Skip to main content

Communication Education and Prevention Committee

Banner Image (Legacy Committees before 2026)
CEPC header graphic. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee (CEPC) provides national leadership, support, and coordination in all areas of wildland fire education and prevention. The CEPC promotes public understanding of wildland fire through communication, education, prevention and outreach.

Body

Primary Objectives

Prevention Team assignment for the eclipse in Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky

  • Develop and/or promote education programs and tools that provide information about wildland fire ecology, management, protection and prevention.
  • Work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement in all areas of wildland fire communication, education, and prevention.
  • Provide subject matter expertise in communication, education, and prevention for projects, standards, guidelines, qualifications, certification, and training.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

Smokey Bear with pack horse

Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation

More and more, people in the wildland/urban interface zone are feeling the effects of wildland fire. Every year families are evacuated and structures are destroyed as the result of wildland fires in this zone. There are tools that can assist professionals and homeowners in mitigating the risk of damage from a wildland fire, however. Below are just a few of the available resources that can help make the interface zone more survivable.

Wildfire Prevention Analysis and Planning

This is an overview presentation of a prevention analysis planning process. This process analyzes RISKS, HAZARDS and VALUES; outlines an operational plan for the protection of resources from wildfire; and develops wildfire prevention program implementation costs.

Additional Information

Guidance Documents

Fire Prevention Education Team Digital Library

This Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET) Digital Library is a database of wildland fire prevention and education materials that have been developed by FPETs and wildland fire prevention professionals. Each item has been reviewed for appropriate content and is approved for use. The files that are in a searchable database are available for use by anyone. The database includes different types of file formats depending on the use and presentation of the final product, e.g. slide show; printable item or sign; other handout; etc.

CEPC Research

Video: Wildfire Prevention Spatial Assessment and Planning Strategies (WPSAPS)

How many wildfires did you prevent? This is the most difficult question in wildfire prevention. It’s very difficult to measure something that doesn’t happen. Nationally, the goal is to utilize a system where we can document and demonstrate success in reducing the extensive number of unwanted human-caused wildfires, saving lives and protecting communities.

Wildfire Prevention Spatial Assessment and Planning Strategies, or WPSAPS, is a web-based application designed to make wildfire prevention program risk assessment, planning, and accomplishment reporting more efficient and effective. It provides users with a research-informed set of prevention actions based on a geospatial assessment of the risks, hazards, and values to be protected in their management unit. For user training information, contact your agency wildfire prevention lead.

The outputs from WPSAPS provide a foundation for a well-organized, intentional, prevention program. WPSAPS was developed specifically for the wildfire prevention community by an interagency workgroup composed of wildfire prevention personnel. This video provides an overview of the use and capabilities of the software.

Time: 6:34

Upcoming WPSAPS Training

  • Please contact your regional prevention specialist/officer for upcoming training opportunities near you.

WPSAPS General Support

  • If you have questions or comments concerning WPSAPS, please contact one of the following business leads for your agency.
    Name Agency Member Email Member Role
    USFWS andrew_bailey@fws.gov Primary
    BLM zellinger@blm.gov Primary
    NASF cehjr@ksu.edu Primary
    USFS anna.m.henderson@usda.gov Primary
    BIA kenneth.jaramillo@bia.gov Primary
    NASF angie.lane@dnr.wa.gov CEPC Chair
    USFS amanda.scott@usda.gov Primary
    BIA samuel.scranton@bia.gov Leader
    NPS jim_shultz@nps.gov Primary

Video: An Ounce of Prevention

Time: 10:24

Smokey Bear Campaign

  •  August 9, 2024 is Smokey Bear's 80th birthday! Join the year-round celebration.
  • A toolkit has been developed for all wildfire prevention partners and is intended to support efforts in promoting the wildfire prevention campaign. 

National Wildfire Prevention Strategy December 2021 (USDA Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management)

Amended and Approved Messaging and Tag Lines for Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation

Education Materials On Line (USFS) - The National Symbols Cache is an official service of the USDA Forest Service

Wildland Fire Classroom (NPS)

SmokeyBear.com

National Association of State Foresters

Chair: Lane, Angie

NWCG Coordinator: Gaskill, Steven

Parent Committee: N/A

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee