Andersonville National Historic Site 2024 Fire Management Plan UpdateNational Park Service1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNINGThe mission of the National Park Service Wildland Fire Program is to manage wildland fire to protect the public, park communities, and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources, and maintain and restore natural ecosystem processes (NPS Wildland Fire Strategic Plan, NPS 2020-2024). Each park unit with burnable vegetation must have an approved Fire Management Plan that will address the need for adequate funding and staffing to support the fire management program. (Directors Order #18, Wildland Fire Management, NPS 2008). To align with the DOI FMP Framework, the NPS developed fire management planning guidance described in NPS Reference Manual (RM) - 18, Fire Planning, Chapter 4 (2023), that considers fire program complexity and efficient and effective planning direction.This document outlines the fire management program at Andersonville National Historic Site (hereinafter referred to as “the Park” or by NPS alpha code “ANDE”) in Andersonville, Georgia, roughly 60 miles southwest of Macon, Georgia (see Figure 1). In conformance with federal and NPS policy, the FMP for a national park unit serves as a detailed operational fire manual and a programmatic strategy document for implementing a park’s fire management program consistent with the unit’s resource management goals and objectives. The resource management goals and objectives of ANDE are found in the General Management Plan (1988). Current federal wildland policy stresses the protection of firefighters and the public, protection of public and private property, and protection, restoration, and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural resources on federally managed lands. The intent of the ANDE fire management program, guided by federal policy and the Park’s resource management objectives, is to increase the protection of life, property, and natural and cultural resources with the Park from the adverse effects of an unplanned wildfire. ANDE was established in Andersonville, Georgia, on October 16, 1970. The park is approximately 515 acres in size and consist of the Civil War military prison Camp Sumter, the Andersonville National Cemetery, and the National Prisoner of War Museum. The park is located in both Macon and Sumter Counties, adjacent to the east side of the town of Andersonville 1.1 Program OrganizationANDE is part of the NPS Atlantic Fire Management Zone (ATLZ). Each Fire Management Zone consists of all NPS units within a defined geographic area within the bounds of the Department of Interior Region 2 (IR2) that have burnable vegetation or that can be affected by wildland fire and are staffed with an Interagency Fire Program Management Qualified Zone Fire Management Officer (FMO) and other qualified staff. The ATLZ FMO is based out of Cumberland Island National Seashore (CUIS) and falls under CUIS supervision and management discretion. The ATLZ FMO provides leadership to his/her staff and ensures that a sound fire management program, within the capacity of his staff, is in place at all parks within the Zone. The Atlantic Zone includes:
1.2 Fire Management ActionsApproved fire management actions at ANDE include the wildfire suppression, non-fire fuels treatments, and prescribed fire use. All wildfires will be suppressed at the lowest cost with the fewest negative consequences with respect to firefighter and public safety. Managing wildfire for resource benefit is not approved for ANDE. Non-fire mechanical treatments can be used to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations to create and maintain defensible space around park infrastructure. Prescribed fire can be employed along the wetted area of Stockade Branch, which consist of approximately 10 acres of grasses and forbs. Due to a lack of aviation use in recent years, JICA is currently considered a Level 3 park and is not required to develop a park-level Aviation Management Plan. Drones and other aviation operations used for wildland fire management, if approved and authorized, would operate under the Regional Aviation Management Plan. A Project Aviation Safety Plan (PASP) would also be completed where required prior to any aviation operations. 1.3 Environmental ComplianceAn Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 2003 ANDE Fire Management Plan was completed in August 2003 pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The preferred alternative in the EA included mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, and wildfire suppression. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 2003 ANDE FMP EA for The actions outlined in this FMP update do not conflict with the 2003 EA. 1.4 Park Unit/Resource Management PlanningEach unit of the National Park Service will have a Foundation Document that provides basic guidance for planning and management decisions. The Andersonville National Historic Site Foundation Document was completed in February 2014. The fundamental resources and values defined in the document that require protection from wildland fire include:
