Ready – Be Prepared Set – Understand the Threat Go! – Act Early The RSG! Program implementation guide and the Your Role in Fire Adapted Communities guide can answer many questions. Feel free to contact RSG! Staff at 703.273.0911 / RSG@iafc.org if you have any questions or needs. We are happy to have you apart of the RSG! Program. [Insert your department logo here]

2016 Wildland Fire Frequency Mapping 2012 wildland fire frequency mapping by USFS, NOAA and NASA. Wildfire is a serious concern in this country – its not a question of if but when the next major wildland fire will occur. Through advance planning, understanding and preparation, we can all be partners in the wildfire fire solution.

RSG! Program – Risk of Wildland Fire [Explain your local risk and factors] [What is the WUI in your area] [History of risk] [Note previous fires to give local context] Talk with your state and local foresters for more information.

National Level Response Creating Communities Adapted to the Fire Threat - Collaborative efforts at the community level - RSG and CWR are national tools for this effort - Learn more at www.iafc.org/CWR, www.wildlandfirersg.org and www.FireAdapted.org The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, April 2011: Current work at the federal level to address forest health, fire response, and “Creating fire adapted communities.” (Phase 1 – 2010; Phase II – 2011; Phase III – 2012) The other two tenets being: Restoring and Maintaining Resilient Landscapes; and Responding to Wildfires. FAC is a strategy that encourages all involved at the local level to work collectively on their various wildland fire efforts towards the common goal. RSG and Firewise play an important part in the FAC education effort. Fire adapted communities builds on existing local foundations like RSG and Firewise by identifying roles and responsibilities each specific audience should do in relation to each other and encourages a community, cohesive and synergistic approach to the shared threat. FAC identifies five audiences: local fire service, local officials and decision makers, the public, builders, and land managers. 

RSG! Program: Fire Service & Residents working together Wildland Response RSG! Program: Fire Service & Residents working together The role of the fire department in response The responsibility of the resident Steps to work together Explain to your audience what the response capabilities and personnel resources are of your department. Explain how residents can take proactive steps to make their homes and properties safer in the event of a wildland fire. By having this dialogue, you and the residents are working together and can collectively identify how to make your community safer, both for them and responding fire fighters. Discuss other outreach tools your department may already be using or information from your state forestry agencies.

Strategies to Address Wildland Fire Impacts on Developed Property RSG! Program – Be Ready Strategies to Address Wildland Fire Impacts on Developed Property Reduce potential fire intensity that the vegetation will influence Reduce the structure’s ignitability Discuss fuel modification & home retrofit.

Defensible Space Works RSG! Program – Be Ready Defensible Space Works Defensible space is the required space between a structure and the wildland area that under normal conditions, creates a sufficient buffer to slow or halt the spread of wildfire to a structure. Discuss three zones of defensible space.

What you can do to make a Difference RSG! Program – Be Ready What you can do to make a Difference Prepare your property by creating defensible space Home Ignition Zone: start with your home and work outward Note to the residents what they can do today – clean up or relocate combustible materials from around their home. Keep grass moved short. Trim trees and bushes, allowing ample space between your home and landscape vegetation.

Consider the Ember Threat RSG! Program – Be Ready Consider the Ember Threat Ember fires can destroy homes or neighborhoods far from the actual flame front Fuel Modification & home retrofit

Firewise Strategies: Keep Radiant Heat Sources Away From the Home RSG! Program – Be Ready Firewise Strategies: Keep Radiant Heat Sources Away From the Home During fire season, store fire wood at least 30 feet from your house if possible. In wooded areas, thin trees, removing down and dead and the ladder fuels. Firewise choices include healthy, large specimens and deciduous species, when present. Careful selection of fire-resistant plants can slow the spread of a wildfire and reduce its intensity.

Maintenance is Important RSG! Program – Be Ready Maintenance is Important Defensible space must be maintained regularly.

What Does it Mean to be “Set” RSG! Program – Be Set What Does it Mean to be “Set” Situational Awareness Ability of response Local methods of emergency communication Be aware of what is going on around you. [Share your department’s ability of respose]

Functional Needs Populations RSG! Program – Be Set Functional Needs Populations Home care O2 dependent Lift assist Hospice Special needs children Assisted living Different levels Shelter in Place? No AC? Language Translation and word choice Hearing impaired Building situational awareness and resident’s pre-conceptions of response. Large land owners Access Animals

RSG! Program – Be Set What you can do to make a difference: Prepare a ‘go’ kit and include: Emergency supplies Important documents Create your own action plan: Plan and practice multiple exit routes from your home and neighborhood Assign a meeting place in case you are separated Be familiar with local emergency notification and evacuation systems

What Does it Mean to “Go” RSG! Program – Go What Does it Mean to “Go” Evacuation is a local Issue and determination Action will be different for various residents Education and situational understanding are key Fire management plans are a good tool RSG does not mandate evacuation. This is a local issue and one residents will ask you about. Engage dialogue to discuss being proactive during a time of threat.

What you can do as a wildland fire threatens: RSG! Program – Go What you can do as a wildland fire threatens: Remain alert and keep apprised of the situation Get your ‘go’ kit and leave the threatened area Cooperate with local authorities during evacuation and re-entry process

RSG! Program – Local Resources Additional Local Information [Share any additional local wildland fire information you may have here] [Insert your logo and website(s)] Talk with your state and local forestry if you need information.

Disclaimer IAFC’s Wildland Fire Programs are funded in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call toll free voice (866) 632-9992, TDD (800)877-8339, or voice relay (866) 377-8642. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Questions and Discussion Please hand out RSG action guides. The program has these available free of charge to members in both English and Spanish. To obtain copies to support your outreach efforts, please contact RSG staff at RSG@iafc.org or locate the National Action Guide request form on the resource page of www.wildlandfireRSG.org.