessary to activate CalMAC to manage resource allocation on a statewide basis. When this level of resource commitment and utilization occurs, it requires close coordination to assure that: Scarce resources are allocated effectively and efficiently. Participating agencies providing resources also maintain their ability to carry out their missions. Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information are available for statewide planning, media communication and public service. Decisions are documented and tracked so proper financial management occurs and financial responsibility is determined. Development of statewide strategies and contingency plans are shared with Geographic MACS for coordinated implementation. 4

7 California Fire Service MACS Organizational Structure The following organizational structure displays Federal, State, County, and local agencies during a FIRESCOPE MODE 3 and 4 or a National Preparedness Level 4 and 5: State Emergency Operations Center NMAC Liaison CalMAC Liaison Officer CalMAC Group CalMAC Information Officer Southern MAC Group Northern MAC Group CAL FIRE, Contract Counties BLM USFS BIA CAL FIRE NPS FWS Cal OES CalMAC Acts as the Statewide Authority to: Evaluate incident situation status reports and organizational resource status reports, as provided by the Northern and Southern California MAC Groups. Provide oversight for Geographic Area allocation of scarce and/or limited resources based on established priorities. Develop statewide incident priorities and strategies to submit to NMAC for coordination and inclusion in national incident priorities. CalMAC Responsibilities Include: Gather and maintain statewide situation status information. Enhance state and federal disaster assistance efforts. Enhance political interfaces. Review need for participation of other agencies in CalMAC. Provide necessary liaison with out-of-state/region facilities or agencies as appropriate. Recommend improvements to CalMAC operations. Liaison with NMAC and/or the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) as required. The CalMAC Group is normally activated when emergency incidents significantly impact or involve agencies within the six Cal OES Mutual Aid Regions, two CAL FIRE Regions, and the two Federal Geographic Areas. California Wildfire Coordinating Group (CWCG), or their designees, is brought together as CalMAC. CalMAC is briefed on the statewide situation and then begin the decision-making process regarding the sharing and use of scarce or limited resources statewide. This may occur in a face-to-face meeting or via a conference call as determined by consensus. 5

8 MAC Group Membership As stated earlier MAC Group members are generally agency administrators or executive personnel, or their appointed representatives. They represent major jurisdictional agencies within a designated area. Member agencies often heavily support any emergency that may occur in the designated area, or may be significantly impacted by the shortage of resources. Voting membership generally fit one or more of these categories. Other membership (ad-hoc) can be included or added as needed depending on the emergency at hand. All MAC Group representatives must have full delegated authority to represent their agency to: Assist and advise on prioritizing incidents Establish and agree on resource allocation priorities Commit to expenditures of emergency funds Example of MAC Group Member Agencies: 1. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) 2. USDA Forest Service (USFS) 3. Bureau of Land Management, DOI (BLM) 4. National Park Service, DOI (NPS) 5. Bureau of Indian Affairs, DOI (BIA) 6. Fish and Wildlife Service, DOI (FWS) 7. California Governor s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Fire and Rescue Division 8. CAL FIRE, Contract Counties Representative 9. California National Guard Representative (if activated) 10. Active Military Liaison Representative (if activated) 11. Local Government Fire Departments, (i.e., Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Districts, City and/ or County Fire Department) Additional organizations can be invited to participate if the member agencies feel that their participation would improve the resource allocation and incident prioritization process. National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) The NMAC consists of one representative from the following agencies: 1. National Association of State Foresters (NASF) 2. USDA Forest Service (USFS) 3. National Park Service (NPS) 4. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 5. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 6. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 7. US Fire Administration (USFA) 8. Federal Emergency Management Agency United States Fire Administration (FEMA-USFA). 6

9 They have been delegated by their respective agency directors to manage wildland fire resource allocation on a national scope when fire management resource shortages are probable. The delegated authorities include: Provide oversight of general business practices between NMAC and the Geographic Area Multi-Agency Coordination (GMAC) Groups. Establish priorities among Geographic Areas. Direct, control, and allocate resources among or between Geographic Areas to meet NMAC priorities. Implement decisions of the NMAC. MODES OF OPERATION AND CWCG PREPAREDNESS LEVELS California is currently using both FIRESCOPE MACS Modes and the CWCG Preparedness Levels. Both systems have their place in establishing levels of operational readiness depending on the magnitude of the emergency. Both CWCG Preparedness Levels and MACS Modes were designed in response to managing resource commitment during periods of high demand due to multiple emergencies. Although either system could be used alone, both systems are used collaboratively as each have their advantages when considering the variety and complexity of emergencies that tend to occur in California. More detailed information and comparisons of each system are provided below. FIRESCOPE MACS Modes of Operation FIRESCOPE modes are more operationally focused and tend to consider other all hazard incidents that may impact the availability of emergency response resources. There are four operating modes. The four modes of operations are reflective of overall regional emergency activities, specific incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted weather patterns that may result in continued or increased resource commitments. The following are examples of conditions resulting in various mode levels: Mode 1 is a non-critical situation typical of a non-fire season or early fire season situation. Mode 2 reflects a normal fire season situation with no significant resource impacts. Mode 3 reflects a serious situation and may require Northern and Southern MAC Groups to participate in MACS activities to include providing incident resource information and Mode 3 conference calls. Mode 4 reflects a total Geographic Area commitment or statewide effort requiring MACS activities at both Geographic Areas and may also require CalMAC activation. CalMAC Statewide coordination may require a face-to-face meeting in Sacramento; however, this is usually determined by group consensus. Conference calls are also effective and are often used, especially for short duration events. 7

10 California Wildfire Coordinating Group Preparedness Levels National Preparedness Levels were established by the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group. The California Wildfire Coordinating Group, (CWCG) has accepted the National Preparedness Levels (with minor modifications) for use in California. The CWCG Preparedness Levels are described in more detail in the California Mobilization Guide, Section Preparedness Levels are similar to the MACS Modes in that they are based on a combination of incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted weather. However, the Preparedness Levels differ from the MACS Modes because they take into consideration the full range of wildland fire activities, such as prescribed fire. This ensures that fire protection responsibility and prescribed fire does not exceed the state s wildland fire response capabilities and are coordinated with the state and national wildland fire activities. Preparedness Levels are determined by situational criteria that determine specific actions and the responsible party. The Preparedness Levels can restrict prescribed fire and/or fire use in order to ensure that adequate resources are available for emergency response. There are five distinct levels. Each level is described below beginning with Level 1, comparable to FIRESCOPE Mode 1 and ending with Level 5 that is comparable to Mode 4. 8

11 MACS MODES of OPERATION Mode 1 Reflects a non-critical statewide situation. In general, there are no major or multiple incidents that would require extended use of Multi-Agency resources. This mode reflects a typical non-fire season operation for wildland fire agencies. Mode 2 Reflects normal fire season operations. While isolated major incidents may occur, there is no significant impact on regional or statewide resources. Mode 3 Reflects a serious situation or the potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be a high potential incident that involves the use of resources from multiple agencies. Generally, a Mode 3 would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring simultaneously, or when the potential for a regional or statewide emergency situation exists. Severe winter weather conditions, a forecast for Santa Ana winds, or a tsunami warning could be sufficient to initiate a Mode 3. The major commitment of fire suppression resources in region to an outof-region incident would warrant a Mode 3. CWCG PREPAREDNESS LEVEL Level 1 Few or no class A, B, and C wildland fires. Minimal or no commitment of interagency resources to suppression activities. Current and short-range predictions for low to moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are not occurring. Level 2 Numerous class A, B, and C wildland fires. Local commitment of interagency resources for initial attack, fuels projects and wildland fire used for resource benefit. Current and short-term weather predictions for moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are of minimal to low impact. Level 3 High potential for Class D and larger fires to occur with several active Class A, B, and C fires. Mobilization of agency and interagency resources within the Geographic Area/Region, but minimal mobilization between or outside of Geographic Area/Regions. Current and short-term forecasted fire danger is moving from medium to high or very high. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations starting to compete for interagency contingency resources. Agencies still above drawdown levels for suppression resource, but starting to have difficulty maintaining sufficient resources to meet initial attack responsibilities, project fire support, and fuel projects/prescribed fire requirements without prioritizing or using non-local support. Some critical resource needs are starting to be identified. Mode 4 Level 4 Signifies the existence of a total regional or Continuing initial attack activity and Class D or larger fires are common in statewide area effort where resource use one or both Geographic Area/Regions. Resource ordering and mobilization priorities require a concerted multi-agency of personnel is occurring between Geographic/Regions. Current and shortterm weather forecasts are for high to very high fire danger. The long- coordination effort. A statewide MAC operation may be established in Sacramento, while the range forecast for the next week indicates continued high fire danger. Local Regional MAC Operations would be activated units may implement new fuel/wildland fire use/prescribed fire projects, but in Riverside (South Operations) and/or in operational and contingency resources must be provided by the agency or Redding (North Operations). Agency by local arrangements. Actual and long-range fire weather forecasts predict representatives, by either conference call or in high to very high fire danger. Significant potential exists for moving into person at the coordination center, should be extreme fire danger for most of the Geographic Area/Region. Personnel authorized to speak and commit resources for and resources at minimum drawdown levels, especially for initial attack. their agency Fuels projects and prescribed fires can only be implemented with agency contingency resources or special arrangements within the local units. Mobilization and resource orders are occurring for suppression assignments within the Geographic Area/Region and between Geographic Areas/Regions. Ref: MACS (April 25, 2011) Level 5 CalMAC is fully activated. Agencies are below drawdown levels. Class D and larger fires are common in the North GACC/Region. North GACC/Region cannot fill many outstanding resource requests and are sending these orders to NICC. Use of local government resources is common. Reassignment of personnel and resources between incidents is common. Current and short-range weather forecasts predict very high to extreme fire danger. Long-range forecasts for the following week for North GACC/Region indicate continued very high to extreme fire danger. Activation of National Guard or military personnel and resources is being considered or has been done. Orders for California resources are causing the state to drop below agency drawdown levels. State and Local government personnel are being used to fill in-state and out-of-state resource orders. Actual and long-range fire danger predictions are for very high or extreme. Personnel and resources are at or below agency minimum drawdown levels. Ref: CAL MOB Guide CAL FIRE 8100 Procedure No

12 Preparedness Level (PL) Description: PL1: Reflects a non-critical statewide situation. In general, there are no major incidents or multiple incidents that would require extended use of multi-agency equipment. This reflects typical non-fire-season operations. PL2: Reflects normal fire season operations. While there may be potential for an isolated major incident to occur, there is no significant impact on outside agency resources or the ability to support outside agencies in day-to-day operations. PL3: Reflects a serious situation or a high potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be multiple major incidents that result in competition for the use of multi-agency resources. Generally, a PL3 condition would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring in North Operations or South Operations simultaneously. A PL3 could be established if a high potential for a serious situation existed. An example would be a severe fire weather forecast (Santa Ana winds, lightning, etc.). Another situation that might warrant a PL3 would be significant commitment of California resources out-of-state. The decision to implement PL3 is agreed upon by the USFS Assistant Director and the CAL FIRE Deputy Director for Fire Protection at the North and/or South GACC/Region. PL3 coordination efforts would intensify with all fire protection agencies, however it would not normally include priority setting or resource allocation. An internal MAC organization will operate as needed at North Operations and/or South Operations. PL4: Reflects the existence of an all-out statewide effort where resource use priorities require a concerted multi-agency coordination effort. A PL4 condition might exist when multiple major incidents are occurring in both Geographic Areas. CalMAC may be activated by consensus of the membership. When CalMAC is activated, it will coordinate efforts with NMAC, North and South MAC Groups, and as needed with the State Operations Center (SOC). Upon activation CalMAC will: 1. Consider pre-positioning resources within the state. 2. Provide the National Interagency Coordination Center with incident priorities and other pertinent information. 3. Alert Units and Forests through normal channels of the possibility of going to Preparedness Level Conference calls are established to provide statewide coordination of resources and to consider recommendations of the North and South MAC Groups as well as the SOC. Conference calls will be scheduled to complement activities of North and South MAC Groups (see Conference Call Format). PL5: CalMAC is fully activated. Statewide and/or national resources are heavily committed or have potential to be exhausted. Military support may be mobilized. Under PL5, CalMAC operations will be established either at an agreed upon location, or via conference calls determined by concurrence of the CalMAC members. 10

13 Functions of CalMAC in PL5 are: Prioritize incidents statewide and allocate resources based on operational need. Evaluate incidents based on the following factors: - Life threatening situations - Real property threatened - High damage potential - Incident complexity - Potential for timely containment in order to free up resources for other incidents: Ensure that agency resource situation status is current. Determine specific agency resource capabilities and/or needs (drawdown). Determine agency resource availability (available for out-of-jurisdiction assignment). Determine need for and designate mobilization centers. Anticipate future agency/statewide resource needs and develop geographic strategies and contingency plans. Communicate CalMAC "decisions" back to agencies (GACC s/soc/nmac). Initiate and fill liaison positions to facilitate communication as needed (state government, FEMA, CHP, Caltrans, etc.). MAC GROUP MEETINGS MAC Group meetings will be conducted either in-person or via conference call. The choice of meeting method will be determined by a consensus of the membership when in MACS Mode 3 or less. However, face-to-face meetings are generally accepted as a requirement when in MACS Mode 4. Conference Calls Conference call schedules should be identified within each MAC Group Procedures Guide. The scheduling of conference calls becomes critical when in MACS Mode 4. The exchange of incident information from the local area up to the Geographic Area MAC Groups and then to the State Level (CalMAC) require these calls be preplanned and documented in operating plans or procedure guides. For example, in MACS Mode 4, the Northern and Southern Geographic Area MAC Groups have a scheduled conference call daily at 1600 to exchange intelligence and Geographic Area priorities. The CalMAC Coordinator will facilitate a CalMAC conference call daily at 1700 hours. The CalMAC call time may be adjusted to coordinate with the activities of the Northern and Southern MAC Groups, (adjustments in timing of these calls must be agreed to in advance) The purpose of these calls is to: Receive a timely update on incident activity and resource status. Outline potential resource needs. Discuss and establish statewide incident and resource allocation priorities. Identify and resolve concerns and problems. Conference call participants will be the CalMAC Members, the Northern and Southern MAC Groups. The CalMAC Coordinator will determine the telephone number. The format for CalMAC Conference Calls is in Appendix A. 11

14 In-Person Meetings If the MAC Group decides to hold in-person meetings rather than conference calls, the MAC Group will normally meet twice daily to evaluate the situation status and to update incident priorities. In-person meetings should be held at a facility where sufficient dedicated workspace can be provided for a period of up to two weeks without disrupting the facility s normal business. The facility should provide a conference room, individual workstations with telephones for agency representatives, and should be close to motel and eating facilities. In order to conduct business, a Briefing Report should be prepared and provided to the participants at least thirty minutes prior to each scheduled meeting. A MAC Group Coordinator conducting the MAC Group Meetings will use a standard briefing report. A standard format for the briefing report is included in Appendix B. MAC GROUP REPORTS This section describes the kinds of information reported to all MACS Coordination Points: a. ICS Form 209, Incident Status Summary b. MACS Form 405, Resource Status Report c. Summarized listing of Open Resource Orders for each incident by resource kind and type (utilization of standard ROSS reports can often meet this need). d. Incident Maps are usually supplied by each Incident Management Team to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site and updated each operational period, 12 to 24 hours. GACC Intelligence and/or Geographic Information System (GIS) sections access the FTP site and supply maps to MACS as requested. 12

15 REPORTS CRITERIA TYPE REPORT REPORT CRITERIA 1. Initial ICS Form When more than 15 single resources from all involved agencies will be committed for more than one (1) hour to an incident 2. Any incident that would significantly affect agency resource availability. 3. Any incident that would be of particular interest to the MACS. 2. Update ICS Form Once during each established operational period, i.e., 0600 and Special request by MACS. 3. Final ICS Form When less than 15 single resources remain assigned to incident. 4. Assigned/available resources (MACS Form 405) 2. When the incident no longer has any significant effect on agency resource availability. 1. Following the declaration of Mode 3 or Update on twelve (12) hour intervals. 3. Upon special request by MACS. 5. Number of open requests for each kind 1. Upon request. Reported by GACC and type of resource by incident MACS and summarized for CalMAC 6. Incident Map 1. Incident Map supplied to CalMAC via GACC GIS Unit, at a minimum updated every 24 hours. Note: Conditions above need to be reviewed and re-evaluated. 13

16 Resource Status, Drawdown (Optional) During Modes 3 and 4 or Preparedness Levels 4 and 5, fire agencies report current status of critical resources by either using the MACS Form 405 or through daily status reports to the GACC s. By way of this reporting process, an adjective rating can be used to display a drawdown level by resource kind for each participating agency. Below is an example of a table that may be incorporated into the resource status reporting process. This table gives a quick summary of resource status by providing agency. The adjectives are general and are intended to give a relative picture of the drawdown status of the various resources. This table should be updated with information provided by the CalMAC members prior to each CalMAC conference call or meeting. Cal OES reports status for all Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regions. Resource CNR ONC C OSC Cal OES I Type Engines Local Gvmt. Engines Fire Crews Cal OES II Cal OES III Cal OES IV Cal OES V Cal OES VI CNA Dozers Air Tankers MAFFS Helicopters There is no resource drawdown (fully staffed with minimal commitment to initial attack). Initial attack success is highly probable. 1 Resource drawdown is Moderate (approximately two-thirds of resources available). Initial attack success is likely. 2 Resource drawdown is Significant (approximately one-half of resources available). Initial attack success is marginal. 3 Resource drawdown is Critical (approximately one-third of resources available). Initial attack success is questionable. There are insufficient resources to support any new major fires. N No resources of this type available. NOTE: CNR CAL FIRE Northern Operations; C CAL FIRE Southern Operations; ONC Federal California Northern Operations; OSC Federal California Southern Operations, CNA California National Guard 14

17 INCIDENT PRIORITY RATING PROCEDURES Establishing incident priorities for resource allocation is the primary product of the MACS process. Incidents are ranked in priority order and include the criteria considered in determining the ranking. This information is used by the GACC s to determine the allocation of resources to incidents. The following are the steps required in determining incident priorities: 1. Acquire information regarding incident situation and resource needs. Incident priorities should be directly related to resource needs and meeting operational objectives: Weather Major fires - uncontained with potential resource threat. Name, location, acreage, Type I or II Incident Management Team with Incident Commander s name, fuel type Resource Status: - Airtankers, Helicopters, Air Attack (by agency, kind, type, and location). - Engines (agency and type): * Committed by incident * Mobilization Center reserves (if appropriate) * Uncommitted and available by affected organizations or state mutual aide regions (major fire jurisdictions) - Hand Crews (agency and type): * Committed by incident * Mobilization Center reserves * Uncommitted and available at home base - Dozers available (agency only) 2. Acquire Special Information. Anything of interest that would influence decision making (i.e., "Campbell Fire is burning toward federal DPA", or "CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit is experiencing a series of small lightning-caused fires ). 3. Standard Evaluation Criteria Used to Determine Incident Priorities and their ratings are defined below: (Ensure all new emerging or initial attack incidents have priority over existing incidents. If an item is not applicable for an incident, it carries a value of zero. Total maximum score is 60): A. Life and Safety Threats (Public and Emergency Responders): (maximum score is 15) Definition: Events which increase complexity resulting in high potential for serious injury and/or death. A.1 Evacuations: Rating In Progress 5 Precautionary 3-4 Potential (48-72 hours) or Completed 1-2 A.2 Road, Highway or Freeway Closures: Rating Major Highway or Freeway 4-5 State Routes or Improved Roadways 2-3 Potential for Closures hours 1 15

18 A.3 Extreme Fire Behavior, Weather Event, Natural or Human Caused Disasters: Rating Occurring or Predicted/Forecasted to Continue (24 hours) 5 Predicted/Forecasted hours 3-4 Occurring but Predicted/Forecasted to Diminish 1-2 B. Property Threatened and/or High Damage (Next 48 hours): (maximum score is 15) Definition: This category relates to potential for damage or actual impact to Communities or other high value investments that contribute to dwellings, commercial workplaces and critical infrastructure that supports human life, income or support to the general population. Threats under this category should not be listed unless there is significant potential to impact these elements and an eminent threat is recognized within a 48-hour timeframe. B.1 Structures (residential, commercial, vacation or other): Rating < B.2 Community Loss (within 48 hours): Rating Potential for >75% Community Loss 5 Potential for 50-75% Community Loss 4 Potential for 25-50% Community Loss 3 Potential for <25% Community Loss 1-2 B.3 Infrastructure National, State, And Local (Power Lines, Energy Corridors, Domestic Water Systems, Communications Grid, Transportation Systems, etc.): Rating Systems shutdown and/or damaged ` 5 Potential threat hours 3-4 Potential threat 72+ hours 1-2 C. Resource Issues and Potential for Loss: (maximum total points is 20) Definition: Resource concerns can vary widely depending on place and type of resource considered. Each of the below items must be carefully considered in its relation to both local/regional or national significance and may have economic impact at local or regional levels. Resources that are not commercial should be considered in the Natural Resources category rather than in both Natural and Commercial Resources. Consider timeframes and proximity when rating: Rating C.1 Historical and Significant Cultural Resources 1-5 C.2 Natural Resources (T&E Species Hab., Watershed, Forest Health, Soils, Air Shed, etc.) 1-5 C.3 Commercial Resources (Grazing, Timber, Agricultural Crops, etc.) 1-5 C.4 Potential for Economic Impact (Tourism i.e., fishing, hunting; loss of jobs, etc.)

19 D. Incident Complexity/Duration: (maximum total points is 10) Definition: Multiple incidents or complex of incidents versus a single incident have a way of making prioritization setting difficult. However, it is common enough that it needs to be included in the process. Attention needs to be given to travel distances, support to incident personnel and logistical challenges not always associated with a single incident. Timely containment implies that if all critical resource needs from the ICS Form 209 were met, then containment objectives would be met within the specified timeframes indicated. Containment at an early date is beneficial during high activity periods and would result in earlier resource reassignment opportunities to supplement Initial Attack or to assist other incidents. D.1 Complex vs. Single Incident: Rating 5+ incidents or >25,000 acres incidents or 5-25,000 acres incidents or <5,000 acres 1 D.2 Potential for Timely Containment and/or Mitigation: Rating <72 hours days days days 2 Unknown or long term management 1 4. Identify Critical Resource Needs For Each Incident (MAC Form st block is for ICS 209 Critical needs, 2 nd block is for projected needs or resource allocation): AF = Aircraft, Fixed-Wing (air tankers, lead planes, air attack, IR, etc.) AR = Aircraft, Rotor-Wing (Type 1, 2 or 3) HC = Handcrews by Type BD = Bulldozers WE = Wildland Engines (type) SE = Structural Engines (type) OH = Overhead OT = Other Resources, (specify type and kind) NOTE: Initial attack, new emerging incidents, and life-threatening situations override Geographic Area priorities. 5. Establish New Geographical Priorities - Using Attached MACS Form Decision Process: Priorities Will Be Set By A Consensus Of MAC Group Members. 7. Notify NIFC Or NMAC Group Coordinator Of Geographic Area Priorities When CALMAC Is Not Activated: Geographic MAC Coordinator 17

20 Incident Priority Rating Matrix MACS 429 Date/Operational Period: INCIDENT OVERALL RANKING INCIDENT NAME AGENCY RATINGS (CURRENT - PROJECTED) Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected A. Life & Safety Treats-Public & Emgy Resp Evacuations 0 Road, Highway or Freeway Closures 0 Extreme Fire Behavior/Wx Event/Nat.Disast. 0 B. Property Threatened and/or High Damage Structures (res, comm, vac, other) 0 Communities at Risk 0 Infrastructure, Nat'l, State, Local 0 C. Resource Issues and Potential for Loss Historical and/or Cultural Resources 0 Natural Resources 0 Commercial Resources 0 Potential for Economic Inpact 0 D. Incident Complexity/Duration Complex vs Single Incident 0 Potenital for Timely Containment 0 E. OVERALL RATINGS OF INCIDENT At current and projected time periods F. CRITICAL RESOURCE NEEDS (1st column is for 209 critical needs and 2nd column is for projected need or Resource Allocation Use) AF = Aircraft, Fixed - wing AR = Aircraft, Rotor - wing HC = Handcrews BD = Bulldozers WE = Wildland Engines SE = Structure Engines OT = Other Resources Kinds & Types OH = Overhead NOTES MAC Member MAC Member MAC Member MAC Member Representative Representative Representative Representative MAC Member MAC Member MAC Member MAC Member Representative Representative Representative Representative 18

21 APPENDIX A CalMAC CONFERENCE CALL FORMAT AND ROLL CALL A-1

22 MAC Group Conference Call Format Conference Call Number: Date: Time: This is (NAME OF CONFERENCE CALL FACILITATOR), facilitating this Conference Call. We are currently in MACS Mode, CWCG Preparedness Level, and National Preparedness Level. The purpose of this conference call is to provide an update on the Situation status, Incident priority and resource status, and other pertinent critical intelligence for the (State, Geographic Area, Region) (identify area that applies). I will conduct a roll call. When I call the name of your agency, please provide the name of the person representing the agency and other personnel present. During the call, you are requested to keep background noise to a minimum. At this time, all cell phones and pagers need to be placed in the silent position. EXAMPLE Agency list: CONFERENCE CALL ROLL CALL 1. Cal OES HQ Spokesperson 2. CAL FIRE HQ Spokesperson 3. R-5 USFS Spokesperson 5. FWS, DOI Spokesperson 4. BLM, DOI Spokesperson 6. NPS, DOI Spokesperson 7. BIA, DOI Spokesperson 8. Contract County Fire Spokesperson 9. North Operations Spokesperson 10. South Operations Spokesperson 11. Active Military (DOD) Spokesperson 12. CA National Guard Spokesperson April 25, 2011 A-2 MACS 410-1

23 Comments Cal OES CAL FIRE USFS FWS BLM NPS BIA CCF ONC OSC CNA DOD Others April 25, 2011 A-3 MACS 410-1

24 Facilitator: We will begin with a brief report of current and expected weather from (Name of person presenting weather) of The Interagency Fire Weather Unit. When report is completed, participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Facilitator: Are there any questions? We will now have an update on the Statewide Situation Report from (Name of Intel Representative). When report is completed, participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Facilitator: Are there any questions? (Follow established rotation to allow agencies to raise issues affecting resource utilization and incident priorities, followed by questions from other conference call participants.) Mode 3-4 and Preparedness Level 4-5 Information Based on the information we ve just heard, do we wish to change from Mode to Mode? Do we desire to have another conference call at or MACS Mode 4 meeting commencing at in the coordination center. Are there additional items for discussion? Refer to Call Order of Rotation Reminder: ICS Form 209 Incident Status Summaries and MACS Form 405 Resource Status Reports are prepared and submitted in accordance with MACS guidelines. Next Conference call will be: Time Date Number Thank you for your participation. This concludes the call. Rev 09/04 (Draft-ver1.0) April 25, 2011 A-4 MACS 410-1

25 APPENDIX B BRIEFING REPORT FORMAT CALIFORNIA MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION GROUP FIRE SITUATION REPORT FOR (DATE AND TIME) State Weather Summary Report general weather conditions. Red Flag conditions are headlined at the beginning of this section. The remaining paragraph(s) describe the general weather conditions in California. The focus is on those changes in the weather conditions that may/will affect current or new wildfire incidents. Predictive Services Weekly Outlook A Weekly Outlook is produced by both Predictive Service Units in each GACC. The Weekly Outlook combines fire danger, predicted weather, and resource availability for a projection of resource needs. California Fire Situation This section provides a brief overview of the fire situation in the state. A description of the fire problems, acres burned, injuries, property loss numbers, and values and overall prognosis is included. General comments on resource status, drawdown, and critical resource shortages are touched on. Commitment of resources from outside the state is also important to list. The section is brief and formatted for easy reading. Current Resource Status Each participating agency submits a completed MACS Form 405 listing resource status. Based on each agency s response for committed and available resources, an agency drawdown status can be determined. By interpolating each agency s drawdown to correspond to an adjective rating, an overall drawdown status can be displayed for each resource type (see example below). Resource Status Drawdown This table gives a quick summary of resource status by primary providing agency. The adjectives are general and are intended to give a relative picture of the drawdown status of the various resources. This table should be updated with information provided by the CalMAC members prior to each CalMAC conference call or meeting. Cal OES reports status for all Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regions. Example: B-1

26 Resource CNR ONC C OSC CAL OES I Type Engines CAL OES II CAL OES III CAL OES IV CAL OES V CAL OES VI CNA Local Gvmt. Engines Fire Crews Dozers Air Tankers MAFFS Helicopters There is no resource drawdown (fully staffed with minimal commitment to initial attack). Initial attack success is highly probable. 1 Resource drawdown is Moderate (approximately two-thirds of resources available). Initial attack success is likely. 2 Resource drawdown is Significant (approximately one-half of resources available). Initial attack success is marginal. 3 Resource drawdown is Critical (approximately one-third of resources available). Initial attack success is questionable. There are insufficient resources to support any new major fires. N No resource of this type available. NOTE: CNR CAL FIRE Northern Operations; C CAL FIRE Southern Operations; ONC Federal California Northern Operations; OSC Federal California Southern Operations, CNA California National Guard B-2

27 National Fire Activity Summary This section gives a brief description of the national fire status outside California. This can be provided by the NMAC Liaison. The National Situation Report is an excellent source for this information; however, the NMAC Liaison can provide additional details. This information helps the CalMAC Group anticipate resource shortages due to incident activity in other parts of the country. Significant Incidents Provide a brief description of each incident having statewide significance. The first portion of this section begins with a narrative of the fire activity, life and property exposures, demobilization status and other items of general interest to CalMAC. This is followed by a summary of resources committed. Example: Fountain (SHU 4733 Shasta County 25 miles east of Redding) Acres: 64,000 Containment: 30% Expected Containment Date: 8/20/05 Cause: Under investigation Injuries: 0 Structures destroyed: 210 dwellings, 249 outbuildings Critical infrastructure loss or currently threatened: None Evacuation Status: Evacuations took place Monday Morning in the Oak Run and Fern Rd. areas. Residence will be allowed to return today at 1800 Resources Committed: Engines: 45 CAL FIRE, 55 USFS, 2 NPS, 76 Local Government, 5 BLM, 25 Cal OES Dozers: 4 CAL FIRE, 65 private Fire Crews: 35 CAL FIRE, 24 USFS, 2 BLM, 4 CCC, 9 BIA, Airtankers: 5 CAL FIRE, 4 USFS Helicopters: 2 CAL FIRE, 2 USFS, 8 Pvt. Total Personnel: 2337 Significant Events: Continues to burn vigorously as north winds, low humidity s and temps in the mid 90 s continue to hamper suppression efforts. Critical Resource Needs: Fellers, Dozer Bosses, Lead Plane. B-3

28 APPENDIX C MAC GROUP POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following are the duties and responsibilities of the various MAC Group support/staff positions. These positions will be activated and filled as needed by the MAC Group. The MAC Group Chairperson with consensus of the members shall assign qualified personnel to these positions. MAC Group Coordinator The MAC Group Coordinator serves as a facilitator in organizing and accomplishing the mission, goals and direction of the MAC Group. This person coordinates the MAC Group functions and ensures the proper relationships are maintained between the MAC Group, EOC s, Incident IC s, Agency ECC s and the regional command centers. The Coordinator shall: Fill and supervise necessary unit and support positions in accordance with workload and situation complexity. These may include, Display Processors, Recorders, and Documentation Unit Leader. Ground Support Personnel, (i.e., drivers), Facilities and/or other Logistic Support Personnel as needed. Manage the MACS facility; ensure equipment necessary to carry out MAC Group functions are provided. Facilitates the MAC Group decision-making process by ensuring the development and display of information that will assist Agency Representatives in keeping abreast of the total situation. Provide data necessary for priority setting and resource allocation. Facilitate the daily MAC Group schedule. Document formal proceedings, maintaining records, such as conference calls or in-person meetings, and distribute copies of documentation to all MAC Group representatives. MAC Group Member Support Personnel Each CalMAC Member may order agency specific support personnel as needed to support their agency information gathering and internal conferencing as needed. It is important, however, to coordinate with the MAC Group Coordinator for logistical support needs, (i.e., phones, office supplies and workspace requirements). Usually one to two support personnel is adequate. Number of Incidents and complexity will dictate support personnel needs. C-1

29 MAC Group Information Officer and Staff The MAC Group Information Officer or Unit is assigned to handle the information management needs of the MAC Group. When the volume of requests for information exceeds the ability of the MAC Group representatives to handle those requests a MAC Group Information Unit may be activated. The Information Officer or Unit is intended to serve as a single source for all information concerning incidents within the MAC Group area of representation. Depending on the complexity of the emergency, the MAC Group Information Officer/Unit may involve establishing a Joint Information Center (JIC) to provide the public, media, and other governmental agencies with information about MAC Group decisions and to provide summary information about incidents. The MAC Group Information Officer/Unit/JIC may choose to refer the media and other government agencies to the Incident Information Officers or to agency sources for detailed information. Activation of this position would normally occur when and where the MAC Group conducts business at a designated facility. Duties: 1. Obtain briefing from the MAC Group Coordinator based on ICS Form 209 s. Prepare summary information for MAC Group members and provide this information to the media as requested. The following are the types of information the Information Officer/Unit/JIC should prepare for distribution. Tactical or specific operational information or any other information that might be sensitive from an agency standpoint will not be released. Examples of the type of information to be prepared are: Total number of major incidents. Total number of personnel and suppression resources assigned. Actions being taken to mobilize out-of-state resources. General geographic location and names of major incidents. Names of Incident Commanders will not be released to the media unless specifically requested. Fire agencies with jurisdictional responsibility for each incident and names of assisting agencies. Costs of suppression and damage, if known. Total number of injuries for each fire. Summary of fire weather conditions and predicted fire behavior and associated suppression problems. Individual Incident Information Officer s name and phone numbers, or phone numbers of the appropriate agency contact for on-site information. NOTE: Estimated levels of personnel and resources available for initial attack Should not be released to the news media. C-2

30 2. Media and VIP visits to the MAC Group meeting room should be discouraged. The MAC Group Information Officer should refer the media and VIP s to the appropriate MAC Group member agency Public Information Officer. Those persons can arrange for visits to agency dispatch centers and/or to incident fire information centers. If media visits to the MAC Group facility do occur, the MAC Group Information Officer should provide them with information on the function of MACS and a summary of current priority incidents. The MAC Group Information Officer should stress the multi-agency participation essential to the MACS. 3. The MAC Group Information Officer should assist in arranging news conferences, briefings, preparing informational materials, etc., when requested to do so by the MAC Group or MAC Group Coordinator. C-3

31 APPENDIX D MACS RESOURCE DESIGNATION SYEM FORMS PACKET MACS July 2009 D-1

32 July 1, 2009 MACS MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION SYEM PUBLICATION RESOURCE DESIGNATION SYEM FORMS PACKET MACS JULY 1, 2009 D-2

33 July 1, 2009 MACS This document contains information relative to the Incident Command System (ICS) component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This is the same Incident Command System developed by FIRESCOPE. Additional information and documentation can be obtained from the following sources: Cal OES FIRESCOPE Document Control 2524 Mulberry Street Riverside, CA (951) Fax (951) The State Board of Fire Services and the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors have approved the information contained in this document for application in the statewide Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. This material is a development of the FIRESCOPE Program. i

34 July 1, 2009 MACS CONTENTS Introduction to MACS Forms... 1 MACS Forms List... 2 MACS Form Adaptation, Extension, and Appendixes... 3 MACS Form Adaptation... 3 Extending MACS Form Fields... 3 Creating MACS Form Appendixes... 3 MACS 404 Agency Assessment Briefing Form... 4 MACS 405 Resource Status Report... 6 MACS 421 Mobilization Center... 8 MACS 422 MACS Organization Form MACS 423 MAC Group Agenda MACS 424 Incident Threat Potential Summary MACS 425G Generic Engine MACS 426G Generic Air Resources MACS 427G Generic Handcrews, Dozers, Water Tenders MACS 428G Generic Resource Form MACS 429 Incident Priority Matrix MACS 430 Incident Priority List ii

35 July 1, 2009 MACS INTRODUCTION TO MACS FORMS The FIRESCOPE Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) Resource Designation System Forms Packet is designed to assist emergency response personnel in the use of MACS and corresponding documentation during incident operations. This booklet is a companion document to the FIRESCOPE MACS Procedures Guide which provides guidance in MAC Group processes. This booklet is meant to complement existing incident management programs and does not replace relevant emergency operations plans, laws and ordinances. These forms are designed for use and to support the Multi-Agency Coordinating Group and are not targeted for use at the incident level. These forms are intended for use as tools to support and implement the MACS process. Personnel using the forms should have a basic understanding of NIMS, including MACS, through training and/or experience to ensure they can effectively use and understand these forms. The MACS organizational charts contained in these forms are examples of how a MACS organization is typically developed. However, the flexibility and scalability of MACS allow modifications, as needed, based on experience and particular incident requirements. These forms are designed to include the essential data elements for the MACS process they address. The use of these standardized MACS Forms is encouraged to promote consistency in the management and documentation of incidents in the spirit of NIMS, and to facilitate effective use of mutual aid. In many cases, additional pages can be added to the existing MACS Forms when needed. 1

36 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS FORMS LI This table lists all of the MACS Forms included in this publication. Notes: In the following table, the MACS Forms identified with an asterisk (*) are typically used to develop resource availability and source locations. Forms identified with two asterisks (**) are forms used in maintaining MAC Group situational awareness and assisting in incident prioritization. The other MACS Forms are used for decision aids other MACS activities. The date and time entered in the form blocks should be determined by the MACS. Local time is typically used. MACS Form #: Form Title: Typically Prepared by: MACS 404** Agency Assessment Briefing Form Ea. MAC Grp. Agency Rep. MACS 405* Resource Status Report MAC Grp. Intel. Section MACS 421 Mobilization Center MAC Grp. Decision Doc. MACS 422 MACS Organization Form MAC Group. Coordinator MACS 423 MAC Group Agenda MAC Group. Coordinator MACS 424** Incident Threat Potential Summary MAC Grp. Intel. Section MACS 425G* Generic Engine Ea. MAC Grp. Agency Rep. MACS 426G* Generic Air Resources Ea. MAC Grp. Agency Rep MACS 427G* Generic Handcrews, Dozers, Water Tenders Ea. MAC Grp. Agency Rep MACS 428G* Generic Resource Form Ea. MAC Grp. Agency Rep MACS 429** Incident Priority Matrix MAC Group Coordinator MACS 430 Incident Priority List MAC Group Coordinator 2

37 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS FORM ADAPTATION, EXTENSION AND APPENDIXES The MACS Forms in this booklet are designed to serve all-hazards, cross-discipline needs for incident management across the state. These forms include the essential data elements for the MACS process they address, and create a foundation within MACS for complex incident, management activities. However, the flexibility and scalability of NIMS should allow for needs outside this foundation, so the following are possible mechanisms to add to, extend, or adapt MACS Forms when needed. Because the goal of NIMS and FIRESCOPE is to have a consistent approach to incident management and MACS, jurisdictions and disciplines are encouraged to use the MACS Forms as they are presented here unless these forms do not meet an organization s particular incident management needs for some unique reason. If changes are needed, the focus on essential information elements should remain; and, as such, the spirit and intent of particular fields or information elements on the MACS Forms should remain intact to maintain consistency. Modifications should be clearly indicated as deviations from or additional to the MACS Forms. The following approaches may be used to meet unique needs. MACS Form Adaptation When agencies and organizations require specialized forms or information for particular kinds of incidents, events, or disciplines, it may be beneficial to utilize the essential data elements from a particular MACS Form to create a more localized or field-specific form. When this occurs, organizations are encouraged to use the relevant essential data elements and MACS Form number, but to clarify that the altered form is a specific organizational adaptation of the form. For example, an altered form should clearly indicate in the title that it has been changed to meet a specific need; such as MACS 428G, Resource Allocation and Prioritization Worksheet, Adapted for Story County Hazmat Program. Extending MACS Form Fields Particular fields on a MACS Form may need to include further breakouts or additional related elements. If such additions are needed, the form itself should be clearly labeled as an adapted form (see above), and the additional sub-field numbers should be clearly labeled as unique to the adapted form. Letters or other indicators may be used to label the new sub-fields (if the block does not already include subfields). Examples of possible field additions are shown below for the MACS Form 405: Block 5: Resource Kind and Type Block 5A (adapted): Addition of unique security resource kinds and types Block 5B (adapted): Additional typing added beyond type 4, etc.). Creating MACS Form Appendixes Certain MACS Forms may require appendixes to include additional information elements needed by a particular jurisdiction or discipline. When an appendix is needed for a given form, it is expected that the jurisdiction or discipline will determine standardized fields for such an appendix and make the form available as needed. Any MACS Form appendixes should be clearly labeled with the form name and an indicator that it is a discipline-or jurisdiction-specific appendix. Appendix field numbering should begin following the last identified block in the corresponding MACS Form. 3

38 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS Mode: Agency Assessment Briefing Form (MACS 404) 2. Date: 3. Time: 4. Conference Call Time: 5. Agency: 6. Name: 7. Phone Number: 8. Jurisdiction Weather: 9. Incidents: Number: Vegetation: Grass Brush Timber Structure: Res. Comm./Ind. Other Other: 10. Incidents: Name: Type: Location: :Size: Percent Contained: Structures Lost/ Damaged: Resources Agencies Totals Kind of Resource Engines Dozers Crew Helicopters Airtankers Truck Cos. Rescue/Med. Water Tenders OH Personnel Total Personnel 11. Comments: 12.Approved by: Name: MACS 404 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 4

39 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 404 Agency Assessment Briefing Form Purpose: Provides the most current situational information and resource status of an incident(s) to include current and projected movement and location and projected changes, threats, losses, evacuations, injuries, deaths emergency worker commitments. Successes, failures, projected critical resource needs, major issues both operational and political. Preparation: Prepared by the MAC Group intelligence support section as provided by the incident ICS Form 209 and direct contact with the incident Planning Section. Distribution: MAC Group Members 5

40 July 1, 2009 MACS Resource Status Report (MACS 405) 1. Reporting Agency/Area: 2. Date: 3. Telephone: 4. Time: Item Type Kind 1 Engines 2 Dozers 3 Handcews 4 Helicopters 5 Air Tankers 6 Trucks 7 Rescue/Medical 8 Water Tenders 5. TITLE Totals Assigned Single Resource Available Single Resource (available for out-of-jurisdiction assignment) 6. Comments: Assigned Strike Teams Available Single Resource (available for out-of-jurisdiction assignment) 7. Approved by: Name: MACS 405 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 6

41 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 405 Resource Status Report Purpose: To inform the MAC Group of resource status by area/region or agency by kind and type of requested and deployed resources Preparation: Prepared and complied by the MAC Group Intelligence Section as acquired from Agency Emergency Coordination/Communication centers. Where standard computer assisted dispatching systems are in place it may be possible to gather this information through standardized reports, i.e., ROSS reports or similar systems as available. Distribution: MAC Group Members 7

42 July 1, 2009 MACS MOBILIZATION CENTER (MACS 421) 1. Date: 2. Time: This form must be completed if the MACS Group agrees to establish a Mobilization Center. 3. Purpose (reason for the center): 4. Location (physical place of the center): 5. Agency (agency and person responsible for operating the center): 6. Resources (who will provide the resources for the center): 7. Ordering (procedures for dispatching resources out of center): 8. Time (how long will center be in operation): 9. Finance (this section is to identify who [agency(s)] will be financially responsible for the cost of operating the center and for the resources in the center): Logistic Support (how will support costs for assigned resources be handled, etc.) Resource ordering: (Resource ordering and cost sharing while assigned to Mobilization Center): 10. Approved by: Name: MACS 421 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 8

43 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 421 Mobilization Center Purpose: To document a MAC Group decision to activate a Mobilization Center and the disbursement of related costs. For example, mobilization center logistical support, i.e., feeding and housing of assigned resources to include central point ordering responsibilities. Often requires a formal cost share agreement between participating agencies. Preparation: MAC Group Coordinator and/or MAC Group Chairperson. Cost share agreements are usually prepared by a financial support person. Distribution: MAC Group Members and agency financial officers 9

44 July 1, 2009 MACS Participating: Agency MACS ORGANIZATION (MACS 422) Name 2. Organization Chart: Agency Administrators/ MAC Group Members Agency Administrators/ MAC Group Members Agency Administrators/ MAC Group Members Coordination/Facilitation Intelligence and Investigation Incident Decision Support Geospatial and Specialized Technicians Internal MAC Support Finance and Accounting Aviation Resource Coordination (Mobilization/ Dispatch) Situation Information Public Info/JIC Facilities Resource Information Coordination Incident Potential Information Situation Information Resource Information Coordination Incident Potential Information Comms./IT Support Supplies Administrative Support 3. Approved by: Name: MACS 422 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 10

45 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 422 MACS Organization Purpose: MAC Group Organizational Structure. Assists supporting personnel, incidents and units within the assigned area of responsibility as to MAC Group structure and personnel assigned. Preparation: MAC Group Coordinator and/or MAC Group Chairperson Distribution: MAC Group membership and MAC Group information unit or Joint Information Center 11

46 July 1, 2009 MACS Briefing MAC Group Agenda (MACS 423) 2. Prioritize Incidents 3. Ensure Resource Status is current 4. Determine Agency Resources availability (in and out of jurisdiction) 5. Determine Agency Resource requirements 6. Allocate resources to incidents based on priorities 7. Determine need and designate Regional Mobilization Center 8. Anticipate future Agency/Regional Resource needs 9. Review policies/agreements for Regional Resource allocation 10. Communicate decisions back to agencies/incidents 11. Review need for other agencies involvement 12. Provide Liaison with out-of-region agencies as appropriate 13. Confirm date and time for next meeting MACS Group will handle immediate need requests as necessary 14. Approved by: Name: MACS 423 7/1/09 Signature: 12

47 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 423 MACS Group Agenda Purpose: Insure MAC Group members are aware of daily required agenda items. Develop schedule and timeline agreeable to membership and applicable to meeting incident needs. Preparation: MAC Group membership, facilitated by MAC Group Coordinator Distribution: MAC Group membership, incidents and supporting Agency Emergency Communication Centers 13

48 July 1, 2009 MACS Incident Threat Potential Summary (MACS 424) 1. Date: 2. Time: 3. Management Weather Summary: 4. Approved by: Name: MACS 424 7/1/09 Signature: 14

49 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 424 Incident Threat Potential Summary Purpose: To insure MAC Group members are situational aware of incident(s) status, threats, losses, projected magnitude, issue, concern and opportunities. Preparation: Prepared by MAC Group Intelligence Unit Distribution: MAC Group Membership 15

50 July 1, 2009 MACS Generic Engine (MACS 425G) 1. Date: 2. Time: Committed 3. Engines Available for OUT of JURISDICTION Response Type Region Region Region Total Open Req Approved by: Name: MACS 425G 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 16

51 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 425G Generic Engine (following statements apply to all generic resource status reporting forms) Purpose: Agency, upward reporting of resource status within their area of jurisdiction, indicating status of assigned resources as committed, available and number of open/unable to fill resource requests. Preparation: Each Agency or jurisdictional Emergency Communication Center, (ECC) completes and forwards Resource Status information to the next reporting level up such as an Operation Area ECC who intern completes a similar report for the Operational. Then submits their operational area report up to the Regional ECC then the Regional ECC sends their report on the Geographical Area ECC. Distribution: MAC Group Intelligence section prepares a final MACS Form 405 for the MAC Group area of responsibility 17

52 July 1, 2009 MACS Generic Air Resources (MACS 426G) 1. Date: 2. Time: Committed 3. Air Resources Available for OUT of JURISDICTION Response Type Air Tanker Helicopter Helitankers Total Open Req Total Open Req Total Open Req Approved by: Name: MACS 426G 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 18

53 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 426G Generic Air Resources (following statements apply to all generic resource status reporting forms) Purpose: Agency, upward reporting of resource status within their area of jurisdiction, indicating status of assigned resources as committed, available and number of open/unable to fill resource requests. Preparation: Each Agency or jurisdictional Emergency Communication Center, (ECC) completes and forwards Resource Status information to the next reporting level up such as an Operation Area ECC who intern completes a similar report for the Operational. Then submits their operational area report up to the Regional ECC then the Regional ECC sends their report on the Geographical Area ECC. Distribution: MAC Group Intelligence Section prepares a final MACS Form 405 for the MAC Group area of responsibility. 19

54 July 1, 2009 MACS Generic Handcrews, Dozers, Water Tenders (MACS 427G) 1. Date: 2. Time: Committed 3. Handcrews Available for OUT of JURISDICTION Response Type 1 Total Open Req Dozers Type Total Open Req Water Tenders Type Total Open Req Approved by: Name: MACS 427G 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 20

55 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 427G Generic Handcrews, Dozers, Water Tenders (following statements apply to all generic resource status reporting forms) Purpose: Agency, upward reporting of resource status within their area of jurisdiction, indicating status of assigned resources as committed, available and number of open/unable to fill resource requests. Preparation: Each Agency or jurisdictional Emergency Communication Center, (ECC) completes and forwards Resource Status information to the next reporting level up such as an Operation Area ECC who intern completes a similar report for the Operational. Then submits their operational area report up to the Regional ECC then the Regional ECC sends their report on the Geographical Area ECC. Distribution: MAC Group Intelligence section prepares a final MACS Form 405 for the MAC Group area of responsibility 21

56 July 1, 2009 MACS Generic Resource Form (MACS 428G) 1. Date: 2. Time: Committed Available for OUT of JURISDICTION Response 3. Type 1 Total Open Req Type 1 Total Open Req Approved by: Name: MACS 428G 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 22

57 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 428G Generic Resource Form (following statements apply to all generic resource status reporting forms) Purpose: Agency, upward reporting of resource status within their area of jurisdiction, indicating status of assigned resources as committed, available and number of open/unable to fill resource requests. Preparation: Each Agency or jurisdictional Emergency Communication Center, (ECC) completes and forwards Resource Status information to the next reporting level up such as an Operation Area ECC who intern completes a similar report for the Operational. Then submits their operational area report up to the Regional ECC then the Regional ECC sends their report on the Geographical Area ECC. Distribution: MAC Group Intelligence section prepares a final MACS Form 405 for the MAC Group area of responsibility 23

58 July 1, 2009 MACS Incident Priority Matrix (MACS 429) 1. Operational Period: Date From: Date To: Time From: Time To: 2. Incident Overall Ranking: Incident Name: 4. Agency: 5. Ratings (Current-Projected): Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Current Projected Life and Safety Threats-Pubic and Emergency Response Evacuations Road, Highway or Freeway Closures Extreme Fire Behavior/Weather Event/Natural Disaster Property Threatened and/or High Damage Structures (res, comm.,vac., other) Communities at Risk: Infrastructure, National, State, Local Resource Issues and Potential for Loss Historical and/or Cultural Resources Natural Resources Commercial Resources Potential for Economic Impact Incident Complexity/Duration Complex vs. Single Incident Potential for Timely Containment Overall Ratings of Incident (current and projected time periods) 6. Critical Resource Needs (First column is for ICS 209 critical needs and second column is for projected need or Resource Allocation use): Aircraft, Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotor-Wing Handcrews Bulldozers Wildland Engines Structure Engines Other Resources Kinds and Types Overhead 7. Approved by: Name: Macs 429 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time 24

59 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 429 Incident Priority Matrix Purpose: Decision tool assisting the MAC Group in ranking incidents based on agreed upon criteria; results in a numerical ranking which assists the MAC Group establishing incident priorities and ultimately high priority incidents will receive at least some of the critical resources they ve requested. Preparation: MAC Group as a whole completes this document daily, usually facilitated by a MAC Group Coordinator and Recorder. Once incident priorities are established, the information is shared with Incident Commanders prior to their operational planning meetings. Distribution: MAC Group members and Incident Commanders only. It is not recommended this information be shared with the media as routine matter. Release to the media should always be approved through the MAC Group. 25

60 July 1, 2009 MACS Incident Priority List (MACS 430) 1. Date: 2. Time: 3. Priority: 4. Incident Name: 5. Jurisdiction: 6. Comments: 7. Approved by: Name: MACS 430 7/1/09 Signature: Date/Time: 26

61 July 1, 2009 MACS MACS 430 Incident Priority List Purpose: Document used to share incident priorities as determined by the MAC Group with Incident Commanders, agency administrators and other parties as determined by the MAC Group Preparation: MAC Group and MAC Group Coordinator Distribution: MAC Group members, Incident Commanders, affected agencies and agency administrators as determined by the MAC Group. 27

62 APPENDIX E Northern California Geographic Area Multi-Agency Coordination Group Operations Guide May 2014 E-1

63 NORCAL MAC Northern California Multi-Agency Coordinating Group NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION GROUP (NorCal MAC) OPERATIONS GUIDE May 2014 E-2

64 Table of Contents CONTENTS... 1 INTRODUCTION... 2 NorCal MAC's Role... 2 NorCal MAC Organization... 3 MACS Modes of Operation... 5 Preparedness Levels... 5 NorCal MAC CONFERENCE CALLS/MEETINGS... 8 Conference Calls... 8 Meetings... 9 REPORTS... 9 Incident Status Summary (ICS 209)... 9 Resource Drawdown Status Reports NorCal MAC PRIORITY SETTING PROCEDURES APPENDIX A: CONFERENCE CALL FORMAT APPENDIX B: BRIEFING REPORT FORMAT APPENDIX C: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES NorCal MAC Coordinator Liaison Officer NorCal MAC Information Officer/Unit APPENDIX D: COMMUNICATION PLAN (to be developed) APPENDIX E: DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE (to be developed) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 1

65 INTRODUCTION The disastrous wildfires occurring in California in 1987 brought together firefighting resources from nearly all government levels within the geographic area, and nationally. Resources from within California were depleted within 48 hours, making it necessary to activate inter-state agreements, the National Guard, and mobilize local agency firefighting resources. While the responsibility for extinguishing these fires lay with the USFS, CAL FIRE, BLM, NPS, FWS, BIA, tribes, and local government, the drain on resources affected local agencies within California and wildland agencies in the western United States. This kind of resource commitment and utilization requires close coordination to assure that: Scarce or limited resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Participating agencies may provide resources and maintain their ability to carry out their mission. Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information are available for geographic area planning, Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information are available for the media and the public. Decisions are documented and tracked so that proper financial management can occur and financial responsibility is determined. NorCal MAC's ROLE As a means of achieving coordination in Northern California during multiple major incidents, the Northern California wildland fire protection agencies use the Multi-Agency Coordination System, or MACS. The MACS was developed by FIRESCOPE/CAL OES Board of Directors as a standardized business process for prioritizing the assignment of resources to multiple major wildland fires. The following chart shows the NorCal MAC organization and its relationship to the local units, the member agencies, the Southern California geographic area MAC group and the statewide California MAC (CalMAC) group. Federal and State agencies/government, and sometimes County and Local governments, are represented during Preparedness Levels 4 or 5. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 2

66 CalMAC Liaison or Group NorCal MAC Liaison Officer NorCal MAC Coordinator NorCal MAC Information Officer NorCal MAC Group Contract County,(MRN) 1 BLM 2 USFS BIA 2 CAL FIRE NPS 2 FWS 2 CAL OES Dotted line denotes the agencies that could be represented during Preparedness Levels 4 and 5. This list is not all inclusive. 1 Represented by Cal Fire during most activations. 2 Represented by a single Department of Interior representative during most activations. The Northern California Multi-Agency Coordination group (NorCal MAC) acts as the geographic area authority to: Evaluate incident situation status reports and organizational resource status reports, as provided by the Northern California geographic area units. Provide oversight for geographic area allocation of scarce and/or limited resources based on established priorities. Develop geographic area incident priorities and submit to CalMAC for evaluation and inclusion in national incident priorities. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 3

67 Additional NorCal MAC responsibilities include: Review and approve pre-positioning plans and/or establishment of interagency mobilization centers, including pertinent cost-share agreements Gather and maintain geographic area situation status information. Enhance state and federal disaster assistance efforts. Enhance political interfaces. Review need for participation of other agencies in NorCal MAC. Provide necessary liaison with out-of-state/region facilities or agencies as appropriate. Recommend improvements to NorCal MAC operations. The NorCal MAC group is normally activated when emergency incidents significantly impact or involve agencies within Northern California. Agency representatives with jurisdictional responsibility, or which are heavily supporting the effort, or are being significantly impacted by the shortage of local resources at the GACC/Region level, may be brought together as NorCal MAC. NorCal MAC will be briefed on the geographic area situation. Then NorCal MAC will make key decisions regarding the sharing and use of scarce/limited resources geographic area. This normally occurs in a face-to-face meeting. NorCal MAC representatives or their designees shall have full, delegated authority to represent their agency to: Assist and advise on prioritizing incidents. Establish resource allocation priorities. Commit to expenditure of emergency funds. The NorCal MAC organization will normally include representatives from: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection United States Forest Service Department of Interior Cal OES, Fire & Rescue Branch Local government and/or contract County representation as needed Other organizations may be invited to participate if the NorCal MAC agencies feel that their participation would improve the incident prioritization and resource allocation process. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 4

68 MACS MODES OF OPERATION There are four operating modes under the Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS). These modes apply to California MACS operations at CAL FIRE Southern Region/Southern Operations Geographical Area in Riverside and CAL FIRE Northern Region/Northern Operations Geographical Area in Redding (reference the current MACS Procedures Guide, MACS for operational intent). Modes are a reflection of regional emergency, incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted fire weather patterns. Modes indicate the need for the North and South MAC groups to take actions in providing resource information and participate in MACS activities. Activities include conducting Mode 3 conference calls and the Mode 4 operational meetings. PREPAREDNESS LEVELS California Wildfire Coordinating Group (CWCG) has established a Preparedness Plan consisting of five Preparedness Levels (reference the California Mobilization Guide, Section 23.11). Preparedness levels are similar to the MACS Modes in the fact that they are based on incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted fire weather patterns. Preparedness levels include the full range of wildland fire activities, prescribed fire and fire use and are more strategic in nature. This ensures that fire protection responsibilities and prescribed fire use do not exceed statewide wildland fire capabilities, and are coordinated with state and national wildland fire activities. Preparedness levels are determined by situational criteria that determine specific actions and the responsible party. The preparedness levels can restrict prescribed fire and/or fire use activities in order to ensure adequate resources are available to the emergency situation. Geographic area preparedness levels will be monitored and managed by the CAL FIRE California Northern Region (CNR) and federal agencies Operations Northern California (ONC) in Redding, hereafter referenced as North Ops, for Preparedness Levels 1, 2, and 3. The determination of these levels will represent a consensus of the Interagency Coordinators from the Forest Service, Interior, Governor s Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Division, and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. North Ops will coordinate with South Ops (the CAL FIRE s Southern Region [C] and federal agencies Operations Southern California [OSC] in Riverside) during Preparedness Levels 1,2, and 3. NorCal MAC and SoCal MAC will independently monitor and establish their geographic Modes and Preparedness Levels. When competition for resources starts to occur between the two GACCs/Regions, CWCG will be kept appraised of changes in activity. North Ops and South Ops will contact the Chair of CWCG when conditions exist that warrant moving above Preparedness Level 3 statewide. Statewide preparedness Levels 4 and 5 will be declared by a consensus of the members of the CWCG/CalMAC. The Chair of CWCG will contact the CalMAC member representatives to develop consensus on the recommendation and report the result to the North Ops and South Ops. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 5

69 MACS MODES OF OPERATION Mode 1 Reflects a non-critical statewide situation. In general, there are no major or multiple incidents that would require extended use of multi-agency resources. This mode reflects a typical non-fire season operation for wildland fire agencies. Mode 2 Reflects normal fire season operations. While isolated major incidents may occur, there is no significant impact on regional or statewide resources. Mode 3 Reflect a serious situation or the potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be a high potential incident, which involves the use of resources from multiple agencies. Generally, a Mode 3 would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring simultaneously, or when the potential for a regional or statewide emergency situation exists. Severe winter weather conditions; a forecast for Santa Ana winds, or a tsunami warning could be sufficient to initiate a Mode 3. The major commitment of fire suppression resources in region to an outof-region incident would warrant a Mode 3. CWCG PREPAREDNESS LEVEL Level 1 Few or no Class A, B, and C wildland fires. Minimal or no commitment of interagency resources to suppression activities. Current and short-range predictions for low to moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are not occurring. Level 2 Numerous Class A, B, and C wildland fires. Local commitment of interagency resources for initial attack, fuels projects and wildland fire used for resource benefit. Current and short-term weather predictions for moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are of minimal to low impact. Level 3 High potential for Class D and larger fires to occur, with several active Class A, B, and C fires. Mobilization of agency and interagency resources within the GACC/Region, but minimal mobilization between or outside of GACCs/Regions. Current and short-term forecasted fire danger is moving from medium to high or very high. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations starting to compete for interagency contingency resources. Agencies still above drawdown levels for suppression resource, but starting to have difficulty maintaining sufficient resources to meet initial attack responsibilities, project fire support, and fuel projects/prescribed fire requirements without prioritizing or using non-local support. Some critical resource needs are starting to be identified. Mode 4 Signifies the existence of a total regional or Level 4 Continuing initial attack activity and Class D or larger fires are common in statewide area effort where resource use one or both GACCs/Regions. Resource ordering and mobilization of priorities require a concerted multi-agency coordination effort. A statewide MAC operation may be established in Sacramento, while the Regional MAC Operations would be activated in Riverside (South Operations) and /or in personnel is occurring between GACCs/Regions. Current and short-term weather forecasts are for high to very high fire danger. The long range forecast for the next week indicates continued high fire danger. Local units may implement new fuel/wildland fire use/prescribed fire projects, but operational and contingency resources must be provided by the agency or Redding (North Operations). Agency by local arrangements. Actual and long range fire weather forecasts predict representatives, by either conference call or in high to very high fire danger. Significant potential exists for moving into person at the coordination center, should be extreme fire danger for most of the GACC/Region. Personnel and authorized to speak and commit resources for their agency. resources at minimum drawdown levels, especially for initial attack. Fuels projects and prescribed fires can only be implemented with agency contingency resources or special arrangements within the local units. Mobilization and resource orders are occurring for suppression assignments within the GACC/Region and between GACCs/Regions. Ref: MACS (April 25, 2011) Level 5 NorCal MAC is fully activated. Agencies are below drawdown levels. Class D and larger fires are common in the North GACC/Region. North GACC/Region cannot fill many outstanding resource requests and are sending these orders to NICC. Use of local government resources is common. Reassignment of personnel and resources between incidents is common. Current and short-range weather forecasts predict very high to extreme fire danger. Long range forecasts for the next week for North GACC/Region indicates continued very high to extreme fire danger. Activation of National Guard or military personnel and resources is being considered or has been done. Orders for California resources are causing the state to drop below agency drawndown levels. State and Local government personnel are being used to fill in state and out-of-state resource orders. Actual and long range fire danger predictions are for very high or extreme. Personnel and resources are at or below agency minimum drawdown levels. Ref: CAL MOB Guide CAL FIRE 8100 Procedure No. 114 May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 6

70 PL1: PL2: PL3: Reflects a non-critical geographic area situation. In general, there are no major or multiple incidents that would require extended use of multi-agency equipment. This mode reflects typical non-fire season operations. Reflects normal fire season operations. While there may be potential for an isolated major incident to occur, there is no significant impact on outside agency resources or the ability to support outside agencies in day-to-day operations. Reflects a serious situation or a high potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be multiple major incidents that result in competition for the use of multi-agency resources. Generally, a PL3 condition would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring in North Ops and/or South Ops simultaneously. A PL3 could be established if a high potential for a serious situation existed. An example is severe weather forecast (sustained foehn-north winds, lightning, etc.). Another situation that might warrant a PL3 would be significant commitment of California resources out-of-state. The decision to implement PL3 is agreed upon by the USFS Duty Chief and the CAL FIRE Deputy Director for Fire Protection at the GACC/Region. Under PL3, coordination efforts would intensify with all fire protection agencies. An internal MAC organization will operate as needed at North Ops. However, it would not normally include statewide priority setting or resource allocation. PL4: Reflects the existence of an all-out geographic area effort where resource use priorities require a concerted multi-agency coordination effort. A PL4 condition might exist when multiple major incidents are occurring in Northern California and there is some competition for resources between NOPS and SOPS. NorCal MAC may be activated by consensus of the membership. When NorCal MAC group is activated, it will coordinate efforts with South Ops/SoCal MAC and CalMAC groups. If implemented: 1. Consider pre-positioning resources within state. 2. Provide NICC, South Ops, and CalMAC with fire priorities and other pertinent information. 3. Alert units through normal channels of the possibility of going to Preparedness Level Conference calls are established to provide geographic area coordination of the recommendations of the NorCal MAC group. Conference call will be scheduled to complement activities of other MAC groups. (See Conference Call Format.) PL5: NorCal MAC group is fully activated. Geographic area and/or national resources are heavily committed, or have potential to be exhausted. Military support may be mobilized. Normally CalMAC will be activated simultaneously, as well as SoCal MAC. Under PL5, NorCal MAC operations WILL be established at Northern California Service Center (NCSC). May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 7

71 Functions of NorCal MAC in PL5 are: Prioritize incidents within the geographic area and allocate resources based on operational need. Evaluate incidents based on the following factors: - Life and safety threats to public or firefighter, - Property threatened and/or high damage potential, - Resource issues and potential for loss - Incident complexity/duration Ensure that agency resource situation status is current. Determine specific agency resource capabilities and/or needs (drawdown). Determine agency resource availability (available for out-of-jurisdiction assignment). Determine need for and designate mobilization centers and associated cost-share agreement(s) as appropriate. Anticipate future geographic area resource needs. Communicate NorCal MAC "decisions" back to agencies/gaccs/calmac/nmac. Initiate and fill liaison positions to facilitate communication as needed with military, state and local government, FEMA, CHP, CalTrans, etc. Decisions to move to Preparedness Level 3 and above should be documented. Changes in the Preparedness Level need to be communicated to the field units, shared with SOPS, NICC, and agency managers. Change to Preparedness Level 3 and above will be relayed to the forests and units using normal notification procedures. NORCAL MAC CONFERENCE CALLS/MEETINGS Official NorCal MAC meetings will normally be conducted in-person at the Northern California Service Center facilities. Conference Calls Coordination and sharing of information is paramount during higher Preparedness Levels. A multitude of conference Calls are set up during higher Preparedness Levels and from year to year the timeframes will change. The following is an example Conference Call Schedule for North Ops. Conference Call Phone Number/Access Code Time IC Calls 0800 National Coords 0830 NorCal MAC 0900 Northern Operations 1100 National MAC Wednesdays 1200 CAL OES Region III 1500 SOPS/NOPS Priorities 1530 CWCG/CalMAC May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 8

72 NorCal MAC Coordinator will facilitate a Northern Operations conference call daily. This call is interagency in nature, including all forests/units and incidents in North Ops. The format for Northern Operations conference calls is included in Appendix A at the end of this Guide. The purpose of these calls is to: Receive a timely update on incident activity, and resource status. Outline potential resource needs. Discuss and establish geographic area incident and resource allocation priorities. Identify and resolve concerns and problems. North Ops and South Ops have a conference call at 1530 to exchange intelligence and geographic area priorities. The CalMAC Coordinator will facilitate a CalMAC conference call daily at 1630 hours. During this call the membership of CalMAC will review the statewide priorities recommended by NOPS and SOPS. After evaluation and approval the statewide priorities will be disseminated and implemented by the respective GACCs/Regions. NorCal MAC Meetings The NorCal MAC group will normally meet twice daily to re-evaluate the geographic area situation and to update incident priorities. Meetings will be held in either the Fire Weather Briefing Room in the Operations Building at NCSC or the large upstairs CAL FIRE conference room in the Administration Building at NCSC. Either facility has sufficient dedicated workspace for a period of up to two weeks without disrupting the facility s normal business. The facility provides conference rooms, individual workstations with telephones for agency representatives and is close to motel and meal facilities. In order to conduct efficient business, a Briefing Report will be prepared and provided to the participants at least 30 minutes prior to each scheduled meeting. The NorCal MAC Coordinator in conducting the NorCal MAC meeting will use the Briefing Report. The format for the NorCal MAC Briefing Report is included in Appendix B at the end of this Guide. REPORTS Accurate and timely information is critical to the decision-making process. The following are the reports that will be needed by the NorCal MAC group in order to perform their duties: INCIDENT ATUS SUMMARY (ICS 209) Initial Report 1. Any incident that would significantly affect agency resource availability. 2. Any incident that would be of particular interest to the California Multi-Agency Coordination group. Update Report 1. Once each established operational period; i.e hours and 1800 hours. 2. Upon special request by NorCal MAC. Final Report 1. When the incident no longer has any significant effect on agency resource availability. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 9

73 INCIDENT CRITICAL NEEDS REPORT: For each incident, number of open requests for each kind and type of resource. DRAWDOWN REPORT BY AGENCY: ATUS FOR ENGINES, FIRE CREWS, AIRTANKERS, AND HELICOPTERS (Reported to the GACC Intelligence Section and summarized for the NorCal MAC) # Committed/#Available Location By Kind By Type NorCal MAC PRIORITY SETTING PROCEDURES The assignment of incident priorities for resource allocation is the primary product of the NorCal MAC process. Incidents are ranked in priority order and include the criteria considered in determining the ranking. This information is used by the GACC's to determine the allocation of resources to incidents. The following are the steps required to develop geographic area incident priorities: 1. Acquire information regarding incident situation and resource needs. Incident priorities should be directly related to resource needs and meeting operational objectives. Weather Major fires - uncontained, with potential resource threat. Name, location, acreage, Type I or II incident management team and IC name, fuel type. Resource Status - Airtankers, Helicopters, Air Attack, by agency, kind, type, and location. - Engines by Agency and Type * Committed by incident * Mobilization center reserves (if appropriate) * Uncommitted and available by affected organizations or state mutual aid regions (major fire jurisdictions) - Hand Crews by Agency and Type * Committed by incident * Mobilization center reserves * Uncommitted and available at home base - Dozers Available (agency only) 2. Acquire Special Information: Anything that is of interest to NorCal MAC and would influence decision-making, such as: "Campbell fire is burning toward federal DPA", or "CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit is experiencing a series of small lightning-caused fires. 3. Standard Evaluation Criteria Used to Determine Incident Priorities and their ratings are defined below: (Ensure all new emerging or initial attack incidents have priority over existing incidents. If an item is not applicable for an incident, it carries a value of zero. Total maximum score is 60.) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 10

74 A. Life and Safety Threats (Public and Emergency Responders) (maximum score is 15) Definition: Events which increase complexity, resulting in high potential for serious injury and/or death. A.1 Evacuations Rating In Progress 5 Precautionary 3-4 Potential (48-72 hrs) or Completed 1-2 A.2 Road, Highway or Freeway Closures Rating Major Highway or Freeway 4-5 State Routes or Improved Roadways 2-3 Potential for Closures hrs 1 A.3 Extreme Fire Behavior, Weather Event, Natural or Human Caused Disasters Rating Occurring or Predicted to Continue (24 hrs) 5 Predicted hrs 3-4 Occurring but Predicted to Diminish 1-2 B. Property Threatened and/or High Damage (Next 48 hours) (maximum score is 15) Definition: This category relates to potential for damage or actual impact to Communities or other high value investments that contribute to dwellings, commercial workplaces and critical infrastructure that supports human life, income or support to the general population. Threats under this category should not be listed unless there is significant potential to impact these elements and an eminent threat is recognized within a 48-hour timeframe. B.1 Structures (residential, commercial, vacation or other) Rating < B.2 Community Loss (within 48 hours) Rating Potential for >75% Community Loss 5 Potential for 50-75% Community Loss 4 Potential for 25-50% Community Loss 3 Potential for <25% Community Loss 1-2 B.3 Infrastructure National, State, Local (Power Lines, Energy Corridors, Domestic Water Systems, Communications Grid, Railroads, etc ) Rating Systems shutdown and/or damaged 5 Potential threat hrs 3-4 Potential threat 72+ hrs 1-2 C. Resource Issues and Potential for Loss (maximum total points is 20) Definition: Resource concerns can vary widely depending on place and type of resource considered. Each of the below items must be carefully considered in its relation to both local/regional or national significance and may have economic impact at local or regional levels. Resources that are not commercial should be considered in the Natural Resources category rather than in both Natural and Commercial Resources. Consider timeframes and proximity when rating. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 11

75 Rating C.1 Historical and Significant Cultural Resources 1-5 C.2 Natural Resources (T&E Species Hab., Watershed, Forest Health, Soils, Airshed, etc.) 1-5 C.3 Commercial Resources (Grazing, Timber, Agricultural Crops, etc.) 1-5 C.4 Potential for Economic Impact (Tourism i.e. fishing, hunting; loss of jobs, etc.) 1-5 D. Incident Complexity/Duration (maximum total points is 10) Definition: Multiple incidents or complex of incidents versus a single incident have a way of making prioritization setting difficult. However, it is common enough that it needs to be included in the process. Attention needs to be given to travel distances, support to incident personnel and logistical challenges not always associated with a single incident. Timely containment implies that if all critical resource needs from the 209 were met, then containment objectives would be met within the specified timeframes indicated. Containment at an early date is beneficial during high activity periods and would result in earlier resource reassignment opportunities to supplement Initial Attack or to assist other incidents. D.1 Complex vs. Single Incident Rating 5+ incidents or >25,000 acres incidents or 5-25,000 acres incidents or <5,000 acres 1 D.2 Potential for Timely Containment Rating <72 hrs days days days 2 Unknown or long term management 1 4. Identify critical resource needs for the incident: the first column titled Current (CR) is to identify current critical resource needs and the second column titled Projected (PR) can be used for projected critical resource needs from the incident or resource allocation by the MAC group: AF = Aircraft, Fixed-wing (air tankers, lead planes, air attack, IR, etc.) AR= Aircraft, Rotor-wing (Type 1, 2 or 3) HC= Handcrews by Type BD= Bulldozers WE= Wildland Engines by Type SE = Structural Engines by Type MR = Multiple Resource Types NOTE: Initial attack, new starts, and life-threatening situations override geographic area priorities. 5. Establish New Geographic Area Priorities: Example MACS 429 (to be included in the Daily Documentation Package) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 12

76 6. Decision Process: Priorities will be set by a consensus of the NorCal MAC group members and documented by signature. Notify NICC or National MAC Group Coordinator of Northern California Geographic Area priorities when CalMAC is not activated. NorCAL MAC Coordinator is responsible. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 13

77 APPENDIX A Northern California Operations Conference Call Format Purpose of Call: To share information and identify critical issues and concerns. *Please mute your phones to reduce background noise on the call* Agenda: Roll Call - IC or designee and/or duty chief introduction Preparedness Level and Resource Availability (NOPS PL; SOPS PL; NICC PL; where the geographic area is in national priority) Weather WFDSS Incident Commander's briefing. Include only information that has changed from your most recent 209: 1. Acreage and % contained 2. Injuries and or accidents 3. Critical needs Specific number and kind of resources and why? Orders placed? Critical air support to meet today s objectives. 4. Status of evacuations and/or closures 5. Social /political 6. Critical infrastructure 7. What is threatened in the next 24 hours 8. Incident Strategy and Significant events 9. Priority fires within complex (if applicable) How many fires are staffed/unstaffed Supporting Expanded/ECC Issues needing clarification Unable to Fill Orders GACC Dispatch/Coordination Issues needing clarification Agency Administrator, Fire Management Officer, Duty Chief, or Comments or concerns Line Officers Comments or concerns Wrap up, Are there any comments from agency or state headquarters? Next call date and time May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 14

78 CONFERENCE CALL ROLL CALL FORTUNA HUU F HIA RWP MENDOCINO UNIT MEU MENDOCINO FORE MNF SONOMA LAKE NAPA LNU MARIN COUNTY MRN SANTA CLARA SCU SAN MATEO SANTA CRUZ CZU YREKA SKU KNF MODOC MDF SUSANVILLE LMU LNF NOD LNP REDDING SHU SHF WNP TEHAMA GLENN TGU PLUMAS PNF BUTTE BTU GRASS VALLEY NEU TNF LAKE TAHOE BASIN TMU CAMINO AEU ENF FIRE WEATHER CAL OES USFS R5 DOI SOUTH OPS NORTHERN REGION SACRAMENTO OTHERS: (Consider adding Fire Rescue Mutual Aid Regions 2 and 3 as they are in NOPS and represent local government fire resources and their availability.) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 15

79 WEATHER SUMMARY APPENDIX B BRIEFING REPORT FORMAT CALIFORNIA MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION GROUP GEOGRAPHIC AREA FIRE SITUATION REPORT (DATE and TIME of report) Report general weather conditions in this section. Red Flag conditions are headlined at the beginning of the section. The rest of the paragraph (or 2) describes the general weather conditions in California. The focus is on those changes in conditions that will affect either going or potential fire business. PREDICTIVE SERVICES WEEKLY OUTLOOK A Weekly Outlook is produced by the Predictive Service Units at each GACC. The Weekly Outlook combines fire danger, predicted weather, and resource availability for a projection of resource needs. GEOGRAPHIC AREA SITUATION This section provides a brief overview of the fire picture in the state. General comments on resource status, drawdown, new resources, and critical shortages are included. A general description of the fire problem is included. This section is relatively short and is formatted for easy reading (bullet points, indenting, occasional capital letters, etc.). May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 16

80 CURRENT RESOURCE ATUS This table gives a quick summary of resource status by primary providing agency. The adjectives are general and are intended to give a relative picture of the drawdown status of the various resources. This table should be updated with information provided by the NorCal MAC members prior to each NorCal MAC conference call or meeting. CAL OES reports status for all CAL OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regions. Example: Resource CNR ONC C OSC OES I Type 3-4 Engines OES II OES III OES IV OES V OES VI CNA Local Govt. Engines Fire Crews Dozers Air Tankers MAFFS Helicopters There is no resource drawdown (fully staffed with minimal commitment to initial attack). Initial attack success is highly probable. 1 Resource drawdown is Moderate (approximately two/thirds of resources available). Initial attack success is likely. 2 Resource drawdown is Significant (approximately one half of resources available). Initial attack success is marginal. 3 Resource drawdown is Critical (approximately one third of resources available). Initial attack success is questionable. There are insufficient resources to support any new major fires. N No resources of this type available. NOTE: CNR - CAL FIRE Northern Region; C - CAL FIRE Southern Region; ONC Federal California Northern Operations; OSC Federal California Southern Operations May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 17

81 NATIONAL FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY The National Fire Summary is a brief description of the fire picture outside of California, which can be provided by the NMAC Liaison. This information helps the NorCal MAC coordinators anticipate resource shortages in other parts of the country that will affect operations in California. This section normally includes a resource summary (if possible) and a fire activity summary. SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS This section gives a brief description of each incident having geographic area significance. The first portion is a brief narrative of the fire activity, life and property exposures, demobilization status, and other items of general interest and importance to NorCal MAC. This is followed by a brief summary of resources committed. Example: Fountain (SHU 4733 Shasta County - 25 miles NE of Redding) Acres: 64,000 Containment: 30% (and expected containment) Date and Time Started: 8/20/01 12:50 p.m. Cause: Under Investigation Injuries: Structures Destroyed: 210 dwellings, 249 misc. other Structures/Critical Infrastructure Threatened: None Evacuation Status: Evacuations took place Monday morning (8/24) in the Fern Rd. and Oak Run areas. Resources Committed: Engines: 35 CAL FIRE, 55 USFS, 2 NPS, 76 Local, 5 BLM, 25 CAL OES, Dozers: 4 CAL FIRE, 65 PVT Fire Crews: 33 CAL FIRE, 24 USFS, 2 BLM, 8 CCC, 9 BIA, 8 Local Counties Airtankers: 5 Helicopters: 1 CAL FIRE, 2 USFS, 8 PVT Total Personnel: 2337 Significant Events/Fire Behavior: Continues to burn vigorously as strong NE winds, low humidity, and temperatures near 90 degrees continue to hinder suppression. Critical Resource Needs: Lead plane May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 18

82 APPENDIX C NorCal MAC POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following are the duties and responsibilities of the various NorCal MAC staff positions. These positions will be activated and filled as needed by the NorCal MAC Group. The Chair of the CWCG with the consensus of the members shall assign qualified personnel to these positions. NorCal MAC COORDINATOR The NorCal MAC Coordinator serves as a facilitator in organizing and accomplishing the mission, goals and direction of the NorCal MAC group. This person coordinates the NorCal MAC functions and assures the proper relationships between NorCal MAC group, and GACC s and regional command centers. The Coordinator shall: Fill and supervise necessary unit and support positions in accordance with workload and situation complexity. Manage the NorCal MAC facility; ensure equipment necessary to carry out NorCal MAC functions is available. Facilitate the NorCal MAC group decision-making process by ensuring the development and display of information that will assist Agency Representatives in keeping abreast of the total situation. Provide data necessary for priority setting and resource allocation. Facilitate the daily NorCal MAC schedule. Document formal proceedings, such as conference calls or in-person meetings, and distribute copies of documentation to all NorCal MAC representatives. Responsible for final documentation package of MAC proceedings. LIAISON OFFICER The Liaison Officer is a function of NorCal MAC and is a point of contact for assisting and cooperating agencies. Refer to the ICS Liaison Officer description. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 19

83 NorCal MAC INFORMATION OFFICER/UNIT The NorCal MAC Information Officer or Unit is assigned to handle the information management needs of NorCal MAC when the NorCal MAC group feels that the volume of requests for information about NorCal MAC and its functions exceeds the ability of the NorCal MAC representatives to handle those requests. The NorCal MAC Joint Information Center (JIC) is not intended to serve as a single, geographic area source for all information concerning all incidents. Responsibilities of the NorCal MAC Information Officer/Unit involve establishing and operating a JIC to provide the public, media, and other governmental agencies with information about the Northern California MAC and to provide summary information about incidents within the geographic area. The Northern California JIC will refer the media and other government agencies to established Incident Information Officers or to agency sources for detailed information. Activation of this position would normally occur only when and where NorCal MAC conducts business face-to-face at a designated facility. Duties: 1. Obtain briefing from the NOPS Intelligence Coordinator and the NorCal MAC Coordinator based on ICS-209 forms. Prepare summary information for NorCal MAC members and provide this information to the media as requested. The following are the types of information the Northern California JIC should prepare for distribution. Tactical or specific operational information or any other information that might be sensitive from an agency standpoint will not be released. Examples of the type of information to be prepared are: Total number of major incidents. Total number of personnel and suppression resources assigned. Actions being taken to mobilize out-of-state resources. General geographic location and names of major incidents. Names of Incident Commanders will not be released to the media unless specifically requested. Fire agencies with jurisdictional responsibility for each incident, and names of assisting agencies. Costs of suppression and damage, if known. Total number of injuries for each fire Summary of fire weather conditions and predicted fire behavior and associated suppression problems. Individual Incident Information Officer s name and phone numbers, or phone numbers of the appropriate agency contact for on-site information. NOTE: Estimated levels of personnel and resources still available for initial attack will not be released to the news media. 2. Media and VIP visits to the Northern California Service Center should be controlled. The NorCal JIC Manager should refer the media and VIPs to the appropriate NorCal MAC member agency PIO. Those persons can arrange for visits to agency dispatch centers and/or to incident fire information centers. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 20

84 If media visits to the NorCal MAC Center do occur, the NorCal MAC Information Officer should provide them with information on the function of NorCal MAC and a summary of current priority incidents. The NorCal MAC JIC Manger should stress the multi-agency participation essential to the NorCal MAC function. 3. The NorCal MAC JIC Manager should assist in arranging news conferences, briefings, preparing informational materials, etc., when requested to do so by the NorCal MAC group or NorCal MAC Coordinator. May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 21

85 APPENDIX D NorCal MAC Communication Plan (to be developed) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 22

86 APPENDIX E NorCal MAC Documentation Package (to be developed) May 2014 NorCal MAC Operations Guide Page 23

87 APPENDIX F Southern California Geographic Area Multi-Agency Coordination Group Operations Guide August 2010 F-1

88 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION GROUP (MAC) OPERATIONS GUIDE August 2010 F-2

89 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...1 Southern CA MAC Role...1 Southern CA MAC Organization...1 MAC POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILIES.. 3 Southern California MAC Coordinator Liaison Officer...4 Southern California MAC Information Officer/Unit.. 4 MACS MODES AND PREPARDNESS LEVELS...5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAC CONFERENCE CALLS/MEETINGS Conference Calls Meetings REPORTS Incident Status Summary (ICS 209) Incident Critical Needs Report Resource Draw-Down Reports by Agency SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAC PRIORITY SETTING PROCEDURES APPENDIX A: MACS MODE 3 CONERENCE CALL FORMAT 17 APPENDIX B: MAC MODE 4 AGENDA APPENDIX C: BRIEFING REPORT FORMAT APPENDIX D: CURRENT RESOURCE ATUS..25 APPENDIX E: SITUATIONAL ANALY BRIEFING FORM APPENDIX F: ICS AND MAC FORMS..27 Incident Status Summary (ICS 209)...28 Agency Assessment Briefing Form (MACS 404) Resource Status Report (MACS 405). 30 Generic Engine (MACS 425G) Generic Air Resources (MACS 426G) Generic Handcrews, Dozers, Watertenders (MACS427G) 33 Generic Resource Form (MACS 428G).34 Incident Priority Rating Matrix (MACS 429).. 35 Incident Priority List (MACS 430) 36 Mobilization Centers...37 APPENDIX G: COMMUNICATION PLAN (to be developed) APPENDIX H: DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE (to be developed)..39 i

90 INTRODUCTION The disastrous wildfires occurring within California in 1987 required the activation of firefighting resources from the California Northern and Southern geographic areas and nearly all of the various government level geographic areas nationally. Due to the expansion of fire activity during that period, fire suppression resources from within California became effectively depleted within the short time span of just 48 hours; thereby making it necessary to activate established inter-state agreements, the National Guard and local agency firefighting resources. While the responsibility for extinguishing these fires lay primarily with the USFS, CAL FIRE, BLM and NPS, the commitment of deployed resources affected both local fire agencies within California and wildland fire agencies throughout the western United States. This kind of resource commitment and utilization requires close coordination to assure that: Scarce or limited resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Participating agencies may provide resources and maintain their ability to carry out their mission. Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information are available for geographic area planning, Timely and accurate incident intelligence and information are available for the media and the public. Decisions are documented and tracked so that proper financial management can occur and financial responsibility is determined. Southern California MAC Role As a means of achieving coordination in Southern California during multiple major incidents, the Southern California wildland fire protection agencies use the Multi-Agency Coordination System, or MACS. The MACS was developed by the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors/CAL OES Advisory Board as a standardized business process for prioritizing the assignment of resources to multiple major wildland fires. The following chart shows the Southern California MAC organization and its relationship to the local units, the member agencies, the southern California geographic area MAC Group and the statewide California MAC (Cal MAC) Group. Southern California MAC Group Organizational Chart Cal Fire Agency Administrator (South Ops) CA Emergency Management Agency- Fire and Rescue Agency Administrator (South Ops) Cal MAC Group/Liaison Southern California MAC Coordinator (CA Emergency Management Agency- Fire and Rescue) U.S. Forest Service- Fire and Aviation Agency Administrator (South Ops) U.S. Dept. of Interior Fire and Aviation Agency Administrator (South Ops) Southern CA MAC Group DOD Liaison Los Angeles Fire Department MAC Member Los Angeles County Fire Department MAC Member Santa Barbara County Fire Department MAC Member Orange County Fire Department MAC Member Ventura County Fire Department MAC Member Cal Fire MAC Member U.S. Forest Service MAC Member U.S. Dept. of Interior MAC Member San Diego Operational Area MAC Member Southern Operations Intel (Multi Agency) Southern Operations GIS (Multi Agency) Southern CA MAC Group Support (CA Emergency Management Agency- Fire and Rescue) Southern CA MAC Group OCC Liaison Southern Operations Coordination Center (Multi Agency) Southern Operations Predictive Services (Multi Agency) August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 1

91 The Southern California Multi-Agency Coordination Group (Southern California MAC) acts as the geographic area authority to: Evaluate incident situation status reports and organizational resource status reports, as provided by the Southern California geographic area units. Provide oversight for geographic area allocation of scarce and/or limited resources based on established priorities. Provide written and verbal communication of MACS priority settings out to the following entities: - Applicable Agency Administrators - OCC MACS Liaison - FIRESCOPE Member Agencies - Home Agency - NorCal Geo MAC (if activated) - CAL MAC (if activated) for evaluation and inclusion in National incident priorities. Additional Southern California MAC responsibilities include: Review and approve pre-positioning plans and/or establishment of interagency mobilization centers, including pertinent cost-share agreements Gather and maintain geographic area situation status information. Enhance state and federal disaster assistance efforts. Enhance political interfaces. Review need for participation of other agencies in Southern California MAC. Provide necessary liaison with out-of-state/region facilities or agencies as appropriate. Recommend improvements to Southern California MAC operations. The Southern California MAC group is normally activated when emergency incidents significantly impact or involve agencies within Southern California. Agency representatives with jurisdictional responsibility, or which are heavily supporting the effort, or are being significantly impacted by the shortage of local resources at the GACC/Region level, will be brought together as Southern California MAC. Southern California MAC will be briefed on the geographic area situation. Then Southern California MAC will make key decisions regarding the sharing and use of scarce/limited resources geographic area. In a FIRESCOPE MACS Mode 4, this occurs in a face-to-face meeting. Southern California MAC representatives or their designees shall have full, delegated authority to represent their agency to: Assist and advise on prioritizing incidents. Establish resource allocation priorities. Commit to expenditure of emergency funds. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 2

