Smoke Management Program
Title 17 Working Groups
Public Education and Outreach
March 13, 2001 Meeting

This page last reviewed June 20, 2008

Tuesday, March 13, 2001
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Agenda and Meeting Notes

CONFERENCE CALL AGENDA

ITEM

TIME

1.

Introductions / Roll Call

1:30 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.

2.

Updates

  • PFIRS - Theresa Najita or Arndt Lorenzen

  • IASC - Larry Biland

  • Fire Safe Councils - Cheryl Haden

1:40 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

3.

Fire Emission Joint Forum - Larry Biland

  • Update of Last Meeting

  • Information Availability

  • Funding Availability

 1:50 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

4.

Discussion of Audience / Stakeholders

 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

5.

Information Gathering and Categorization

  • What categories of information are we looking for?

  • What information do we have?

3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

6.

Next Meeting - In Person?

  • Topics, Format, Date and Time

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

CALL IN DETAILS

Host: Theresa Najita

Pass Code: 34860

Toll Free Number: 888-455-0044

NOTES OF MARCH 13, 2001 CONFERENCE CALL

PFIRS
Arndt Lorenzen, ARB - Meteorology, reported that ARB staff will be meeting with the PFIRS contractor on Friday, March 16, to discuss details regarding the work statement and task schedule.
Fire Safe Councils
The Fire Safe Councils have extensive public education and outreach efforts. Their web pages at www.firesafecouncil.org are a good source of information.
Cheryl Haden, ARB - Compliance, reported that the federal burners will be fully funded in their fire protection efforts this year. The CDF wildland / urban interface projects, already identified in the California Fire Plan, are at the top of the list for funding priority. Money will be allocated through the California Fire Alliance directly to burners and communities. CDF has requested money for GIS software and staff to prioritize, monitor, and track burns. This is a possible valuable tool for keeping the public, particularly in the urban interface areas, informed. Jim Francis, who will be coordinating this effort, will be at the next IASC meeting in Santa Barbara. Some of this money may be available for public education and outreach in the urban interface.
IASC
The last IASC meeting was held in Monterey. A tour of Fort Ord was led by BLM. It was noted that keeping people informed, especially at the army level, has been crucial to the success of the burn program there.
The next IASC meeting will be April 18 - 19 in Diamond Bar. Pete Lahm, from the Fire Emission Joint Forum, will be in attendance.     
Fire Emission Joint Forum (FEJF)
Larry Biland, U.S. EPA, attended the recent FEJF meeting in Las Vegas. Among the FEJF's tasks is one involving public education and outreach. Larry gave a presentation at the meeting of the efforts being undertaken in California, which was well received. Pete Lahm, FEJF Co-Chair, would like to expand these efforts nationwide. To that end, information has been requested from other states on the types of materials used for public education and outreach as well as the effectiveness of these materials. Larry Biland will be coordinating this effort.
Funding, up to $20,000, may be available through the FEJF and the WRAP to aid in our efforts. The upcoming IASC meeting in Diamond Bar may be a good opportunity to discuss this with FEJF and WRAP officials who will be attending.
Mission
A discussion of the mission of the Public Education and Outreach Group focused on two message areas:
  • General

    • Why do we burn?

    • What are the potential health impacts from smoke?
  • Specific

    • What is / was being burned? - Past, Present and Future Burns

    • Why - Specifically why is this being burned?

    • When was / will the burn take place? (Date and Time)

    • Where is the burn and what are the possible areas of impact?

      • Arizona has a program that does a "post-mortum" of burns to keep the public informed of any unforseen impacts that might have occurred.

  • How can I protect myself? Is this going to impact me and what can I do to lessen the impact?
As noted above, Arizona has a program that deals with post-burn public outreach. Their pre-burn outreach is also extensive, involving basic smoke management education, health impacts, and information on specific burning activities. This has helped them in getting public acceptance.
Audience / Stakeholders
The Group discussed audience and stakeholders. The general public is the ultimate audience. However, the air districts will probably be delivering the message. Information being developed, therefore, may need to have "space" for district specific information.
Information Gathering and Categorization
Larry Biland, with the help of the districts, Working Group members, and the FEJF, is collecting public education and outreach information and materials. The Working Group will have a face-to-face meeting on April 4 to discuss these materials and to attempt to determine where the gaps lie.
Next Meeting

The next meeting of this Working Group will be in Sacramento on April 4 from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The purpose of this face-to-face meeting will be to:

  • Review Materials

  • Determine Audience / Stakeholders

  • Evaluate Data Gaps

  • Determine Funding Necessary to Fill Data Gaps

  • Prepare for Meeting with FEJF Officials at Diamond Bar



Public Education and Outreach

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