Session Descriptions

8:30 am – 10:00 am
Opening General Session
Confirmed– Governor Janet Napolitano
Recognizing the need for a more holistic approach to forest health management and community protection, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano established the Forest Health Advisory Council and the Governor’s Forest Health Oversight Council. Governor Napolitano’s support of the FIREWISE program and the collaborative approach for reducing wildland fire risks to communities and the environment have drastically strengthened Arizona’s efforts of suppression and mitigation tactics.

James Hull, Texas State Forester, will share his insights into the challenges faced by wildland fire crews in Texas and of the region which were recently highlighted by the wildfires of December 2005 across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. 

11:00 am - Noon
T1 – 101: What’s YOUR PLAN?
With the onset of Community Wildfire Protection Planning, jurisdictions across the nation have been analyzing the wildland-urban interface in their communities. The next step is to leverage the CWPP analysis into an operational pre-attack plan. This workshop will provide a methodology for developing a pre-attack plan for the WUI that will support the development and effectiveness of local T-3 IMTs.
Chris White, Chief Officer, Anchor Point Group, and Wildland Fire Program Specialist, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Boulder, CO

T2 – 201: The Prescott Success Story
In 1990, a small group of individuals had a vision for solving the severe WUI problem in Prescott, AZ. The vision was for a community based, citizen lead commission that worked with the agencies to coordinate, collaborate and educate to protect the community. Fifteen years later, the commission has seen success in many ways, such as earning the first firewise community award in the nation, establishing a fuels reduction crew through the Prescott Fire Department, conducting numerous educational outreach events, establishing a Type 2 wildland fire crew, reducing the threat to the community by 25 percent through fuel reduction on private property and completing the CWPP.
Darrell Willis, Fire Chief, Prescott Fire Department, Prescott, AZ

T3 – 301: High Reliability Organizing in Wildland Fire: Lessons From Field Units
Wildland fire organizations are better able to manage the unexpected in their work environments if they adopt the high reliability organizing principles developed by Weick and Sutcliffe in 2001. Learn how a local unit, an incident management team and a hand crew use these principles Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center helps share this knowledge with the wildland fire community.
David A. Christenson, Assistant Center Manager, and Paula Nasiatka, Center Manager, Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, National Advanced Fire & Resource Institute, Tucson, AZ

T4 – 401: Lessons Learned Center, National Advanced Fire & Resource Institute, Tucson, AZ
How When and Where to Use CAFS in the Wildland Urban Interface
Experience this enlightening presentation on the uses and benefits of compressed air form systems (CAFS) in interface situations. You will walk away with an understanding of how CAFS systems work and how they can be used in various tactical situations. This information is essential to both firefighters and chief officers. Topics will include the following: how class A foam works, CAFS basics, the benefits of CAFS (why bubbles are better) and tactical uses of CAFS in the WUI. Examples of applications for fighting fire and protection of structures will show you the uses in your own communities.
Keith Klassen, Captain, Summit Fire District, Flagstaff, AZ

T5 – 501: Collaborative Tools at Nested Scales to Prioritize Restoration of Fire-Adapted Ecosystems
Restoring and maintaining fire adapted ecosystems can reduce hazardous fuels and improve community values, but prioritizing where to invest our limited resources is difficult with over half of the United States outside of the natural range of variability in vegetation, fire regimes or fuels. The Nature Conservancy’s Global Fire Initiative uses a suite of approaches, including broad-scale assessments such as the LANDFIRE project, ecological modeling and scenario testing, and collaborative networks like the Fire Learning Network. Nesting local, regional and global scale approaches improves prioritization, builds collaborative capacity on the ground and applies the best available science toward fire restoration.
Kelly Pohl, Fire Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy, Boulder, CO

Bonus Session I: Expanding the Reach of the IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative
Through a cooperative agreement with the USFA, the IAFC is working to expand the use of the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. Join us for this workshop to learn about wellness and fitness programs that your department can implement to positively impact the health and fitness levels of fire and emergency services personnel.

