Unit 2 -Infrared InterpreterPosition Overview

Introduction: Unit Objectives

By the end of this unit, the students will be able to:

Explain what is expected of an IRIN

Explain the IRIN work cycle on an assignment

List the steps necessary to become available for assignment as an IRIN

What Does an Infrared Interpreter Do?An IRIN is an overhead resource who works for the SITL (Situation Unit Leader)

Situation Unit -Functional unit within the planning section responsible for the collection, organization and analysis of incident status information, and for analysis of the situation as it progresses. Reports to the planning section chief.

What Does an Infrared Interpreter Do?

An IRIN can work under three different scenarios

As a single resource co-located with an IMT “Old School” but less common

As part of a “pod” of IRINs at a centralized location Common during periods of high fire activity in a given locale

As a single resource working remotely from their home office.

Most common

Roles and Responsibilities of the Infrared Interpreter

Regardless of where the IRIN works:

Primary Objectives:Quality Control of thermal imagery

Determine heat perimeter

Identify areas of heat and isolated heat sources

Calculate acreage of the perimeter

Produce shapefiles, summary map(s), kmz and log

IRINs:Tom MellinNational IR

Program Manager

Pilots:Dan Johnson

IR Techs:Woody SmithCharles ‘Kaz’

Kazimir

NIROPS “Organization”

R4: IntermountainRegion

FS FAMDirector ofOperations

Research &Development Operations

GACC IR Liaisons

Northern: Lee WerthRocky Mtn: Melinda McGannSouthwest: Tom MellinGreat Basin: Hope SpriggsCA N/S: Kyle FelkerNorthwest: Jim GraceSouthern: Scott WilkinsonEastern: Liz McNicholsAlaska: vacant

Aircraft vs. IRINsNIROPS aircraft are a national resource dispatched by NICC that can support multiple fires in multiple GACCs

NOT assigned to the fireFires receive the service

IRINs are a single resource (overhead) that can support one or more fires

Can be assigned to a FireOR can be assigned to a GACC or Area Command to support multiple fires (usually as a member of a “pod”)

The Work Cycle of an IRIN:Scanner Request Submitted

By SITL or IRIN usingOnline Ordering

Go to bed(ROSS A# assigned)

ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Wake upCheck on flight

Expanded dispatch, AFF, IRCN, IRCRImagery Delivered:

Upload to FTP site“Land & Hand”

Interpretation:Create Products

Accurate Shapefiles / Maps/LogDelivered to IMT Before

Morning Briefing

IRIN Determinesw/ SITL

Additional Flight

Eat, get readyFLIGHT

Traditional Role: One IRIN, One Fire

Acquisition

Delivery

Interpretation

Map Product

Digital Product

MorningBriefing

Pod and Remote IRIN Support: One IRIN, Multiple Fires

ftp.nifc.gov/NIROPS

Interpreter(s) located atRO, SO, RD, hotel,home

Pho

enix

dat

ain

Win

Zip

arc

hiv

e

Phoenix data

in WinZip archive

Shapefiles,

PDFs, and lo

g

ftp.nifc.gov/Incident Spec Data/

IR

Incident

IRIN “Pods”Multiple IRINs at a single location central to multiple incidents

If you are working in a podA lead IRIN is assigned

You will be responsible for at least one fire, probably more, depending on size and complexity

You may work fires not in the local area

Assume you will be out for 14 days

IRIN “Pods”Communication is key

Remote IRINs

Support one or more incidents from home office

May be individual incidents, or supporting a pod remotely

Variable time length

IRINs are responsible for communicating with the incident

Communication can be challenging

Getting An AssignmentROSS (Resource Ordering & Self Status)

Check with your local dispatch that you are in ROSS, listed correctly (trainee), and available (local, national)

“available” means showing as available in ROSS and have supervisor approval to take an assignment

Make sure local dispatch has current contact numbers (office, cell)

After returning from assignment, make sure your status is re-set from “released from incident” to available.

You are assumed to be available for 14 days In not, make sure the GACC and incident know this

Your Resource Order

A resource order is your authorization to work for an incident and contains:

“O Number” that identifies which resource you are

“P code” that your will use for charging your time

Contact information, instructions, and authorizations

Your Resource Order“O” Number “P” Code

Cell Phone, Laptop,

Rental Car

Your Resource Order

ROSS (Resource Ordering & Self Status)“O” Number

“P” Code

Cell Phone, Laptop,

Rental CarWork Remote

Your Resource Order

“O” Number “P” Code

Cell Phone, Laptop,

Rental Car

Work remote

P Codes explained4 digit Alpha Numeric code is generated for each fire by FIRECODE, e.g. DR27

Agency ID added depending on the Incident Hosting Jurisdiction, e.g. P4DR27

PA = BIA

P# = Forest Service ( with # representing region)

PN = State fires (any state)

PD = BLM

PP = Park Service

PW = Fish and Wildlife Service

Unit Objectives - Review

By the end of this unit, the students will be able to:

Explain what is expected of an IRIN

Explain the IRIN work cycle on an assignment

List the steps necessary to become available for assignment as an IRIN

Questions?