The way in which a fire burns is in response to the interaction of the fire and its environment according to natural physical laws of combustion and thermodynamics. Because both fire and environment are dynamic, it is necessary to know how and why the environment will change -- in addition to its interaction with fire -- in order to understand and predict fire behavior. Much of the training of the fire behavior specialist must hence be devoted to understanding the fundamental factors affecting fire environment, combustion, and their interaction.
Selection of Trainees: The training given the fire behavior specialist must be highly specialized, and should be given only to men with an aptitude and desire for this type of work. It is recommended that a committee be set up to pass on the suitability of each candidate for this training. Suggested minimum requirements are:
- Several years of active fireline experience
- Not over 35 years of age
- A BS degree
- Natural interest and inclination to fire control
- Demonstrated ability to learn and accept new ideas
- Demonstrated ability to quickly and accurately size up a complex situation and arrive at definite and logical conclusions
- Ability to act decisively
- Ability to think in abstract as well as concrete terms
It is probable that aptitude tests can be developed for selection of men to be given training as fire behavior specialists.
Curricula: Details of the curricula for this training should be worked out by representatives of the Divison of Fire Control and the Division of Fire Research in consultation with subject matter specialists. The subject matter of each course should be designed for the training of fire behavior specialists -- standard college courses cover a broader field than is necessary for fire behavior training. The following subjects should be covered:
Academic Studies:
- Review of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and statistical methods
- Meteorology:
- Climatology:
Elementary course
- Dynamic and Synoptic Meteorology:
Sufficient training in dynamics and synoptic meteorology should be given so that the trainee will have a thorough working knowledge of the fundamental causes of weather and how and why it can be expected to vary. Standard textbooks can supply the material for this course.
- Micrometeorology:
Micrometeorological studies will be concerned with variations of the weather in the layer of the air close to the ground -- the weather most affecting the fire. Textbook material such as Gerger's "Climate of the Air Near the Ground" supplemented with information from fire research can supply the basic material for this course.
- Thermodynamics:
The purpose of this course is to provide a working knowledge of the fundamentals of heat and heat transfer. The course should be limited to applied thermodynamics and can be developed from standard textbooks.
- Fire and Fire Behavior:
This course will include studies of the combustion processes -- weather factors, fuels, topography, multiple ignitions, area ignition, etc. Material for this course will have to be developed from research results, experience, and theory.
Laboratory and Field Studies:
Classroom studies should be supplemented with demonstrations in the laboratory and in the field. Whenever possible, provision should be made for active participation of the trainee, on a limited scale, in research projects concerned with fire behavior and environment. The final period of training should be conducted in the field under actual field conditions. Prescribed burns, brush control burns, and slash burning should provide ample opportunity for training in application of the principles of fire behavior.
Period of Training:
It is estimated that the fire behavior specialist training course would require seven to nine months of intensive work.