One-Week Recap: Hands-On Learning Marks the 4th AFoCO Training of Trainers on Forest Fire Suppression in Thailand

The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO)’s 4th Training of Trainers on Forest Fire Suppression (TOTFFS), conducted under the Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) Main Phase, successfully concluded its first week, marked by strong participant engagement, intensive hands-on training, and active regional knowledge exchange. 

Throughout the week, the program emphasized a balanced approach combining theoretical instruction with hands-on practice, ensuring that participants gained both conceptual understanding and operational skills essential for effective forest fire management.

From Theory to Practice

Classroom lectures laid the foundation for understanding key concepts in forest fire behavior, management strategies, and emergency response. These sessions were designed to enhance participants’ basic knowledge of fire dynamics, risk assessment, and suppression planning, while encouraging discussion and experience-sharing among countries.

Building on this theoretical base, participants took part in a series of practical exercises conducted both inside and outside the classroom, allowing them to directly apply what they learned.

Key Practical Training Activities

The first week delivered a dynamic series of hands-on sessions designed to strengthen both technical knowledge and operational readiness, including

1. Fire Prediction Techniques, such as Campbell prediction strategies, to improve understanding of fire behavior and risk forecasting.
2. Sand Table Exercises, enabling participants to simulate fire spread and suppression strategies under different conditions.
3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training, enhancing first-aid readiness and safety awareness during emergency situations.
4. Drone Education and Operation, providing practical experience in aerial monitoring and the use of emerging technologies for forest fire management

Collectively, these sessions encouraged active learning, enabling participants to engage with modern tools and approaches while building confidence in their ability to apply these skills in real-world field operations.

Strengthening Regional Capacity

The first week of the training was marked by dynamic interaction among participants from different countries, creating a vibrant and collaborative learning environment. Through group discussions, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based simulations, participants actively exchanged insights and experiences drawn from their diverse national contexts, strengthening regional understanding of shared forest fire management challenges.

Throughout a wide range of training activities, participants enhanced their foundational knowledge of forest fire management, including first aid response, fire behavior prediction, suppression strategies, and the operational use of drones. By combining theoretical instruction with practical application, the training allowed participants to directly connect newly acquired knowledge to real-life situations they may encounter in their own countries.

Looking Ahead

The first week clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of experiential and participatory learning in building practical capacity. As the training progresses, participants are expected to further develop their technical competencies and leadership skills, while deepening their understanding of integrated forest fire management approaches.

Upon completion of the program, participants are anticipated to play a pivotal role in transferring the knowledge and skills gained to their respective institutions and communities. This cascading impact will support more effective, coordinated, and sustainable forest fire management efforts across the region, contributing to enhanced resilience and aligning with AFoCO’s mission to strengthen regional cooperation

Submitted by Dias Shakubayev, Assistant Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team