Wyo. Code R. 060-0001-1
Forester, State
Chapter 1: Emergency Fire Suppression Account
Effective Date: 01/05/1998 to 07/25/2002
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 060.0001.1.01051998
These rules are to govern the administration of the emergency fire suppression account created by W.S. 36-1-401 et. seq. to provide funds for the cost of controlling emergency fires in rural areas.
These Rules and Regulations of the State Forester are adopted pursuant to W.S. 36-1-403 (a) (iv).
(a) “Authorized Expenditure” A listing of suppression costs which qualify for expenditures in the account. (b) “Floor Cost” The expenditure required of a county before use of the state account will be considered. (c) “State Forester” The administrative head of the Wyoming State Forestry Division.
Notification to the State Forestry Division should be as far in advance as possible of impending emergency conditions by the county fire warden or designated county commissioner, and will address the following items:
(a) Commitment of inventoried resources (b) Commitment of required county expenditure - i.e. floor cost. (c) Availability and assistance of adjoining county equipment (d) Involvement or threat to state and/or federal lands (e) Plan for utilization or involvement of Federal Agencies (f) Projected Fire Danger (g) Values at Risk (h) Commitment of Board of County Commissioners
(a) At no time shall the county fire warden or county commissioners be expected or requested to relinquish full responsibility for suppression and mop-up to state personnel.
(b) The state and county will coordinate manpower and equipment through the county fire warden's and State Forester's representative to insure the most economical and most feasible complete suppression and mop-up of the fire.
(a) Expenditures from the account will be made in accordance with the following restrictions:
(i) Site specific fire conditions must be rated as very high to extreme or a "Red Flag Alert", must be in effect with fire suppression activity being conducted.
(ii) The Emergency Account will be made available to a county when it is determined by the county fire warden and county commissioners, in concurrence with the State Forester, that a commitment of floor cost expenditures and all immediately available resources will still result in an uncontrolled fire. The Account funds may be used on state lands in any county; and on private lands only in those counties participating in the Account.
(iii) The county must meet its floor cost expenditure for suppression activity as defined in the table below.
| County Valuation | Required County Cash Expenditures |
|---|---|
| 0-150.9 Million | $5,000.00 |
| 151-399.9 Million | $8,500.00 |
| 400 + Million | $12,000.00 |
(iv) The Account will be used only for suppression and mop-up purposes.
(v) A post accounting internal audit of expenditures will be conducted jointly, by the division and county and expenditures will be authorized as contained in Section 7 of these rules and regulations. The State Forester, in case of conflict, retains the right of final resolution.
(a) Assistance from the Account is only to help a county cover large fire expenditures beyond the means of a county and not to support the regular fire program. The first $5,000.00, $8,500.00 or $12,000.00 of fire costs, as provided in Section 6(c) of these rules, shall be borne by a county before the county is eligible for assistance from the Account. The following may be eligible for payment as authorized expenditures:
(i) Salaries. Only actual paid salaries supported by county or state voucher will be considered for reimbursement. These payments will be supported by Emergency Firefighter Time Reports (OF-288), supplied by the State Forestry Division. Volunteer labor will not be eligible for payment. Salaried county employee costs will not be considered for their regular 8-hour work day. Overtime which is fire related will be recommended for assistance at established fire plan rates or the actual county pay rate. If the above salaried payment is from a special county fire suppression fund then all the costs will be considered for assistance.
(ii) Equipment. Equipment costs will be obtained from the Wyoming State Fire Mobilization Plan rates and rates contained in the County Annual Operating Plan. All equipment use will be documented on an Emergency Equipment Invoice (OF-286) as supplied by the State Forestry Division, and summarized on Exhibit B (WSFD-41). Only 25% of host county fire fighting equipment costs provided to the fire will be reimbursed. Reimbursement for other county equipment will be based upon submitted invoices, using the above rates..
(iii) Supplies. Cost of supplies will be accepted and recommended for 100% assistance if totally fire related. Receipts must be available.
(iv) Fire Bills. Federal Government fire bills will be accepted for 100% assistance if documented and approved.
If the State Forester determines monies in the account may be insufficient to make reimbursement for the full cost of suppressing all emergency fires occurring or which may occur during the year, he may delay paying reimbursement to any entity until the close of the program year at which time available monies shall be prorated among those entitled to reimbursement at an amount less than one hundred percent (100%).