2006 Supply and Equipment Overview

1. 2006 Supply and Equipment Overview National Interagency Fire Cache System

2. Mission Statement • The National Interagency Fire Cache System consists of a group of 11 caches that work together to provide the supplies and equipment for wildland fire and other all-hazard incidents. It is the intent of this system of caches to help you be successful in your support to the firefighter and associated support personnel. The key to this support is communication with each other from start to finish of any supported emergency or all-hazard incident.

3. Yes, We have a Web Page!

4. Finally, a Cache Web site! http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/cache/index.html

5. Web Page Information • The Page is under construction but we have most of these items available and others will be soon. • The Cache Management Plan • Cache Memo’s • Cache locations and numbers • The Refurbishment Guide • A kit change request process • Cache Statistics • Power-point presentations • Annual reports • Standard Operating Procedures • Product Deficiency Process

6. Cache Subcommittee’s • The National Inter-Agency Cache System has two sub-committee’s: • The Refurbishment Committee, Chairman Lyell Chittenden (907) 356-5742. • The Kit Committee, Chairman Sean Phelan (909) 930-3264. • Use Kit change request form when requesting a new kit and/or changes to existing…available from Cache Webpage • Note: Fill out form completely, all submissions will be considered by the cache Kit Committee, like other new items, implementation is based on available funding and other factors.

7. National Interagency Support Cache OVERALL PROBLEM/OBJECTIVE STATEMENT (Describe the problem, how the work is currently being done, and why improvement or change Is needed): WHAT IS THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE KIT OR NEW KIT REQUEST (List item change or all kit items, identify kit cost or cost of new item, and list vendors who supply the items): POTENTIAL BENEFITS (Describe how this project will reduce cost, save time, improve safety, increase efficiency, or provide resource management):

8. Product Deficiency Report Process • Notify the servicing Cache • Use GSA preferred method of Direct telephone, eResolve or Email NCSCcustomer.service@gsa.gov. Note “Fire Suppression” on the subject line • Product Quality Deficiency Report (QDR) is available from GSA forms to submit by mail or fax. • Late Deliveries from GSA transportation vendors need to be documented for payment deductions.

9. GSA Global Supply is committed to providing quality products and resolving problems with professional service. • There are several ways to report a discrepancy: • By Telephone: Call 800-525-8027 and select Option 2 for Customer Service. Indicate that you are calling about a fire suppression item. • The call center is staffed 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Central time). Callers outside those hours should leave a clear message with name, commercial phone number and a brief description of the problem. • eResolve: Report a problem by going to www.gsa.gov/ncsc and select eResolve, an online customer service solution. eResolve allows direct reporting of problems with a requisition or GSA Global Supply order shipment, including damage, short/over, wrong item, quality, tracing shipments, and merchandise return issues. • Email: Send a message to NCSCcustomer.service@gsa.gov indicating “Fire Suppression” on the subject line. • Although GSA prefers you utilize the telephone or electronic methods mentioned above, forms can still be sent via the following methods: • Customers seeking the Product Quality Deficiency Report (QDR) form can download it online at www.gsa.gov/forms and searching for SF368. • Fax: 816-926-5561. Mail: U.S. General Services Administration • Attn: Fire Suppression • National Customer Service Center (6FR) • 1500 E. Bannister Road, Bldg. 4 • Kansas City, MO 64131-3088

10. Status of ICBS? • Interagency Cache Business System (ICBS) – • ICBS will incorporate a supply interface between the cache system and ROSS. • ICBS has bar code/RFID capability which will interface with (I-Suite) for use at the incident level. • The Cache SME’s are working with the Yantra Corporation for Beta testing at the Great Basin Cache, fall of 06. -A template for local area cache is being developed • Cache SME’s are submitting a change request for the Supply Resource Order form that is in ROSS.

11. Communication and Coordination • Communication between the Cache and Coordinators/Dispatchers can provide real time information on what can or can’t be supported. -Cache Vans -Medical Kits -Other shortages or issues • An informed Coordination Center can provide key intelligence to MAC groups and IMT’s. • Invite a supporting cache representative to in-brief, daily briefings or closeout briefings when possible and feasible. • At PL4 and 5 the National Interagency Support Cache Coordinator (NISCC) is established at NICC. This position can help troubleshoot support issues • Cache Demobilization Specialists can efficiently and effectively help manage backhaul and keep you out of trouble with DOT on potential Hazmat shipping violations.

12. Helpful Hints(Ordering) • Write clearly, the order may get faxed and re-faxed several times • Check quantity closely, unit of issue may be by box, not each • Set up a standard order time; i.e. morning order to get same day or evening order for next day delivery • Consolidate orders as much as possible • Multiple orders on trucks; take only the supplies that you ordered • “Add On’s” to an order usually change the type of vehicle that is needed to ship and/or may delay the order • Wait until on Incident before placing initial pre-order (commonly referred to as the “canned order”), many items may not be needed or already on site. Remember that excess items on hand affects the cache’s ability to support other Incident’s. • Supply orders generated in ROSS are difficult to read, please use traditional method. The cache’s are presenting a preferred supply resource order format to the ROSS change management team. • Use a single individual to do the order, helps eliminate double orders and/or reuse of S-numbers

13. Impacts on Timely Support • Hours of Operations (Drivers) • Work/Rest Guidelines (limited staffing availability during planning levels 4&5 when several area’s are impacted) • Staffing Cutbacks • National/Regional Priorities • The priorities of the Geographical and National MAC groups have a direct relationship with who gets existing stock. The caches try to meet the Incident’s needs but there are often more Incidents than inventory on the shelves. This can result in an inability to fill the orders in total, and/or there may be delays in getting supply orders in total.

14. Lessons Learned • Call the Cache when delivery location changes. • Large Orders and Pre-Orders • Is best to identify daily use/shift use of items in order to stabilize the supply chain versus bulk ordering at the front end of the incident. Ordering massive amounts of supplies will not manipulate the fire loss/use rate. • Increased Use of Sprinkler Kits for Structure Protection. • Long deployments of sprinkler setups have tied up pumps, tanks, and other water handling appliances for significant periods. Making those assets unavailable for new Incidents.

15. That’s All Folks! • Any Questions, comments, or feedback? Point of Contacts: • FEWT Chair – Tory Henderson • Email – thenderson@fs.fed.us • NFES BLM Representative – Paul Naman • Email – paul_naman@nifc.blm.gov • NFES Chair – Kim Christenson • Email – kachristensen@fs.fed.us • Cache Manager Group Chair – Doug Benton • Email – dbenton@fs.fed.us • Equipment Specialist- Matt Cnudde • Email – mcnudde@fs.fed.us