For 10 years, volunteer and agency firefighters start the wildland fire season with an integrated fire training exercise. On June 14, 2008, 150 firefighters from Teton, Sublette and Lincoln counties, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Wyoming State Forestry Division converged at Hoback Ranches subdivision near Bondurant, WY, for the annual All Fire Day.
This training was unique because of the organizers’ efforts to get Hoback Ranches homeowners to participate, both by providing them wildfire risk assessment forms ahead of time and encouraging them to participate in an evacuation drill. Firefighters also assessed homes in part of the neighborhood, and then compared their results with the homeowners’. Fire information officers staffed an information tent at the entrance to the subdivision, where “evacuees” gathered to compare notes on the evacuation and learn about Firewise practices.
“We made a conscious effort this year to involve homeowners and make sure they had all the necessary information to be prepared in the event of a wildfire,” said All Fire Day Planning Section Chief Chip Collins. “We know Hoback Ranches is in a high risk area for wildland fires. With the homeowners engaged in the exercise, they had the opportunity to better understand firefighters’ perspectives when it comes to protecting homes in the wildland-urban interface.”
All Fire Day is a collaborative approach to wildland fire training from all county, state and federal partners to improve interagency coordination and emergency preparedness. The Sublette County search and rescue, emergency medical services, and the local American Red Cross chapter also participated.
The training focused on a wildfire scenario involving a Type III incident management team and line officers from the state, park and forest, as well as firefighters working through a variety of drills, structure assessments and live fire exercises.
Established in 1998, All Fire Day provides opportunities for interagency fire personnel to complete field exercises that test skills. The exercises also promote safety and efficiency in wildland firefighting, while building relationships and better communication through increased agency coordination.
Contact: Traci Weaver, Fire Communication and Education
Phone: (307) 739-3692
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
