Firemon FAQs

Inevitably there are always questions that come into SCA about our FIREMON teams. In this section you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the monitoring teams. You will not find answers to questions concerning the FIREMON methods or tools that have been created by SCA. Please check out the how to section of our webpage to get answers to questions concerning the tools, tips, and tricks we have created throughout our data collection efforts.

Sampling Equipment

What equipment does an SCA crew come to my site with? what equipment do I need to furnish?

SCA FIREMON crews come to your site furnished with the following equipment:

• 1 - Project Leader
• 4 - interns
• 1 - 4x4 vehicle (Ford F150 or similar)
• 2 - digital cameras
• 2 - laptop computers
• 1 - Printer
• 2 - Trimble GPS units (Recon or similar)
• 1 - Customized data collection applet (FSCAR)
• 1 - Small office supply budget (not to be used to purchase field sampling equipment)

The Agency/Site will need to furnish the following sampling equipment:

• Click here to download sampling gear guide
• The sampling guide provides links to the Ben Meadows website
• Click here to download the Ben Meadows mail/fax order form

Crew Schedule

When will SCA teams hit the field ad what can I expect from them while they are here?

The SCA work calendar is listed below. SCA teams are staffed by one project leader per team. It is the duty of a project leader to determine the scope of work for the coming field season. SCA crews come trained to collect, manage report on fire effects monitoring data. While this is the main focus of the SCA FIREMON program, the scope of the porject can, and often does, extend beyond simply colecting plot data. For a better overview of the work that can be completed please see the SCA FIREMON Overview document.

SCA FIREMON 2007 Field Season Schedule:

Note: Schedule subject to change year-to-year

• January 1 - May 11 - Project Leader and Interns recruited and selected
• March 19 - Drop date for Project Leader selection
• April 2 - 7 - Project Leader Orientation (FIREMON skills training: April 9-13)
• April 14 - Project Leaders travel to sites
• May 11 - Drop date for intern selection (intern paperwork due)
• May 18 - Goals and Objectives/Work Plan due
• May 25 - Interns arrive at site **
• May 27 - 28 - Teams travel to Boise for training
• May 29 - June 6 - Intern Training in McCall, ID
• June 7 - Teams travel back to site
• June 11 - Teams begin work at site
• July - December - Manager staff complete site visits
• August 24 - Mid-point evaluations
• September 1 - 2008 Staff ad Intern recruitment begins
• November 16 - Final Evaluations
• November 21 - Interns Last Day
• November 22 - 25 - Thanksgiving break
• December 1 - Project Leaders last day (project ends for the season)

** All interns will arrive at the site before attending training. The focus of this visit is to gain an orientation to the site, become trained in SCA protocols and to establish themselves in their new "home".

Project Leaders

What is the "job description" of a SCA Project Leader and what should I expect from them?

The Project Leader is the SCA staff member on site who ensures the success of the project at hand. He/she is a seasonal or fulltime SCA field staff member who leads all aspects of the project: team leadership, project goals and project-related administration with support from his/her SCA Program Manager and agency staff.

Since Project Leaders are SCA staff members, they will receive a staff level orientation led
by SCA program staff with agency involvement as appropriate. Project Leader orientation includes:

• Agency + Project Orientation
• Project Work Skills (FIREMON Training)
• SCA Values
• Driving Safety
• Risk Management Principles and Policies
• Professionalism and Ethics
• Leadership Development
• Team Building and Conflict Management
• Documentation and Reporting
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR
• Project Management
• Member interview and selection