Best Practices for Interacting with the Public
about Wildland Fire: Key Findings from Interviews
Dan BerkmanHuman Dimensions of Wildland Fire
ConferenceSeattle, WA
Background
Fire suppression policies -ladder fuels
Climate change-earlier melting snowpack-drier fuel conditions-Mountain Pine Beetle
Expansion of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
-growing population-higher costs of suppression-defensible space
Western Regional Climate Center
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
Objective
To produce an annotated bibliography for fire managers that will integrate the known published literature with practical field experience from individuals who work in the field of wildland fire education and communication.
US Forest Service
Methods
Participants were selected through a snowball sampling technique (Goodman 1961).
A diverse range of geography, agency and positions were sought.
Interviews lasted approximately 45-60 minutes and were conversation style.
Basic content analysis techniques were used to find common themes and insightful feedback (Strauss and Corbin 1998).
Summary results
Agency R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R8 R9 R10 Total
NPS 2 1 1 3 1 1 9
USFS 7 3 1 1 1 1 14
BLM 1 1 2 4
State/local 5 2 1 1 9
Researchers 2 1 1 1 5
Other 1 3 4
Total 17 1 8 4 5 0 2 6 2 45
• 45 total interviews
• US Forest Service regions US Forest Service
Overall goal(s) when working with the public
Key themes from respondents:
Give accurate and concise information
Be honest
Be proactive with local communities
Show visuals
“It is important to get a clear message across. Be honest and not condescending.” -Fire Management Officer
NPS
The most effective and least effective tools
Most Effective: Face to face contact
Good relationship with local media
Inciweb
“Inciweb is like one stop shopping where all incidents are posted. It is a way to magnify our presence to a larger audience.” -Public Information Officer
Least Effective: Just using one tool in toolbox (written guidelines,
social media)
National Interagency Fire Center
Influence of social media
Key Themes:
Polarizing issue
The challenge is to juggle the new available technology without losing the personal touch.
Rumor central?
Quotes:“The public wants and desires up-to-date information, which is a good thing as long as you can give out ‘real time needs’.” -Fire Education Specialist
Lessons learned
Key Themes:
Remember human side of work
Public wants to be heard and listened to
Working with local agencies with help with externalcommunication efforts
Quote:“Remember you are a guest in their community. Be a person, not a government worker. Build trust and make common connections with people.” -Public Information Officer
Wall Street Journal
Knowledge gaps in fire managers
Key Themes:
Officers are not out in the field enough
Need to know fire ecology
Use common language
Need understanding of the Incident Command System
Quote:“You have to be a believable manager. You have to go out in the field and see what is being talked about.” -Fire and Aviation Management Officer
National Interagency Fire Center
Practicality and format
Key Themes:
Keep short and concise
Easy to read articles
Multimedia
Quote:“Line officers do not read much anymore. Sometimes we read executive summaries. Mostly we want quick and easily accessible reads.” -Fire Information Officer
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
BLM
Layout of bibliography: 105 total articles
The bibliography has been divided into the following main sections:
1) Introduction to Wildland Fire Ecology and History
2) Understanding Social Changes along the Wildland Urban Interface
3) Perception of Wildland Fire and Policy
4) Long Term Planning and Resiliency
Example table for a subsectionAuthor Date Published Geography Focus of Study
Page reference of full summary
Black et al.c 2008 NationalBarriers to wildland fire use and programs 30
Dombeck et al 2004 National
History of wildland fire policy and the impacts of climate change and an expanding WUI 30
Steelman et al. 2004Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico
Federal and state allocation of resources for suppression versus other management strategies 31
Steelman and Burke 2007 National
Federal, state, community allocation of resources toward wildland fire management 32
Steelman and McCaffrey 2011
Los Padres NF, California; Shoshone NF, Wyoming
External and internal issues for more flexible fire management strategies 32
Main conclusions
Best Practices Be honest and accurate with information.
Important to build relationships with communities prior to events.
The most effective tool is face-to-face, personal communication with the public.
Content and Format of Bibliography Geared toward information and line officers new to the
field of fire management.
Short and concise content. Easy to read articles and visuals.