92 The Southern California MAC organization will normally include representatives from: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) United States Forest Service Department of Interior Agencies California Governor s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES, Fire and Rescue Division) Los Angeles Fire Department Los Angeles County Fire Department Santa Barbara County Fire Department Orange County Fire Authority Ventura County Fire Department Kern County Fire Department San Diego Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Operational Area Other organizations may be invited to participate if the Southern California MAC agencies feel that their participation would improve the incident prioritization and resource allocation process. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAC POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following are the duties and responsibilities of the various Southern California MAC staff positions. These positions will be activated and filled as needed by the Southern California MAC Group. The Chair of the CWCG with the consensus of the members shall assign qualified personnel to these positions. Southern California MAC Coordinator The Southern California MAC Coordinator position is provided by Cal OES and serves as a facilitator in organizing and accomplishing the mission, goals and direction of the Southern California MAC Group. This person coordinates the Southern California MAC functions and assures the proper relationships between Southern California MAC Group, GACC s and regional command centers. The Coordinator shall: Fill and supervise necessary unit and support positions in accordance with workload and situation complexity. Manage the Southern California MAC facility; ensure equipment necessary to carry out Southern California MAC functions. Facilitate the Southern California MAC Group decision-making process by ensuring the development and display of information that will assist Agency Representatives in keeping abreast of the total situation. Provide data necessary for priority setting and resource allocation. Facilitate the daily Southern California MAC schedule. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 3

93 Document formal proceedings, such as conference calls or in-person meetings, and distribute copies of documentation to all Southern California MAC representatives. Responsible for final documentation package of MAC proceedings. Liaison Officer The Liaison Officer is a function of Southern California MAC and is a point of contact for assisting and cooperating agencies. Refer to the ICS Liaison Officer description. Southern California MAC Information Officer/Unit The Southern California MAC Information Officer or Unit is assigned to handle the information management needs of the Southern California MAC Group when the Southern California MAC Group feels that the volume of requests for information about Southern California MAC and its functions exceeds the ability of the Southern California MAC representatives to handle those requests. The Southern California MAC Joint Information Center (JIC) is not intended to serve as a single, geographic area source for all information concerning all incidents. Responsibilities of the Southern California MAC Information Officer/Unit involve establishing and operating a JIC to provide the public, media, and other governmental agencies with information about the Southern California MAC and to provide summary information about incidents within the geographic area. The Southern California JIC will refer the media and other government agencies to established Incident Information Officers or to agency sources for detailed information. Activation of this position would normally occur only when and where Southern California MAC conducts business face-to-face at a designated facility. Duties: 1. Obtain briefing from the South Ops Intelligence Officer and the Southern California MAC Coordinator based on ICS-209 forms. Prepare summary information for Southern California MAC members and provide this information to the media as requested. The following are the types of information the Southern California JIC should prepare for distribution. Tactical or specific operational information or any other information that might be sensitive from an agency standpoint will not be released. Examples of the type of information to be prepared are: Total number of major incidents. Total number of personnel and suppression resources assigned. Actions being taken to mobilize out-of-state resources. General geographic location and names of major incidents. Names of Incident Commanders will not be released to the media unless specifically requested. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 4

94 Fire agencies with jurisdictional responsibility for each incident, and names of assisting agencies. Costs of suppression and damage, if known. Total number of injuries for each fire Summary of fire weather conditions and predicted fire behavior and associated suppression problems. Individual Incident Information Officer s name and phone numbers, or phone numbers of the appropriate agency contact for on-site information. 2. Media and VIP visits to the Southern California Service Center should be controlled. The Southern California JIC Manager should refer the media and VIPs to the appropriate Southern California MAC member agency PIO. Those persons can arrange for visits to agency dispatch centers and/or to incident fire information centers. If media visits to the Southern California MAC Center do occur, the Southern California MAC Information Officer should provide them with information on the function of Southern California MAC and a summary of current priority incidents. The Southern California MAC JIC Manger should stress the multi-agency participation essential to the Southern California MAC function. 3. The Southern California MAC JIC Manager should assist in arranging news conferences, briefings, preparing informational materials, etc., when requested to do so by the Southern California MAC Group or Southern California MAC Coordinator. NOTE: Estimated levels of personnel and resources still available for initial attack will not be released to the news media. MACS MODES OF OPERATION MACS MODES AND PREPARDNESS LEVELS There are four operating MACS modes under the Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS). These modes apply to the California MACS operations at both the Southern California Operations Geographical Area Coordination Center in Riverside and the Northern California Operations Geographical Area Coordination Center in Redding (reference MACS Procedures Guide, MACS 410-1, April, 2011). MACS modes are a reflection of regional emergency, incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted fire weather patterns. MACS modes indicate the need for the Northern and Southern geographic MAC Groups to take actions in gathering resource information and participating in MACS activities. These activities include conducting MACS Mode 3 conference calls and the MACS Mode 4 operational meetings. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 5

95 MACS MODES of OPERATION Mode 1 Reflects a non-critical statewide situation. In general, there are no major or multiple incidents that would require extended use of multi-agency resources. This mode reflects a typical non-fire season operation for wildland fire agencies. Mode 2 Reflects normal fire season operations. While isolated major incidents may occur, there is no significant impact on regional or statewide resources. Mode 3 Reflect a serious situation or the potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be a high potential incident, which involves the use of resources from multiple agencies. Generally, a Mode 3 would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring simultaneously, or when the potential for a regional or statewide emergency situation exists. Severe winter weather conditions; a forecast for Santa Ana winds, or a tsunami warning could be sufficient to initiate a Mode 3. The major commitment of fire suppression resources in region to an outof-region incident would warrant a Mode 3. Mode 4 Signifies the existence of a total regional or statewide area effort where resource use priorities require a concerted multi-agency coordination effort. A statewide MAC operation may be established in Sacramento, while the Regional MAC Operations would be activated in Riverside (South Operations) and /or in Redding (North Operations). Agency representatives, by either conference call or in person at the coordination center, should be authorized to speak and commit resources for their agency Ref: MACS (April 25, 2011) CWCG PREPAREDNESS LEVEL Level 1 Few or no Class A, B, and C wildland fires. Minimal or no commitment of interagency resources to suppression activities. Current and short-range predictions for low to moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are not occurring. Level 2 Numerous Class A, B, and C wildland fires. Local commitment of interagency resources for initial attack, fuels projects and wildland fire used for resource benefit. Current and short-term weather predictions for moderate fire danger. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations with sufficient contingency resources available. Agencies above drawdown levels and requests for personnel and resources outside of the local area are of minimal to low impact. Level 3 High potential for Class D and larger fires to occur, with several active Class A, B, and C fires. Mobilization of agency and interagency resources within the GACC/Region, but minimal mobilization between or outside of GACCs/Regions. Current and short-term forecasted fire danger is moving from medium to high or very high. Local units implementing prescribed fire operations starting to compete for interagency contingency resources. Agencies still above drawdown levels for suppression resource, but starting to have difficulty maintaining sufficient resources to meet initial attack responsibilities, project fire support, and fuel projects/prescribed fire requirements without prioritizing or using non-local support. Some critical resource needs are starting to be identified. Level 4 Continuing initial attack activity and Class D or larger fires are common in one or both GACCs/Regions. Resource ordering and mobilization of personnel is occurring between GACCs/Regions. Current and short-term weather forecasts are for high to very high fire danger. The long range forecast for the next week indicates continued high fire danger. Local units may implement new fuel/wildland fire use/prescribed fire projects, but operational and contingency resources must be provided by the agency or by local arrangements. Actual and long range fire weather forecasts predict high to very high fire danger. Significant potential exists for moving into extreme fire danger for most of the GACC/Region. Personnel and resources at minimum drawdown levels, especially for initial attack. Fuels projects and prescribed fires can only be implemented with agency contingency resources or special arrangements within the local units. Mobilization and resource orders are occurring for suppression assignments within the GACC/Region and between GACCs/Regions. Level 5 Southern California MAC is fully activated. Agencies are below drawdown levels. Class D and larger fires are common in the North GACC/Region. North GACC/Region cannot fill many outstanding resources requests and are sending these orders to NICC. Use of local government resources is common. Reassignment of personnel and resources between incidents is common. Current and short-range weather forecasts predict very high to extreme fire danger. Long range forecasts for the next week for North GACC/Region indicates continued very high to extreme fire danger. Activation of National Guard or military personnel and resources is being considered or has been done. Orders for California resources are causing the state to drop below agency drawn down levels. State and Local government personnel are being used to fill in state and out of state resource orders. Actual and long range fire danger predictions are for very high or extreme. Personnel and resources are at or below agency minimum drawdown levels. Ref: CAL MOB Guide CAL FIRE 8100 Procedure No. 114 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 6

96 PREPAREDNESS LEVELS California Wildfire Coordinating Group (CWCG) has established a Preparedness Plan consisting of five Preparedness Levels (reference the California Mobilization Guide, Section 23.11). Preparedness levels are similar to the MACS Modes in the fact that they are based on incident activity, resource commitment, and predicted fire weather patterns; however, they also include the full range of wildland fire activities, prescribed fire and fire use. This ensures that fire protection responsibilities and prescribed fire use do not exceed statewide wildland fire capabilities, and are coordinated with state and national wildland fire activities. Preparedness levels are determined by situational criteria that determine specific actions and the responsible party. The preparedness levels can restrict prescribed fire and/or fire use activities in order to ensure adequate resources are available to the emergency situation. Southern California geographic area preparedness levels will be monitored and managed by the CAL FIRE California Southern Region (C) and federal agencies Operations Southern California (OSC) in Riverside, hereafter referenced as South Ops, for Preparedness Levels 1, 2, and 3. The determination of these levels will represent a consensus of the interagency coordinators from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S, Department of Interior, California Governor s Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Division, and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. South Ops will coordinate with North Ops (the CAL FIRE s Northern Region [CNR] and federal agencies Operations Northern California [ONC] in Redding) during Preparedness Levels 1,2, and 3. Southern California MAC and Northern California MAC will independently monitor and establish their own geographic Modes and Preparedness Levels. When competition for resources starts to occur between the two geographic areas, CWCG will be kept appraised of changes in activity. Both South Ops and North Ops will contact the Chair of CWCG when conditions exist that warrant moving above Preparedness Level 3 statewide. Statewide preparedness Levels 4 and 5 will be declared by a consensus of the members of the CWCG/Cal MAC. The Chair of CWCG will contact the Cal MAC member representatives to develop consensus on the recommendation and report the results to both North Ops and South Ops. PL1: Reflects a non-critical geographic area situation. In general, there are no major or multiple incidents that would require extended use of multi-agency equipment. This mode reflects typical non-fire season operations. PL2: Reflects normal fire season operations. While there may be potential for an isolated major incident to occur, there is no significant impact on outside agency resources or the ability to support outside agencies in day-to-day operations. PL3: Reflects a serious situation or a high potential for a serious situation. A serious situation could be multiple major incidents that result in competition for the use of multi-agency resources. Generally, a PL3 condition would exist when one to three such incidents were occurring in South Ops and/or North Ops simultaneously: August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 7

97 - A PL3 could be established if a high potential for a serious situation existed. An example is severe weather forecast (sustained Foehn-North winds, lightning, etc.). Another situation that might warrant a PL3 would be significant commitment of California resources out-of-state. - The decision to implement PL3 is agreed upon by the USFS Assistant Director and the CAL FIRE Deputy Director for Fire Protection at the GACC/Region. Under PL3, coordination efforts would intensify with all fire protection agencies. An internal MAC organization will operate as needed at North Ops. However, it would not normally include statewide priority setting or resource allocation. PL4: Reflects the existence of an all-out geographic area effort where resource use priorities require a concerted multi-agency coordination effort. A PL4 condition might exist when multiple major incidents are occurring in Southern California and there is some competition for resources between NOPS and SOPS. Southern California MAC would be activated. When Southern California MAC Group is activated, it will coordinate efforts with South Ops/SoCal MAC and Cal MAC Groups. If implemented: 1. Consider pre-positioning resources within state. 2. Provide NICC, South Ops, and Cal MAC with fire priorities and other pertinent information. 3. Alert units through normal channels of the possibility of going to Preparedness Level Conference calls are established to provide geographic area coordination of the recommendations of the Southern California MAC Group. Conference call will be scheduled to complement activities of other MAC Groups (see Appendix B). PL5: Southern California MAC Group is fully activated. Geographic area and/or national resources are heavily committed, or have potential to be exhausted. Military support may be mobilized. Normally Cal MAC will be activated simultaneously, as well as, NorCal MAC. Under PL5, Southern California MAC operations WILL be established at Southern California MAC Center (OCC). Functions of Southern California MAC in PL5 are: Prioritize incidents geographic area and allocate resources based on operational need. Evaluate incidents based on the following factors: - Life and safety threats to public or firefighter, - Property threatened and/or high damage potential, - Resource issues and potential for loss - Incident complexity/duration Ensure that agency resource situation status is current. Determine specific agency resource capabilities and/or needs (drawdown). August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 8

98 Determine agency resource availability (available for out-of-jurisdiction assignment). Determine need for and designate mobilization centers and associated cost-share agreement(s) as appropriate. Anticipate future geographic area resource needs. Communicate Southern California MAC "decisions" back to agencies/gaccs/cal MAC/NMAC. Initiate and fill liaison positions to facilitate communication as needed with military, state and local government, FEMA, CHP, CalTrans, etc. Decisions to move to Preparedness Level 3 and above should be documented. Changes in the Preparedness Level need to be communicated to the field units, shared with NOPS, and agency managers. Change to Preparedness Level 3 and above will be announced to the units on simulcast. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 9

99 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAC CONFERENCE CALLS/MEETINGS Official Southern California MAC meetings will normally be conducted in-person at the Southern California Service Center facilities. Conference Calls Coordination and sharing of information is paramount during higher Preparedness Levels. A multitude of conference Calls are set up during higher Preparedness Levels and from year to year the timeframes will change. The following is an example of a Conference Call Schedule for South Ops. Conference Phone Number/ Time Call Access Code IC Calls 0730 National Coordinators 0830 Southern California MAC 0930 Southern Operations 1100 National MAC 1200 CAL OES Region VI 1500 SOPS/NOPS Priorities 1530 CWCG/Cal MAC During FIRESCOPE MAC Modes 3 and 4, the Southern California MAC Coordinator will facilitate a Southern Operations conference call daily. This call is interagency in nature and will include all MAC Member agencies. The purpose of these calls is to: Receive a timely update on incident activity, and resource status. Outline potential resource needs. Discuss and establish geographic area incident and resource allocation priorities. Identify and resolve concerns and problems. South Ops and North Ops may have a conference call to exchange intelligence and geographic area priorities. The Cal MAC Coordinator will facilitate a Cal MAC conference call daily. During this call the membership of Cal MAC will review the statewide priorities recommended by both NOPS and SOPS. After evaluation and approval the statewide priorities will be disseminated and implemented by the respective GACCs/Regions. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 10

