Olympic Training

By Gwen Beavans

After devastating 2007 wildfires in Greece, three U.S. Forest Service personnel had the opportunity to visit the country to share and exchange information.

The U.S. team provided the Hellenic Fire Service and Forestry Department with two fire investigation kits, CDs of all training programs provided in the workshop, National Wildland Coordinating Group Fire Prevention Education workbooks, Firewise landscape training videos, samples of fire prevention Firewise products, and a complete set of FI-110 and FI-210 fire investigation training supplies and hard and CD copies of the instructor and student manuals.

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The U.S. team was assigned tasks based on objectives developed and identified by the USDA Forest Service International Forestry Department and the Fire and Aviation Management unit of the Washington Office, the U.S. Embassy, the Hellenic Fire Service and the Hellenic Forestry Department.

Task 1] With the cooperation of the Hellenic Fire investigators and Hellenic Fire Service review some of the recent wildland fires in the Attica area and document the procedures they use to investigate the origin and cause of these fires.

Task 2] Provide training on the procedures and methodologies used to investigate the origin and cause of wildland fires.

Task 3] Review the fire prevention education strategies and techniques currently used by the Hellenic Fire Service, the Forestry Department and other partner agencies.

Task 4] Provide training on fire prevention planning and mapping, fire prevention strategies for specific fire-causes and fire prevention education techniques and product development for targeted audiences. Provide an overview of Firewise materials and Fire Prevention Education Teams.

Task 5] Learn what further fire prevention education training is desired by these agencies and what could be provided in this arena during a U.S. field study or training program.

This joint cooperative effort between Greece and the United States to further the awareness and skills in wildland fire investigation and prevention education techniques was considered a success. It was an educational experience for all involved and has even lead to advancements for some of the Hellenic Fire Service employees who were involved in the logistics of the workshop. This collaborative effort provides a good foundation for future information exchange training opportunities, both in Greece and in the United States.

Gwen Beavans is the interpretive and education specialist on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests.

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