Keywords

Psychology; Occupational Resilience; Wildland fire; Interdisciplinary Research; Multiteam Systems; Prescribed Fire

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study how multiteam systems (MTS) are implicated in prescribed fire operations and enhance an interdisciplinary understanding of occupational demands in the industry to mitigate worsening environmental challenges. We study publicly accessible sources through a mixed-methods approach applying I/O psychology and discuss relevant literature. Land management plan documentation is reviewed to explore the structural and functional components of prescribed fire teams. We apply theory-driven coding to analyze prescribed fire incident documentation as we study MTS system processes and develop thematic findings. Lastly, industry job listing content and occupational demands are reviewed. Through this archival and qualitative approach, this study identifies and contextualizes professional capabilities pertinent to successful prescribed burn leadership along with the opportunities to address important gaps within organizational capabilities to deter further uncontrolled wildfires. We enhance the understanding of leadership functions, proactive MTS cohesion-building activities, and critical incident response systems in the industry through an interdisciplinary perspective to conceptualize, and support the application of, MTSs in prescribed fire.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

LeNoble, Chelsea

College

College of Sciences

Department

Department of Psychology

Thesis Discipline

Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright