Forest fire management has become a critical challenge for AFoCO member countries in the face of growing climate risks. Understanding fire behavior, employing prescribed burns, and enhancing leadership in firefighting operations are key to mitigating the increasing threat of forest fires.

To address these challenges, the AFoCO Regional Education and Training Center (RETC) organized the “Training of Trainers Program for Forest Fire Suppression” on 15 to 28 March 2024, in Thailand. This program provided participants from ten member countries with advanced training in fire behavior analysis and hands-on fire suppression techniques, laying the groundwork for the development of national firefighting programs. By building skills and sharing best practices, the training aimed to strengthen the regional capacity to manage forest fires.

This policy brief consolidates the lessons learned from the training, emphasizing the need for specialized firefighting units, advanced suppression techniques, and the establishment of real-time monitoring systems. It offers strategic insights into how member countries can enhance their fire management frameworks to better protect forests and communities from the escalating risks of forest fires.

This policy brief summarizes the key discussions from the training program, offering insights into enhancing fire management capacities across member countries.