This training exchange will occur 3/31-4/11 in Virginia.

WHAT: The Nature Conservancy through the Fire Learning Network, and its numerous Virginia partners (including US FS, FWS, NPS, and VA DCR, DGIF) will be hosting a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) for the positions of RXB2, FIRB, ENGB, FFT1 and FEMO and other positions as needed. Trainees will be working with experienced firefighters from federal, state, county, private and non-government organizations and agencies.

WHERE/WHEN: This training event will be held in the mountains and coastal plain of Virginia, From March 31-April 11, 2014.

TUITION: $250 (covers meals and lodging; however in case there is an unavoidable change in plans, participants should be prepared to cover several meals and at least 2 nights expense in a shared hotel room (~$150 total)

WHAT TO EXPECT: We will complete moderate complexity burns in pine savannah, grasslands, and Appalachian hardwood forests. Goals for burning generally include restoring and maintaining a mosaic of plant and forest communities. The prescribed fire sites vary widely, from flat and small, to large and mountainous. Fuels also vary and will include hardwood and pine forest litter, grasslands, shrubs, and wetlands. We will be on the road, working with a wide variety of partners, and will travel between western Virginia and eastern Virginia depending on weather and fuel conditions. In most cases, we will attempt to have local housing available (state parks, agency quarters, etc.) On occasion and if necessary, we will camp on site or lodge in local hotels. In the past five years these trainings have proven to be very effective at providing participants with numerous days of prescribed fire experience and competency evaluations in position task books. Knowledge will be gained not only through fireline experience, but also from presentations, field trips and personal interactions covering a broad range of ecological and socio-economic topics. Non-burn days will be occupied by projects (directly related to prescribed fire), field trips, and travel. The first operational period will include orientation to equipment and exercises designed to build crew cohesion. We intend to build a crew of about 15-20 that we can split or combine as necessary to meet local host and training objectives. Burn boss trainees are expected to arrive a day early to tour units and prepare Incident Action Plans. Approved NWCG burn plans and maps will be provided to RXB2 and FIRB trainees in advance of their arrival.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU: You will be both a trainee and a trainer, rotating between these roles throughout the assignment. You will be in a dynamic environment that will change frequently as dictated by weather and other factors. You are expected to remain flexible, tolerant, patient and respectful of others. S130/190, I-100, IS-700, and a Work Capacity Test are required to participate in the TREX. These need to be completed prior to March 31. The mandatory field day associated with S130/190 can be provided if there is a need. Please contact the coordinator with questions. We also depend on participants to provide equipment to accomplish the burning. If you can bring equipment such as a Type 6 engine, UTV with sprayer or pick-up truck with drip torches and torch mix containers, or extra radios we encourage you to do so.

LOGISTICS: Costs incurred during the assignment, including travel and salary, are the responsibility of the participant or their home unit. Additional information regarding travel methods, specific locations, accommodations, meals, etc. will be provided to you once you have registered for the training.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING: Full PPE (including fire shelter), programmable radio, current qualification card, position task books, travel coffee mug, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent and personal items such as sunscreen, cold weather layers (e.g. Nomex overcoat, cotton long underwear). In order to remain flexible, come prepared to camp. In the event you need a particular piece of equipment, notify the coordinator so arrangements can be made to outfit you accordingly.

WHAT HAVE PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS SAID?

'It was hands on! There are not a lot of prescribed fire courses that are offered where you actually get to burn as much as we did and be as fully involved in the process. The group dynamic was also different as there were individuals from a variety of countries and organizations which I believe made it a more valuable experience. I would recommend this course to all individuals interested in fire that have not had hands on experience, as well as to anyone wishing to pursue accreditation as Firing boss or Burn boss.' - British Columbia Forest Service participant

'Typically we are used to working with the same group of people, but this exchange brought a whole new dynamic to prescribed fire in the sense that not only were we working with people from other states, but also with people who have different outlooks on fire usage. Many of the people I worked with had fire suppression experience but had done very little prescribed fire. It is interesting that we can learn new techniques and outlooks from the other participants. This training exchange helps you look outside the box and stay on your toes.' - Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District participant

'The training exchange has allowed me to work on my RXB2 taskbook in topography, fuels, and terrain that I often don't encounter on a day to day basis. This experience has allowed me to further my knowledge in the implementation/operations of prescribed fire and has made me a better land steward and firefighter.' - Department of Defense participant

'The training and experience I acquired at the training exchange greatly built upon my previous training and experience from both prescribed fire and wildfire assignments, particularly in the areas of fire behavior and incident management. I also gleaned more information in the realms of ecology and fire ecology, which is an area in which I have no formal education and always find interesting and informative.' - Key Peninsula Fire Department participant

CONTACT:

Sam Lindblom
Director of Land Management, Fire Manager VA/MD
The Nature Conservancy
slindblom@tnc.org
(434) 951-0580 (Office)
(434) 987-0712 (Cell)

Sami Schinnell
Fuels Tech, George Washington-Jefferson NF
US Forest Service
slschinnell@fs.fed.us
(540) 432-8262 (Office)
(540) 705-6159 (Cell)