pointed out that the NWCG system of task books, training, and experience
UC ANR
Texas A&M
Okla.
NMSU
doesn’t work well for private landowners or local agencies.
Burn plan template?
yes
yes
yes
yes
Nonetheless, a handful of states — particularly those that offer a CBM program — require NWCG standards for their education and training. When developing prescribed fire education and training, the Forest Stewards Guild, in its report (2020) on “Insights and Suggestions for Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Program,” recommends striking a balance between achievable and rigorous standards. Extension experts in the field also talked to us about the burn policies and practices at other land grant universities. See table at left for a sample of what we learned — from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Okla.), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension (NMSU). Onboarding a team while trying to meet our ambitious timeline, however, became challenging, mainly because of the pandemic-related restrictions that prevented us from bringing people together for the training component. We needed help. We emailed several of our FNR colleagues
Release of liability for burn participants? Training required to participate in burns? NWCG quals required? Anyone can light burn? Employees can be burn boss?
no
no
no *
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes**
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
BURN POLICIES/ PRACTICES
Minimum PPE Requirement/ Practice Natural fiber long sleeves, pants; leather gloves/boots?
yes ***
yes
yes
yes
Ball cap or hard hat?
no
yes
yes
yes
Nomex shirt may be provided? (unwritten rule)
no
yes
yes
yes
* Working toward it ** Private landowner/any UC ANR employee on university property *** Protocol co-developed with university risk management
Table: Case studies (Data compiled by Chris Adlam, 2020)
to ask for advice and support, and what they told us was invaluable:
Step back, reflect, ask for help.
Build the foundation, then put in the plumbing.
Use agreements and partners to your advantage.
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