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Great Plains Fire Learning Network Presents:
Nebraska Prescribed Burn Training Exchange March, 2011
• Who: Firefighters current and compliant with NWCG standards who are working on developing prescribed fire
knowledge, skills and abilities in grasslands.
• When: March 10th‐20th
• What: Trainees for the positions of RXB2, RXB3, SRB‐FIRB/ENGB, FFT1 and FEMO are invited to participate in 5,000
acres of prescribed fire over a two‐week period. Burns will be in steep and undulating mixed grass prairie with stands
of eastern red cedar (FM 2, 3, 8); mow lines and farm roads are used as control lines. Firefighters using Type 6
Engines, UTVs and on‐foot with and drip torches, will light and hold controlled burns. The daily acreage targets will
range between tens and thousands of acres. Lighting and holding techniques such as interior‐ATV/foot ignitions,
blacklining and wetlining will be used. Each RXB2/3t participant can expect a minimum of 3 operational shifts in a
trainee role; Single Resource Bosses, FFT1 and FEMO trainees can expect 4‐6 shifts; During optimum weather events
these numbers can nearly double. Qualified staff in the positions of RXB2, FIRB, ENGB, FFT1 and FEMO will be present
to mentor and evaluate trainees. All participants will be expected to function for part of the assignment in a qualified
position.
• Where: We will work and train near the community of Valentine, along the Niobrara River in Northern Nebraska.
The fuels are a mix of short and tallgrass prairie with woodlands and savannas of eastern red cedar, ponderosa pine
paper birch, bur oak, American elm, and eastern cottonwoods. The erosive quality of the loess soils creates complex
terrain defined by knife ridges, shear sand bluffs, broad benches, and narrow draws.
• What to expect: Participating fire personnel will serve in operational positions on prescribed burns; We will learn
about local grassland ecology, socio‐economic impacts of land management practices, how collaboration among
multiple parties assists in the development of prescribed burn treatments, and how they contribute to conservation
at a landscape scale. The use of fire by ranchers and private landowners, organized by landowner associations and
local government is a local strategy to advance the conservation or native prairies and grazing quality. During this
assignment we learn about and demonstrate the advantages of landowner associations and how cooperation among
neighboring landowners to combine pastures into single burns provides an effective and efficient approach.
Presentations, briefings and post‐fire discussions with landowners and privatelands fire practitioners will be
incorporated into the assignment.
• What is expected of you: You will be both a trainee and a trainer, rotating roles during different operations as the
assignment progresses. You will need to provide your own transportation to and from Rapid City SD or Valentine NE,
and have funding to cover meals and salary (lodging will be provided). You will need to arrive with a current
qualification card, position task book, full PPE and a programmable radio. You are expected to remain flexible, patient
and respectful of others.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Jeremy Bailey, Fire Training and Network Coordinator at:
jeremy_bailey@tnc.org or (801) 599‐1394