Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface

1. S-215
S-215
Fire Operations in the
Wildland/Urban Interface
Unit 3
Pre-Incident Planning
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-1

2. S-215
Unit Objectives
• Identify three resources for pre-incident
planning.
• List items to consider in pre-incident
planning.
• Describe some of the factors to be
considered with the public before an
interface incident occurs.
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-2

3. S-215
Introduction
Pre-incident planning:
• Should be in place before the season or
incident
• May be formal or informal
• Is jointly prepared by all potentially involved
parties
• May contain special considerations or
restrictions
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-3

4. S-215
Pre-Incident Planning Sources
• Formal Plans
– Firewise Communities
– Community Wildfire
Protection Plans
• Informal Plans
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-4

5. S-215
Firewise Communities/USA
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-5

6. S-215
Community Wildfire
Protection Plans
• Included in the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act
in 2003
• Intended to help refine
priorities for protection
of life, property, and
improvements in the
interface
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-6

7. S-215
Fire Adapted Communities
• Fire adapted
communities hold that,
with proper communitywide preparation,
residents and
infrastructure can
withstand the
devastating effects of a
wildfire.
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-7

8. S-215
Pre-Incident Planning
• Informal Plans
– Can be very simple
– Develop familiarity
– Easy to refresh
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-8

9. S-215
Pre-Incident Planning: Informal
• Perform reconnaissance of local area
• Establish public relations with residents
• Develop relationship with local media outlets
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-9

10. S-215
Wildfire Hazards
Assessment Technology
• Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
• Hazard assessment
technology
• Parcel maps
• Satellite or internet mapping
• Commercial hazard maps
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-10

11. S-215
Pre-incident Planning Items of
Importance
• Topography
• Fuels
• Structure
density
• Access and egress
What else can you think of?
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-11

12. S-215
Public Interactions Before an
Incident
• Residents and property owners
• Media
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-12

13. S-215
Conclusion
Having a plan before an incident occurs, with
relationships already established, will make
your efforts safer and more effective.
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-13

14. S-215
Review Unit Objectives
• Identify three resources for pre-incident
planning.
• List items to consider in pre-incident
planning.
• Describe some of the factors to be
considered with the public before an
interface incident occurs.
Unit 3 – Pre-Incident Planning
Slide 3-14