WARDEN and DEPUTY WARDEN TRAINING LAW OVERVIEW and WARDEN / DEPUTY WARDEN RESPONSIBILITIES

TRAINING OBJECTIVES Review Roles and Responsibilities of Wardens and Deputy Wardens Review the process for issuing permits and handling illegal fires Review fire safety, weather and equipment This training is set up in Question/Answer form and requires group interaction

FIRE STATISTICS TEN YEAR AVERAGE 2002 – 2011 IN THE PAST TEN YEARS…. WHICH COUNTY BURNED THE MOST ACREAGE? WHICH COUNTY HAD THE MOST FIRES? WHICH COUNTY HAD THE MOST ACREAGE BURNED IN ONE YEAR? HILLSBOROUGH – 790 FIRES HILLSBOROUGH & ROCKINGHAM – 275 ACRES COOS – 104 ACRES IN 2006 GRAFTON – 78 ACRES IN 2004 HILLSBOROUGH – 75 ACRES IN 2006

FIRE STATISTICS TEN YEAR AVERAGE 2002 – 2011 IN THE PAST TEN YEARS…. WHAT WAS THE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF FIRES? DEBRIS BURNING – 176 FIRES PER YEAR MISCELLANEOUS – 134 / YR. CAMPFIRES – 29 / YR. SMOKING – 28 / YR. CHILDREN – 17 / YR. ARSON – 11 / YR. LIGHTNING – 7 / YR. EQUIPMENT – 6 / YR. RAILROADS – 2 / YR.

FOREST FIRE WARDEN The Warden’s job has four main duties NAME TWO... FIRE PREVENTION FIRE PREPAREDNESS FIRE SUPPRESSION FIRE REPORTS & BILLS

FOREST FIRE DEPUTY WARDEN The Deputy Warden’s job has four main duties NAME TWO... FIRE PREVENTION FIRE PREPAREDNESS FIRE SUPPRESSION RECORDS

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ? The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? Driving down the road and this catches your eye… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

WHAT DID YOU DO? ? SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate If individual is around, ask for permit Have Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire Advise Forest Ranger of situation

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES PREVENTION NAME TWO PREVENTION ITEMS THE WARDEN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. Requiring & Issuing Fire Permits Enforcing Forest Fire Laws Following up on all known violations Educating the public – posting law posters, direct contact etc… Informing the Forest Ranger of active timber sales, slash violations and potential fire situations

WHY WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TIMBER HARVESTS FOREST RANGERS INSPECT TIMBER HARVEST OPERATIONS FOR: Proper filing of intent to cut form Posting of certificate or; Posting of copy of intent signed by assessing officials Verification of volumes on report of wood cut Basal Area Wetlands Slash Contract & Deceptive Forestry Trespass IF A TIMBER HARVEST DOES NOT HAVE AN INTENT TO CUT OR CERTIFICATE POSTED – LET US KNOW

RSA 227-J:10 CARE OF SLASH AND MILL RESIDUE SLASH DEFINED: Branches, bark, tops, chunks, tops, cull logs, uprooted stumps, and broken and uprooted brush and trees left on the ground after logging or other cutting operations.

RSA 227-J:10 CARE OF SLASH AND MILL RESIDUE Forest Rangers inspect timber harvest operations to ensure compliance with the slash law. Specific requirements are displayed on this diagram.

WE ALSO NEED HELP WITH THE FIREWOOD QUARANTINE Effective July 2011 Anyone transporting firewood into New Hampshire needs a Compliance Agreement Firewood dealers need to contact Forests & Lands for a compliance agreement Homeowners can get one online Quarantine is to stop the spread of invasive insects Let us know about out of state firewood dealers in your area

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Backyard fire with Category III Permit to burn brush SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate If individual is around, ask for permit Have Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire If the violation is small and the individual is cooperative, you may issue a Written Warning (if you are authorized by your Warden). Advise Forest Ranger of situation ? WHAT DID YOU DO?

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES PREVENTION NAME TWO PREVENTION ITEMS THE DEPUTY WARDEN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. Check on all burning noticed. If a required permit has not been obtained, order the fire extinguished and inform the Warden Assist the Warden with educating the public Inform the Warden of potential fire situations

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES FIRE PREPAREDNESS WHICH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A REQUIREMENT UNDER YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION? Attend forest fire training Preplanning forest fire hazards Know the fire hazards in your town, as well as sources of water, roads and trails Obtaining suppression tools and equipment and maintaining them Attend Warden Association Meetings Attend Warden Association Meetings, but you are encouraged to. Association Meetings are a great place for Wardens and Deputies from different towns in the area to share information and ideas. Forest Rangers attend the meetings to give updates on fire activity and opportunities statewide, such as grants and upcoming training. It is important for Wardens and Deputies to attend these meetings.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES FIRE SUPPRESSION WHO IS IN COMMAND OF THE FIRE SCENE IF THE WARDEN IS NOT PRESENT? When arriving as the first official on scene, a Deputy Warden will assume command. The Warden will assume command from the Deputy Warden when they arrive on scene. The Warden and Fire Chief should work in unified command. The Forest Ranger will join unified command when on scene. It is best to establish command protocols before an incident occurs.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ? The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? Friday, late morning. Toned by Dispatch for a smoke investigation and you find… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

WHAT DID YOU DO? ? SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate If individual is around, ask for permit Have Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire Advise Forest Ranger of situation

FOREST FIRE DEPUTY WARDEN What Records are Deputy Warden’s responsible for? Names of personnel assigned to them Time of assigned personnel Any Fire Information they have – area of origin, suppression actions, witnesses, responsible party, etc…

The Warden shall prepare a full and accurate fire report and send it to the district Forest Ranger within ? hours of a fire. 48 Hours The BLUE portion of the Fire Bill meets this requirement, if a Fire Bill is not going to be submitted, the Warden needs to call or the Ranger FIRE REPORTING

Date of Fire Location Size Cause (name of person responsible) Type (Wildfire or Non-permit/illegal fire) Maintaining accurate records and reporting them nationally is very important to us. We provide this information to towns working on Community Wildfire Protection Plan’s and use it when awarding VFA Grants. What is the minimum information the Warden needs to provide their Ranger with for EVERY fire in their town? When you are not filling out a Fire Bill – You can call or the information to your Ranger – It is important that we get it.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ? The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? You drive this road every day to work, Monday morning you see this… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

WHAT DID YOU DO? ? SUGGESTED ANSWER Check with Warden, Deputies and Fire Department to see if anyone knows about the incident Find out who the landowner is, Warden and/or Fire Chief should obtain preliminary information Notify Forest Ranger of situation

How many days after a fire do you have to submit the bill? 60 days FIRE REPORTING

TRUE or FALSE You can suspend a Fire Permit and order a fire to be extinguished if you determine the smoke to be causing a nuisance. FALSE The definition of “nuisance smoke” was through DES. They have removed this definition from their rules; therefore, smoke from a fire can no longer be defined as a nuisance.

TRUE or FALSE When mutual aid departments respond to your town for a fire, their firefighters go on your Fire Bill. FALSE The process for Fire Bills is the same for every fire, every time, for every town. ALWAYS: 1.Fill out Fire Bill for YOUR firefighters 2.YOUR town pays YOUR firefighters 3.Send Fire Bill to your Forest Ranger 4.If it was a fire with mutual aid, the Ranger will organize all of the bills for delivery to the town which had the fire.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS Before receiving a seasonal permit, campgrounds must meet four additional requirements for site preparation. Name two of the four additional requirements. Be on an area cleaned to mineral soil at least 8 feet across Have at least 6 inches of sand or gravel under the fire for any fire built on the ground Have no limbs or other burnable material to a height of 10 feet above the fire area Have a ring of fire resistive material constructed so it cannot be moved from the mineral soil area.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ? The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? Saturday, early evening. PD responds to a noise complaint, they call you because there is a fire as well. When you arrive you find that the owner has a category I permit. PD asks if you can suspend the permit. SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