100 Southern California MAC Meetings The Southern California MAC Group will meet at a minimum of once each operational period to re-evaluate the geographic area situation and to update incident priorities. Meetings are held in the Riverside MAC Center This facility has sufficient dedicated workspace for a period of up to two weeks without disrupting the OCC s normal business. The facility provides electronic video-teleconference communications, both high and low tech visual displays, individual workstations with telephones for agency representatives, and other tools necessary to conduct MAC business. Its proximity is close to motel and meal facilities. In order to conduct efficient business, an Intel Briefing Report will be prepared and provided to the participants at least 30 minutes prior to each scheduled meeting by the South Ops Interagency Intelligence Section. The Southern California MAC Coordinator in conducting the Southern California MAC meeting will use this Briefing Report. The format for the Southern California MAC Briefing Report is included in Appendix B at the end of this Guide. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 11

101 REPORTS Accurate and timely information is critical to the decision-making process. The following are the reports that will be needed by the Southern California MAC Group in order to perform their duties: Incident Status Summary (ICS 209) Initial Report 1. Any incident that would significantly affect agency resource availability. 2. Any incident that would be of particular interest to the California Multi-Agency Coordination Group. Update Report 1. Once each established operational period; i.e hours and 1800 hours. 2. Upon special request by Southern California MAC Final Report 1. When the incident no longer has any significant effect on agency resource availability. Incident Critical Needs Report: For each incident, number of open requests for each kind and type of resource Drawdown Report by Agency: Status for Engines, Fire Crews, Airtankers, and Helicopters Reported to the GACC Intelligence Section and summarized for the Southern California MAC: Number, type and kind of resources committed Number, type and kind of resources available August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 12

102 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAC PRIORITY SETTING PROCEDURES The assignment of incident priorities for resource allocation is the primary product of the Southern California MAC process. Incidents are ranked in priority order and include the criteria considered in determining the ranking. This information is used by the GACCs to determine the allocation of resources to incidents. The following are the steps required to develop geographic area incident priorities: 1. Acquire information regarding incident situation and resource needs. Incident priorities should be directly related to resource needs and meeting operational objectives. Weather Major fires - uncontained, with potential resource threat. Name, location, acreage, Type I or II incident management team and IC name, fuel type. Resource Status - Airtankers, Helicopters, Air Attack, by agency, kind, type, and location. - Engines by Agency and Type * Committed by incident * Mobilization center reserves (if appropriate) * Uncommitted and available by affected organizations or state mutual aide regions (major fire jurisdictions) - Hand Crews by Agency and Type * Committed by incident * Mobilization center reserves * Uncommitted and available at home base - Dozers Available (agency only) 2. Acquire Special Information Anything that is of interest to Southern California MAC and would influence decisionmaking, such as: "A fire is burning toward federal DPA"; or X Operational Area is experiencing a series of small lightning-caused fires. 3. Standard Evaluation Criteria Used to Determine Incident Priorities and their ratings are defined below: (Ensure all new emerging or initial attack incidents have priority over existing incidents. If an item is not applicable for an incident, it carries a value of zero. Total maximum score is 60.) A. Life and Safety Threats (Public and Emergency Responders) (maximum score is 15) Definition: Events which increase complexity, resulting in high potential for serious injury and/or death. A.1 Evacuations Rating In Progress 5 Precautionary 3-4 Potential (48-72 hrs) or Completed 1-2 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 13

103 A.2 Road, Highway or Freeway Closures Rating Major Highway or Freeway 4-5 State Routes or Improved Roadways 2-3 Potential for Closures hrs 1 A.3 Extreme Fire Behavior, Weather Event, Natural or Human Caused Disasters Rating Occurring or Predicted to Continue 4 hrs) 5 Predicted hrs 3-4 Occurring but Predicted to Diminish 1-2 B. Property Threatened and/or High Damage (Next 48 hours) (maximum score is 15) Definition: This category relates to potential for damage or actual impact to Communities or other high value investments that contribute to dwellings, commercial workplaces and critical infrastructure that supports human life, income or support to the general population. Threats under this category should not be listed unless there is significant potential to impact these elements and an eminent threat is recognized within a 48-hour timeframe. B.1 Structures (residential, commercial, vacation or other) Rating < B.2 Community Loss (within 48 hours) Rating Potential for >75% Community Loss 5 Potential for 50-75% Community Loss 4 Potential for 25-50% Community Loss 3 Potential for <25% Community Loss 1-2 B.3 Infrastructure National, State, Local (Power Lines, Energy Corridors, Domestic Water Systems, Communications Grid, Railroads, etc.) Rating Systems shutdown and/or damaged 5 Potential threat hrs 3-4 Potential threat 72+ hrs 1-2 C. Resource Issues and Potential for Loss (maximum total points is 20) Definition: Resource concerns can vary widely depending on place and type of resource considered. Each of the below items must be carefully considered in its relation to both local/regional or national significance and may have economic impact at local or regional levels. Resources that are not commercial should be considered in the Natural Resources category rather than in both Natural and Commercial Resources. Consider timeframes and proximity when rating. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 14

104 Rating C.1 Historical and Significant Cultural Resources 1-5 C.2 Natural Resources (T&E Species Hab., Watershed, Forest Health, Soils, Airshed, etc.) 1-5 C.3 Commercial Resources (Grazing, Timber, Agricultural Crops, etc.) 1-5 C.4 Potential for Economic Impact (Tourism i.e. fishing, hunting; loss of jobs, etc.) 1-5 D. Incident Complexity/Duration (maximum total points is 10) Definition: Multiple incidents or complex of incidents versus a single incident have a way of making prioritization setting difficult. However, it is common enough that it needs to be included in the process. Attention needs to be given to travel distances, support to incident personnel and logistical challenges not always associated with a single incident. Timely containment implies that if all critical resource needs from the 209 were met, then containment objectives would be met within the specified timeframes indicated. Containment at an early date is beneficial during high activity periods and would result in earlier resource reassignment opportunities to supplement Initial Attack or to assist other incidents. D.1 Complex vs. Single Incident Rating 5+ incidents or >25,000 acres incidents or 5-25,000 acres incidents or <5,000 acres 1 D.2 Potential for Timely Containment Rating <72 hrs days days days 2 Unknown or long term management 1 4. Identify critical resource needs for the incident: the first column titled Current (CR) is to identify current critical resource needs and the second column titled Projected (PR) can be used for projected critical resource needs from the incident or resource allocation by the MAC Group: AF = Aircraft, Fixed-wing (air tankers, lead planes, air attack, IR, etc.) AR= Aircraft, Rotor-wing (Type 1, 2 or 3) HC= Handcrews by Type BD= Bulldozers WE= Wildland Engines by Type SE = Structural Engines by Type MR = Multiple Resource Types NOTE: Initial attack, new starts, and life-threatening situations override geographic area priorities. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 15

105 5. Establish New Geographic Area Priorities: Example MACS 429 (to be included in the Daily Documentation Package) 6. Decision Process: Priorities will be set by a consensus of the Southern California MAC Group members. 7. Notify NICC or National MAC Group Coordinator of the Southern California Geographic Area when Cal MAC is not activated: Southern California MAC Coordinator. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 16

106 APPENDIX A Southern California MAC Group Conference Call Format FIRESCOPE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION SYEM (MACS) CONFERENCE CALL BRIEFING SHEET Conference Call Number Date: Time: This is, facilitating this MACS Conference Call. We are currently in MACS Mode, CWCG Preparedness Level, and NPL. Facilitator: The purpose of this conference call is to provide an update on the Regional situational status, the Incident priority and resource status and any other pertinent critical intelligence. I will conduct a roll call and when I call the name of your agency, please provide the name of the person representing the agency and any other personnel present. During the call, you are requested to keep the background noise to a minimum. At this time, all cell phones and pagers are to be placed in the silent position. Southern California MAC Group Members Los Angeles City Spokesperson Los Angeles County Spokesperson Orange County Spokesperson Santa Barbara County Spokesperson Ventura County Spokesperson Kern County Spokesperson San Diego OA Spokesperson CAL FIRE (South Ops) Spokesperson Cal OES (South Ops) Spokesperson USFS (South Ops) Spokesperson DOI (South Ops) Spokesperson August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 17

107 Southern California MAC Group Informational Participants Cal OES (HQ) Spokesperson CAL FIRE (HQ) Spokesperson USFS (Region 5) Spokesperson DOI (BLM) Spokesperson DOI (NPS) Spokesperson DOI (USFW) Spokesperson DOI (BIA) Spokesperson North Operations Spokesperson DOD Spokesperson FEMASpokesperson Other Spokesperson Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regional Coordinators Region I Spokesperson Region II Spokesperson Region III Spokesperson Region IV Spokesperson Region V Spokesperson Region VI Spokesperson We will begin the Conference Call with a brief of current and expected weather from of the South Ops Interagency Predictive Services Unit. (When report is completed, give participants an opportunity to ask questions) Facilitator: Are there any questions? Facilitator: We will now have an update on the Regional and Statewide Situation Report from of the South Ops Interagency Intelligence Section. (When report is completed, give participants an opportunity to ask questions) August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 18

108 Facilitator: Are there any questions? (Follow established rotation to allow agencies to raise issues affecting resource utilization and incident priorities. As each agency completes their report ask for follow-up questions from other conference call participants.) Mode 3-4 Information Facilitator: From the information when have just heard, do we wish to change from Mode to Mode? Facilitator: Do we desire to have another conference call at or a MACS Mode 4 meeting commencing at in the MAC Center? Facilitator: Are there additional items for discussion? (Refer to Call Order of Rotation) Facilitator: As a reminder, the ICS-209 Incident Summary Reports and MACS-405 Resource Status Reports are prepared and submitted in accordance with the MACS 410-1, Multi-Agency Coordination System Procedures Guide which is available for either view or download on the FIRESCOPE Website at Facilitator: The Next MACS Conference call will be at: Time Date: Conference Line Telephone Number:. Facilitator: Thank you for your participation. This concludes the call. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 19

109 Southern California MAC Members Comments Los Angeles City Los Angeles County Orange County Santa Barbara County Ventura County Kern County San Diego OA CAL FIRE (South Ops) Cal OES (South Ops USFS (South Ops) DOI (South Ops) August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 20

110 Southern California MAC Informational Participants Comments Cal OES (HQ) CAL FIRE (HQ) USFS (Region 5) DOI (BLM) DOI (NPS) DOI (USFW) DOI (BIA) North Operations DOD FEMA Other August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 21

111 Cal OES Mutual Aid Region Coordinators Comments Region I Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 22

112 APPENDIX B MACS MODE 4 AGENDA Interagency Incident Commander s Briefing Resource Status Report (MACS 405s) CAL MAC Facilitator s Conference Call and Post Call Discussion (If Applicable) Weather Briefing and Agency Breakout Sessions Intel Briefing/Priority Setting Process (MACS 429) Resource Status Report Update (MACS 405s) Video Conference and Post Video Conference Discussion (If Applicable) MAC Group General Topic Discussion CAL MAC Conference Call and Post Call Discussion (If Applicable) MACS Group Debriefing and Agency Round-Table Adjourn August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 23

113 APPENDIX C BRIEFING REPORT FORMAT Weather Summary The weather summary provides general weather conditions within the geographic area and the state. Red Flag conditions are headlined at the beginning of the report followed by general weather conditions within the geographic area and the state. It also provides a focus on those changes in conditions that will affect either going or potential fire activity. Predictive Services Weekly Outlook The predictive services weekly outlook is produced by both Predictive Service Units at each GACC. The weekly outlook combines fire danger, predicted weather, and resource availability for the coming week in order that a projection of resource needs may be determined. Geographic Area Fire Activity Summary The geographic area fire activity summary provides a brief overview of the overall fire picture within both the Geographic area and the state. General comments on resource status, drawdown, new resources, and critical shortages are included. A general description of the fire problem is included. This section is relatively short and is formatted for easy reading (bullet points, indenting, occasional capital letters, etc.). National Fire Activity Summary The national fire activity summary is a brief description of the fire picture outside of California, which can be provided by the NMAC Liaison. This information helps the Southern California MAC Group anticipate resource shortages in other parts of the country that may affect operations in California. This briefing should normally include both a national resource summary (if possible) and a current fire activity summary. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 24

114 APPENDIX D CURRENT RESOURCE ATUS This table gives a quick summary of resource status by primary providing agency. The adjectives are general and are intended to give a relative picture of the drawdown status of the various resources. This table should be updated with information provided by the Southern California MAC members prior to each Southern California MAC conference call or meeting. CAL OES reports status for all CAL OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Regions. Example: Resource CNR ONC C OSC Type 3-4 Engines OES I OES II OES III OES IV OES V OES VI CNA Local Govt. Engines Fire Crews Dozers N 3 2 Air Tankers Helicopters MAFFS 13 0 There is no resource drawdown (fully staffed with minimal commitment to initial attack). Initial attack success is highly probable. 1 Resource drawdown is MODERATE (approximately two/thirds of resources available). Initial attack success is likely. 2 Resource drawdown is SIGNIFICANT (approximately one half of resources available). Initial attack success is marginal. 3 Resource drawdown is CRITICAL (approximately one third of resources available). Initial attack success is questionable. There are insufficient resources to support any new major fires. N NO resources of this type available. NOTE: CNR=CAL FIRE Northern Region; C=CAL FIRE Southern Region; ONC=Federal California Northern Operations; OSC=Federal California Southern Operations; OES=Cal OES Fire & Rescue Regions August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 25

115 APPENDIX E SITUATIONAL ANALY BRIEFING FORM This form is provided by the South Ops Interagency Intelligence Section in both written and verbal formats and outlines a brief description of each incident having geographic area significance. It is an overview of the individual incident s fire activity, life and property exposures, incident complexity, an operational events summary; incident weather, incident fire behavior, a summary of critical resource needs and other items of general interest and importance to the Southern California MAC Group. August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 26

116 APPENDIX F ICS AND MACS FORMS The following are examples of ICS AND MACS forms commonly used during the MACS process. For the complete set of ICS and MACS forms please visit the FIRESCOPE website at August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 27

117 INCIDENT ATUS SUMMARY ICS 209 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 28

118 AGENCY ASSESSMENT BRIEFING FORM MACS 404 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 29

119 RESOURCE ATUS REPORT MACS 405 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 30

120 GENERIC ENGINE MACS 425G August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 31

121 GENERIC AIR RESOURCES MACS 426G August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 32

122 GENERIC HANDCREWS, DOZERS, WATER TENDERS MACS 427G August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 33

123 GENERIC RESOURCE FORM MACS 428G August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 34

124 INCIDENT PRIORITY RATING MATRIX MACS 429 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 35

125 INCIDENT PRIORITY LI MACS 430 August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 36

126 MOBILIZATION CENTERS MOBILIZATION CENTERS DATE: TIME: TYPE ENGINES: /6 CREWS: 1 2 DOZERS: WATERTENDERS: ICT CALFIRE: 1 ICT FED: August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 37

127 APPENDIX G COMMUNICATION PLAN (to be developed) August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 38

128 APPENDIX H DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE (to be developed) August 2010 SoCal MAC Operations Guide 39

129 APPENDIX G California Multi-Agency Coordinating Group Procedures Guide (to be developed) G-1