Mission Statement
FIRE EDUCATION PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
Fire Education Program volunteers will extend and enhance the Forest Service wildfire prevention programs.
Fire Education is a Program of the SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST ASSOCIATION
SBNFA's Mission Statement
The San BernardinoNational Forest Association is a non-profit corporation committed to the success of the San BernardinoNational Forest as it works to fulfill its mission. The Association will complement and add to the skills and resources of the Forest, involve other partners--individuals, community groups, corporations, foundations, other government agencies, and non-profits--and foster citizen involvement in Forest planning and decision making.
Description
Established in 2002, the Fire Education Program is a partnership between the San Bernardino National Forest (the Forest) and the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) which coordinates the program for the partnership. The program volunteers interact with the public to teach citizens about wildland fire and its role in the forest ecosystem. They show people how to safeguard themselves and their property in the event of wildland fire.
The Program has two divisions, Education and Incident Response, headed by volunteer Division Coordinators. There are four teams under each Division, each with a Team Leader. Teams are comprised of volunteers who specialize in some aspect of either education or incident response. However, all are ultimately directed toward making the public aware of fire, the role of fire in the forest ecosystem, and wildfire prevention through educational programs in schools, at public events such as fairs and at parades or by assisting emergency repsone agencies during major incidents.
The volunteers in each team will:
1. Cultivate an appreciation for public lands and encourage the public to participate in public land stewardship.
2. Be well-trained advocates for prescribed burns, fuels management, and the role of fire in ecosystem management.
3. Educate citizens to enable them to protect land, resources, and people from wildland fire.
4. Be committed and accountable partners to the Forest Service and will be integrated into wildfire prevention efforts.
5. Spread the word about wildfire prevention.
Although the Fire Education Program is based on the San Bernardino National Forest, its range is virtually unlimited. Volunteers will certainly travel all around Southern California to fairs and festivals. They may also have the opportunity to travel throughout the state and to neighboring states to assist at fire camps and to carry the Fire Education message in mobile displays, specifically the Wildfire Mobile Educaiton Exhibit. The Program has endless possibilities and opportunities to achieve its goal of making the public aware of both the role of fire in the natural world and the role of people in protecting it.