2:00 pm-3:30pm
T1 – 102: Wildland and Structural Firefighters—A Collaborative Approach
This presentation outlines an ongoing wildland-urban interface program in Jasper, Alberta, a town of 5,000 residents and destination for more than two million visitors annually. Learn about ecologically-based methods for managing forest fuels in ways that reduces wildfire risk but also optimizes or improves ecosystem conditions, wildlife habitat and aesthetic qualities. Discuss innovative means of getting the public engaged and on board with fuel management and forest restoration activities, and find out about team-building approaches to bond structural and wildland firefighters into a cohesive unit to support interface prevention and emergency response programs. This project is sponsored by the Foothills Model Forest.
Alan Westhaver, Vegetation/Fire Specialist, Jasper National Park, Parks Canada/Foothills Model Forest, Jasper, Alberta, Canada; Greg Van Tighem, Fire Chief, Municipality of Jasper, Jasper, Alberta, Canada

T2 – 202: Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan: Challenges and Successes in the First Year of Implementation
Josephine County Commissioners adopted the Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan in 2004 in response to high wildfire risk and lessons learned from the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Plan adoption resulted after a year of planning and coordination among fire districts, county government, state and federal agencies, community organizations and citizens. This panel highlights the collaboration between public and private agencies during plan development and implementation. The discussion will include challenges and successes of fuels reduction, emergency management and education and outreach efforts, and maintaining coordination between diverse partners. Learn about the implementation strategies and how the plan is being monitored, evaluated and updated, and discover how this plan could help you and your community.
Kathy Lynn, Resource Innovations, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR; Phil Turnbull, Rural/Metro Fire Department, Josephine County, OR; Tim Gonzales, Fuels Mitigation Specialist, Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, OR; Bob Schumacher, Director, Illinois Valley Community, Cave Junction, OR; Brian Sines, Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Medford, OR; Mark Sorensen, Josephine County, OR; Sara Nicholson, Josephine County Emergency Manager, OR

T3 – 302: Effective Unified Command Begins With Building Relationships
Unified command has been around for many years in emergency services, but it is only after the recent threat of terrorism that we have focused on the need for the multi-disciplined approach to incident command. In addition, the new federal mandate of the NIMS has heightened the need for multi-agency, cross disciplined coordination. The time has come when all agencies must work together. In order for this to occur, we first must build working relationships to facilitate a change in culture, communication and coordination. You will have the opportunity to learn how to build relationships using a multiagency/multi-disciplined coordination group (MAC) concept.
Dave Hanneman, Deputy Chief Operations, Meridian, ID

T4 – 402: Local IMTs and Type 1 Incident Commanders Share Their Stories
Fire Chief Robert Anderson will share his perspective as a type 1 incident commander assisting the NOFD and the out of area fire resources in New Orleans, LA in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Robert Anderson, Fire Chief, Spokane County Fire District #9, Mead, WA

T5 – 502: Fire on the Ground - Restoring Forest Ecosystems with Fire
The role of fire in maintaining healthy ecosystems has recently been elevated. The Gila National Forest has embraced the Southwest Region’s Central Priority of restoring the functionality of fire-adapted ecosystems. Building on a strong program that dates to the 1970s—when Gila was one of the first to implement Wildland Fire Use strategies to restore ecosystems—the Gila National Forest continues to develop innovative ways to restore effects of fire exclusion. The program covers building the scientific basis for actions carried out on the ground, incorporating a mix of tools, including: WFU, prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and collaborative partnerships across agencies, NGOs and the public.
Charlie Elliott, District Fire Management Officer, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest, Silver City, NM

Bonus Session II: National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System (www.firefighternearmiss.com) is turning near-miss experiences into lessons learned for everyone in the fire service community. The program is voluntary, confidential, non-punitive and secure. The goal is to improve firefighter safety by collecting, sharing and analyzing near-miss experiences. The information gathered can be used to formulate strategies to reduce the number of firefighter injuries and fatalities.
Amy Noel Hultman, Project Manager, IAFC; Battalion Chief John Tippett, Project Manager, IAFC

THURSDAY, MARCH 9
8:00 am-9:30 am
T1 – 103: Adopting Firewise Communities/USA: People Working Together
The Firewise Communities/USA program flourishes in a collaborative environment. This new program has built a network of more than 115 recognition sites in fire-prone areas of the United States. By employing a flexible template that can be tailored to ensure maximum wildland fire protection and education for participating communities, the program enlists the commitment and cooperation of civic leaders, fire staff and homeowners. Local solutions to specific fire protection challenges become possible when employing its methodology. Learn how to implement these risk reducing strategies by a collaborative plan of attack.
Judith Leraas Cook, Project Manager, Firewise Communities/USA, Eastsound, WA; Tom Hoffman, State Chief, Fire Prevention and Prefire Management, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Sacramento, CA; Keith Worley, Chairman, Perry Park Firewise Committee, Perry Park Metropolitan District, Larkspur, CO

