Last week, NFPA Seminars offered "Assessing Wildfire Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone" for the first time at one of its Training Seminar Weeks in Denver. While the course, developed by NFPA's Firewise Communities program, has been offered dozens of times in the past few years, it has only recently been updated and refined for delivery as a formal NFPA Seminar. When I asked Pat Durland and Gary Marshall, the instructors for this offering, about how it went, they had this to say:
"It went very well. We had about 25 folks from CO, NM, MO, SD and WY, who were fire chiefs, inspectors, conservation/refuge districts, folks working on CWPPs, community planners, landscape architects, etc. I scanned the evals and we got great marks. Participants indicated that this is valuable information that will assist them in dealing with WU fire losses and community assistance. Also indications that some participants are planning on reaching Firewise Communities/USA status in the future. -- Pat
People want this course, and I say "people" as the professionals we work with and the general population that either live or associated with the WUI. I also believe the class is fast, interactive, informational and rewarding which leaves the student with a mission to change behaviors and motivation to take this information and do something with it." -- Gary
Participants in previous offerings of this course are quick to add their praise:
- After 30 years in the wildfire business this information has changed my thinking --North Carolina forestry specialist
- Finally, all this wildfire information makes sense! --Wildland/Urban Interface area resident
- This course makes you think!" --Wildland Fire professional
- The course is a must for all. It gets people started on the right track. The home ignition problem is complex and different each time --California wildland firefighter
- As a community coordinator it pulled a lot of information together for me and will assist me further in working with the residents in my community -- Alaskan community resident and Firewise advocate
Pat adds, "This is the best wildfire course I have ever taught as it empowers folks in understanding and taking action to reduce wildfire losses in their communities!"
So what are you waiting for? Check the NFPA Catalog for upcoming seminar dates and how to register.
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