MONTANA—In August, the Lolo National Forest welcomed a visit from the Montana Army National Guard, which was hosting a delegation from Sri Lanka. The Montana Army National Guard—State Partnership Program has been engaged with  Sri Lanka on issues concerning humanitarian aid and disaster response.

The meeting was a collaborative learning experience regarding emergency medical response and disaster response. Discussion during the meeting focused on:

1. Disaster management planning considerations
2. Interagency planning and incident execution
3. Environmental and values at risk considerations and mitigation

The forest used the Incident Strategic Alignment Process for the ongoing Colt Fire as an example. The process is a combination of risk assessment and strategic planning efforts with the goal of creating a consistent process that reduces confusion, safety gaps and inefficiencies. It consists of four pillars: Critical Values at Risk, Strategy and Strategic Actions, Risks to Responders, and Probability of Success. The four pillars are intertwined in practice, first to understand the why (values), which informs the how (strategy), then determining the should (responder risk) and if (probability of success).

Forest Service representatives including Lolo National Forest District Ranger Quinn Carver and Flathead National Forest Swan Lake District Ranger Chris Dowling showed the group the Strategic Operations Planning map to walk them through the Colt Fire incident before guiding the guests through a hypothetical scenario that could apply to a response event in Sri Lanka.

The visit concluded with a sense of understanding and appreciation for the experience.