Safety and Training

Firefighter and public safety is our first priority.

The primary means by which we prevent accidents in wildland fire operations is through aggressive risk management.  Our safety philosophy acknowledges that while the ideal level of risk may be zero, a hazard free work environment is not a reasonable or achievable goal in fire operations.

Through organized, comprehensive, and systematic risk management, we will determine the acceptable level of risk that allows us to provide for safety, yet still achieve fire operations objectives.  Risk management is intended to minimize the number of injuries or fatalities experienced by wildland firefighters.

Because of the rapid rate of change, and the volume of it, the DNRC Fire Program must be an adaptable organization with the flexibility to respond quickly to threats and to emerging opportunities to improve or sustain our operations.

Creating such an organization will:

• Support a network of area, unit and field offices providing wildland fire services throughout Montana.

• Provide for consistent program delivery across Montana.

• Position the DNRC Fire Program to respond effectively to external pressures (climate change, WUI, demographics) which threaten our success.

• Increase firefighter and public safety.

• Promote stability within the fire organization and enhance development of a highly trained workforce.

• Increase operational and cost efficiencies related to fire suppression and large fire management.

• Enable the fire organization to be proactive in developing new policies, procedures, or methodologies that contribute to our success.

Accomplishing this goal means:

• Each employee is committed to the goals and objectives of the Fire Protection Bureau.

• All resources are allocated appropriately based on the highest priority, both short and long-term.

• Fire Protection Bureau programs such as training, suppression, prevention and fire business, are sustainable and successful.

• We maintain a strong safety record.

• DNRC personnel continue to be highly trained and motivated to meet the mission of the fire program.

• There is clear, established performance goals that are consistently met or exceeded.

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The Montana DNRC is required by statute to provide training to state firefighters and other cooperators who require training as part of its wildfire management responsibilities. DNRC has developed a comprehensive training program that supports all fire management activities including activities such as fire prevention, detection, and prescribed burns in addition to fire suppression.

The agency designs, develops and delivers training courses to its own permanent and seasonal firefighting personnel and to County Cooperative Fire Program personnel, at no cost, in every county in the state.

In addition to providing training, DNRC also maintains records of firefighters' training, experience, qualifications, and certifications, to help ensure that appropriately trained personnel are available to meet Montana's wildfire management staffing needs.

All DNRC Fire Management Training is predicated on these five objectives:

1. Development of safe, effective and efficient employees, trained to high levels of proficiency, to conduct wildland fire management operations.
2. We will focus on safety, fire, and training fundamentals, and constantly adhere to these principles in any wildland fire management activity.
3. Qualifications and certifications will adhere to NWCG standards as a minimum and may exceed those standards to meet agency operational objectives.
4. DNRC will meet the training needs analysis and recordkeeping requirements stipulated by law and agency policy.
5. DNRC training standards and guidelines must be open to appropriate change to meet changing operations. It must be recognized that fire management is not static science or art. The changing dynamics of the discipline require training changes that keep pace with and support operations.