1. 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 / if you have any questions or needs. We are happy to have you apart of the RSG! Program.
[Insert your
department
logo here]

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 and
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. 

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

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

12. 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]

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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 or call toll free voice (866) , TDD (800) , or voice relay (866) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

19. 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 or locate the National Action Guide request form on the resource page of