After-LIFE Communication Plan Raising awareness for forest fire prevention and training of forest fire agents and volunteers in Estonia

Transcription

1 After-LIFE Communication Plan Raising awareness for forest fire prevention and training of forest fire agents and volunteers in Estonia

2 Prologue The present document has the objective to describe actions that are going to be carried out in order to guarantee the continuation of activities of Private Forest Owners Centre`s (PFC) and Estonian Rescue Board`s (ERS) LIFE+ project Raising awareness for forest fire prevention and training of forest fire agents and volunteers in Estonia once funding by the Commission has ended. Europe s political leaders have acknowledged the importance of forests and their multiple functions regarding the aim to halt the loss of biodiversity, and have set up several policy objectives to protect forests. These strategies refer to regional and local activities as the best tool to raise awareness on and to fight against forest fires through citizen involvement. The innovative approach targeting at multiple stakeholders involvement within the subject of forest fires ensures the sustainability of different communication campaigns in the future. LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 2

3 Briefly about the project This project was financed from the European Commission LIFE+ Information and Communication financial instrument for the environment. The objectives of the project were as follows: Considerably contribute to fulfilling the EU overarching objective to halt the loss of biodiversity via awareness rising on forest fires. To considerably reaching to the targets set as priorities in the EU Forest Action Plan: protection of forests against biotic and abiotic factors via awareness raising and knowledge increase. To enhance the networking on regional and local level in line with EU strategic policies. To increase awareness of forest fires and measurements to address them in everyday life through dissemination. To enhance the implementation of forest fire prevention measurements by increasing motivation through trainings, seminars and raising awareness. Project was carried out in six regions in Estonia. Regions were chosen according to the fire danger ratio where the counties with higher danger were preferred: Harjumaa Ida-Virumaa Põlvamaa Lääne-Virumaa Pärnumaa Läänemaa LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 3

4 Development and results Through the project, we communicated and explained the nature and problem of forest fires, in compliance with the EU s Forest Action Plan priorities. That was one of the key messages of the project. Another important thing was to explain and educate people about forest fire prevention actions in order to minimize damage, in compliance with the Forest Action Plan s priorities. We brought and shared the knowledge about best practices in fire prevention for the public, forest owners, fire agents and different state authorities from other EU Member States like Latvia and Finland, and from Australia. Additionally, we raised the skills and know-how of fire agents and forest owners. We managed to bring together members from responsible authorities on the regional and state level, to enhance better networking among responsible authorities for their everyday work. By the participants, it has been acknowledged, that thanks to the LIFE+ project, they are communicating between themselves more efficiently. Information sharing about different support measures set up by the EU for forest fire prevention proved to be important to stakeholders and increased forest fire prevention activities in Estonia (raised % compared to 2010). Volunteers and specialists in forest fire prevention actions were trained in different regions via an integrated and participative approach appreciated by the EU, which raised LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 4

5 their skills in forest fire prevention activities and how to organize information exchange more efficiently. The results obtained throughout the project are mainly referred to the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project. Overall it can be said, that most of the set up goals were reached and therefore the strategies proposed and implemented were sufficient. Results obtained are as follows: 1 online toolkit with materials for forest fire prevention App. 469 persons educated and trained via seminars 125 people reached in the final conference with international presence 3 leaflets on forest fire prevention in Estonian, tailored to the target group (forest visitors, forest owners, youngsters) and 2 leaflets translated into Russian (forest visitors and youngsters). 89 fire agents having been trained on forest fire fighting, international specialists involved 90 volunteers having been trained on forest fire fighting 1 set of materials from each of the trainings for fire fighting agents and volunteers in Estonian, Russian and English (if relevant) 6 meetings of regional authorities to establish contacts and strengthen networking and contributing best practice materials for the toolkit improved implementation of EU and national priorities fixed in the Forest Action Plan and the overarching EU environmental policy in at least the 6 counties participating in the project via the results above 1 website The decrease in the amount of man-made fires by 6% to 10% (corresponding to ha). Will be analyzed by statistics in LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 5

6 Additional dissemination events during fairs such as Maamess, Metsanädal, Veriora Laat, Talumetsamajandajate kokkutulek. Results and materials used and developed during the project will be published on the project website. Communication strategies PFC will continue to promote forest fire prevention topic and activities in Estonia In order to maintain the results achieved during the project, it is aimed at continuing with seminars and meetings on a regular basis. The meetings would address all core target groups with tailored seminars. PFC will work on that training sessions will be continued after the end of the project organized by ERS. ERS will continue to implement, according to the annual training plan, forest fire prevention seminars and trainings to the volunteers and professionals. ERS together with other relevant authorities will carry on monitoring activities to measure the cause and area of forest fires and analyse how to improve the forest fire prevention activities. Materials developed in cooperation with schools and institutions active in environmental education serve as environmental education material. The international exchange, which had its beginnings in the project, is a subject to a follow-up project and for further international training cooperation. LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 6

