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Nebraska Forest Service

Program - Wildland Fire Protection

Fire in TreesThe Nebraska Forest Service Wildland Fire Protection Program provides service in five major program areas: 

  • Wildfire Suppression Training
  • Equipment
  • Pre-Suppression Planning
  • Wildfire Prevention
  • Aerial Fire Suppression

Unlike some states, the Nebraska Forest Service does not have a fire suppression force.  The work of this agency is aimed at helping maximize the impact of the existing (predominantly volunteer) force of local firefighters across the state.  The 476 rural fire districts that blanket the state collectively have more than 14,000 firefighters.  A well-developed system of 58 Mutual Aid Districts covers virtually all of the state.  Mutual Aid is used when local resources prove inadequate to handle a large or complex wildfire incident.  Under existing mutual aid agreements neighboring fire districts can render assistance when needed.

NFS also tracks information about wildfires across the state; see information on recent fires in Nebraska.

 

 

Wildfire Suppression Training

Grass FireThe Nebraska Forest Service provides training to rural fire districts in several ways. We conduct classes in numerous communities across the state as well as at Mutual Aid Schools and State Fire School.  We also provide current knowledge, training materials and funding to that portion of the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division "Firefighter I " curriculum that addresses wildfire suppression.

Nebraska Forest Service Wildfire Suppression Courses

Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy

2012 brochure and online registration

 

Red Card Training

Calendar of Scheduled Training Classes

 

Firefighters planning to take advanced-level fire behavior classes can refresh their math skills to prepare for class at the Firefighter Math website.

Training Resources:

Fireline Handbook

Incident Response Pocket Guide

 

Pre-Suppression Planning

This planning service takes the form of either Mutual Aid District Planning, Community Master Planning or Community Wildfire Protection Planning.  Mutual Aid District planning provides the member districts with Mutual Aid Resource Directories and a more condensed version of the directory to be carried in each fire vehicle.  Community Master planning is done with the local fire officials to help them ensure that their needs will continue to be met in the future.  The plans contain equipment replacement schedules, insurance information, and explanations of the privileges and responsibilities which rural fire districts have under state statutes. A Community Wildfire Protecton Plan (CWPP) identifies steps a community will take to reduce its risk from wildland fire. It addresses fire response capability, protection of homes and infrastructure, areas for fuels treatment projects and steps to implement the plan.

 

Equipment

Fire Equipment

Through a cooperative program with the U.S. Forest Service, we are able to acquire and recondition vehicles which have become excess to the needs of the federal government. These vehicles are then assigned to participating rural fire districts for firefighting. This program is called the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program. These vehicles, while continuing to be Federal property, can be loaned to cooperating rural fire districts.

When no longer needed, these vehicles must be returned to the Nebraska Forest Service and be re-assigned or sold with the proceeds being returned to the Federal treasury. Our shop, located at the University of Nebraska ARDC Field Lab south of Mead, handles the job of reconditioning and maintaining these vehicles. 

Here is a map to the Nebraska Forest Service Fire Shop.

Click here for more detailed information about the Nebraska Forest Service Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program.

 

Fire Prevention

Smokey the BearPerhaps the greatest impact Nebraskans can have in the area of fire protection is through fire prevention.  The Nebraska Forest Service is the state headquarters for Smokey Bear.   In addition there is an annual fire prevention material mass purchase through the Nebraska Forest Service.  In this program fire prevention materials are purchased in large quantities to take advantage of volume discounts.  These materials are then sold (on a cost-recovery basis) to Nebraskans interested in promoting fire prevention.   Our fire prevention resource manager is also available to make local visits to your fire department to help set up a year-round fire prevention program.  These programs are the heart-and-soul of effective fire prevention and can be tailored to meet your community's specific needs.

 

Aerial Fire Suppression

Air Tractor There are 68 Aerial Applicators (Agricultural Spray Pilots) who have agreed to cooperate with the Nebraska Forest Service, in the Aerial Fire Suppression program. Additionally, there are 26 locations around the state where foam wild land fire retardant is stored specifically for use in the aerial suppression of wildfires. Training is also offered by the Nebraska Fire Marshal Training Division. Also cooperating in this program is the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, County Sheriffs, Nebraska State Patrol and the The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Complete details and specifics of this program are included in the publication Emergency Assistance for Wildfire Control/aerial applicator supplement. You can also download the Applicator Billing Form.

 

Mutual Aid

 

Newsletters

 

Cost-Share Programs

 

Recent Fires

 

Resources & Links

State/Local Federal Prevention & Wildland Urban Interface Informational