TRAINING
Network | Ambassadors | Funding | Training | Mentoring | Advocacy | Partnerships | CWFC
Training: Learning Exchanges, Workshops, Webinars
Learning opportunities are provided to Network Participants both virtually and on-site through our monthly Network calls, special topic Webinars, and in-person classes and workshops held throughout our state.
FACO leverages its partnerships with other Network participants, as well as National and State Partners and Organizations, to bring these low-to-no-cost training opportunities to the Network. Follow the EVENTS section of our FACO Newsletter as well as the FACO Google Events Calendar* for upcoming trainings.
*to Add this to your Google Calendar ~ scroll to the bottom left of the Events Calendar and click the link.
FACO recommends, facilitates, or leads the following trainings for mitigation professionals:
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- Network Onboarding & Resource Library
- Educational Webinars
- Mitigation 101
- Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices Training
- Assessing Structure Ignition Potential Training (NFPA®)
- The FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach (Coordinators)
- The FACO Wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador Curriculum (Ambassadors)
- Leading the Modern CWPP Process
- Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX)
- The Role of Wildfire Mitigation in Real Estate
- Wildfire Mitigation & Landscaping Professional
Training Opportunities
Network Onboarding introduces newer participants to the resources, people, and network philosophy that make FACO thrive, including a special session for agency network participants.
The FACO Resource Library is a collection of tools available to Network Participants to streamline program development in their communities.
The FACO Resource Library provides tools to help Network Participants develop and enhance wildfire adaptation programs within their communities. Resources are organized around the ten topics of the Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) Framework, highlighting key components of wildfire resilience and providing actionable examples to reduce risk.
FACO works to bring Special Topic Webinars to the online community, including those outside our Network. Guest Speakers also present on relevant topics and current affairs during Monthly Network Calls.
The Fire Adapted Colorado Network YouTube Channel features playlists of our current and past webinars, select Network Call Presentations (Clips), featured Colorado Wildland Fire Conference sessions, and Partner Favorites.
2024 Webinars included:
- FACO Network Insurance
- Before the Grant: Preparing to Apply
- Colorado 2024CWDG Round 3 Webinar
Mitigation 101 is an introductory course that offers a foundational training experience tailored for professionals in the field of mitigation and wildfire management. This immersive one-day program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of concepts, resources, and terminology crucial to navigating the intricacies of community wildfire mitigation.
This course is intended as a precursor to Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices (CWMBP) if students are interested in taking that course as well. Participants can expect to leave Mitigation 101 with a heightened Awareness of wildfire mitigation and awareness of: Community Wildfire Mitigation Terminology, Introduction to Fire Behavior and Response, Policies, Plans, and Funding, The Players and Programs, Taking Action in Communities and on Landscapes, and Ongoing Learning Opportunities.
Learn More at Mitigation 101 – Coalitions & Collaboratives
Mitigation 101 is offered through Coalitions and Collaboratives, with financial support from the USFS and the training support of FACO staff.
Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices (Mitigation Best Practices) is listed as N9073 within the IQCS application. The course is required training for the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Team Member (WMTM) and Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Team Lead (WMTL) positions with the USFS.
This national-level training from Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc. and the USDA Forest Service is designed for current or future mitigation specialists, wildfire program leads, and others who work with residents and their communities to reduce wildfire risk. The Mitigation Best Practices training concentrates on science, methods, and tools that will help you engage communities/residents while also helping you to eliminate ineffective practices.
Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices is offered through Coalitions and Collaboratives, with financial support from the USFS and the training support of FACO staff.
The Assessing Structure Ignition Potential Training course provides students with science-based best practices to mitigate structural ignition potential.
Students learn to identify structural ignition vulnerabilities, options for mitigation, and how to work with homeowners during the assessment process.
Assessing Structure Ignition Potential is offered through the NFPA®, with financial support locally from the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and program support from FACO staff. CSFS strives to support low- to no-cost courses four times a year throughout the state.
To attend the 16-hour in-person course, reach out to FACO’s Training and Network Specialist.
The NFPA® has also recently launched two free online courses:
The FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach is a proven methodology that empowers communities to take effective action and mitigate wildfire risks. By fostering local leadership, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, this approach helps communities become more resilient and better prepared for future wildfire events.
Wildfire Adapted Partnership (WAP) in southwest Colorado and Fire Adapted Colorado (FACO) have worked together since 2019 to develop and expand the FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach through workshops and other resources. The Approach has been adopted by a variety of Fire Networks members and sites across the country, since it’s inception.
The FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach is offered through WAP and FACO, with financial support from the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, (FACNET)
For information on attending a virtual or in-person course, reach out to FACO’s Training and Network Specialist.
The FACO Wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador curriculum is intended for neighborhood ambassadors (resident leaders) to receive an orientation on how to lead their ambassador programs.
The course is taught virtually by FACO and FACO affiliates, and it can also be shared with Ambassador Coordinators (who have completed the FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach Training) and are planning on hosting their own local trainings. This updated curriculum was built in partnership with network participants from the former Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church.
The FACO Wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador is offered virtually twice a year by FACO, with financial support from the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FACNET).
For information on attending a virtual or in-person course, reach out to FACO’s Training and Network Specialist.
Leading the Modern CWPP Process is a course that helps community leaders facilitate, write, and follow through with modern CWPP practices and standards.
Community Wildfire Protection Plans are foundational in building a fire-adapted community. They identify the people, places, and partnerships needed, and bring partners to a shared vision for the next five years. For community leaders, fire department volunteers, and staff, writing a CWPP for the first time can be overwhelming, but this course will help you
This course will enable fire departments, forest NGOs, community leaders, & local government staff to write their own clear and actionable CWPPs that meet or exceed federal and local Minimum Standards and can be updated every five years. This course will empower community leaders to better engage with their communities, identify and prioritize key projects, and open the path to collaboration and funding for implementation.
Leading the Modern CWPP Process is offered by The Ember Alliance, thanks to the support of the Fire Learning Network, Coalitions and Collaboratives, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, and other partners.
Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX) address one of the most fundamental ways to shift fire culture: giving more people the opportunity to work with fire. The Fire Networks support beneficial fire, and the people who work with it by investing in prescribed fire partnerships and leadership development, and through experiential training events.
The TREX program is a Fire Networks program, supporting beneficial fire, and the people who work with it by investing in prescribed fire partnerships and leadership development, and through experiential training events.
Fire Networks resources (Fire Networks, FLN, TREX/WTREX, FAC Net, IPBN) include more information about the networks, tools, and guides developed by members, as well as other resources that members and other practitioners may find helpful.
The Wildfire Mitigation & Landscaping Professional course is a four-hour training accompanied by a set of customizable resources.
Developed by FACO and Wildfire Partners in late 2024 in Boulder County, this course is designed for local partners to adapt and deliver themselves.
This course is not offered directly by FACO; however, the course materials are available for customization by a local partner.
For more information, please contact FACO’s Training and Network Specialist.
