Fire

Program Details

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management works to assist cooperating fire departments purchase equipment and supplies through the Defense Logistics Agency, or DLA, Wildfire Equipment Program. The program is available to all cooperators who have a current Intergovernmental Agreement, or IGA. 

 

The catalog items are not stocked in our facility, but are ordered and in most cases shipped direct from DLA supply depots. 

Program FAQs

Q: Who Can Order From this Program? 

A: All Department of Forestry and Fire Management cooperators who have a current IGA. 

 

Q: Why Order From this Program? 

A: While not trying to compete with the public sector, but these prices are generally lower. Also, the equipment is part of the National Fire Equipment System, or NFES, which means if you damage or destroy a DLA acquired item, it can be replaced on an incident where a supply unit has been set up and stocked. 

 

Q: Do the Prices Change From What's in the Current Catalog? 

A: Yes, but not often. As prices change, the order form price list is updated at posted to the website. Make sure you check your order from date with that on the website. There is also a 10% handling charge added to your order which covers administration costs of having the program available in Arizona. 

 

Q: Does the Personal Protective Equipment Meet NFPA 1977 Standards? 

A: Yes. Shirts, pants, gloves, helmets, shrouds, fire shelters - all meet the NFPA standard. 

 

Q: What if I Accidentally Order the Wrong Size or Item? Can it be Returned? 

A: Possibly. The item has to be returned to DLA and there is a 25% restocking fee. If it's a commonly ordered item, like shirts and pants, we will put it in our stock and give you a credit on your total order. 

 

Q: Can I Order Direct from GSA Advantage Instead of Going Through the Department of Forestry and Fire Management? 

A: In most cases, fire departments and other entities can order direct, but you will need to apply for an account and most likely will need a credit card to complete your purchases. There are a few items that are available on both DLA and GSA websites like garbage bags, batteries, fiber, and duct tape. 

 

For more information you can go to the GSA website. 

DLA Ordering 

Below are the forms you will need to place your order. It's beneficial if you save the forms to your computer first before starting to fill them out. 

 

2022 Wildland Fire Equipment Catalog 

2022 Wildland Fire Catalog Ordering Form 

Wildland Fire Equipment Ordering Instructions

 

 

You can mail, fax, or email this form to Brian Lauber with the DLA Wildfire Equipment Program: DLA Wildfire Equipment Program, 3740 E. 43rd Place, Tucson, AZ, 85713. Or fax to: 520-628-5847

 

 

Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center

 

(800) 309-7081 24/7 

 

2901 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85027

 

Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center is responsible for the dispatching of statewide resources for wildland fire and all risk incidents. The Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center, located in Deer Valley, processes thousands of requests annually for operational and logistical support of initial and extended attack incidents.

 

The center mobilizes aircraft, crews, equipment, and personnel within the state and assists various federal and state agencies throughout the nation with resources. The center gathers intelligence on fire and all risk incidents across Arizona and disseminates numerous reports.

 

Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and public safety is the first priority of the center and all activities will reflect these commitments.

 

 

Dispatch and Support Links 

Predictive Services

• Fuels/Fire Danger
• Fire Danger Pocket Cards
• Weather
• Southwest Coordination Center Fire Potential Outlooks

 

Communication

• Radio Communications Safety Notice 18-001
• Radio Communications Safety Notice 18-002
• Radio Communications Safety Notice 18-003
• Radio Communications Safety Notice - OUTAGE 18-004
• Radio Communications Notice 20-001
• Radio Communications Notice 20-002 - Group 13 Mod SE District 
• Group 13: Coronado National Forest, DFFM, & BLM Safford Mix 2020

 

Other Links

• ROSS Self-Status
• NAP Password Reset
• IQS Web
• AZ Priority Trainee Letter
• AZ Priority Trainee Program
• AZ Priority Trainee Nomination Form

 

Dispatch Related Links

• WildCAD Support (Password Protected)
• WFDSS
• NAFRI (National Advanced Fire & Resource Institute)
• NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center)
• National Wildland Fire Training

 

Useful Forms

• Resource Extension Request Form - Updated 9/2020
• 2019 DFFM APPENDIX F Fillable PDF.pdf

FEMA/NIMS Online Courses Available 

 

Additional classes can be found at the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence and the National Fire Training websites.

 

Wildfire qualifications for individuals from the Arizona Department of  Forestry and Fire Management, as well as those working for Arizona fire departments, are reviewed by the Arizona Wildfire Qualifications (Red Card) Review Committee. Recommendations are then forwarded to the State Fire Management Officer who is the only person authorized by the State Forester to sign qualifications cards at the Single Resource Boss Level and above in operations, at the Unit Leader Level and above in other ICS functions, for the Firewise Communities Advisor and Assessor positions, and the Structure Protection Specialist.

 

If you need to request access to the IQS website, training or production, please contact Susan Burger @ 623-445-0274 ext. 220. To access the IQS production click on the logo below.

 

 

 

Forestry Division's Fire Experience Form

Fire Experience Form

Wildfire Qualifications Review Committee Meeting Information

 

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management has access to multiple types of wildland firefighting aircraft, including Single Engine Air Tankers, fixed-wing Air Attack, Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), and helicopters. In 2020, Water Scoopers arrived in the state as an additional suppression tool. 

 

                          

 

Most of the aircraft is provided through agreements with federal partners. However, DFFM manages both the SEATs and Air Attack platforms at local airports for tactical, reconnaissance, and firefighting support. The agency also partners with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Army National Guard for use of their aircraft to provide supplemental helicopter and fixed wing aviation assets to support the firefighting mission. DFFM's aviation staff provide wildland fire related support including coordination, equipment, and training to DPS and the Arizona Army National Guard.

 

DFFM manages SEAT bases out of Buckeye and Marana during the summer months and contracts with federal partners for use of the Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) for suppression. SEATs can operate from smaller, shorter and mostly non-congested municipal runways. Effective pre-positioning of these smaller, specialized aircraft allow for the rapid response and deployment of aerial fire retardant drops on wildfires. This close support and fast action keeps fires smaller and results in lower firefighting costs.
 

In 2017, DFFM SEATs responded to 16 state fires, seven USFS fires, and three Department of Interior fires in Arizona. In all, those single engine air tankers dropped nearly 169,000 gallons of retardant on fires burning across the state. 

 

  

Agency Drones 

In 2019, DFFM began its agency drone program to help with wildland fire recon and suppression efforts. The drones are another critical tool firefighters can use to help with situational awareness, data gathering, mapping, and heat sensing. The agency has also implemented drones as part of the prescribed burn planning process. 

 

***Due to safety reasons, drones cannot fly when other aircraft are being utilized on a fire. Anyone caught flying a drone over a wildfire can face fines and possible confiscation of the equipment. 

Destructive wildland fires in 2002 were a catalyst for Congress to pass the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) in 2003.

 

The intent of the HFRA was to provide funding and guidance for better forest management practices throughout wildland areas and the wildland urban interface.

 

One of the key outcomes of the HFRA was to incentivize communities to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, simply known as a CWPP.

 

An approved CWPP can influence and prioritize future funding for hazardous fuel reduction projects, including where and how federal agencies implement fuel reduction projects on federal lands.

 

More information on CWPPs can be found on the national Forests and Rangelands website. 

 

Three Basic Criteria for CWPPs

• Collaboration: A CWPP must be collaboratively developed by local and state government representatives, in consultation with federal agencies and other interested parties.
• Prioritized Fuel Reduction: A CWPP must identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommend the types and methods of treatment that will protect one or more at-risk communities and essential infrastructure.
• Treatment of Structural Ignitability: A CWPP must recommend measures that homeowners and communities can take to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the area addressed by the plan.

 

CWPP Guidance Requirements 

 

Every year, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management analyzes communities across the state to determine which ones are at risk for a catastrophic wildfire. To see the list of communities at risk, please visit our Arizona At Risk Community page. 

 

However, through programs, such as Firewise USA, we work with communities, HOAs, and municipalities to evaluate their risk factors, and if necessary, take the imperative steps of working to reduce the chances of devastating wildfires burning through their communities. 

 

We also provide grant funding to help communities pay for fuels mitigation work in their area. The Department of Forestry and Fire Management also develops and implements project work across the state to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain the health of our forests. 

 

*The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is currently in the process of revising the CWPP process and developing new minimum standards. For immediate information or assistance please contact Karl Gehrke 

 

Before and After Photo - Wildland Type 4 Engine -  Buckeye Valley Fire Department

Before and After Photo - Wildland Type 4 Engine - Kearny Fire Department

Before and After Photo - Wildland Type 5 Engine - Nutrioso Fire Department

 

    
 

 

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management provides fire protection to 22-million acres of state and private lands, and responds to other lands under cooperative agreement.  Forestry and Fire dispatches resources statewide for wildland fire and also sends state and local resources to

wildfires in other states through federal agreements. The agency has ready access to over 3,000 local fire fighting vehicles and more than 2,700 trained state and local wildland firefighters plus substantial national resources from federal agencies.
 

Forestry and Fire also maintains in-house fire command and firefighting capabilities through the qualifications of its own employees, an inmate fire crew program, and the most recent addition, the Phoenix crew - a post release crew. 
 

 

 

Year to Date Data:  (as of Dec. 31, 2022)

 

2023: No data to report 

 

2022: 1,444 wildfires - 124,323 acres burned 

 

Annual Data: 

 

2022: 1,444 wildfires - 124,323 acres burned 

 

2021: 1,774 wildfires - 524,428 acres burned

 

2020: 2,519 wildfires - 978,519 acres burned 

 

***YTD and annual data reflect state, federal, and tribal jurisdiction reports***

Data provided through the Arizona Dispatch Center 

 

Roadside Fire Data 

Every year, we continue to respond to fires caused by dragging chains, tire blowouts and other vehicle-related incidents. This DFFM roadside fire map allows us to determine where we have the most issues with wildland fires on the roadways. We use this data to formulate where we need to provide additional prevention patrols during times of peak fire activity and to assist with roadside fire prevention marketing campaigns. 

 

 

Driving and Wildfire Prevention Tips: 

• Always check your tow chains to ensure they are secure. One spark is all it takes from a dragging chain to start a wildfire. 
• Before getting on the road, check that your vehicle is in good working order, including the tires. Tire blowouts have also been known to cause wildfires. 
• Never pull your vehicle off the road into vegetation. The undercarriage of the vehicle is extremely hot and can start a fire. 
• Do not throw cigarette butts out the window. Keep our state free of litter and wildfires. 

 

Additional Wildland Fire-Related Information 

• Arizona Wildland Fire Equipment Mobilization Guide 
• AZ Burns Planned for Today
• AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality 
• AZ Emergency Information Network

Southwest Interagency Coordination Center 

• SWCC Morning Situation Report 
• SWCC Twitter - @SWCCNewsNotes
• SWCC Summary SIT Report - By Protection 
• SWCC Summary SIT Report - By Ownership

National Products and Websites 

• National Situation Report
• Inciweb
• Enterprise Geospatial Portal (EGP)
• ROSS Self Status
• NAP