1.5 Collaborative PlanningThe National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy is a strategic push to work collaboratively among all stakeholders and across all landscapes, using best science, to build resilient landscapes, fire adapted communities, and a safe and effective wildfire response. Interagency fire management goals adopted under the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Addendum Update 2023 are incorporated into the park’s fire management goals. The goals of the cohesive strategy are:
Fire and park staff will promote and maintain cooperation with Federal, State, and County agencies and organizations on projects affecting the management of the monument. A statewide Master Cooperative Agreement exists between the U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), United States Forest Service, and the Georgia Forestry Commission. ANDE has no structural firefighting capability. All structural fire events at the park will be referred to the Sumter County Fire Department. Information on agreements related to wildland fire is included in Appendix C: Cooperative and Interagency Agreements. 1.6 Communication and EducationThe Atlantic Zone and park staff will facilitate, coordinate, and support communication and outreach with internal and external audiences to increase understanding and support of wildland fire management practices. If a wildland fire communication and education plan is developed, it will follow guidance from National Park Service RM 18, Chapter 20 (Communication and Education). ANDE will inform the public and park visitors of all wildfires. The park will also provide fire danger or fire prevention messages during periods of elevated fire danger as described in the Preparedness Level Plan (Appendix D-3). In the event of a wildfire, or during times of extraordinary fire danger, the Superintendent or designee may, as a safety precaution, temporarily close part of the park to the visiting public. Every effort will be made to inform the general public of the situation. If a fire threatens to escape the NPS-owned lands, adjacent authorities and landowners will be given as much advance warning as possible so that they may take appropriate action. 2.0 WILDLAND FIRE PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES2.1 Goals
2.2 Objectives
3.0 WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE3.1 Management of WildfiresThe initial action on wildfires at ANDE will be to suppress the fire at the lowest cost with the fewest negative consequences with respect to firefighter and public safety. The appropriate initial attack response will vary from fire to fire, and sometimes even along the perimeter of the same fire. Options range from confinement with minimal on-the-ground disturbance to direct suppression actions along the entire fire perimeter. Managing wildland fires for resource benefit is not approved for ANDE.3.1.1 Wildfire Response PlanningExpected Fire Behavior Weather (wind speed, relative humidity, and temperature) and fuel moisture (live and dead) are the primary influences on fire behavior at ANDE, as the terrain is relatively flat. Fire behavior in mixed hardwoods and pine trees is expected to be low to moderate under most conditions, but will increase significantly during dry or windy conditions. The lack of prescribed fire has resulted in the buildup of litter and duff fuels, which can significantly increase fire intensity and fire duration during periods of drought. Weather and/or fuel conditions that may lead to fire behavior that exceeds the capacity for initial attack by firefighters with handtools include:
Additionally, the Georgia Interagency Fire Danger Operating Plan (FDOP) uses multiple indices to help determine elevated fire danger:
Initial Response Procedures The goal in all initial response is to suppress the fire in a cost-effective manner, consistent with resource management objectives. Initial attack priorities at ANDE are tiered to firefighter and public safety (the highest priority in every fire management activity), and the threat that the wildland fire poses to park values. The Initial Response Plan and Emergency Contact List are located in Appendix D-4. Initial action forces are the first suppression personnel to arrive at a wildfire, as well as any reinforcements that arrive during the first burning period. In the case of a wildfire at the park, NPS is part of a Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Response Agreement with the GFC, who, upon notification, will respond. In coordination with the agency administrator or Fire Duty Officer (DO), the GFC will develop a response to the incident, organize and direct the fire resources on hand toward safe, efficient implementation of that response, monitor the effectiveness of the suppression tactics in use, and adjust strategy and tactics accordingly. The GFC will be responsible for the fire until it is out or until being relieved of duty via a formal command change. The DO will ensure a complexity analysis has been completed and an appropriately qualified Incident Commander (IC) is assigned to each incident. If a qualified IC is not available, one will be requested through the Georgia Interagency Coordination Center (GICC). Transition to Extended Response Given the small size of ANDE, the amount of maintained landscape, and the relatively short response times for first responders, it is unlikely that an extended attack situation would occur. If a wildfire does transition to extended attack the IC, with assistance from Zone and ANDE staff, will complete a WFDSS decision. The Superintendent will approve WFDSS decision documents and periodic assessments. See Section 3.1.2 for more information on WFDSS, and refer to the Red Book, Incident Management and Response, Chapter 11 for current direction on wildfire command and organizational structure. Minimum Impact Strategy and Tactics (MIST) NPS policy requires fire managers and firefighters to select management tactics commensurate with a fire’s existing or potential behavior, but which cause as little impact to natural and cultural resources as possible. All suppression activities at ANDE will therefore incorporate the MIST policy to the greatest extent feasible for the situation. Examples of minimum impact suppression tactics that will be implemented include:
3.1.2 Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS)The Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) will be used to document the management objectives and strategies if a wildfire escapes initial attack, exceeds initial attack response, or if the management objectives contain elements of protection and resource benefit. Current direction on WFDSS pertaining to the NPS can be found in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) in Chapters 3 and 11. Current direction on WFDSS pertaining to the NPS can be found in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) in Chapters 3 and 11. Management Requirements (MRs) and Strategic Objectives (SOs) are derived from land and resource management plans, as well as related compliance documents, and provide the framework, and limitations/challenges for wildfire response. MRs and SOs provide the foundation of the WFDSS decision. In order to publish an Incident Decision in WFDSS, applicable fire related protection and resource management objectives and requirements must be incorporated pre-season into WFDSS. NPS recommends pre-loading MRs and SOs pre-season in the WFDSS Production System (Red Book, Incident Management and Response, Chapter 11). Due to the limited amount of burnable vegetation at ANDE, it is not expected that a wildfire will exceed initial attack. Therefore, no MRs or SOs have been developed. If developed, they will be added to WFDSS. 3.2 Fuels TreatmentsThe EA and FONSI allow for non-fire mechanical treatments to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations to create and maintain defensible space around park infrastructure. Prescribed fire can be implemented along the wetted area of Stockade Branch, which consist of about 10 acres of grasses and forbs. Defensible Space Non‐fire fuels treatments will be conducted to create and maintain defensible space of at least 30 feet around all park structures. The maintenance facility with two buildings, an above ground fuel storage unit, vehicles, and gas-powered equipment will have a 60-foot radius (approximately 1 acre) of defensible space. Creating defensible space will involve removing hazardous fuels, including dead and down timber, ladder fuels, exotic vegetation, and timber of less than 4 inches in diameter at breast height. Maintaining defensible space includes general grounds-care operations such as mowing and weed-eating during the growing season. Current information on NPS Structure Protection needs can be found at NPS Wildland Fire Risk Assessment (WFRA). https://wildfire-risk-assessments-nifc.hub.arcgis.com/ The NPS has adopted the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) International Urban-Wildland Interface Code (2006; revised 2018) through the parameters described in Executive Order Wildland-Urban Interface Federal Risk Mitigation (May 18, 2016). Contained in the Andersonville National Historic Site 2024 Fire Management Plan Update 15 | Page ICC’s code (sections 603 and 604) are descriptions of defensible space and maintenance requirements for urban wildland interface areas.” Reference RM - 18, Fuels Management, Chapter 7 for additional information. 3.3 PreparednessNPS policy requires that every unit with a fire management program incorporate preparedness considerations into its fire management plan. Refer to RM - 18, Preparedness, Chapter 5 and Red Book, Preparedness, Chapter 10 for current preparedness direction. The Annual Delegation of Authority, Inter-Park Agreement, Cooperative and Interagency Agreements, Fire Danger Operating Plan, Preparedness Level Plan, and Initial Response Plan are found in the Appendix section of this FMP. Reference Red Book, Preparedness, Chapter 10 for preparedness planning requirements. 3.3.1 Preparedness ActivitiesPreparedness activities at ANDE will include:
3.3.2 Coordination and DispatchingDispatching for ANDE resources is accomplished through the Georgia Interagency Coordination Center (GICC, contact number 770-297-3036). Dispatch and mobilization guidelines and procedures are provided in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide and the Southern Interagency Mobilization Guide. The Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) enables fire managers to request fire personnel and equipment and track where they’re located. 3.3.3 Duty OfficerThe Zone FMO is responsible for providing DO coverage during any period of predicted incident activities. The DO will assist with monitoring local conditions and fire indices, coordinating wildfire response, and assisting with wildfire documentation and reporting per the Red Book, NPS Program Organization and Responsibilities, Chapter 3. 3.3.4 PreventionNPS policy requires that units that average more than 26 human caused fires per year over the most recent 10-year period are required to develop a fire prevention plan. ANDE is not currently required to develop a fire prevention plan due to limited fire occurrence. Fire prevention activities are included in Appendix D-3: Preparedness Level Plan. Additional resources regarding fire prevention and education can be found in RM-18, Chapter 20, Communication and Education, Interim Policy RM-18 Chapters 5 and 6, or at the NIFC Fire Prevention, Education, and Mitigation website. 3.3.5 Safety Program/PlanWildland fire operations include a significant number of activities that are inherently dangerous, requiring the active involvement of park and fire leadership staff to ensure involved personnel are focused on life, health, and safety in all fire management activities. The prevention of injury and/or loss of human life is the overriding consideration during all operations. At no time will the control of a wildfire or the protection of resources be placed above the protection of human life. Every supervisor and employee is responsible for following safe work practices and procedures, as well as identifying and reporting unsafe conditions. All firefighters, fireline supervisors, fire managers, and agency administrators have the responsibility to ensure compliance with established safe firefighting practices. All actions defined in this Fire Management Plan will conform to safety policies defined in agency and departmental policy, including, but not limited to:
ANDE maintains a Documented Occupational Safety and Health Plan, as described in NPS Reference Manual 50B, National Park Service Occupational Safety and Health Program. The current safety plan and park serious injury or death procedure are stored in park files. 3.3.6 Job Hazard AnalysisThe Atlantic Zone FMO is required to ensure completion of a JHA per Red Book, NPS Program Organization and Responsibilities Chapter 3. The current JHAs are stored in Zone files. 3.4 Post-Fire Programs and ResponseANDE is responsible for taking prompt action after a wildfire to minimize threats to life or property, and to prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources. Damages resulting from wildfires are addressed through four activities:
Southeast Region Standard Operating Procedures for developing and submitting post-fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) requests can be obtained by contacting the Regional Fire Ecologist. RM - 18, Post Wildfire Programs, Chapter 18 and the Red Book, Incident Management and Response, Chapter 11 provide direction on current processes and timeframes. 3.5 Air Quality/Smoke ManagementANDE is located in an area that has been designated a class II air shed under the Clean Air Act. Under class II, modest increases in air pollution are allowed beyond baseline levels for particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and nitrogen dioxide, provided that the national ambient air quality standards, established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are not exceeded. Prescribed burning at ANDE will be limited to approximately 10 acres of grasses and forbs along Stockade Branch. Smoke emissions are expected to be minimal and of short duration. Debris burning may be allowed as outlined in RM 18, Chapter 7. Fire staff will work with ANDE staff and local cooperators as needed to address and mitigate any smoke impacts to local roads and communities during wildland fire operations. 3.6 Data and Records Management3.6.1 Wildfire Reporting Wildland fire reporting will follow guidelines established by NPS policy, Director’s Order 18, and the associated NPS RM-18, Chapter 11. Each wildfire requires completion of an individual fire report, currently submitted using the InFORM online system. It is the responsibility of the IC, or FPC if no NPS IC was present on scene, to provide wildfire information to the Zone Duty Officer. Zone fire staff will typically enter the reports into InFORM, although this can be delegated to other personnel. The fire report is a permanent record of wildland fires on NPS lands and/or fire responses completed by the NPS. When ANDE staff assist with wildfire suppression on other agency lands, the agency with jurisdiction will file a report. 3.6.2 Geospatial Data Management for Wildland Fire ProjectsAll GIS Standard Operating Procedures will be followed. Information and guidance can be found on the NWCG Geospatial Subcommittee website. 3.6.3 Wildland Fire Qualifications Management The Zone FMO or their designee will enter and maintain all ANDE Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) records for fire management. ANDE staff will provide documentation of completed training courses to the Zone FMO or their designee. The Zone FMO will authorize task books and sign all Incident Qualifications Cards (Red Cards). Red Cards may also be issued following the issuance or completion of position task books in order to reflect changes to employee qualifications. 4.0 PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION4.1 MonitoringNPS policy requires managers to monitor the effects of all wildland and prescribed fires. The Park, in coordination with the ATLZ FMO, will conduct a fire monitoring program in accordance with RM - 18, Fire Ecology and Monitoring, Chapter 8. The Atlantic Fire Management Zone does not have a fire ecologist or fire effects monitoring staff. Monitoring at other Atlantic Zone parks has been accomplished using fire ecology and fire effects staff from elsewhere in the region. The Zone FMO will coordinate with the Regional Fire Ecologist as needed to request assistance with monitoring at ANDE. 4.2 Research Science based decision-making using research, monitoring, and partnerships provides the basis for fire management to promote beneficial outcomes and mitigate negative ecological consequences of park resources. There has been no known fire research at ANDE. However, research focused on similar ecosystems continues to provide valuable results that may be applied to the ANDE fire management program in the future. Additional information on research related to the fire management program can be found at RM-18, Fire Research, Chapter 17. 4.3 Climate Change Climate change is affecting vegetation structure, composition, function, and ecosystem processes in the eastern United States. This presents new challenges for managing wildland fires in fire-adapted ecosystems and near the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The 2021 ANDE Climate Change Summary, states, Climate change is intensifying the heat that drives wildfire (Jolly et al. 2015) and altering the distribution and density of vegetation that comprises the fuel for wildfires (Gonzalez et al. 2010). These effects combine with the unnatural buildup of coarse woody debris and understory trees from decades of suppression of all fires, even natural ones (Agee and Skinner 2005). The effects of climate change on wildfire vary cross landscapes. For areas where projected climate change increases fire risk, buildings, cultural landscapes, or other infrastructure located under or near tree canopies or dense grasslands are vulnerable to burning and destruction. it is unclear if the increased heat will lead to drying since precipitation is also increasing. Taking action now can help us inform future management, plan for increased wildfire activity across the U.S., and adapt our forests to changing fire regimes. Specific climate change impacts to the ANDE fire management program are not yet known. However, potential increases in temperature and/or the frequency of drought events could increase future wildfire occurrence and intensity. Park and Zone fire staff will continue to consult available fire climate data and incorporate findings into fire management planning, including the need to maintain or expand defensible space and the development of fuels treatment plans. 4.4 Evaluations, Reviews, and Updates4.4.1 Fire Program Review The ANDE Fire Program will be discussed by Zone and park staff annually. A formal program review has not been conducted, but may occur if park, regional or national leadership request a review. The National Park Service has developed a NPS Wildland Fire Program Review Guide that describes the review framework. For more information reference RM - 18, Evaluations, Reviews and Investigations, Chapter 16. 