Firefighting attracts attention. Information officers serve the concerned and the curious, so firefighters can focus on the fire. In March 2008, a group of federal and state employees successfully completed the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) course, Introduction to Incident Information (S-203) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The training was sponsored by the National Park Service Northeast Region and the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Course participants came with an excellent mix of skills and left with even more. Fire, public affairs and public contact were represented by the students from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the National Park Service (NPS). The VDOF, USFS and NPS provided instructors and role players. Everyone learned in formal sessions and discussions over dinner.
The course included a media panel. Students and cadre heard directly from representatives of the Associated Press, Charlottesville Radio Group, The Washington Post, WHSV-TV and WVIR-TV. The reporters and editor spoke openly, even passionately, about the needs and advantages of their organizations in the 21st century. Information officers must be able to work in the 19th century world of taking notes by hand and in modern era of the internet and satellite communications.
Another highlight for the participants and instructors was the live-action scenario. For about three hours, students became information officers while other agency employees played the roles of reporters, neighbors, stressed bureaucrats and an assortment of characters drawn from real fires. Students had the opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills they had enhanced during the course. Feelings ran the gamut of frustration, satisfaction, uncertainty and joy. When it was over, they had an even better idea of what it takes to serve the people, who are or think or feel they are, affected by a fire.
Contact: Barbara J. Stewart, Fire Communication and Education Specialist, NPS
Phone: (434) 220-9065
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