T2 – 203: Project Wildfire: A Model for Wildfire Mitigation
Project Wildfire is an innovative, award-winning model program that can be replicated in wildfire zones around the country. Join a panel of public and private Project Wildfire members for discussion on core strategies for building and maintaining partnerships to achieve effective mitigation in wildfire prone areas. Learn valuable information about FireFree sustainable fuels reduction and utilization programs. Gain tips on maximizing grant opportunities and leveraging funding. Hear about integrated regional wildfire mitigation planning. This interactive session will help you understand how this program can serve as a model in your own areas.
Kate Lighthall, Program Coordinator, Project Wildfire, Bend, OR; Joe Stutler, Committee Chair, Project Wildfire, Bend, OR; Lisa Clark, Fire Mititation Specialist, Central Oregon Fire Management Service, Prineville, OR; Dennis Luke, County Commissioner, Deschutes County, Bend, OR;  Kelly Walker, Environmental Director, Sunriver Owners Association, Sunriver, OR; Robert Young, District Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville, OR; Gary Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief & Fire Marshall, Bend Fire & Rescue, OR

T3 – 303: Structure to Wildland Cross Training Program
"The Changing Role and Needs of Local, Rural, and Volunteer Fire Departments in the Wildland-Urban Interface: An Assessment and Report to Congress," highlighted the importance of community-based first responders in quickly and effectively containing wildland fire starts before they become large-scale wildfires that are detrimental to the public and to the environment. Learn how to implement the design and development of appropriate “gap” courses or learning modules, providing critical wildland-fire skills to augment existing structural firefighting skills in your department.
Chris White, Chief Officer; Anchor Point Group; Wildland Fire Program Specialist, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Boulder, CO

T4 – 403: California Indian Reservations
California Indian Reservations have independent fire departments with distinct challenges unlike local governments. This presentation will share those challenges about sovereignty, funding, mutual and auto aid agreements with federal, state and local entities. Find out what is being done to manage these issues.
Ed Mcormond, Fire Chief, Pechanga Fire Department, Temecula, CA

T5 – 503: The Holistic Approach to Managing the WUI in NSW, Australia
The state of NSW in Australia has, for many years, through the NSW Rural Fire Service, been at the forefront of wildland firefighting, mitigation and protection. This is particularly the case with regard to the coordinated holistic approach to the impact of wildland fire on the community at the urban interface. This multi-faceted approach to mitigating the impact of fire on the community includes streamlining environmental approvals for hazard reduction; establishing appropriate development controls; enabling legislation to ensure land owners/managers address their responsibilities of educating the community on a philosophy of shared responsibility for fire management. These measures are aimed at providing a cohesive multi-agency approach to fire management. A key aspect of this approach is the development of an appropriate incident and pre-incident planning regime. Through the legislated involvement of all key stakeholders including place, fire, land management and community representatives, NSW has managed to encompass all of the required aspects into this approach.
Keith Harrap, Assistant Commissioner, and Robert Rogers, Assistant Commissioner, NSW Rural Fire Service, New South Wales, Australia

10:00 am-11:30 am
T1 – 104: The Oregon Forestland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997
The Oregon Forestland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997 is currently being implemented on ODF protected lands in Oregon. In this program, county committees classify communities land risk and announce the findings at public meetings and hearings, and then community homeowners receive a self-certification guide, and community assessors assist homeowners in selecting treatment alternatives while working to incorporate the local real estate industry. Learn how this model has offered fire departments, counties and states an opportunity to view the ingredients and unique aspects of a successful, statewide fire mitigation program.
Robert Young, District Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville, OR

T2 – 204: Pine-Strawberry Fire Department Wildfire Education Program
This workshop presents Pine-Strawberry Fire Department’s Wildfire Education Program, a unique education effort focused on teaching elementary school children the concept of defensible space. Since approximately 70 percent of Pine-Strawberry’s property owners have primary residences elsewhere in the state, this program is offered to schools statewide. Educational materials, including worksheets, workbooks, and a lesson plan that meets the state science standards, are available to teachers along with a highly visual classroom presentation, either live or on video. Knowledge is powerful and can save lives and protect homes. If you would like to start a school-based program in your community, this session is for you.
Mike Brandt, Captain, Fuels Management Officer, Pine-Strawberry Fire Department, Pine, AZ

T3 – 304: Essential Wildland Fire Safety
As of November 18, wildland fires have burned 8.4 million acres across the United States—already more than last year’s total of 6.8 million acres. In the past few years, nearly every area of the country including Southern California, Montana, Florida, Oregon and Arizona have experienced major wildland fires. Each one required the support and assistance of structural firefighters from rural and paid departments. This session will examine essential firefighter safety fundamentals, new developments and trends that can help protect structural firefighters when responding to wildland fires.
Gene Madden, Division Safety Officer, Florida Division of Forestry, Tallahassee, Florida

