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M.S. Resource Interpretation Non-Thesis Project

M.S. Resource Interpretation Non-Thesis Project. NPS Southwest Area (AZ & NM) Fire Communication and Education Strategy & Toolbox By Michelle Fidler Presented April 29, 2008 Advisory committee: Brian P. Oswald, Michael H. Legg, Pat Stephens Williams, Ray Darville

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M.S. Resource Interpretation Non-Thesis Project

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  1. M.S. Resource InterpretationNon-Thesis Project NPS Southwest Area (AZ & NM) Fire Communication and Education Strategy & Toolbox By Michelle Fidler Presented April 29, 2008 Advisory committee: Brian P. Oswald, Michael H. Legg, Pat Stephens Williams, Ray Darville Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University

  2. Part 1 Fire Communication & Education Strategy

  3. Role of Fire - SW Forests need fire - Deserts are damaged by fire Fire Communication & Education StrategySituation Analysis

  4. Significant SW Fires Moccasin Mesa Dude Fire Cerro Grande Rodeo-Chediski Cave Creek Complex Fire Communication & Education StrategySituation Analysis

  5. Role of Fire CommEd - Increases agency trust and support for fire management activities Fire Communication & Education StrategySituation Analysis

  6. Interpretive Connections Fire size & location Suppression vs. Resource Benefits Risks Manager Responsibility Effects of Smoke Fire Effects Aesthic Impacts Smokey Bear Message Use of Fire Benefits of Fire Fire Communication & Education StrategySituation Analysis

  7. Outreach for Residents Focus on local issues & perceived risks Fuels reduction Firewise Smoke Windows of Opportunity Fire Communication & Education StrategySituation Analysis

  8. Communication & Education StrategyObjectives • Fire communication and education related audience contacts will increase 25% by 2013. • Audience knowledge of the role of fire in ecosystems and the management of fire and fuels in the parks will increase 25% by 2013. • Audience support for park fire management practices will increase 25% by 2013. • Local communities will increase fire mitigation actions in wildland-urban interface areas 25% by 2013. • Unplanned human-caused ignitions in parks and neighboring communities will decrease 25% by 2013.

  9. Fire Communication & Education StrategyKey Messages Safety Firefighter and public safety is always our first priority. We actively manage all fires with the most effective, efficient and safest means available based on predetermined management objectives and analysis of the current situation. We have a wide array of fire management tools available to us, to apply when, where, and to the degree needed to accomplish our objectives. Maintaining natural fire cycles in fire-adapted ecosystems helps prevent high-intensity, destructive wildfires that can threaten firefighter and public safety.

  10. Fire Communication & Education StrategyKey Messages Science The NPS fire management program uses the best available science to understand and manage ecosystems. SW forests are fire-adapted and need periodic fire to maintain diverse, healthy habitats. Desert fires were historically infrequent and small; today invasive species are spreading into the desert, fueling unnaturally large, high-intensity fires that damage desert vegetation and wildlife and threaten firefighter and public safety. The risks of large fires has increased dramatically in the last century. There is more vegetation to burn and conditions are drier more often.

  11. Fire Communication & Education StrategyKey Messages Stewardship National Parks are unique, valuable resources that we are all responsible for caring for. The NPS incorporates public input and the best available science when making management decisions. The NPS works with partner agencies and local communities to help mitigate risks in the wildland-urban interface. Everyone can help prevent careless, human-caused wildfires by practicing outdoor fire safety.

  12. Internal Park Employees Partner Agencies / Professional Peers Incident Personnel External Park Visitors Local Communities Students Educators Media Fire Communication & Education StrategyTarget Audiences

  13. Fire Communication & Education StrategyStrategies • Proactive, year-round outreach • Clear, consistent messages • Park-specific information • Interagency collaboration • Accurate, accessible, timely information

  14. Year-Round Increased Fire Danger Prescribed Burn Planning 1-5 Days Before Rx Burn Upon Ignition 2nd Operational Period Daily – AM Daily – Mid-day Daily – PM As Needed Transition Closeout Post-Fire Fire Communication & Education StrategyTactics

  15. Fire Communication & Education StrategyStaff-Up Staffing • Upon Ignition • Delegating Responsibilities • Ordering an Incident Public Information Officer • Ordering Additional Public Information Officers • Upon Arrival of an Incident Management Team

  16. Fire Communication & Education StrategyEvaluation • Outreach Contacts • After Action Review • Informal Assessments • Formal Assessments • Rossman & Schlatter’s visual imaging guide

  17. Part 2 Fire Communication & Education Toolbox

  18. Bulletin Boards Camp Newsletters Community Meetings Community Newsletter Exhibits Handouts Inciweb Interpretive Programs Lesson Plans Multimedia News Releases NPS Fire News Park Website Public Service Announcements Signs Success Stories Trapline Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 1: Outreach Methods

  19. Community Meetings The public seeks confirmation of what is already known. Acknowledging “I don’t know” can help build credibility. People often place more importance on body language than verbal communication. It can provide up to 75% of message content. It’s important to listen to specific concerns and acknowledge them. Try to use statements of personal concern like, “I can see by the number of people here tonight that you are as concerned about this issue as I am.” Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 1: Outreach Methods

  20. Exhibits Use a theme that conveys your key message. The average viewing time for most exhibits is no more than 45 seconds. Most adults read at a rate of about 250-300 words per minute. Thus exhibits should be limited to no more than 225 words. Add interest to exhibits by making them visual, three-dimensional, or interactive. Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 1: Outreach Methods

  21. News Releases Take advantage of “windows of opportunity” to promote action while interest is high. Use quotes to incorporate multiple perspectives. Address who, what, when, where, why, and how, as well as what to expect and what to do. Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 1: Outreach Methods

  22. Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 2: Resources • Communication Planning • Contacts • Current Wildland Fire Information • Emergency Action Plan • Forms and Templates • Images • Media • Public Information Officer Resources • Supplies, Materials, and Equipment • Talking Points

  23. Appropriate Management Response Equipment Fire Behavior Fire Ecology Evacuations Firewise Fuels Incident Command System Invasive Species Personnel Prevention Prescribed Fire Rehabilitation Restrictions and Closures Safety Smoke Suppression Weather Wildland Fire Wildland Fire Use Fire Communication & Education ToolboxPart 3: Issues

  24. M.S. Resource InterpretationNon-Thesis Project Fire Communication and Education Strategy & Toolbox by Michelle Fidler Presented April 29, 2008 Advisory committee: Brian P. Oswald, Michael H. Legg, Pat Stephens Williams, Ray Darville Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University

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