Building capacity and integrating training, education and experience: the Fire Learning Network's Prescribed Burn Training Exchanges

Prescribed fire is an important tool for forest and rangeland management, but there are barriers to its use, including a lack of qualified personnel with the necessary ecological knowledge and operational expertise. In order to implement prescribed fire across landscapes containing a variety of ownerships, these personnel should be from both federal agencies and non-federal organizations. Further, fire science educators have suggested that in order to prepare the next generation of fire professionals, three components--training, education, and experience--must be integrated in a professional development triangle. However, recognized needs for professional development and increased use of fire are not being met. The Prescribed Burn Training Exchange model from the Fire Learning Network incorporates the three components of the professional development triangle while fostering collaboration between nongovernmental organizations, private contractors, landowners, and government agencies. This study evaluated the training model and assessed outcomes using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. I found that the participants are very satisfied with the flexible model across disparate training needs and experience levels. The results suggest that the training model is a valuable addition to prescribed fire education opportunities, can be implemented by other organizations, and therefore can serve to increase the capacity for fire management.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Authors dc:creator

• Spencer, Andrew G., author
• Schultz, Courtney, advisor
• Hoffman, Chad, committee member
• Kaiser, Leann, committee member

• education
• fire science
• forestry
• occupational training
• prescribed fire
• workforce capacity

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018351

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/84145