Regional Northeast Asia Wildland Fire Network
A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network
Asia Forest Fire Training Program
Challenges and Way Forward in Forest Fire Management
Background
Forest disaster management has been highly recommended as a way of effective mitigation to prevent severe socio-economic and environmental impacts in the long term. Apprehending the forest characteristics of regionally close Asian states, it is necessary to find practical solutions for fire management. When a lot of people implement the projects and activities on forest fires, the experience of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and cooperation with international parties will be a great help.
Regarding forest fire management (FFM), the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS) is running a short-term training course for FFM based on their successful history with technical improvement and investment. Moreover, ROK has been a chairing country of Pan-Asia Wildland Fire Network since 2013, suggested in the 4th International Wildland Fire Conference in Spain, 2007.
In this context, NIFoS and the ASEAN-Korea Forest Cooperation (AFoCo) jointly develop the advanced forest fire management program for officials in a technical position. This training of trainers on forest fire management will enhance their capability which also substance by composing a communication network among AFoCo member countries.
Objectives
· To nurture trainers to better cope with forest fires in Asia
· To strengthen the Pan-Asia Wildland Fire Network by sharing information on and experience in forest fire issues in each country
Agendas of the first two Regional Training Courses
1st Asia Forest Fire Training
2nd Asia Forest Fire Training
Date
1623 September 2014
714 October 2015
Hosts
NIFoS (KFRI), AFoCo, GFMC
NIFoS (KFRI), AFoCo, GFMC
Trainers
8 (3 Koreans, 5 internationals)
11 (5 Koreans, 6 internationals)
Trainees
12 (from 6 ASEAN countries)
16 (from 8 AFoCo member countries)
Program
Lectures
– Fire Behavior 101
– Ground Suppression Techniques
– Fire Use
– Fire Safety
– Community-based Fire Management
– Fire Information System
Practice
– Fire Burning Experiment
– Korean Mountain Fire Pumping Suppression System
– Korean Fire Suppression System
– Fire Restoration and Cultural Heritage Protection
Lectures
– Wildland Fire Behavior
– Ground Suppression Techniques
– Prescribed Burning
– Fire Safety
– Community-based Fire Management
– Fire Information System
– Fire Investigation
Practice
– Fire Investigation
– Fire Behavior Experiment
– Ground Suppression Training
For more information and participation in future training courses please contact the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS): fofiresu@korea.kr
Photos of the 1st Asia Forest Fire Training Program (2014)
Figure 1. Trainers and trainees
Figure 2. Participant inspecting a helicopter
Figure 3. Observation of a laboratory burning experiment
Figure 4. Participants receiving training certificates
Photos of the 2nd Asia Forest Fire Training Program (2015)
Figure 5.Trainers, Trainees and Staff at the Admission Ceremony
Figure 6. Lecture on Community-based Fire Management
Figure 7.Practice on Fire Investigation
Figure 8. Trainers and trainees participating in the 6th International Wildland Fire Conference
