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Repair Event Layer Files


For a refresher on layer files, please see the GIS Concepts Review document.

Repair Event Layers in the Edit Project

Use the Event layers in the edit map instead of the GISS Edit service directly. While the symbols are now the same, several other settings are saved in the layer files that are not available directly from the service, including caching, advanced labeling, and symbol display order. Critically, each layer is set to not cache any data locally in ArcGIS Pro to ensure the data displayed is always up to date.

  1. Repair the path of the Event Group - All Layers  in the Contents pane of the edit map to the newly created Offline Copy in the \incident_data\edit folder (e.g. GISSEdit_NIFS_2024_9A5A34…).
  2. Remove the GISS Edit Service (National Incident Feature Service 2024) group to avoid confusion.
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  3. Save the Edit Project. Your Contents pane should resemble the following:
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The Event Layer Files that are added to the provided map view of the Pro Project Template aprx can be found in the \tools folder in the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

Nearly every map is going to start with the Event Group All Layers YYYY.lyrx file, the primary two types being the Edit Project and Master Projects. The key difference between these two is the database to which the layer file path is repaired.

It is very important to keep these two separate because incident maps should never be created using the Offline Copy and data edits should never be made outside of the Edit Project.

Event Layer File Template Implementation Diagram

Flow chart showing the use of the template layer file used in both the Edit Project and Master Map Projects.

Keeping the Edit Project separate from Master Projects is a crucial component of the GISS Workflow and proper layer file management is essential to this.

A layer file stores symbology, labeling, and Feature Templates and can be used to quickly create projects. Layer files also store files paths and can easily add the wrong data to a project resulting in inaccurate products or wasted time editing the wrong database.

Following best practices will avoid any mishaps, but it is always important to be aware of what data you are working with and how all your databases, maps, projects, local copies, and layer files all fit together.

Event Layer Files in the \tools folder

  • Event Group All Layers 202X.lyrx – All NIFS layers with configured Event Point label classes that can be easily converted to annotation.
  • Event Group BAM Large Symbols 202X.lyrx – Oversized Point and Line symbols use in Briefing Area Map (BAM). Increase or decrease the size as necessary.
  • Event Group IR 202X.lyrx – Print symbology for the IR feature classes.
  • Event Group Repair Status 202X.lyrx – Group layer with Accountable Property, Event Point, and Event Line symbolized based on the RepairStatus field. This layer file should be used in conjunction with the Event Group All 2024 layer file to provide a Repair Status “halo” for features.
  • Event Group Simplified Web Symbols 202X.lyrx – Simplified symbology.
  • Multipage Label Lines 202X.lyrx – ‘Invisible’ Lines with assignment labels (e.g. Div, Branch) used in multipage map projects. Repair to the MultipageLabelLine feature class in the other_incident_data.gdb.
  • Structure Triage 202X.lyrx –Structure Triage symbology based on the guidelines in the Incident Response Pocket Guide page 14+15. Alternate Triage categories for California’s FIRESCOPE are included in the data but not provided as a layer file.

 

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks