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Communication Education and Prevention Committee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee (CEPC) provides national leadership, support, and coordination in all areas of wildland fire education and prevention. The CEPC promotes public understanding of wildland fire through communication, education, prevention and outreach.

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Primary Objectives

Prevention Team assignment for the eclipse in Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky

  • Develop and/or promote education programs and tools that provide information about wildland fire ecology, management, protection and prevention.
  • Work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement in all areas of wildland fire communication, education, and prevention.
  • Provide subject matter expertise in communication, education, and prevention for projects, standards, guidelines, qualifications, certification, and training.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

Smokey Bear with pack horse

Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation

More and more, people in the wildland/urban interface zone are feeling the effects of wildland fire. Every year families are evacuated and structures are destroyed as the result of wildland fires in this zone. There are tools that can assist professionals and homeowners in mitigating the risk of damage from a wildland fire, however. Below are just a few of the available resources that can help make the interface zone more survivable.

Wildfire Prevention Analysis and Planning

This is an overview presentation of a prevention analysis planning process. This process analyzes RISKS, HAZARDS and VALUES; outlines an operational plan for the protection of resources from wildfire; and develops wildfire prevention program implementation costs.

Additional Information

Guidance Documents

Fire Prevention Education Team Digital Library

This Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET) Digital Library is a database of wildland fire prevention and education materials that have been developed by FPETs and wildland fire prevention professionals. Each item has been reviewed for appropriate content and is approved for use. The files that are in a searchable database are available for use by anyone. The database includes different types of file formats depending on the use and presentation of the final product, e.g. slide show; printable item or sign; other handout; etc.

CEPC Research

Video: Wildfire Prevention Spatial Assessment and Planning Strategies (WPSAPS)

How many wildfires did you prevent? This is the most difficult question in wildfire prevention. It’s very difficult to measure something that doesn’t happen. Nationally, the goal is to utilize a system where we can document and demonstrate success in reducing the extensive number of unwanted human-caused wildfires, saving lives and protecting communities.

Wildfire Prevention Spatial Assessment and Planning Strategies, or WPSAPS, is a web-based application designed to make wildfire prevention program risk assessment, planning, and accomplishment reporting more efficient and effective. It provides users with a research-informed set of prevention actions based on a geospatial assessment of the risks, hazards, and values to be protected in their management unit. For user training information, contact your agency wildfire prevention lead.

The outputs from WPSAPS provide a foundation for a well-organized, intentional, prevention program. WPSAPS was developed specifically for the wildfire prevention community by an interagency workgroup composed of wildfire prevention personnel. This video provides an overview of the use and capabilities of the software.

Time: 6:34

Upcoming WPSAPS Training

  • Please contact your regional prevention specialist/officer for upcoming training opportunities near you.

WPSAPS General Support

  • If you have questions or comments concerning WPSAPS, please contact one of the following business leads for your agency.
    Name Sort descending Agency Member Email Member Role
    USFWS andrew_bailey@fws.gov Primary
    BLM zellinger@blm.gov Primary
    NASF cehjr@ksu.edu Primary
    USFS anna.m.henderson@usda.gov Primary
    BIA kenneth.jaramillo@bia.gov Primary
    NASF angie.lane@dnr.wa.gov CEPC Chair
    USFS amanda.scott@usda.gov Primary
    BIA samuel.scranton@bia.gov Leader
    NPS jim_shultz@nps.gov Primary

Video: An Ounce of Prevention

Time: 10:24

 

Smokey Bear Campaign

  •  August 9, 2024 is Smokey Bear's 80th birthday! Join the year-round celebration.
  • A toolkit has been developed for all wildfire prevention partners and is intended to support efforts in promoting the wildfire prevention campaign. 

National Wildfire Prevention Strategy December 2021 (USDA Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management)

Amended and Approved Messaging and Tag Lines for Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation

Education Materials On Line (USFS) - The National Symbols Cache is an official service of the USDA Forest Service

Wildland Fire Classroom (NPS)

SmokeyBear.com

National Association of State Foresters

Chair: Angie Lane

NWCG Coordinator: Katy O'Hara

Parent Committee:

Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the second Thursday

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

  • Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
  • Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
  • Do you need help building capacity?
  • What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides