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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: Lane, Angie

NWCG Coordinator: Gaskill, Steven

Parent Committee:

Meeting Schedule:

Monthly on the second Thursday

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

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