This project will culminate in a user-friendly value at risk (VAR) decision support system (DSS) for fire managers and planners. By assimilating and analyzing the available literature on fire effects as they relate to VARs, such information will be catalogued into a relational database that can be easily accessed from various perspectives. Fire managers and planners will have ready access to a synthesis of scientific findings combined with results of a national survey of the general public, agency customers and fire managers. Upon query of the system, the DSS will provide the user with information on VAR effects by region of the country, customer classification, VAR type, and management practice. A professionally programmed user interface will provide virtually seamless access to fire effects on VAR. The overall design is to construct the VAR-DSS in three phases: Phase I consists of a compilation of existing literature on fire effects as related to VAR including bio-physical, social and economic effects. This phase will also include the programming of a prototype VAR-DSS for quick access by users. Phase II consists of the initial design phase of a national survey of fire attitudes and values related to VAR. Focus groups held in different parts of the country would facilitate initial survey design. Phase III, consists of administering the national survey of public, customers and fire managers and synthesizing the results to augment the literature base summarized and analyzed in Phase I. Phase III also includes the expansion and refinement of the VAR-DSS. This proposal seeks funding of phases I and II only with definable and beneficial products. This break between phases will allow researchers and the sponsor to evaluate the viability of continuing with the third phase before committing to an extensive survey and programming commitment.