4.4.2 Wildland Fire Incident ReviewAll wildland fires and fire-related incidents will be reviewed in accordance with RM - 18, Evaluations, Reviews and Investigations, Chapter 16 and the Red Book, Reviews and Investigations Chapter 18. Post-fire critiques are typically completed by the Incident Commander as part of an After Action Review (AAR) using the guidelines in the Redbook, but could be completed in any format. The critique will follow the guidelines in RM-18 and will cover all aspects of the incident, including safety, tactics, difficulties encountered, areas needing improvement, and whether specified objectives were met. The information gathered from these critiques will be used to continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the fire management program. The critique will be kept as a permanent record and stored in zone files. 4.4.3 Required Annual Regional FMP Review ProcessANDE will follow the Fire Management Plan Regional Review Process outlined in Reference Manual 18, Fire Management Plans, Chapter 4, Sections 3.0 and 3.1. Signed FMP updates will be uploaded to the NPS Wildland Fire FMP A123 SharePoint References Cited or ConsultedInteragency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management StrategyManagement Policies 2006, National Park Service, 2006 Directors Order 18: Wildland Fire Management, National Park Service, 2008 Reference Manual 18: Wildland Fire Management, National Park Service Wildland Fire Strategic Plan, National Park Service, 2020-2024 National Park Service NEPA Handbook, National Park Service, 2015 Fire Monitoring Handbook, National Park Service, 2003 Wildland Fire Program Review Guide, National Park Service, 2013 Andersonville National Historic Site Climate Change Summary 2021, NPS Climate Change Response Program, 2021 NWCG GlossaryThe list of pertinent fire management definitions may change over time as new definitions are added and obsolete definitions are replaced. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group maintains a current list of acceptable terms with their definitions on the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire website. Appendix A: Annual Delegation of AuthorityFebruary 28, 2024Memorandum: Delegation of Authority for Andersonville National Historic Site Fire Management Officer. To: Lucas Hunkler, Acting Atlantic Zone Fire Management Officer From: Gia Wagner, Superintendent, Andersonville National Historic Site Subject: Fire Management Officer Delegation of Authority As per RM 18, and the Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations Lucas Hunkler, Acting Zone Fire Management Officer, is delegated authority to act on my behalf for the following duties and actions:
Appendix B: Inter-Park AgreementInter-Park Agreement
Between Atlantic Fire Management Zone And the following National Park Service Units: Andersonville National Historic Site Canaveral National Seashore Castillo de San Marcos National Monument Cumberland Island National Seashore Fort Caroline National Memorial Fort Frederica National Monument Fort Matanzas National Monument Fort Pulaski National Monument Jimmy Carter Historic Site Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve BackgroundWildland fire management and associated activities require technical expertise that may not be present at the individual park level. These include, but are not limited to: Fire management planning Wildfire suppression preparedness/training Fire mobilization and dispatch Fire reporting Fuels management project planning and implementation Capitalized equipment requests Fire effects monitoring/research. To address this issue, in 2015, the Regional Fire Management Officer and the Regional Directorate for the DOI NPS Region 2 identified a group of 11 parks and created the Atlantic Fire Management Zone (ATL Zone). The Chief Ranger at CUIS provides supervision for the ATL Zone Fire Management Officer (FMO). PurposeThe purpose of this agreement is to define the responsibilities of Agency Administrators, ATL Zone fire management staff, and staff from ATL Zone parks regarding fire management activities. OrganizationThe Park Superintendent (Agency Administrator) is responsible for wildland fire management within the park. The ATL Zone Fire management staff, led by the Zone FMO, will provide policy guidance, technical expertise, planning, ecology, and operational support to the Park Superintendent to meet wildland fire management requirements and achieve fir management goals and objectives. To facilitate efficient communication between the park and ATL Zone fire management staff, the Superintendent must provide and direct a Fire Program Coordinator from his or her staff. Agency Administrator Requirements for Fire OperationsTaken from the lnteragency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (NFES 2724) CHAPTER 03
ATL Zone Fire Management Staff ResponsibilitiesManagement and Planning
Preparedness Activities
Operations/Field Support
ATL Zone Park Unit ResponsibilitiesEach ATL Zone park will designate a key official and central contact for liaison with the ATL Zone fire management office. This person is called the fire program coordinator (FPC). The FPC is responsible for:
