Rangeland Fire Protection Associations as disaster response organisations |
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| Authors: | Emily Jane Davis Jesse Abrams Katherine Wollstein |
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| Institution: | 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, United States;2. Assistant Professor, Natural Resource Policy and Sustainability, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, United States;3. Doctoral Candidate, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, United States |
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| Abstract: | Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are volunteer-based groups of trained private landowners who are authorised to respond to events in partnership with governmental agencies. This study analysed the functioning and structure of RFPAs in Idaho and Oregon in the western United States to characterise this under-researched model of disaster response. RFPAs represent an expanding type of disaster response organisation that interfaces with established fire suppression entities, yet ‘emergent behaviour’ manifested in some RFPA response actions. This appeared to lessen and mediate with time, as well as due to recognition of the issues, increased experience of fires, and training that fostered new mutual understandings. There is a need for continued examination of the effect of repeat experience in developing the characteristics of disaster response organisations. In addition, it is crucial to know how the interface between established and other types of organisations may be enhanced to make cooperative disaster response more effective. |
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| Keywords: | disaster response organisations expanding organisations Idaho Oregon rangelands wildfire |
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