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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Quick View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

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Title Steward Status Definition
ICS 209 report for time period from wfnwcgorg:NISC Approved

The beginning date and time of the reporting period of an ICS 209.

ICS 209 report for time period to wfnwcgorg:NISC Approved

The ending date and time of the reporting period of an ICS 209.

ICS 209 report status wfnwcgorg:NISC Approved

The version of the ICS 209 report (Initial, Update, or Final).

identification run NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

Dry run over the target area by the leadplane to indicate an airtanker's flight path and target, while the airtanker pilot is observing.

igniter WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

A pyrotechnic device specifically designed to initiate burning of a fuel mixture or propellant.

Ignition Area WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

The smallest area that a wildland fire investigator can define based on the physical evidence of the fire pattern indicators, within the specific origin area, in which a competent ignition source came into contact with the first fuel ignited and combustion was sustained.

ignition component FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

A rating of the probability that a firebrand will cause an actionable fire.

ignition energy FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

Quantity of heat or electrical energy that must be absorbed by a substance to ignite and burn.

ignition factor WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

The individual factors which make up the ignition sequence; competent ignition source; the type and form of first fuel ignited; oxidant, plus the circumstances, actions, or natural events that allowed the factors to come together.

Ignition Fiscal Year
ignition method FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The means by which a fire is ignited, such as hand-held drip torch, helitorch, and backpack propane tanks.

ignition pattern FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Manner in which a prescribed fire is ignited. The distance between ignition lines or points and the sequence of igniting them is determined by weather, fuel, topography, firing technique, and other factors which influence fire behavior and fire effects.

ignition probability FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

Chance that a firebrand will cause an ignition when it lands on receptive fuels.

ignition sequence WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

The sequence or order of events that bring a competent ignition source, fuel first ignited and oxidant together allowing them to react with each other.

ignition source CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee Approved

Any process or event capable of causing a fire.

ignition time FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

Time between application of an ignition source and self-sustained combustion of a fuel.

ignition trigger FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

A causative agent for wildland fire. For example, human or lightning.

IMI Interactivity Levels IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Archived

Standards to which IMI products are developed conforming to interactivity level(s) which are appropriate for the instructional design, strategy, media, content, and course specifications.

IMI Level 1 Interactivity IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Archived

This is the lowest level of courseware development. It is normally a knowledge familiarity lesson, provided in a linear format (one idea after another).

IMI Level 2 Interactivity IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Archived

This involves the recall of more information than a level 1 and allows the student more control over the lesson scenario through screen icons and other peripherals, such as light pens or touch screens. Typically level 2 is used for non-complex operations and maintenance lessons. Simple emulations or simulations are presented to the user. As an example, the user is requested to rotate switches, turn dials, make adjustments, or identify and replace a faulted component as part of a procedure. This also may include simple to standard developed graphics, and/or clip art, and video and audio clips. 

IMI Level 3 Interactivity IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Archived

This involves the recall of more complex information (compared to levels 1 and 2) and allows the user an increased level of control over the lesson scenario through peripherals such as light pen, touch screen, track ball, or mouse. Video, graphics, or a combination of both is presented simulating the operation of a system, subsystem, or equipment to the user. The lesson scenario training material typically is complex and involves more frequent use of peripherals to affect a transfer of learning. Operation and maintenance procedures are normally practiced with level 3 scenarios and students may be required to alternate between multiple screens to keep pace with the lesson material. Multiple software branches (two to three levels) and rapid response are provided to support remediation. Emulations and simulations are an integral part of this presentation. This may also include complex developed graphics, and/or clip art, and video and audio clips.

impeller ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Rotating part of a centrifugal pump which imparts energy to the liquid to be moved. For shearing purposes, the impeller is on a rotating shaft within the body of liquid.

Implementation Feasibility

the relative feasibility of a treatment or activity as very high, high, medium or low

implementation plan FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The design and definition of all the activities, resources, limitations, and contingencies required for successful wildland fire management.

impulse FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

A term used in weather primarily to describe a weak disturbance that does not necessarily have an associated storm center or surface low. The disturbance usually does not create severe weather and is frequently associated with a marine air push.

in-stand wind FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

Wind speed within a stand at about eye level.

incendiary WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

A burning compound or metal used to produce intense heat or flame, like a bomb.

incendiary device WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Contrivance designed and used to start a fire.

incendiary fire WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

A fire that is intentionally ignited in an area or under circumstances where and when there should not be a fire.

incident NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee, FMB Fire Management Board Approved

An occurrence, either human-caused or a natural phenomenon, that requires action or support by emergency services personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources.

Incident Action Plan NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

An oral or written plan containing the objectives established by the Incident Commander or Unified Command and addressing tactics and support activities for the planned operational period, generally 12 to 24 hours.

incident agency IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

The organizational unit responsible for the incident activities.

incident assignment IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

An assignment to an incident that requires a length of commitment.

incident base NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A location where personnel coordinate and administer logistics functions for an incident. There is typically only one base per incident. (An incident name or other designator is added to the term Base.) The ICP may be co-located with the Incident Base.

Incident Blanket Purchase Agreement IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

A pre-season agreement for equipment, supplies, or services to be used on fire and all-hazards incidents, issued on a Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, SF-1449 form. I-BPAs are awarded on a competitive basis using commercial item procedures.

Incident Command NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The ICS organizational element responsible for overall management of the incident and consisting of the Incident Commander or Unified Command and any additional Command Staff activated.

Incident Command Post NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The field location where the primary functions of incident command are performed. The ICP may be co-located with the Incident Base or other incident facilities.

Incident Command System NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of on-scene incident management, providing a common hierarchy within which personnel from multiple organizations can be effective. ICS is the combination of procedures, personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of on-scene resources during incidents. It is used for all kinds of incidents and is applicable to small, as well as large and complex, incidents, including planned events.

Incident Commander NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The individual responsible for on-scene incident activities, including developing incident objectives and ordering and releasing resources. The Incident Commander has overall authority and responsibility for conducting incident operations through a Delegation of Authority.

incident commander name NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

The first (optional) and last name of the Incident Commander(s) currently assigned to the incident.

Incident Communications Center NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Archived

The location of the communications unit and the message center.

incident complex NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

Two or more distinct incidents in the same general area that, by management action, are managed under a single incident commander or unified command in order to improve efficiency and simplify incident management processes.

incident complex (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

Two or more distinct incidents in the same general area that, by management action, are managed under a single incident commander or unified command in order to improve efficiency and simplify incident management processes.

Incident Complexity Level NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The incident level established by completing an incident complexity analysis considering the level of difficulty, severity, or overall resistance the incident or event presents to incident management or support personnel as they work to manage it; a categorization that helps leaders compare one type of incident or event to another.   

Incident Management NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The broad spectrum of activities and organizations providing operations, coordination, and support applied at all levels of government, using both governmental and nongovernmental resources to plan for, respond to, and recover from an incident, regardless of cause, size, or complexity.

incident management organization NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

The incident management organization for the incident.

Incident Management Team NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A group of ICS-qualified personnel consisting of an Incident Commander, Command and General Staff, and personnel assigned to other key ICS positions.

Incident Management Team name Approved
Incident Medical Specialist Program RMC Risk Management Committee Approved

An incident-based program to care for emergent and minor medical as well as common occupational health care problems of incident personnel. This program may be deployed to Type I and Type II incidents. Currently, this program is only available in three regions: Northwest (R6), Northern Rockies (R1) and Alaska (R10). In Alaska, the program is known as the Alaska Fire Medic Program.

incident name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

The name assigned to an incident.

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