FundingAll funding needs and requests are subject to prior approval, prioritization, and funds availability. If allocated funding is insufficient, the Zone FMO will request additional funding from the DOI-NPS Region 2 FMO. Funding for specific activities will be as follows: Step-Up and Severity Funding - Funding for step-up and severity are funded from the DOI-NPS Region 2 Fire Management Office and National Office of Wildland Fire, respectively. Requests for funding during these events must be coordinated with the ATL Zone FMO or Duty Officer. Fuels Treatment Projects - Funding for all stages of prescribed fire and non-fire fuels treatment projects, including planning, contracting, plan writing, preparation, and execution, will be provided by the OO1-NPS Region 2 Fire Management Office as requested through the agency approved fuels treatment planning and reporting system. Parks must coordinate with ATL Zone fire management staff to request project funding. When fire funds are unavailable it may be necessary that individual parks supply funding from other sources to cover fuels project needs. Incident Overtime and Travel - Overtime and travel costs incurred on incidents will be borne by the appropriate incident accounts, as approved on incident resource order(s). Zone fire management staff can provide technical assistance with incident business management, including time and travel. Firefighter Physicals - The cost of firefighter physicals will be paid for by an account number provided by the National Fire Management Program Center. Program Costs - Routine costs, including travel and per diem, communication, supplies and materials, and vehicles, incurred by ATL Zone fire staff in carrying out normal duties within ATL Zone parks will be charged against fire program accounts maintained by the Zone. Unless otherwise agreed to, none of these costs will be borne by the satellite parks. Supplies - The ATL Zone fire staff may pay for, and generally order and deliver, wildland fire-related supplies and personal protective equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, leaf blowers, portable pumps, personal protective equipment, firefighting line gear, hose and fittings, and other fire cache supplies and materials. When fire funds are unavailable it may be necessary that individual parks supply funding to cover critical equipment needs. Training - The requesting park will provide funding for collateral duty wildland firefighters who wish to attend trainings. Term of Agreement/UpdatesThis lnterpark Agreement will remain valid until rescinded by either party, updates are needed, or personnel changes necessitate a revision or update. The Agreement will be reviewed each year during the FMP update process. Appendix C: Cooperative and Interagency AgreementsThe current Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreement between the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the State of Georgia, Forestry Commission is stored on the ANDE A123 Sharepoint page. ANDE may enter into agreements with additional cooperators. Agreements will be uploaded to the ANDE A123 Sharepoint page. Appendix D: Preparedness Planning DocumentsAppendix D-1: Georgia Interagency Fire Danger Operating Plan (FDOP)The Georgia FDOP is stored on the A123 and can be viewed using this link: Georgia Interagency FDOP.Appendix D-2: Step-up Plan/Staffing PlanBecause ANDE does not have fire funded personnel, a Step-Up/Staffing Plan is not required. A Preparedness Level Plan will be used to guide preparedness actions during escalating levels of fire danger. Appendix D-3: Preparedness Level PlanANDE is located in the Lower Piedmont Fire Danger Rating Area (FDRA 4) of the Georgia Fire Danger Operating Plan (FDOP). The Preparedness Level Plan from the Georgia FDOP will be used to guide preparedness actions based on long-term fire danger. Preparedness Levels will be determined based on a combination of the Energy Release Component (ERC), Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI), and whether local significant wildfire activity exists. The daily ERC and KBDI values will be obtained through WIMS. The determination of significant wildfire activity will be made by the Zone FMO or their designee. Appendix D-4: Initial Response PlanInitial response procedures will be consistent with firefighter, employee, and public safety, recognizing the values to be managed (protected or enhanced).
Appendix E: Multi-Year Fuels Treatment PlanANDE is planning an update to the Environmental Assessment for the FMP to expand the fuels treatment program. A mechanical project has been targeted for FY2024 along the eastern boundary of the park. Additional prescribed fire and non-fire fuels treatments are being considered and will be included in future FMP updates. Changes Made During the 2024 FMP Update
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Last updated: June 26, 2024