|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||||||||||
The Internet is exploding with information available via the World Wide Web on the topics of wildland fire and fire ecology. Locating the information can be somewhat overwhelming. Learning to use the different search engines available is critical to locating the desired information in a reasonable amount of time. Keep in mind that sites and even addresses are constantly changing.
Practicing with and trying the various search tools will render some useful sites. Assistance can be found as each search engine provides its own "help" files. Examples of some of the more popular search engines and their addresses are: AltaVista at http://altavista.com and Excite at http://www.excite.com. There are also metasearch engines that combine the results of multiple search engines; an example is MetaCrawler at http://www.metacrawler.com. New search engines are regularly being added.
Spending time with some of the teaching tools available can be extremely helpful. For example, the Ohio State University Libraries has a teaching tool called net.Tutor that is very good in guiding the novice and experienced user through the use of search tools on the Web; net.Tutor can be found at http://gateway.lib.ohio-state.edu/tutor. The University of California (Berkeley) also has a set of workshops on searching the Internet through their Teaching Library Internet Workshop; their address is http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet.
Search tools permit searching for phrases such as "wildland fire" but this phrase is very broad and will return many possibilities. This phrase can be narrowed by search within a group for a more specific area–i.e., "grasslands"–which will narrow the search. The search engines do not necessarily reference the same databases and it may be helpful to use multiple search engines to locate the numerous available sources. In addition, looking for phrases rather than common terms, along with the constraints provided by the search tool will improve the precision of the results. Searching in ways that return relevant information is an art one develops when searching the Web.
The United States, Canada, and Australia have the most sources for "wildland fire" listed in all the databases. A number of universities and federal and state government agencies have taken the responsibility of entering data and making it available on the Internet. Information on the Web concerning "wildland fire" from other parts of the world is relatively scarce.
The Web is very fluid and unless a source is known to be reliable, such as a federal government or a state/provincial government agency that has responsibility to maintain the site, it may not be there the next time you reference it or it may never be updated.
The World Wide Web is a revolution in information retrieval. Some of the information has existed in libraries but the advent of the Web and the search engines permit the information to be readily available to more people in all corners of the world. The following are a few examples of web sites among many:
Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson026.shtml
Lesson Plans Fire Safety: Activities to Spark Learning! A firehouse full of
cross-curriculum activities and fire-related Internet sites for Fire Prevention
Week.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
http://www.fema.gov
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an independent agency of the
federal government. FEMA's mission is to reduce loss of life and property and
protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through
a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness,
response, and recovery.
Federal Wildland Fire Service Association
http://www.fwfsa.org
P.O. Box 2232, Nevada City, CA 95959;
(916) 274-1159
FWFSA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association established by and
for federal wildland firefighters with the purpose of fostering acquaintance,
cooperation, efficiency, and harmony amongst all firefighters.
FireNet
http://www.anu.edu.au/Forestry/fire/firenet.html
FireNet is an on-line information service for everyone interested in rural and
landscape fires. The information concerns all aspects of fire science and management
including fire behavior, fire weather, fire prevention, mitigation and suppression,
plant and animal responses to fire, and other aspects of fire effects.
FireSafe
http://firesafe.org/usa.html
FireSafe is the home page/resource directory for safety information. It offers
web site and document hosting to agencies and nonprofit organizations. Fire,
police, and marine safety/lifeguard agencies are included along with seasonal
safety information. Public and private agencies, associations, and suppliers
are welcome. Send e-mail to: firesafe@firesafe.org
Firewise
http://www.firewise.org
The Firewise homepage was created for people who live, vacation, or own vacation
homes in fire prone areas of North America. The information contained here will
enable the user to become a Firewise individual. These pages provide information
that may lessen the result of wildland fire loss for you, your family, and your
neighbors. The user will find on-line wildland fire protection information designed
to help them avoid unnecessary fire loss. There is also a list of off-line wildland
fire protection information as well as links to off-site fire resources.
Forest History Society
http://www.lib.duke.edu/forest/index.html
The Forest History Society links the past to the future by identifying, collecting,
preserving, interpreting, and disseminating information on the history of interactions
among people, forests, and their related resources–timber, water, soil,
forage, fish and wildlife, recreation, and scenic or spiritual values. The focus
is from a North American perspective within a global context. Established in
1946 and incorporated as a nonprofit educational institution in 1955, the Forest
History Society has grown steadily in response to increasing public concern
about our forest heritage. It is affiliated with Duke University.
Global FIREnet
http://www.umt.edu/globalfirenet
Global FIREnet provides a place to meet and share the latest developments and
technologies. This site is user friendly and provides valuable links to other
fire-related sites around the world. Plus, it is the only on-line Fire Net News
Service available, and it is free. The Global FIREnet web site is managed by
the University of Montana's Center for Continuing Education. The business and
affairs of the organization are governed by a volunteer Steering Committee consisting
of researchers and fire/fuels management professionals.
Index to Wildland Fire WWW Catalog
http://www.blm.gov/narsc/wildfire/wwwindex.html
An alphabetical listing of wildland fire sites on the Internet.
Interface Zone Resource Center
http://www.neotecinc.com/izone/index.html
The I-Zone Resource Center is for firefighters and homeowners. It is intended
to help keep users informed of the latest issues surrounding wildland/urban
interface firefighting and protection. It provides a place to discuss with fire
professionals and experienced veterans of wildland/urban interface fires the
I-Zone subjects of concern, and provides information on the latest training
available.
Interagency Fire Education Initiative
http://fire.nifc.nps.gov/fire/ecology/docs/ecolinit.html
The primary goal of this fire ecology packet is to help teachers and students
become better informed about land management issues and the responsibilities
of natural resource management agencies.
International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
http://www.isfsi.org
The International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) is renowned for
the training and educational programs provided for instructors and training
personnel in the fire and emergency response community. The Society assists
in developing the educational and training skills that are critical to the fire,
life safety, and emergency response community.
Line of Fire (Discovery Channel)
http://www.discovery.com/area/science/wildfires/weblinks.html
Provides many links to the latest information on wildland fire. Plus, it provides
further references off the web that the user can find.
Michigan Interagency Wildland Fire Protection Association
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/www/fmd/fire/miwfpa.htm
Human activity accounts for 95 percent of all wildland fires in Michigan. This
startling fact led to the formation of the Michigan Interagency Wildfire Prevention
Group in 1981. It was the first such group in the nation promoting wildland
fire prevention and awareness that had 100 percent involvement of the state's
fire agencies. Group members have made it their goal to educate Michigan's residents
about wildland fire safety and the dangers of wildland fires, so it becomes
an everyday part of their lives, both in and outside the home.
National Fire Protection Association
http://www.nfpa.org
This site contains the latest information about the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), its departments, publications, seminars, and educational
programs. The mission of NFPA, which was organized in 1896, is to reduce the
burden of fire on the quality of life by advocating scientifically based consensus
codes and standards, research and education for fire, and related safety issues.
National Interagency Fire Center
http://www.nifc.gov/
As the coordinating center for all wildland fire activity in the United States,
NIFC maintains a comprehensive web site that is well-linked to numerous wildland
fire resources.
Smokey Bear's Homepage
http://www.smokeybear.com
This web site contains information on the prevention of forest fires. The site
is targeted at children by including games that teach about preventing forest
fires. The web site also includes an informational resource page, with links
to all the governmental agencies for further information.
U.S. Department of the Interior
http://www.doi.gov
This site explains the Department of the Interior, but more importantly it links
to the agencies within the Department, all with wildland fire management responsibilities.
USDA Forest Service
http://www.fs.fed.us
To find specific information on fire, go to the site index that lists a series
of topics including: Fire and Aviation Management, Fire Effects Information
System, and Wildland Fire Assessment System.
United States Fire Administration
http://www.usfa.fema.gov
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) provides national leadership in
fire training, data collection, technology, and public education and awareness.
USFA supports the efforts of local communities to save lives and reduce injuries
and property loss due to fire. This site contains a vast array of topics the
user can explore. There is a "kids page" where children can learn about fire
safety.
Wildland Firefighter Magazine
http://www.wildlandfirefighter.com
The monthly news and information resource for wildland firefighters.
Author: Rowena Willey