Firewise Training

Assessing Wildfire Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone
May 20-21, 2008
The Peabody Little Rock
Three Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201
Register for the workshop online at www.firewise.org/fw_youcanus/workshop_hiz.htm
Hotel Reservation Rates: $139 S/D; $149 Triple; $159 Quad
(Ask for the group code rate for Assessing Home Ignition Zone Workshop)
Phone: 1-800-PEABODY (732-2639)

This two-day workshop covers the myths of wildland/urban interface fire, the history and context of W/UI fire disasters, sequential elements of a W/UI fire disaster, research and case studies, risk factors in the home ignition zone, information needed to conduct an assessment, the general health of the ecosystem, inspecting the home ignition zone, accessibility in case of a wildfire emergency, documenting an assessment, and much more. This workshop also includes question and answer sessions, class discussion and three classroom exercises where participants will perform home ignition zone evaluations, practicing the information they have learned.

This workshop is for you if ...

You are responsible for assessing homeowner properties for hazards in the home ignition zone.
You want to learn what the home ignition zone is.
You want to learn how the home ignition zone is key to reducing losses in the interface.
You are interested in, or are planning to, teach this workshop because of the technical nature of the course content.

Earn valuable CEUs

NFPA has been approved as an authorized provider of continuing education and training programs by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be awarded.

Learn from the experts

Hank Blackwell, Consultant, Santa Fe County, NM Fire Department Deputy Chief (retired);
Randy Bradley, Chief, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and Chair, NFPA Forest and Rural Committee;
Pat Durland, Vice President, Wildfire Programs, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes;
Jon Jones, Fire Protection Consultant, Jon Jones Associates, Inc.

Class Materials

A student workbook — packed with information covering WUI fire, the home ignition zone, and how to asses wildfire hazards in the home ignition zone, student exercises, and simulation exercises.
A student handout booklet — containing the instructor slide presentation with space to take notes.

Who should attend

State and Urban Foresters
Federal, State, County or Local Agencies
Firewise State Liaisons
Developers/Builders
Landscape Designers/Architects
Community Planners
Insurance Professionals

What's provided

Class materials
Continental breakfast, lunch and breaks
Certificate

Cost of the event is $200. Registration is limited so register now.

Previous Training Sessions

The Arkansas Forestry Commission sponsored this "Living on the Edge" training in cooperation with Interactive Training Media, which has created interactive CDs for FireWise training in Arkansas. The sessions were held Jan. 15, 2004, at the Embassy Suites hotel in Little Rock; Feb. 17, 2004 in Ozark; April 8, 2004 in Forrest City, and May 20, 2004 in Fayetteville.

The attendees received special training on how to use the interactive CDs "Living on the Edge in Arkansas (LOTE)" and "How to Have a Firewise Home," both created by Interactive Training Media in consultation with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. LOTE is a program designed to help Arkansans become more Firewise — that is, to promote wildland fire safety in what foresters call the wildland/urban interface (WUI). "How to Have a Firewise Home" is designed to help the individual and groups of homeowners protect their homes. The LOTE CD is one of a three-part series developed by IM, which was paid for by a grant from the USDA Forest Service National Fire Plan.

The number of people moving closer to the wildlands has increased dramatically. This urban growth into wildland settings has increased fire hazards in forests, grasslands and home sites. These areas are collectively called the wildland/urban interface (WUI). Fire can play a beneficial role in natural areas, but wildfire in the WUI means a threat to lives, homes and property. A growing number of people living in these fire-prone areas don't realize the potential danger. We often think, "We don't have that type of problem here." Unfortunately, this approach does not protect homeowners and communities from the serious threat of wildfire damage.

"The Wildland Fire Series" helps address issues associated with the wildland/urban interface. The full program includes three CD-roms and accompanying workshops.

"Living on the Edge" gives the user background knowledge and understanding of the components of wildland fire. Armed with this valuable information, users then apply these strategies to improving their homes and communities. This CD is designed primarily for community leaders and firefighters.

"How to Have a Firewise Home" educates homeowners about risk factors associated with wildland fires, suggests low-flammability landscaping options, and discusses why homes actually burn. This information offers homeowners options to help reduce their risk from wildland fires. This CD is designed for homeowners to help them preserve homes.

"Wildfire Prevention" is primarily designed for use in the fourth through sixth grade classrooms, but can be used with a wide variety of audiences. This CD is a fun, attention-grabbing presentation of facts and information about fire and ecosystems, and is being taught in classrooms throughout Arkansas.

By raising the awareness of community leaders and homeowners to the risks they face and providing sound strategies for minimizing these risks, the Wildland Fire Series provides a valuable educational service that can lead to increased protection of lives, homes and property in the wildland/urban interface communities.

For more information, please call the Arkansas Forestry Commission at (501) 296-1940 or e-mail firewise@arkansas.gov.

Click on a location below to view photos from each session.