Overview

The Fire Research And Management Exchange System or FRAMES is a systematic method of exchanging information and transferring technology between wildland fire researchers, managers, and other stakeholders. In partnership with the US Geological Survey’s National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Program, FRAMES is implementing web-based technologies that can help bridge the gap between science and management. The goal is to make wildland fire data, metadata, tools, and other information resources easy to find, access, distribute, compare, and use. In collaboration, the wildland fire research and management communities can use these technologies to help eliminate redundancy, reduce costs, and promote increased productivity and efficiency.

The Problem

Wildland fire affects people and their property. In order to manage fire and be good stewards of the land we need good fire research. In a world where so much information is easily accessible over the Internet, you might think that finding the latest fire behavior research or fuel consumption model is an easy proposition. Unfortunately, it is not, for either the fire manager or the interested private citizen. Perhaps, the most significant reason why this is true is that each year an incredible amount of fire-related research is produced and there is no single mechanism to deliver it. [read more]

Part of a Solution, but Not a Panacea

FRAMES is not a panacea, but it is a part of the solution. The Fire Research And Management Exchange System is an information management system that is designed using principles applied by successful private companies who service millions of customers over the Internet. Included in their strategic planning process, companies leverage these technologies to not only meet customer needs, but to service operational business needs as well. Similarly, FRAMES is utilizing cutting-edge informatics technologies to create a kind of marketplace for information and tools to service the operational needs of fire and fuels management. [read more]

FRAMES Website

       Laying the Foundation: Metadata
       Resources, Services, and Library
       FRAMES Subject Areas
       FRAMES Homepage
       Registered Users Contribute Content to FRAMES
       Geoportals

NBII and FRAMES

The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) program is in the Biological Resources Division of the US Geological Survey. NBII is an electronic information network that provides access to biological data and information on our nation’s plants, animals, and ecosystems. Like FRAMES, NBII provides common access to data and information that is maintained by and resides with a variety of agencies and organizations. NBII and FRAMES also services similar audiences including researchers, natural resource managers, decision-makers, educators, students, and other private citizens. Wildland fire content (FRAMES) and biological content (NBII) that each of us are gathering is often complementary. Having them linked, adds value to each. NBII and FRAMES share a common vision of information management. Our customers will benefit from our relationship. [read more]

Partners

FRAMES started out as science fiction, but with the help of our many partners it is becoming a gateway to science facts. The staff of FRAMES sincerely wishes to salute our current partners! If your organization would like to become a FRAMES partner, please contact us.

FRAMES Administration

The FRAMES project is administered through the University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources. FRAMES Staff and Principal Investigators (PI) receive guidance for the long-term development of FRAMES from the FRAMES Interim Steering Committee (ISC). The role of the FRAMES Interim Steering Committee is to:

       - provide feedback, recommendations, and advice to the FRAMES principal investigators and program manager
       - help insure that FRAMES is meeting the needs of wildland fire community
       - assist with strategic 'Big Picture' planning and implementation
       - help navigate the project through agency hurdles
       - identify and help target the appropriate agency networks for support
       - help promote FRAMES and increase

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