Year 3 of the RF-DASH project the team supported our existing trainers and expanded their networks of influence. We tracked data on power of their role in the community through a social network analysis tool and semi-structured interview instrument. We also assessed the feasibility of a national, multi-region program through a national training pilot.

Social Network Analysis:

With 36 trainers, we have conducted social network analysis interviews with 19 trainers. We have initiated second round interviews and have begun incentivizing individuals to discuss the work they have done with RF-DASH. We are currently analyzing and evaluating the data already collected and will continue to conduct more interviews approximately every six months to see how information about the RF-DASH program moves through their social networks.

National Training Pilot:

We reached out to three active National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committee members to see if the project can become part of an existing standard for rural fire/EMS departments to follow or a new standard altogether. Receiving positive feedback, we decided to pursue a national training pilot to evaluate if the project was generalizable enough for other regions around the United States.

The national training encouraged partnerships between agriculture health and safety professionals, and rural fire/EMS. We invited 18 individuals from nine states (Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin) to Minneapolis, MN for two days of training and a round table discussion about ways to improve the project in a national program. We received positive feedback on the entire RF-DASH project. During the round table discussion, participants provided suggestions and new ideas to improve the overall use and appearance of the program through marketing, further curriculum refinement, and digital tools. We will be following up with the group in six months to learn what they took away from the program and implemented in their regions. The NFPA committee members informed us we are already following many of the standards, specifically the 1300 standard regarding community risk analysis and reduction. This may mean firefighters can be further incentivized to engage with the program to have their departments compliant with this standard.

Curriculum Refinement and Digitalization:

In continuing our goal to support existing trainers, RF-DASH team created resources to increase communication from the project staff, participant members, rural fire/EMS, and farmers. Development of the quarterly RF-DASH newsletter has allowed participants to become more engaged and up to date on the progress of the project. Many enrolled rural departments provided positive feedback on the effectiveness of this communication tool.

Resources: 

We created a brochure to give information on RF-DASH to farmers. This was in direct response to requests from fire/EMS personnel on additional resources to help inform farmers on project goals. In addition, we built a contact directory representing all of the individuals in the RF-DASH program. This public directory will allow the public to contact individuals in their regions about RF-DASH.

Improving Digital Tools:

We revised the item rating scale (1-5) in SaferFarm.org to stay consistent with best practices in hazard analyses. Now, five represents optimum protection against a hazard and one represents the least protection. The FARM-HAT scales were also revised and underwent general refinement, including incorporation of the ability to make future revisions as needed. We also updated SaferFarm.org to include a Forms Library to house the updated 154 FARM-HAT sheets.

Google Analytics was added to SaferFarm.org to provide the RF-DASH team with data on how users find and utilize the website.

Other Outcomes:

The RF-DASH project was featured in Canada’s Western Producer trade magazine discussing uses of the digital tools and how farmers can help firefighters prepare and respond to farm emergencies. Dairy Radio Now also conducted a short interview on the background and goals for the project.

Next Year:

The next year of RF-DASH will consist of supporting our existing trainers, observing how their networks expand, as well as continuing to build a national program. We will be continually working on improvements to online tools and curriculum. We plan to contact a marketing company with previous experience assisting NFMC to discuss ways to create a consistent and professional appearance for RF-DASH.