| Community Outreach |
  In the old days it was difficult to get our publics attention. Now they are engaged informed and open. Supporting community discussion around the benefits of:
  Thousands of communities face high potentials for fire danger, but situational education has been challenging until now...
Using the Simtable, a three-dimensional map of neighborhoods can be projected in a matter of minutes. Up to date satellite imagery of structures and streets can be color-coded with FireWise ratings, giving citizens and responders a birds-eye and ground-level simulation of their community. “The Simtable is the future of wildland training and public outreach” observed Steve Mullis, Lieutenant/Wildland Coordinator, after a recent Simtable presentation to citizens of Apache Canyon, a high-risk area east of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Previous PowerPoint presentations failed to capture the homeowners' attention. However, detailed satellite maps and animated simulated conditions of a fire caused by a cigarette tossed from a car on the nearby interstate immediately attracted the interest of the citizens. Gathering around the Simtable and looking at their own homes, residents immediately visualized how different scenarios could arise and how dangerous various situations could be. “I’ve never seen a group so engaged at a FireWise presentation." said Dave Sperling, Deputy Fire Chief. The Simtable is a powerful and dynamic way to bring FireWise data and presentations to life. |