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Best Practices for Interacting with the P ublic about W ildland F ire: Key F indings from Interviews

Dan Berkman Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference Seattle, WA. Best Practices for Interacting with the P ublic about W ildland F ire: Key F indings from Interviews . Background. Fire suppression policies -ladder fuels Climate change -earlier melting snowpack

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Best Practices for Interacting with the P ublic about W ildland F ire: Key F indings from Interviews

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  1. Dan Berkman Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference Seattle, WA Best Practices for Interacting with the Public about Wildland Fire: Key Findings from Interviews

  2. Background • Fire suppression policies -ladder fuels • Climate change -earlier melting snowpack -drier fuel conditions -Mountain Pine Beetle • Expansion of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) -growing population -higher costs of suppression -defensible space Western Regional Climate Center Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

  3. Objective • To produce an annotated bibliography for fire managers that will integrate the known published literature with practical field experience from individuals who work in the field of wildland fire education and communication. US Forest Service

  4. Methods • Participants were selected through a snowball sampling technique (Goodman 1961). • A diverse range of geography, agency and positions were sought. • Interviews lasted approximately 45-60 minutes and were conversation style. • Basic content analysis techniques were used to find common themes and insightful feedback (Strauss and Corbin 1998).

  5. Summary results • 45 total interviews • US Forest Service regions US Forest Service

  6. Answers to questions geared toward work experience

  7. Overall goal(s) when working with the public Key themes from respondents: • Give accurate and concise information • Be honest • Be proactive with local communities • Show visuals “It is important to get a clear message across. Be honest and not condescending.” -Fire Management Officer NPS

  8. The most effective and least effective tools Most Effective: • Face to face contact • Good relationship with local media • Inciweb “Inciweb is like one stop shopping where all incidents are posted. It is a way to magnify our presence to a larger audience.” -Public Information Officer Least Effective: • Just using one tool in toolbox (written guidelines, social media) National Interagency Fire Center

  9. Influence of social media Key Themes: • Polarizing issue • The challenge is to juggle the new available technology without losing the personal touch. • Rumor central? Quotes: “The public wants and desires up-to-date information, which is a good thing as long as you can give out ‘real time needs’.” -Fire Education Specialist

  10. Lessons learned Key Themes: • Remember human side of work • Public wants to be heard and listened to • Working with local agencies with help with external communication efforts Quote: “Remember you are a guest in their community. Be a person, not a government worker. Build trust and make common connections with people.” -Public Information Officer Wall Street Journal

  11. Answers to questions geared toward the formatting and content of the annotated bibliography

  12. Knowledge gaps in fire managers Key Themes: • Officers are not out in the field enough • Need to know fire ecology • Use common language • Need understanding of the Incident Command System Quote: “You have to be a believable manager. You have to go out in the field and see what is being talked about.” -Fire and Aviation Management Officer National Interagency Fire Center

  13. Practicality and format Key Themes: • Keep short and concise • Easy to read articles • Multimedia Quote: “Line officers do not read much anymore. Sometimes we read executive summaries. Mostly we want quick and easily accessible reads.” -Fire Information Officer BLM Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

  14. Layout of bibliography: 105 total articles The bibliography has been divided into the following main sections: 1) Introduction to Wildland Fire Ecology and History 2) Understanding Social Changes along the Wildland Urban Interface 3) Perception of Wildland Fire and Policy 4) Long Term Planning and Resiliency

  15. Example table for a subsection

  16. Main conclusions Best Practices • Be honest and accurate with information. • Important to build relationships with communities prior to events. • The most effective tool is face-to-face, personal communication with the public. Content and Format of Bibliography • Geared toward information and line officers new to the field of fire management. • Short and concise content. Easy to read articles and visuals.

  17. Acknowledgements Anne Black (RMRS) Dick Bahr (NPS) Vita Wright (RMRS/NPS) Mark Ashton (Yale F&ES) Ann Camp (Yale F&ES) and all those interviewed!

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