T4 – 404: Lessons Learned from the 2003 California Cedar Fire
Deputy Chief John Hawkins, Incident Commander on the Cedar Fire will share the lessons learned in San Diego County in 2003. This wildland fire quickly became the largest wildland fire in California history not only in acres burned, but also property loss. Discover the very dynamic nature of this incident in fire spread, life loss, historical impact and the political issues which surrounded it.
John R. Hawkins, Deputy Chief, California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection, Riverside County Fire Department, Perris, CA

T5 – 504: Fires across International Borders—Tactical Complexities vs. Strategic Politics
In 2005, there were more than 1,700 fires burning in Indonesia. The smoke was so thick and toxic that its impact on nearby countries caused states of emergencies. The presenter will describe how, along with a federal representative, he led a team of Australian firefighters into Sumatra to assess the situation and provide advice to both the Australian and Indonesian governments. This workshop discusses the lessons learned from this deployment particularly in the areas of tactical operations and working within an international environment
John Cawcutt, Executive Manager - State Operations Directorate, Queensland Fire & Rescue Service, Bellbowrie, Queensland, Australia

1:30 pm-3:00 pm
T1 – 105: Lessons and Experiences of Recent Seasons in New South Wales
The state of NSW in Australia is one of the most wildland fire prone areas of the world. Every summer, large tracts of land are destroyed by blazes that threaten life and property. The NSW Rural Fire Service has a successful record in the management of such events with little or no loss of life and minimal loss of property given the scope of such events in the Australian environment. In the past five years the state has been subjected to record breaking fire activity as the result of extended drought conditions coupled with the extreme fire weather events. Join us to look at the statistics that make up these events and explore the lessons learned that will work to improve the protection of the community at large from the ravages of fire.
Keith Harrap, Assistant Commissioner, NSW Rural Fire Service, Granville, New South Wales, Australia

T2 – 205: Colorado’s Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership—Catalyst for Community Wildfire Protection Planning
In March 2004, county commissioners and staff from Colorado’s 10 Front Range counties gathered to discuss the Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership and Community Wildfire Protection Plans. Partnership coordinators and key personnel then met with fire departments in each of the 10 counties to discuss how to effectively involve local communities in the development of CWPPs. As a result, seven CWPPs were completed on the Front Range in 2004, 21 more were initiated and another 26 communities expressed a strong interest in developing plans. In 2005, the partnership has directed resources to address increased demand for assistance with planning. This successful program can help you involve your own community.
Chuck Dennis, Project Forester, Colorado State Forest Service, Broomfield, CO; David Hessel, Colorado State Forest Service, Broomfield, CO

T3 – 305: Complex Incident Management Course – All Risk Training for State IMTs
In 1998, the National Association of State Foresters in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service tasked a national steering committee of experienced personnel in wildland fire and all risk response to design a state and local incident command course for the most complex situations. The goal of this program was to enhance the ability of state teams to be able to work in multi-jurisdictional environments at the most complex incidents using the incident command system. This scenario-driven course is designed to train advanced level incident management teams and personnel in all-risk response. The program was developed with state and local response issues, and primary participation has come from state and local responders.
Jim Karels, Assistant Director, Florida Division of Forestry, Tallahassee, FL

T4 – 405: Performing as a Structure Protection Group Supervisor on a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire
Join us to discover the keys to success as a structure protection group supervisor on a wildland urban interface fire. Topics include command principles, ICS organization, structural triage, perimeter control and structure protection tactics and strategy, resource utilization, how to develop a written structure protection plan and firefighter safety practices.
Kelley Gouette, Battalion Chief, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection District, San Luis Obispo, CA

T5 – 505: The Grants Ballgame—Playing to Win!
Learn what the proper grant strategies are for your department! Specifically you’ll learn what it takes to get funded in programs like the Assistance to Firefighters, Fire Prevention and Safety, and SAFER grant programs. Discover alternative funding sources through state, local private and corporate funding sources. Play by the rules to win funding for your department needs.
Kurt Bradley, Lead Grants Consultant, CHIEF Grants, Auburndale, FL

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Closing General Session
The conference will close with a case study of the 2005 Topanga fire in Southern California that brings all five conference tracks together. Hear the detailed pre-fire strategies, fire history, incident management and comments from the post incident analysis. You will have the opportunity to see the positive factors that made this incident successful and find the areas of improvement needed for the future.
Bob Roper, Fire Chief, Ventura County Fire Department, Camarillo, CA