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Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIRENET ENVIRONMENT 

How do I access FireNet? Why is the link taking me to Office? 

That’s not a mistake! FireNet operates on Microsoft Office. 

 

Can I log into FireNet from anywhere?  

Yes! FireNet is cloud based, which means you need to sign in from a web browser, not a desktop application. We recommend using the Chrome Browser. Go to www.offfice.com to sign in if you have a Named FireNet Account. If you have Guest Membership, follow the link in the email where you were invited to an MS Team. 

 

Why does FireNet sign me out every 18 hours? 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is part of our Authority to Operate (ATO), which allows our partners to work in such a flexible, government space. Users with Named Accounts or Guest Memberships that authenticate into the FireNet environment must use some form of MFA.

  

Can you access FireNet on a mobile device?   

Yes, although it is not a tool we support at this time. You can download Microsoft Applications or you can access FireNet from a mobile browser. Our FireNet User Guide does offer some guidance on this feature.  

 

How do I reset my password?  

In a Microsoft application, click on your profile icon in the upper right corner and select View Account. Select Change Password on the left side.  

Or you can fill out this form to request a password reset.  

 

How do I reset my password if I’m a guest user? 

Federal users: You should be using your PIV card to access FireNet. When you are prompted to enter your password, select “Sign in with PIV Card” and proceed to enter your PIN. 

Non-Federal users: From the log in page, click on "Can't accesss your account?" You will be prompted to select a Multi-Factor Autentication method, which should give you access to your account. Then, in a Microsoft application, click on your profile icon in the upper right corner and select View Account. Select Change Password on the left side.  

 

How do I change my Microsoft Authentication methods? 

In a Microsoft application, click on your profile icon in the upper right corner and select View Account. Select Security Info on the left to update your settings. If you're logged in to your FireNet account, you can also visit the Security Info page. 

 

I’m logged into Microsoft Office, but I only see my personal or work files.  

You are likely signed in to a personal or other work account. Please use a unique Chrome browser to access FireNet. 

 

I need help with a Microsoft software program?  

If you have a named FireNet account, you have access to QuickHelp for help with Microsoft applications. Go to the waffle menu and search for the QuickHelp application. 

 

FIRENET ACCOUNTS 

How often do I need to sign into my account to keep it active?  

You need to log into your FireNet account regularly to maintain active status. Named accounts are audited monthly per FireNet’s Authority to Operate and must show successful sign-in or password update every 60 days. This is a federal requirement. (We need to change our passwords, too! We get it.) Inactive accounts will be deleted. 

  

I applied for an account. Why haven't I heard from you? 

We get many requests a week and create accounts in batches once requests have been approved. There are several reasons why you might not have heard back yet including:  

  1. You haven't completed all of the steps. 
  2. We are waiting to hear from your sponsor.  
  3. You're a federal employee, but did not use your federal email address in requesting an account. 
  4. The position listed on your account does not meet NWCG guidelines for an account. 

 

If I’m not approved for a FireNet account, how can I collaborate with my team? 

You can be added to a team as a Guest User. As you can see on this chart, guest users have access to most features within our environment. Please check out the Guest Member User Guide for more detail. 

 

I'm retiring. Can I keep my account? 

Yes, you can keep your account, but we need to transition to an affiliate account. Please follow all of the steps here. And congrats on retirement! 

   

 I didn't get my password for my new account. 

Please check your spam folder. If you don't see it there, you can request a password reset and that should help you access your account.  

  

Why do I need to reset my FireNet password so often? 

It’s a federal security regulation for all users.  

  

My account has been deleted? Can you recover my files?  

Your account can be restored with a certain window. After that we can no longer recover files. We recommend that users store files SharePoint. 

  

I am having trouble with the security training programs. (Can’t log in, can’t download certification) 

FireNet does not maintain the AgLearn or DOI security trainings. Please visit those sites for assistance. You can find help for each 

USDA/FS: https://deliver.courseavenue.com/Login/forestservice

DOI: https://doiu.doi.gov/contact

   

COLLABORATION QUESTIONS 

What are the primary applications in Office 365 that are used for interagency collaboration?  

Our primary collaborative tools are MS Teams and SharePoint, as well as Outlook, Meetings, Calling, and Forms. We create shared inboxes to which team users are delegated. To learn more about the types of accounts and functionality available please visit our What Type of Account Do I Need Page. 

 

Can you edit documents and sheets at the same time as others?   

Yes. As FireNet is primarily browser based, you will be working within the same document as other users. You will note the other users that are in the document by the initials that display at the top of the page in many applications.  

 

Will we be able to share information (spreadsheets/documents) that do not require login? 

Files and sites created or saved in SharePoint Online will be viewable to any person using the appropriate web link. It is the responsibility of the resource owner to make certain that any content made accessible to anyone on the Internet is cleared for public exposure and does not contain information of a sensitive nature.  

     

Can you share SharePoint pages or Stream videos with the Public by sharing a link? 

No. This is what we call 'sharing externally'. Currently, we do not have the capability to set SharePoint or Stream so link is completely open. You can share specifically with an email address to invite them to collaborate/view.  

   

COMMON SUPPORT QUESTIONS

What's the best way to stay organized with FireNet and other Office applications? 

FireNet will be primarily browser based. Do not open using a desktop application either as a named account user or as a guest. Our User Guide will walk you through navigating your way to Teams in a browser. To stay organized we recommend using a unique browser or a second profile in Chrome for FireNet Business. Here's how to create a second profile in Chrome: 

 

  1. On your computer, open Chrome. 
  2. At the top-right, click Profile. 
  3. Click Manage people. 
  4. Click Add person. 
  5. Choose a name and a photo. 
  6. Click Save.  

   

How do a delegate a shared inbox to other firenet.gov named accounts? 

For Dispatch Center requests, please complete this form to add or remove delegates. Requests must come from the account steward or others designated by the stewart. If on an incident, please email [email protected]. 

 

I can’t find my teams in Sharepoint?  

In SharePoint, click the star to "Follow" your Teams/Sites so you’ll have easy access to them. 

 

I received a suspicious email to my FireNet account? Maybe it even looks like it’s from FireNet Support?

Please use the Report feature in Outlook to let us know.  Report can be found in the ellipses on the top right of any email. In Web Outlook, click on the three dots (...), scroll down to Report, and select Report phishing. As always there are additional ways to complete the reporting such as: in the toolbar at the top of the inbox, click on Report, then choose Report phishing from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can right-click on the message, choose Report from the drop-down menu, then select Report phishing. 

How do I change a timezone in a shared inbox?

You can change the timezone on a shared inbox by:

  1. Clicking the Settings cog while in the shared inbox in Outlook for the Web
  2. Click View all Outlook settings
  3. Go to the General Tab, then Language and time
  4. Use the drop down (or type a city) under Current time zone to change the time zone. Leave the box below it checked.
  5. Save
  6. Click the Update meeting hours link above the check box
  7. Click the check box in the middle of the page to change your meeting hours to match the new time zone

I'm having trouble logging into MS Teams

When having issues logging into MS Teams specifically, or getting stuck in a login loop when opening the Teams app, our first fix is to look at the time clock on the computer.  

Please check the date and time on the device you are using to be certain it is set correctly.  We have seen situations in which it was necessary to select "automatically set date/time" and even set it to the wrong time zone, but logging into teams worked. 

Please give that a try and let us know if this alleviates the additional log-in requests when you attempt to access Teams specifically.