7 Indicators of progress Continued homepage management and project homepage known to target group. Continued in-service trainings to volunteers and professionals. Exhibition materials used by stakeholders and target groups. Forest fire prevention measurements are subject of consideration in the budget allocations of the different stakeholders. International communication is continued. Actions General flow of information Media In Metsaminutid (Radio KUKU) PFC or PFC organized performer will talk about forest fires and importance of fire prevention before the forest fire season starts. Accessibility: Press releases ERS will announce every year fire danger index at their webpage. PFC in cooperation with ERS`s will publish relevant announcements to forest owners via different press channels available. During fire season PFC will publicise on its webpage ERS`s press releases concerning the beginning of forest fire danger period and the end of the period. Accessibility: and LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 7

8 and ERS Time: April 2012 and onwards and ERS Monitoring The Estonian Environment Information Centre (EEIC) aims to collect, process and generalise data on Estonian nature, state of environment and the factors influencing it. EEIC provides reliable environmental information for Estonia s decisionmakers, available in Estonian and in English, and for various organisations. This includes statistics about forest fires. Accessibility: Responsible: ERS Finances: EEIC Informational s PFC will inform annually target group about support measures given for forest fire prevention or for restoration of forests, damaged by the fires. Accessibility: Time: April 2012 and onwards Virtual environment Webpage 1 updated and maintained homepage at least up to 5 years upon the project with frequent visitors. Accessibility: LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 8

9 Toolkit Forest owner associations, nature centres, schools and institutions active in environmental education and other educational institutions will have the opportunity to receive the toolkit for their seminars from project webpage. Project team will send an to representatives from target groups. Toolkit`s intro video will be uploaded to and other places where it is appropriate. Accessibility: Videos online Internet based online video series, to educate the public and other interested, known as Metsakaja, will be used to talk about forest fires and its prevention activities in Estonia. Accessibility: Time: March 2013 Paper media Announcements PFC will inform target group about support measures given for forest fire prevention. Accessibility: Time: April 2012 and onwards LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 9

10 Articles PFC publishes articles or informational stories about forest fire prevention in different publications three times a year. Articles will be published in: - Sinu Mets - Metsaleht - Metsainfo Accessibility: and paper print (preferable before the fire season and/or at the end of the season) On-Site actions Exhibition and dissemination events For visitors Passing on the exhibition around several places in Estonia. PFC is moving the exhibition to public events such as fairs and information days e.g. - Maamess - Jäneda Fair - Roherokk - Ökofestival a.s.o ERS will move the exhibition, as possible, on Safety Days and where relevant Accessibility: and ERS For forest owners LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 10

11 PFC is responsible for moving the exhibition to forest owner s events. Time: April 2012 and onwards For youngsters ERS will move the exhibition, as possible, to youngster s summer camp. Accessibility: Youngsters society s webpage s and blogs Responsible: ERS Finances: ERS General information days for forest owners Event where measure is promoted will be organised by PFC and it shall include information material on forest fire prevention and subsidises for forest fire prevention. Accessibility: under events, local forest societies twice a year Training for forest owners Local forestry societies are encouraged by PFC training specialist to include forest fire prevention topics on their schedule seminars at springtime. Accessibility: under events and local society s home pages Responsible: Local forest societies, PFC twice a year, local forestry societies General information days for networking parties Lead by PFC, who invites different parties around the table. Accessibility: weekly schedule of forestry sector LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 11

12 Time: At least twice a year (in March and October) Continued seminars and trainings for fire fighters Continued seminars and trainings on forest fire prevention and fighting, at least to volunteers and professionals and if financial resources available also to other stakeholders. Responsible: ERS Counselling Personal (incl on-the-spot) counselling on forest fire prevention activities is provided to the private forest owner by the forest owner s advisors. Updated contacts of licensed forestry advisors on PFC webpage. Accessibility: Other International contacts established during the project are subject to evaluation and consideration in further international cooperation possibilities about forest fire prevention activities. All actions are accompanied by constant monitoring of forest fires and the causes for forest fires, outlining the counties where prevention measurements are necessary, done yearly according to The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). Upon 2017: the materials will need updating, and the necessity of intensive awareness rising in Estonia on forest fires has to be verified. LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 12

13 Proprietor and publisher: Foundation Private Forest Centre Financed by: European Commission programme LIFE+ Responsible for the content: Foundation Private Forest Centre 2011 LIFE+ project LIFE08 INF/EE/ FFPE LIFE+ FFPE After-LIFE Communication Plan 13