< PreviousFeature TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM NWSA Board Meeting 12:00 to 3:00 PM NWSA Trainers Sessions 3:00 to 5:00 PM NWSA Members Only Meeting WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM Vendor Show in Naples 4 & 5 8:00 to 8:40 AM Welcome & Keynote Speaker: Sarah Fisher, USFS Director, Fire & Aviation Management 8:40 to 9:30 AM Agency Keynote Speakers on Program Management: Dave Haston, USFS Assistant Deputy Director of Fire, USFS; Shane Greer, USFS Crew Program Manager; Bradley Siemens, USFS Assistant Director, Partnerships & Business Management 9:30 to 9:45 AM Break 9:45 to 10:45 AM National Procurement Speakers: Ben McGrane, Deputy Director PPO; Nathan Sabo, Assistant Deputy Director PPO 10:45 to 11:30 AM US Department of Labor Speaker: Rick Branum, USDOL Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker (MSPA) Farm Labor Specialist; Martin Otero, USDOL Unit Supervisor, Farm Labor Contractor Unit 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Lunch 1:00 to 2:45 PM Overview of Processes for VIPR Agreements Session: Nathan Sabo, Assistant Deputy Director PPO; Jill Leguineche, VIPR Fire Program Manager; Kimberly Luft, Branch Chief for Procurement and Property Services, Incident Procurement Operations, Procurement Innovation within Business Operations; Jeff Gardner, Branch Chief for Equipment Services Branch Annual Conference Agenda NWSA 2024 2:45 to 3:00 PM Break 3:00 to 5:00 PM Group Meetings: Type 2 Crew Vendors in Naples 6 & 7 Medical Support Vendors in Sorrento 2 Base Camp Support Vendors in Sorrento 3 Heavy Equipment Vendors in Sorrento 4 Water Handling Vendors in Capri 1 Fallers / Faller Modules in Naples 4 & 5 5:00 to 7:00 PM Vendor Welcome Reception THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Vendor Show in Naples 4 & 5 9:00 to 11:00 AM Welcome & Regional Speakers: Kacey KC, Nevada State Forester; Russ Lane, Fire Division Manager for Washington State Department of Natural Resources; Travis Medema, Chief Deputy State Fire Marshall for Oregon 11:00 to 11:30 AM IMA Slice Health Insurance Options for NWSA Members 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Lunch 1:00 to 2:30 PM Family Business Legacy Planning 2:30 to 4:00 PM Building a Professional Industry 4:00 to 4:15 PM Break 4:15 to 5:00 PM Fire Weather Predictions with Gary Bennett 5:00 to 7:00 PM NWSA Happy Hour & Dinner 7:00 to 9:00 PM Auction with 50% of all proceeds to benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation **AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE**12 www.nwsa.us Feature The Wildland Firefighter Foundation was formed on the heels of the devastating fire season of 1994, and in particular, the tragic loss of 14 wildland firefighters who were working on the South Canyon Fire at Storm King Mountain in Colorado. Recognizing the lack of resources at the time, Vicki Minor took it upon herself to launch a memorial t-shirt campaign to raise money for the families of those who died – it raised more than $100,000. At the end of this successful fundraiser, she sent all the money she had raised to an East Coast-based organization for distribution to the families. However, two years later she discovered to her dismay that not a single dollar of that money went to those families it was meant for. Frustrated, but not deterred, and never wanting to see this happen again, Vicki created the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in 1999. The primary goal of the Foundation is to help the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families – something that is needed as much today as ever before. On average, 17 wildland firefighters die every year while protecting homes, communities, and wildlands across the United States. Now led by Vicki’s son, Executive Director Burk Minor, the Foundation provides a financial fund that offers critical assistance to the families of fallen and injured firefighters. The Foundation also partners with private and interagency organizations to educate the public about wildland fires and promote excellence and safety in firefighting. Additionally, in some cases, the Foundation also provides onsite crisis support to government and private fire agencies and other organizations. Another role is to maintain and grow the national monument established for fallen wildland firefighters and other fire stakeholders who lose their lives in the fight against wildland fire. By Paul Adair, Staff Writer Raising Mental Health Awa On and Off the Fireline Established in 1999, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation works to support the families of fallen and injured firefighters, and is there for any firefighter in need. Photo courtesy of Wildland Firefighter Foundation.The National Wildfire Suppression Association 13 “If there’s a significant injury or fatality on or off the fireline, we’re there to do whatever we can to support that firefighter in their recovery or commit to supporting their family through the crisis of their loss,” says Eric Brocksome, who heads up Wildland Firefighter Wellness at the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. “But it’s not always financial. Sometimes it’s a virtual hug over the phone, other times it’s an in-person hug or crying with family when they come through our doors, or later on when they’re experiencing grief weeks, months, or even years after their loss.” MENTAL WELLNESS ON THE FIRELINE Burk Minor often says that when an incident happens, it can create an overwhelming dust storm as agency personnel rush in to provide support. After that dust cloud is gone, it can leave behind an overwhelming sense of aloneness. The Foundation exists to fill that void by making sure that someone is there to still check up on the families and ensure they have what they need. “We are always available, and Burk is usually the second or third phone call after an incident, sometimes even the first,” says Brocksome. “We strive to be very responsive and we’re there to offer whatever support is required after an incident, be that financial or logistical or emotional. Families and firefighters know that we are only a phone call or email away when needed.” Mental resilience and support are not only required on the worst days imaginable. The job of a wildland firefighter is long and difficult, with the potential to experience accumulated trauma over the course of a career. Wildland firefighters spend six to eight months a year – sometimes more – sleeping in the dirt for weeks at a time, and they typically don’t have the opportunity to go home at night to decompress. They sometimes even lack access to Wi-Fi and cell service to send / receive a text or A NEW RESOURCE FOR MENTAL WELLNESS According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), it is estimated that more than one in five (23.1 percent) Americans currently live with some degree of mental illness, and six percent deal with severe mental illness. Anecdotally, mental health issues are thought to be even more pronounced in the wildland firefighting community since wildland firefighters often lack appropriate mental wellness resources. This is why the Foundation was excited in 2023 to announce the launch of its Wildland Firefighter Mental Health Program, a alth Awareness “We are really trying to engage with our firefighters away from the fire and we are taking the time to make sure they’re doing okay. We believe it’s really a series of small acts that can have a significant positive impact on someone’s mental health.” – Joel Dice, PatRick Environmental A life on the fireline is not only challenging, it can also be lonely, and many firefighters talk about the difficulty in going back to their everyday lives. Photo by Preston Keres. make a quick call to loved ones. Wildland firefighters make the sacrifice and leave their spouses, children, families, and friends, and they miss important events and milestones to fight wildland fire and keep communities safe – all while under constant risk of injury or death. Even after the fire is extinguished, the toll continues and it’s not uncommon to hear stories about the challenges of returning to life away from the fireline. “If you talk to the contracting companies, they are seeing situations like suicides and self-harm happening outside the fire season because, when you go home and back to ‘normal life’ like paying bills, grocery shopping, and dealing with family issues, that is when a lot of the depression starts to set in,” says Joel Dice, Human Resources at PatRick Environmental Inc. “At our company, we are really trying to engage with our firefighters away from the fire and we are taking the time to make sure they’re doing okay. We believe it’s really a series of small acts that can have a significant positive impact on someone’s mental health.”14 www.nwsa.us Feature comprehensive resource that has been specifically designed for the mental well- being of the wildland firefighter community. The program offers a range of services, including education about mental health, tips for wellness and self-care, and the opportunity to address all types of mental health concerns and, given the stubborn stigma of mental health issues within the wildland firefighting community, confidentiality is prioritized. As such, the Foundation takes all necessary measures to ensure that all personal information remains private. For those in immediate need, the Foundation has licensed therapists who are experienced in working with wildland firefighters available to help, and who – in some cases – are wildland firefighters themselves. While the Wildland Firefighter Mental Health Program might officially be a year- and-a-half old, unofficially it is an extension of what Burk and the Foundation have been doing for decades – going and meeting the wildland firefighter where they’re at, both physically and emotionally, and then cutting through the red tape and acting towards fulfilling their needs. “The federal government is doing a lot in the area of mental health resources, and I think they’re always improving, but it’s still a big bureaucracy with a lot of hoops to jump through to get access and that doesn’t lend itself very well to somebody out in the middle of nowhere who’s going through a hard time and doesn’t feel supported,” says Brocksome. “When Burk asked me to come and work on this, I was ecstatic at the opportunity to make a real difference on such a big scale.” AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY There is a stigma around mental health that is hard to shake. However, the good news is that – although slow – positive change is indeed happening in the wildland firefighting community when it comes to dealing with mental wellness issues and building greater mental health resilience. A large part of this change is happening holistically within the industry as younger generations come in and work to make things better. “Where the old guard might have believed that it was better or more ‘manly’ to tough things out, there is more willingness today for people to come forward with mental health issues because they understand there is help available,” says Dice. “Because of the work being done in the area of mental health and wellness, we are seeing our crews seem to be coming off the firelines with a higher level of self-worth and self-confidence and happiness, both at work and when they’re at home, and that’s awesome.” Brocksome agrees, “Wildland firefighters are now trying to be better in the way that they show up for each other, and that is what is most heartwarming. We’re seeing how industry is changing tactics and recognizing that really supporting people is more about the individual, and not the group. It’s about having a one-on-one connection than it is about policies and procedures. And we are happy to be part of this shift with our Wildland Firefighter Mental Health Program.” If you find yourself struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Foundation for help. They will be there to help you through the tough times so that you can get back to doing what you do best – fighting fires. �16 www.nwsa.us Feature On September 12, 2024, the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) held its first NWSA Fuels & Fire Technology Fair in Boise, Idaho. This informative event was created to provide a platform for the public to come visit with vendors and learn more about innovative new equipment and technology from private industry that directly supports the mission of wildfire fighting, wildfire prevention, and wildfire rehab. The Fuels & Fire Technology Fair was spearheaded by Debbie Miley at NWSA, in collaboration with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation and the Western Caucus Foundation – a congressional group of Senators and aides dealing with issues in the western United States related to (among other things) wildland firefighting. “We thought that this would be a good time to show people the technology that’s out there and demonstrate the tremendous innovation that the private sector can come up with, and then to coordinate it with the Forest Service and the Congressional representatives,” says Grayback Forestry President, Michael Wheelock. “Sometimes the fire service gets bombarded with information about new technologies and innovations, so it was nice to have it all in one place for everyone to see, rather than having everyone with something innovative setting up meetings independently.” A POSITIVE RESPONSE While the attendance at the first Fuels & Fire Technology Fair was somewhat muted due to the intense and lingering fire season, the response from those who were there – both vendors and visitors – was overwhelmingly positive. “The agencies were very excited about what they were seeing and as for the Congressional representatives, whose districts out west were heavily impacted by fire this year, they were very interested in seeing and knowing more about the private sector, as well as our contributions to help solve the problem of larger and larger forest fires,” says Wheelock. “Having the event on the grounds of the Wildland Firefighter Fuels & Fire Technolog By Paul Adair, Staff Writer NWSA’s FirstThe National Wildfire Suppression Association 17 Feature ogy Fair FAE USA / GLOBAL MACHINERY FAE USA and Global Machinery were happy to be a part of the NWSA Fuels & Fire Technology Fair, as both companies are NWSA members and try to attend all NWSA events. FAE USA saw the event as a chance to position itself, as well as its dealer network, as a resource and partner for the private sector contractor, whose passion lies in protecting the nation’s forests from wildfire. Global Machinery is a full-line FAE dealer that supplies forestry management professionals with the most advanced grinding technology available. “This was a great opportunity to interact with the full spectrum of folks from the firefighter on the ground to those who make policy,” says Mike Samples, Territory Manager West PT, FAE USA. “We had a captive audience thanks to NWSA, which gave each vendor the opportunity to stand up and share our products and / or services to the people dedicated to protecting our forests. Given the chance, we will definitely be back for the next one when it happens.” 3AM INNOVATIONS 3AM Innovations brings the technology and services to streamline your onsite processes, enhance your situational awareness, reliably track your resources, and promote the safety of your personnel. The company’s automated incident command software and accountability platform FLORIAN draws together essential communication, location, and coordination information into a single, user-friendly platform, which can then be used to seamlessly integrate with existing tools and across various devices and platforms. 3AM co-Founder Patrick O'Connor says, “More than just tracking people, however, the FLORIAN platform is a 3D map. So, if you’re in a city you can actually see exactly what the building looks like – even in residential homes – and know exactly what you are heading into in terms of how you are going to fight a fire at that location. This is paired with geofencing and a tactical overlay where fire commanders and chiefs can scribble and share notes directly on the map. The whole point of FLORIAN is that, with a quick glance, you can absorb the information and go back to managing the scene.” While the company started out primarily focused on fire emergency response, it recently turned its attention to the potential application of its product in wildland firefighting. 3AM reached out to NWSA last year to explore opportunities to work with them closer, which led to being invited to the NWSA Fuels & Fire Technology Fair in September. “There were a lot of great conversations had at the event about how we could partner with other companies to bring more solutions to those working on wildland fires,” says O'Connor. “Everyone there was very open and embracing of change and, because our solution is not your typical radio doing the same things that have been done over the last 30 years, this was a great opportunity to build awareness about what we can do – especially since many people there were amazed that our technology has the capability to do what it can today.” Feedback from some of those who were there BLAZETAMER USA Formed in 2020, BlazeTamer USA is the manufacturer of the polymer-based aerial fire suppression product, BlazeTamer380. First created 20 years ago in Australia, this product is now being introduced into the North American market. Developed by BioCentral Laboratories, BlazeTamer380 is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally safe water additive that is proven to be harmless to humans, animals, and vegetation, and is approved for use by state and federal agencies. With fast and simple injection and blending systems, the product is added to buckets, fixed wings, and can be used in conjunction with dip tanks, and is utilized in direct attack drops on wildfires resulting in fast and effective suppression efforts. “Our product is an extra tool to help contain the fires early,” says BlazeTamer Managing Director, Melissa Brooks. “BlazeTamer380 creates a blanket effect as it comes out of the aircraft for a more effective drop, and then reduces the heat from the fire on the ground. While it can be used in an extended attack, the real benefit is when it is sent out early with the aircraft to get a fire contained before the big retardant aircraft need to be deployed.” BlazeTamer was invited to the NWSA Fuels & Fire Technology Fair by Grayback as a way to present its product to customers who, until now, have not had the opportunity to learn about how BlazeTamer380 can benefit their operations. “There are so many providers and people who make purchasing decisions, so to be able to bring some of them together in one room to have important conversations about what’s working for them and what’s not, it all helps to remove some of the isolation feelings that you’re the only one facing challenges in this industry,” says Brooks. “It’s good to have these kinds of conversations, and that’s what I really liked about this event. The Fair gave us a chance to get our name out there and make contacts for future conversations about what BlazeTamer can do for them.” Foundation was also enlightening. Everyone left the event knowing more about emerging technologies, but also with a greater understanding about the private sector as a whole. It was a success, and I hope we can carry the event forward into the future.” Thank you to all the vendors who made this event possible: 3AM Innovations; BlazeTamer USA; FyreBx; FAE / Global Machinery; Fire Swarm Solutions; GFP Response; Grayback Forestry; and Wildfire Water Supply �The National Wildfire Suppression Association 19 Feature Prior to the formation of the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA), the industry was largely fragmented, and each contractor was in it for themselves, not freely sharing information and certainly not willing to lend a helping hand to one another. What a difference 30-plus years can make. The foundation of NWSA was laid down at the 1988 Fire and Fuels Conference in Sacramento, California, where the association’s three founding fathers – Rick Dice, Mike Wheellock, and Scott Coleman – met at a local restaurant to sketch out the concept of a national organization on a paper napkin. “For these three to come together and ‘bury the hatchet’ in order to start the union was no small feat given that – in those days – there was no active Internet, just snail mail and fax machines and a lot of competition for the work,” says former NWSA President and Executive Director, Debbie Miley. NWSA’s first organizational meeting was held in 1989 Reno, Nevada, where just 10 people were in attendance. It was here where NWSA formed its first Board of Directors, which consisted of Scott Coleman, and Rick Dice, Jerry Gamroth, Mike By Paul Adair, Staff Writer History of NWSA The and What Lies Ahead “NWSA brought us together to show us that, even though we competed against each other, we could still hold each other to a higher standard.” – Claren Nilsson, Lost River Fire Management continued on page 22 Prior to the formation of NWSA, each contracting company would fend for themselves and the competition was fierce, both for work and in terms of industry best practices. Photos courtesy of Debbie Miley. The association brought calm to the competitive chaos on the fireline and, for more than 30 years, NWSA members have demonstrated that they are equal to or greater than the agencies that hire them.Next >