Fire Prevention Education Team Member

PETM Incident Position Description

The Fire Prevention Education Team Member (PETM) assists with developing and implementing a comprehensive fire prevention program on a district, region, state, or multi-state level to reduce human-caused wildfires. The program includes components of education, engineering, enforcement, and administration. The PETM reports to a Fire Prevention Education Team Leader (PETL) or Agency Administrator and works in the Prevention and Investigation functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Obtain and assemble information and materials needed for assignment.
• Ensure proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and attire/uniform requirements are communicated to team prior to deployment.
• Gather critical information relevant to the assignment including cultural, social, and political considerations. Be sensitive to local communication needs and styles.
• Travel to and check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
• Obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.

Build the Team

• Obtain work area, supplies, and communications equipment necessary to complete assignment.
• Participate in operational briefings as directed.
• Share knowledge of fire prevention processes as appropriate with trainees.
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Identify and anticipate staffing needs and request additional resources and/or replacements as needed.

Perform Fire Prevention Education Team Member-Specific Duties

• Complete research on fire history data, current fire causes, cultural, and census information to assist the PETL in developing a strategic communication plan with key messages.
• Provide logistical support for all team activities when needed.
• Meet with a wide range of cooperators, partners, citizens, and public land users such as agency prevention personnel, Incident Management Teams (IMT), local fire departments, and key community leaders to discuss fire prevention issues and strategies.
• Deliver persuasive fire prevention programs and messages to target audiences.
• Research and utilize existing products, such as those on the Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET) Digital Library. Prepare and produce additional accessible prevention products according to Section 508 standards. Ensure new material is uploaded for approval and use on the FPET Digital Library.
• Work with regional and local traditional and social media platforms to communicate fire causes, fire weather, and fire/fuel conditions in creative ways to get the wildfire prevention message out to the public.
• Carry out wildfire prevention patrol or trap-line activities as appropriate.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Assist in preparation for briefings and presentations at agency and community meetings.
• Assist the Public Information Officer (PIO) with media outreach and updates.
• Assist with the preparation of a final report documenting the FPET’s accomplishments, methods, and recommendations.
• Participate in functional area briefings and After Action Reviews (AARs).

Manage Risk

• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
  • Identify Hazards.
  • Assess Hazards.
  • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions.
  • Implement Controls.
  • Supervise and Evaluate.
• Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for yourself and those around you.
• Report all accidents or injuries to incident supervisor.

Document

• Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR)
  • Activity Log (ICS 214)
  • Agency-specific forms
• Assist with tracking budget and salary expenses

Demobilize

• Complete the demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
• Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.