Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Fire Science Exchange Network: A national evaluation of initiative impacts

Abstract

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Fire Science Exchange Network is composed of 15 Exchanges that act as boundary organizations tasked with improving fire science use within their respective regions. A longitudinal survey conducted annually between 2011 and 2015 as part of a larger evaluation effort reveals significant impacts. Results indicate that fire science practitioners who are constituents of Exchanges increased their agreement that scientists respect their experience and input, their regional Exchange improves access to fire science, and they use fire science in their work. Additionally, scientists agreed increasingly that Exchanges are necessary to share fire science information and improve the application of fire science in their region. These positive findings suggest that Exchanges' boundary organizational activities impact the adoption of fire science research in the field and that Exchanges are fulfilling their role in disseminating and increasing the use of fire science.