WHAT DID YOU DO? ? SUGGESTED ANSWER Look over area for any violations If there are any violations, illegal material etc… suspend the permit If there are no violations, you cannot suspend the permit

ISSUING AGENTS STATUTE: RSA 227-G:4,IX directs the Commissioner of DRED to create rules regarding the issuance of burning permits. RULE: RES (a) Except as provided in this section, no person other than a forest fire warden shall issue fire permits. (b)The director shall authorize others to issue fire permits after recommendation by the forest fire warden. Where do Issuing Agents get their authority to write fire permits? The A.G.’s Office has determined that this covers the appointment of Issuing Agents.

CATEGORY IV PERMITS Who has the authority to issue a Category IV Permit? Res The Forest Ranger & Warden must sign the Category IV Permit. If the Warden is not available, a person authorized to issue permits, may sign along with the Forest Ranger. Steven ShermanMaynard Farr Monroe

CATEGORY IV PERMITS Who are Category IV Permits commonly issued to? Why? Category IV Permits are commonly issued to: Transfer Stations Land Clearing Companies This is allowed because: Individuals are usually not working after 5:00pm Equipment is on site to control a fire Other means of disposal would be difficult

CATEGORY IV PERMITS What materials can be burned with a Category IV (“Commercial”) burn permit? Res Category IV Permits are not different than any other permit, the only material allowed to be burned is: Clean, untreated wood or brush less than 5 inches in diameter and meets applicable air resource regulations. Clean, untreated wood or brush, no greater than 5 inches in diameter

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Neighbor Complaint. A contractor has made this pile and the neighbor thinks it may be burned soon SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

SUGGESTED ANSWER There is no violation of the permit law at this point, so you are limited in what you can do Use as an educational opportunity and talk with the contractor about the permit laws Keep an eye on the pile ? WHAT DID YOU DO?

FIRE PERMIT What is wrong with this Fire Permit? Res Category I fires can be burned anytime of day

DOCUMENTED 3 within a 7 year period VIOLATIONS How many DOCUMENTED violations must a person have before you can deny them a permit? 7 Years 1 st Offense 2 nd Offense, 2 years later 3rd Offense, 3 years after 2 nd Offense 7 years from 1 st Offense Permits DENIED for 2 Years

FIRE PERMIT What additional information would you ask for before issuing this permit? Res & RSA 227-L:17 The Permittee is not the Landowner and must have Written Permission from the Landowner

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? 1300 Hours, Saturday. Individual has a Category III permit. It has been raining all morning, but the sun is now coming out. SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

? WHAT DID YOU DO? SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate If individual is around, ask for permit Since this fire is in the middle of the day and it is no longer raining, it will need to be extinguished; if the individual is able to do so, have them put the fire out, otherwise have the Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire You can issue a Written Warning to document the violation Advise Forest Ranger of the fire

FIRE PERMITS How far must snow be extending from the base of a fire to be considered “ adequate snow cover ” 100 Feet 100’ FROZEN PRECIPITATION

FIRE PERMIT What is wrong with this Fire Permit? Res (a)(5) Category III fires should not be issued for long periods of time because it is not possible to predict favorable weather conditions to prevent the spread or escape of the fire

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Monday morning, no one on site… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

? WHAT DID YOU DO? SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate, take photographs (cell phones work well for this) If individual returns, ask for permit Have Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire Advise Forest Ranger of situation

FIRE BEHAVIOR A. Fire Behavior B. Wind C. Topography D. Relative Humidity What factor influences fire spread more than any other? WIND

Why are Category II and III fires only allowed to be burned between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am? As the day progresses from morning to afternoon the environment changes and makes fire control more difficult. The temperature increases in the afternoon and the surface fuels on the ground are pre- heated. The relative humidity decreases in the afternoon and small fuels such as grasses, leaves and twigs dry out. Winds pick up allowing sparks and embers to travel away from the fire, making control more difficult.

