SMART: A Guided Tour - Part 7

In this graph, as in most graphs of in situ burning (ISB) data, the time-weighted average (TWA) readings provide a much better indication of particulate concentration trends, and are the readings used by the recorder when reporting particulate concentration trends to the UC.

Graphical Representation of In Situ Burning Data

The data recorded by the monitoring team helps the Unified Command (UC) make decisions about the in situ burn operation.

The graph at left was created from data collected during a test burn in Mobile, Alabama in September 1997. On the day of that burn, the wind blew hard and the smoke from the small burn stayed close to the ground. (Usually, in the case of larger burns in calmer wind, the smoke lofts to several hundred feet.)

Notice that while the instantaneous readings (represented by the green line) varied greatly, the time-weighted average (TWA) readings (represented by the blue line) remained relatively steady and consistently below the level of concern (LOC) (represented by the red line).

SMART monitoring within the Incident Command System (ICS).

Command, Control, and Data Flow during SMART Operations

SMART monitoring of in situ burning and dispersant application is designed to work within the Incident Command System (ICS).

Information/data flow in an in situ burning operation.

In an in situ burning operation, monitoring information flows from the monitoring teams to the Monitoring Group Supervisor. The supervisor forwards the information to the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC), who makes recommendations based on the data, then forwards the recommendations to the Unified Command (UC). During dispersant applications, control and data flow are similar.