Continues to rely on multi-agency laptops at al

1
Wildland Fire Incident IT Thin Client Pilot
Project

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group
• October, 2007

2
Problem

• The interagency wildland fire incident community
  is not currently provided with reliable
  standardized information technology
  infrastructure. As a result, systems currently
  in use on incidents are composed of scrounged
  hardware which has been cobbled together.
• Incident Management Team IT kits presently can
  not always support our software and data
  investments (ISuite, ROSS, LANDFIRE, ICBS, etc.)

3
Typical IT Team Set-ups
Dependent on CTSP genius to configure Laptops
at all stations
4
Typical Remote Connectivity

• Remote connectivity dependent on contracted
  services
• Time delays
• Significant fee rates can be generated on long
  term incidents

5

• Incident Command Post (ICP) Network Layout 1
• Multi-Agency Laptop configuration
• Dependant on available internet access
• Difficult to configure
• Inconsistent set-up from team to team

6

• ICP Layout 2
• Improved resource use
• Improved security
• Improved stability/speed

Continues to rely on multi-agency laptops at all
workstations
7
Incident Management Team IT

• Where we are
• Nonstandard, piecemealed kits
• SECURITY Data and Equipment - concerns for
  stored information on equipment and data
  management
• STABILITY / SPEED Redundancy and reliability
  issues, storage capability, durability and speed
  problems from use of laptops as servers
• CONSISTENCY Operational challenges and
  maintenance issues stemming from corporate laptop
  use
• STANDARDS Inconsistent IT Specialist
  capabilities - non-standard training program for
  CTSP

8
Incident Management Team IT

• TEAM DEPLOYMENT Team IT program is inefficient
  
• Time Delays
• Excessive shipment
• TEAM TRANSITION
• Presently require a complete IT swap-out
• SET UP TIME No internal capability for remote
  internet connectivity
• Significant configuration time results in delay
  in providing critical information to GMAC, NMAC
  for decision support
• COSTS Laptops 5 times more expensive than Thin
  Clients

9
Promising IMT IT Pilot Project

• Based on Terminal Server / Thin Client concept
• Portable Satellite support
• The pilot project has helped define a standard IT
  Kit that can get an IMT up and running within
  hours of arrival

10
Incident Management Team IT Kit
11
Satellite

• Portable
• Short up and running time
• Minimal, standardized configuration and set-up
• Fast data transfer speeds
• Provides secure network access
• Economical service rates
• Recognized by all agencies as a trusted
  environment

12
Terminal Server

• Designed for redundancy
• Capable of securely storing large amounts of data
  
• Standard configuration
• Allows data transfer management and
  prioritization

13
Thin Clients

• No data on the client
• no hard drive
• Minimal maintenance
• no moving parts
• Longer life cycle
• Economical
• Standard configuration
• Green friendly
• Efficient use of bandwidth
• Enhanced security

14
Lessons Learned

• The concept is sound
• Handout
• Prototype report reviews 7 Incidents which
• IT Starter Kit was used on

15
Lease/Purchasea blend?Things to Consider

• Thin Client technology has a longer life cycle
  than traditional laptop computers due to its
  durability and minimal system changes needed
  over time
• Remote connectivity lease rates can be very
  expensive
• Lease cost savings achieved from a single long
  term incident could be enough to purchase an IT
  Satellite Kit
• Leasing can supplement the IT Starter Kit concept
  and provide surge capability once the standard
  is established.
• Cache concept of use and reuse maximizes the
  return on investment, minimizes inventory needs,
  is quickly refurbished, quickly shipped, can be
  pre-positioned and can stay in place for the
  duration of the incident

16
Proven Value and Performance Cache System of
Operations
The National Interagency Radio Support Cache
The National Interagency Support Cache
Use and re-use of the equipment pays for itself
many times over!
17
IMT IT Starter Kit Cost estimates
Base IMT Kit consists of 10 workstations (2 Box
Bs)
18
Key Principles

• Interagency Program Support for IMT and Expanded
  Dispatch operations
• Can support other programs such as Training,
  NICC/NMAC support and All-Hazard
• Standardized Hardware approach
• Standardized Operations and Maintenance
• Solves multiple security and data concerns
• Mobile and Flexible
• Economical

19
Thin Client / Terminal Server set-up to support
training
NAFRI / NFDRS Cadre Meeting October 16-18, 2007
20
What is our future Plan?

• Consider interagency support of the IT Starter
  Kit project
• Consider building on present knowledge gained to
  develop standard specifications for hardware and
  software.
• Consideration of using the proven Cache System
  Concept for IT support

21
Where we go from here

• Develop a complete business case
• Provide recommendations on how to precede
• Needed Resources starting Jan 2008
• Dedicated Detailer for 120 days
• May need limited funding for Detailer
• NWCG Updates
• Status report - February 2008
• Final report - April 2008