L.C.E.S LCES is the minimum level of hazard control that must be in place before making the decision to engage a fire. LLOOKOUTS CWhat does “C” stand for? EESCAPE ROUTES SSAFETY ZONES LLOOKOUTS CCOMMUNICATIONS EESCAPE ROUTES SSAFETY ZONES

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ? The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? You notice this pile Sunday afternoon… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

WHAT DID YOU DO? ? SUGGESTED ANSWER Stop and investigate, take pictures If individual is around, ask for permit Have Fire Department Respond to extinguish fire Advise Forest Ranger of situation so enforcement action can be taken

OFFICIAL WARNING Who has the authority to issue Official Warnings? Why do you need to fill out Official Warnings? All Patrolmen, Wardens & any DW authorized by the Warden. To document violations. After you turn them in they are entered into the statewide database. RSA 227-G:7, II

OFFICIAL WARNING What box would you check if an individual did not have a permit? X

Updated OFFICIAL WARNING

OFFICIAL WARNING What box would you check if an individual had a Category I permit, but was burning a brush pile? X

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Landowner calls for a Seasonal Category I Permit, you meet him to look over the site… SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

? WHAT DID YOU DO? SUGGESTED ANSWER Inspect the area for compliance with the rules for Cat. I Fires Is the pit under 2 feet in diameter and enclosed with fire resistive material? Is the pit 25 feet from a structure? If the permit is denied, you must advise the individual as to why the permit has been denied.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - PUMPS Which is the correct fuel mixture for Mark III Pumps? 16:1 20:1 24:1 50:1 20:1

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - MAPS Which shows the closest profile of the mountains on this map? 12 a a b b 2

Wildfire Fighting Near High-Voltage Electric Transmission Lines FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS ? FEET BEYOND THE OUTER MOST WIRE OF AN ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE REQUIRE NO UNUSUAL TACTICS 100 FEET

Wildfire Fighting Near High-Voltage Electric Transmission Lines Smoke, ash and incidental mist from fire fighting operations can contaminate the insulators on transmission structures. This contamination may cause a short circuit to occur at the structure, creating an electrical hazard. Maintain a minimum radial distance of ? feet between firefighters (and vehicles) and transmission structures to protect fire fighting personnel from this electrical hazard. 35 FEET

Wildfire Fighting Near High-Voltage Electric Transmission Lines CAN YOU CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE FIRE WHEN IT IS UNDER THE TRANSMISSION LINES? SOMETIMES, If you do, you must: Abandon any DIRECT ATTACK Maintain the 100 foot distance between firefighters and heavy smoke passing through electric lines Maintain the 35 foot distance between firefighters and transmission structures When in doubt, back off and change tactics. ALWAYS PROVIDE FOR FIREFIGHTER SAFETY ?

The picture shows a fire, this is a snapshot in time that does not show the entire situation. Are there any problems? What laws or rules are in violation? From what you can see, What would you do? ? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? 1630 Hours, Saturday. Individual has no permit SUGGESTED ANSWERS… ON NEXT SLIDE

? WHAT DID YOU DO? SUGGESTED ANSWER Advise the individual of the permit requirements and how they may obtain one If you are authorized to issue permits and you are satisfied that the area is safe, you may issue a permit If you are authorized, Issue a Written Warning to document the violation If it is almost 5:00 p.m. when you are done and you have issued a permit, you may consider letting the individual continue to burn the pile, otherwise the pile will need to be extinguished

Name 3 things found in the “Warden’s Corner” section of our website. Daily Fire Danger Current Events – Grant opportunities, new equipment etc… Fire Training – PowerPoint presentations Appointment forms, Injury Report Forms etc… Handouts for the public Law Posters Rate sheets and information for fire bills Smokey Bear sign – Building Instructions Information on equipment maintenance Links to weather sites Much more… WARDEN’S CORNER

It’s a Tough Job… But somebody has to do it. THE END