Fire In-Depth
Fire In-Depth is design for students who want to learn more about fire.
- Cultural Interpretations
- Different Ecosystems
- Fire Behavior
- Fire and Ecosystems
- Fire Classifications
- Fire Ecology
- Fire Effects Monitoring
- Fire Engines
- Fire Management Personnel
- Fire Monitors
- Fire Spread
- Fire Suppression
- Fire Triangle
- Fire Watches & Warnings
- Fireline Construction
- Hazardous Fuel Reduction
- Historic Fires
- Human Uses of Fire
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Incident Command System Levels
- Preparedness Levels
- Prescribed Fire
- Prevention History
- The Effects of Fire
- Understanding Fire Danger
- Wildfire Causes
- Wildland Fire Evaluation
National Preparedness Levels
There are five levels of preparedness typically used at a regional and national level. This describes the points at which different national preparedness levels are declared with regards to fire activity and resources committed.
The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) establishes Preparedness Levels throughout the calendar year to help assure that firefighting resources are ready to respond to new incidents. Preparedness Levels are dictated by burning conditions, fire activity, and especially resource availability.
The Five Preparedness Levels
Each Preparedness Level has specific management directions. As the Preparedness Levels rise, more federal and state employees become available for fire mobilization if needed.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 1—Minimal large fire activity nationally. Most Geographic Areas have low to moderate fire danger. There is little or no commitment of national resources.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 2—Several Geographic Areas experiencing high to extreme fire danger. Wildland fire activity is increasing and large fires are occurring in one or more Geographic Areas. Minimal mobilization of resources from other Geographic Areas is occurring. The potential exists for mobilizing additional resources from other Geographic Areas.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3—Two or more Geographic Areas are experiencing wildland or prescribed fire activities requiring a major commitment of national resources. Additional resources are being ordered and mobilized through the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC). Incident Management Teams are committed in two or more areas, or 275 crews are committed nationally.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 4—Two or more Geographic Areas are experiencing incidents requiring Type 1 Teams. Competition exists for resources between Geographic Areas. When 425 crews or five Type 1 Teams are committed nationally.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5—Several Geographic Areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources. When 550 crews are committed nationally.
Geographic Areas Cordination Centers
