Skip to main content

Fire Prevention Education Team Subcommittee

Banner Image
FPETSC header graphic. Decorative.  One image of a poster that says Avoid Dry Grass. Three photo on the right showing; a man pointing to a information display with children listening; two forest service rangers flanking Smokey Bear, and a fire fighter representative giving an interview to a man holding a recording device.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Fire Prevention Education Team Subcommittee (FPETSC) provides national leadership in all areas of wildland Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET) management.

Body

Primary Objectives

A large group of people seated in rows inside a fire house garage, listen to a briefing being given by one person at the front. People also standing outside at the open doors listening. .  Decorative.

  • Establish and regularly update wildland fire incident position standards for FPET positions. This includes incident position description and position requirements for training, experience, physical fitness, and position currency.
  • Establish and regularly update training and performance support materials such as job aids, training courses, and position task books for FPET positions.
  • Develop FPET best practices that ensure timely, accurate and reliable information.
  • Coordinate with pertinent stakeholders and cooperators to provide all-inclusive messaging, information, assistance and subject matter expertise in fire prevention education team management.
  • Develop and maintain an inventory of FPET resources and tools.

Cars traveling on a freeway with a lighted caution sign above warning of Extreme Drought Conditions.  Decorative.

Fire Prevention Education Team Digital Library

This digital library is a database of wildland fire prevention and education materials that have been developed by Fire Prevention Education Teams (FPET) 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. Go the  FPET Digital Library.

Guidance Documents

Fire Prevention Education Team Brochure

Email your shipping address and requested order in quantities of 100 to sm.fs.symbols@usda.gov (note that they cannot be shipped to P.O. Boxes).

Wildland Fire Prevention and Education Teams: How They Can Help in Extreme Situations

When severe wildland fire situations occur as a result of extreme fire weather, wildland fires can cause extensive loss of life, property, and resources. As extreme conditions approach or worsen, wildland fire prevention/education is often overlooked as a possible source of help. Because fire weather conditions are predictable, wildland fire prevention/education teams can be mobilized in advance of fires, when fire danger becomes extreme. Prevention/education teams are available to support any geographic area preceding and during periods of high fire danger or fire activity. The requesting unit may use severity dollars in support of a prevention/education team.

Purpose of Wildland Fire Prevention/Education Teams

Teams assist the local unit in the prevention of unwanted human-caused wildfires. This involves working together to:

  • Complete fire risk assessments
  • Determine the severity of the situation
  • Facilitate community awareness and education in fire prevention including prescribed burning
  • Coordinate announcement of interagency restrictions and closures
  • Coordinate fire prevention efforts with the public, special target groups, state and local agencies, and elected officials
  • Promote public and personal responsibility regarding fire prevention in the wildland/urban interface
  • Assist Incident Management Teams in accomplishing their objectives in working with the public develop fire protection plans

Mobilization of a team may occur when an unusual event or circumstance warrants or is predicted

Examples:

  • Severe burning conditions
  • Unusually high fire occurrence
  • Majority of firefighting resources committed
  • Preparedness levels above normal

Benefits of Wildland Fire Prevention Education Teams

  • Reduce the loss of human life and property
  • Reduce resource losses
  • Reduce the cost of suppression
  • Improve interagency relations

Organization and Ordering

A team consists of a Team Leader, a Public Affairs Officer, Prevention Specialist(s), and an optional trainee or other team members as the situation dictates (Finance Officer, Logistics Specialist, etc.). Trained interagency personnel can be mobilized through normal dispatch channels to assist in fire prevention/education at any level of an organization. The individuals ordered for prevention/education teams must have the skills required to fill the position for which they have been ordered.

Refer to the National Mobilization Guide, Chapter 20, 22.9.10, Cooperative Fire Prevention/Education Teams, for ordering information.

For More Information See: National Wildland Fire Prevention and Education Teams.

National Fire Prevention Education Teams Oversight and Virtual Teams Concepts, April 2020.

2025 National Fire Prevention Education Team Schedule

This schedule represents the 2025 National Fire Prevention Education Team Rotation. We are working with all agencies and states to ensure that opportunities for interagency participation are provided. Please feel free to contact the Team Leader for more information. View the 2025 schedule.

FPET BrochureFree brochures are available for sharing information about FPETs with Fire Management Officers, fire directors, potential host agencies, and others.

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

 

2022 Fire Prevention Education Team Annual Webinar

Time 1:30:34

Chair: Grimes, Stacey

NWCG Coordinator: Gaskill, Steven

Parent Committee: Communication Education and Prevention Committee

Meeting Schedule:

Monthly on the third Thursday

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee