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Communication Education and Prevention Committee

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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.

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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: Angie Lane

NWCG Coordinator: Sarah Lee

Parent Committee:

Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the second Thursday

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

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

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2