FIRELINE The official publication of the National Wildfire Suppression Association Winter 2025 RAISING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS On and Off the FirelineTable of Contents Published for: The National Wildfire Suppression Association Physical Address: 228 SW Broadway Mill City, OR 97360 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 169 Mill City, OR 97360 Executive Director: Debbie Miley Tel: (877) 676-6972 Direct Line: (503) 897-6150 Published by: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 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Up Front 07 A Message from the NWSA President, Claren Nilsson 08 The Role of the National Wildfire Suppression Association in Wildland Fire & Emergency Incident Support 09 NWSA Sponsorship Opportunities NWSA Insider 28 Meet NWSA’s Members 34 Meet NWSA’s Instructors 36 NWSA’s Corporate Sponsors 37 Tools of the Trade 38 Index to Advertisers Features 11 NWSA 2024 Annual Conference Agenda 12 Raising Mental Health Awareness On and Off the Fireline 16 NWSA’s First Fuels & Fire Technology Fair 19 The History of NWSA and What Lies Ahead 23 Who’s New at the Agencies 25 In Recognition of Ron George On the cover: Winter storms may dampen the ground, but not the mood of fire crews who conduct prescribed pile burns as a key strategy for building forest resiliency. Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service / Julia Bonney.The National Wildfire Suppression Association 7 A Message from the NWSA President, Claren Nilsson Claren Nisson NWSA President Up Front As we approach the end of 2024, the wildland firefighting community continues to face several key challenges which demand our focus and collaboration. From navigating new wage determinations to addressing perceptions of professionalism, contractors play an essential role in shaping the future of our industry. WAGE DETERMINATION AND CONTRACTING CHANGES One of the key issues we are addressing is the recent changes to federal wage determination rules. These updates have required adjustments to how we approach contracts and compensation. While we have always ensured competitive pay for our firefighters, the new regulations bring added costs that must be balanced against government pricing limitations. The National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) has been actively working with agencies to ensure contractors’ needs are heard and reflected in our pricing. This ongoing dialogue remains crucial as we seek solutions that allow us to continue delivering essential services while maintaining financial stability and meeting the expectations of our clients. ADDRESSING PROFESSIONALISM AND PERCEPTIONS Another challenge we face is the perception of our industry’s professionalism, often affected by isolated incidents involving alcohol or conflicts. Unfortunately, when such issues arise, the green and yellow uniforms worn by all resources – whether federal or private – are sometimes unfairly associated with contractors alone. It is essential that we continue to hold fast to our values and demonstrate the high standards that define our workforce. By enforcing strong internal policies and maintaining consistent professionalism, we can combat these misconceptions and ensure that the dedication of the majority is recognized. STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS Our partnerships, both new and long-standing, are essential to our continued success. The recently It is essential that we continue to hold fast to our values and demonstrate the high standards that define our workforce. formed United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) exemplifies how collaboration can help us achieve shared goals. UAFA has quickly become a leading voice in the aerial firefighting sector, working closely with Congress and federal agencies to address the unique challenges faced by aerial contractors. At the same time, our established partnerships with the National Mobile Showers & Catering Association (NMSCA) remain vital in supporting fire camp infrastructure. Together, these partnerships strengthen our collective ability to meet the increasingly complex demands of each fire season. ADVOCATING FOR THE FUTURE Looking ahead, advocacy remains a top priority for the NWSA. A key initiative is the Federal Improvement in Technology Procurement – or FIT – Act that has been advanced by Tiffany Taylor from the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA). This legislation seeks to improve contracting practices, ensure access to the latest technologies, and create more transparent agreements between contractors and federal agencies. By supporting these efforts, we can ensure that both aerial and ground resources are deployed effectively, equipped with the best tools available. It is essential that we continue pushing for policies that reflect the realities of our work and provide fair treatment for contractors across all sectors of the private wildland fire service. MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER As we close out this year and look toward the challenges and opportunities of 2025, unity remains vital. Our community has always thrived through resilience, professionalism, and collaboration. By addressing wage determinations, advocating for fair pricing, and fostering strong partnerships, we will continue to raise the bar for contractors in the private wildland fire service. Together, we will ensure that our contributions are recognized, and our voices are heard as we shape the future of wildland firefighting. �8 www.nwsa.us Up Front Thirty-five years ago, a group of private contractors were approached by the agencies with a suggestion that perhaps the private industry needed a united voice when dealing with them on contract and training issues. Out of that, the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) was formed in 1991 at a meeting of 10 companies in Reno, Nevada. Their mission was to provide a voice for the professional private fire services. Braving the smoke, heat, and danger of wildland fires, as well as the aftermath of other national disasters, is a multitude of federal, state, and local agencies. When the magnitude of the event exceeds their available resources, these agencies can call in reinforcements from the professional private fire services through pre-existing agreements and contracts. Today, the NWSA represents 375 private firefighting companies in 21 states, as well as Canada and Australia. We can field a workforce of over 12,000 trained firefighters, as well as a large contingency of equipment, during the height of wildfire season. These folks provide resources that include water handling resources, heavy equipment, faller modules, 20-person hand crews, and other specialized resources that complement the toolbox of resources the agencies have for wildland fire response. Today, approximately 45 percent of all fire resources are provided by the professional private fire services. When lives are on the line, the agencies must have confidence in all the resources that are part of the fire community. Since 1991, the mission of the NWSA has been to ensure that its members earn that confidence. NWSA advocacy includes working as a cooperator in the wildland fire services to build positive relationships with agency partners, and to advocate for professionalism within the industry, as well as providing an exchange of information on issues related to the industry. Why is there a need for the private professional contract fire services? It was started in the 1980s during an era of shrinking agency budgets, and a growing The Role of the National Wildfire Suppression Association in Wildland Fire and Emergency Incident Support number of large fires. By the end of the 1990s, these events led to the first hand-crew agreement between private wildland fire services and the agencies. NWSA has built many working relationships with the federal, state, and local governments as well as national and state politicians, and prides itself on working to resolve issues of concern to create a better working environment for all parties. Not only do NWSA members provide resources for wildfire response, but they also perform a lot of project work for wildfire recovery and wildfire mitigation. NWSA has long held onto the value of protecting the forest through mitigation work rather than protection by wildfire suppression efforts and the industry stands ready to perform that work not only for agency partners, but for many landowners as well. The majority of NWSA member companies are located in rural America and provide family wage jobs to folks in their areas. Most of their employees live, play, and work in these forests and therefore, they have a personal stake in helping to protect these landscapes and take a strong sense of pride in their accomplishments. � Along with providing wildfire response, the NWSA protects forests across the country through its various mitigation efforts.The National Wildfire Suppression Association 9 Up Front SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! PLATINUM – $10,000 • A 2 x 3-inch advertisement on NWSA’s Corporate Sponsorship page online. • A discounted rate for a full-page ad in FIRELINE, which is NWSA’s full color magazine. Cost: $1,800 based on two times per year contract, for a total of $3,600. This is a savings of $640 per issue. FIRELINE has a readership of over 3,000! • A full screen advertisement at the annual NWSA National Conference. • A 30-minute presentation during NWSA’s “New Technology” breakout at the National Conference. • A monthly email blast direct to NWSA members with your content. • A monthly social media post (submit content for the post by the 1st of each month). • NWSA membership mailing list. • Sponsorship opportunities at the NWSA National Conference. • Free booth space at our vendor with premium spot choice. GOLD – $5,000 • A 2 x 3-inch advertisement on NWSA’s Corporate Sponsorship page online. • A discounted rate for a full-page ad in FIRELINE, which is NWSA’s full color magazine. Cost: $1,800 based on two times per year contract, for a total of $3,600. This is a savings of $640 per issue. FIRELINE has a readership of over 3,000! • A monthly email blasts direct to NWSA members with your content. • A 15-minute presentation during NWSA’s “New Technology” breakout at the National Conference. • NWSA membership mailing list. • Bi-monthly social media posts (submit content for the post by the 1st of each month). • Sponsorship opportunities at the NWSA National Conference. • $350 off booth space at our vendor. • SILVER – $2,500 • A 2 x 3-inch advertisement on NWSA’s Corporate Sponsorship page online. • A 5% discount on a ¼ page or ½ page ad in FIRELINE magazine, plus a free hyperlink. • Quarterly email blasts to NWSA members with your content. • Quarterly social media posts (submit content by 1st of the month of each quarter). • NWSA membership mailing list. • A five minute “Get to know your vendor” opportunity during NWSA’s annual business meeting. • $250 off booth space at our vendor. BRONZE – $1,250 • A 2 x 3-inch advertisement on NWSA’s Corporate Sponsorship page online. • A 5% discount on a ¼ page or ½ page ad in FIRELINE magazine, plus a free hyperlink. • Quarterly email blasts to NWSA members with your content. • Quarterly social media posts (submit content by 1st of the month of each quarter). • A five minute “Get to know your vendor” opportunity during NWSA’s annual business meeting. • $100 off booth space at our vendor. Each sponsorship lasts for one full calendar year. Become an NWSA Corporate Sponsor and gain access to over 300 companies that need your specific expertise, services, and products! NWSA CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP LEVELS BENEFITSNext >