The line separating urban, suburban and rural communities has blurred in recent years. As of 2010, more than 99 million people live in the Urban Interface across the United States. And, as development in the Urban Interface continues to expand, the risk for disaster increases at a proportional rate.
On Oct. 24, Scottsdale Fire is participating in a course developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters that provides structural firefighters with comprehensive training and information regarding Urban Interface response, command, strategies, and tactics which will allow them to operate safely in their community's urban interface environment. This course is called IAFF’s Responding to the Interface.
The training program is designed to provide firefighters and company officers a consistent basic understanding of safety, command and control, and strategy and tactics to use when defending structures from a wildland fire (defensive strategy) or suppressing a wildland fire in and around structures (offensive strategy).
SFD Firefighters participating in this course will practice these skills within the Rio Montaña community near Scottsdale Fire Station 607. The community was selected because of its proximity to the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Residents have been alerted to the training.
Learn how to help firefighters protect your home against wildfires by checking out this wildland fire prevention information.