In Spring 2011, the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network (NRFSN) conducted a Needs Assessment and asked managers about which activities they would like to see the NRFSN prioritize.
Survey respondents were given a list of 24 potential activities for implementation by the NRFSN. They were asked to "rank your top 5 choices for the Fire Science Network to prioritize, with 1 being your top choice, 2 being your next choice, and so on." The following graphs show how frequently each potential activity was ranked as one of the top five. Results are shown for the following groups: Fire/Fuels Managers, Decision Makers, and Other Disciplinary Specialists (i.e., natural resource managers and silviculturists).
Summary
Creating a one-stop searchable website, creating research briefs summarizing results and implications, and synthesizing fire research on selected topics were the top ranked activities for the NRFSN. Respondents also expressed interest in creating a spatially referenced database of research, obtaining help identifying and communicating research needs, and facilitating opportunities for networking. Tribal land managers agreed with other groups, indicating that the NRFSN should "create a one-stop searchable website," should "help managers identify research needs and communicate these to scientists," "create a web portal that links to other fire science websites," "organize opportunities for managers and researchers to discuss issues in the field", "facilitate interagency networking," and "provide a spatially referenced database of research."
Figure 1. Top 5 Choices for NRFSN Activities (Fire / Fuels Specialist)
Fire / Fuels Specialists (Figure 1)
Fire and fuels specialists ranked "create a one-stop searchable website with information on fire research, scientists, events, etc." as their top priority for NRFSN activities. Next, they ranked "create a web portal that links to other fire science websites," "create research briefs summarizing results and implications," "synthesize fire research on selected topics," and "provide a spatially referenced databse of research so viewers can click on a location and learn of relevant research."
Figure 2. Top 5 Choices for NRFSN Activities (Decision Makers)
Decision Makers (Figure 2)
Line and staff officers ranked as their top priority for NRFSN activities: "create a one-stop searchable website with information on fire research, scientists, events, etc.," "create research briefs summarizing results and implications," and "synthesize fire research on selected topics." Next, they ranked "provide a spatially referenced databse of research so viewers can click on a location and learn of relevant research," "help managers identify research needs and communicate these to scientists," "facilitate networking between managers and scientists," and "organize opportunities for researchers and managers to discuss issues in the field (e.g., field trips, road shows)."
Figure 3. Top 5 Choices for NRFSN Activities (Other Disciplines)
Other Disciplinary Specialists (Figure 3)
Natural resource managers and silviculturists ranked "create research briefs summarizing results and implications" and "synthesize fire research on selected topics" as their top priorities for NRFSN activities. Next, they ranked "create a web portal that links to other fire science websites," "create a one-stop searchable website with information on fire research, scientists, events, etc.," and "create annotated bibliographies on selected topics."