National Interagency Fire Center

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Organization

2. Wildland Fire Overview

A. Introduction

B. Ecological Aspects of Wildland Fire

i. Fire Triangle
ii. Fire Behavior
iii. The Complexity of the Fire Ecology Message

C. Defining Fire Regimes

i. Fire Regime Condition Class

D. Fire Dependent Ecosystems of the United States

i. Impact on Animals
ii. Overview of Fire Dependent Ecosystems

1. Midwest Tallgrass Prairie
2. Southwestern California Chaparral
3. Ponderosa Pine in the Southwest and Intermountain West
4. Lodgepole Pine Communities of the Rocky Mountains
5. Southern Pine Communities
6. Jack Pine Communities of the Great Lakes Region
7. Alaska's Boreal Forest and Tundra
8. Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens
9. Eastern Deciduous Forests

E. Fire Effects

3. Fire Management

A. Wildland Fire Management - Agencies and their Roles

i. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
ii. National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

B. History of Humans and Fire

i. Historical Perspective
ii. Today's Societal Influence

C. Public Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Wildland Fire

i. Motivation and Education

4. Communication Planning and Strategy

A. Introduction

i. What Communication Can/Cannot Do
ii. Perspective from Wildland Fire Communicators
iii. Surround Sound Strategy

B. Best Practices: Communication Planning

i. Situation Analysis
ii. Objectives
iii. Audiences
iv. Messages
v. Strategies
vi. Tactics
vii. Action Plan/Timeline
viii. Evaluation
ix. Budget

C. Community Outreach

i. Public Presentations: The 4 C's of Persuasive Communication

D. Working with News Media

i. General Media Relations Tips
ii. News Writing
iii. News Conference
iv. Event Announcement
v. Inviting Media to an Event
vi. Event Publicity
vii. Photos
viii. Media Days
ix. Tips for Calling Media
x. What to Say When Calling Media
xi. Arranging an Interview
xii. Interview Tips
xiii. What to do When a Media Representative Calls YOU

E. Special Events

i. Event Planning
ii. Logistics
iii. Special Event Team
iv. Sample Timeline for Events

F. Crisis Communication

G. Youth Education Programs

i. Youth Organizations

5. Communication Materials

A. Introduction

B. Multimedia

i. Web Sites, Blogs
ii. E-Newsletters
iii. Interactive Compact Disks, DVDs
iv. Movies and Videos

C. Print Materials

i. Fact sheets
ii. Brochures
iii. Brochure Inserts
iv. Newsletters/Magazines
v. Promotional Materials

D. Exhibits and Signage

i. Exhibits
ii. Temporary Signage
iii. Outdoor Signs

E. Public Service Announcements

F. Advertising

i. Billboards

6. Cooperative Programs

A. Introduction

B. Wildfire Protection Cooperatives

C. Corporate or Foundation Partnerships for Communicating Fire Messages

7. Fire Education

A. Wildland Fire - A Tool for Stewardship

i. Fire Management

B. Fire Education Messages

i. Key Messages
ii. Key Messages with Supporting Points

C. Risk and Conflict Communication

i. Wildland Fire Education Considerations
ii. Historical Perspective
iii. Current Perspective
iv. Reintroduction of Fire
v. Smoke and Air Quality
vi. Education

D. Considerations for Wildland Fire Communication and Education

i. Wildland Fire Education Considerations

E. Prescribed Fire Presentations

F. Interpretive Programs

8. Fire Prevention

A. Introduction

B. Fire Prevention Messaging

C. Wildfire Prevention Education

i. Internal Communication
ii. The Public Information Officer and Wildfire Prevention
iii. Public Awareness and Education

1. Community Awareness
2. Mass Media - Television
3. Mass Media - Print/Radio
4. Signing
5. Fire Prevention High Visibility Public Contact
6. Agency Printed Material
7. Public Education - General