Boise District firefighters support field office through resource work
Story and photos by Mike Williamson, BLM Boise District Public Affairs Specialist
Wildland firefighters gain a range of experiences as they protect a variety of values at risk. They become intimately familiar with the landscapes and coordinate with partners such as landowners, Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, and municipal fire officials. This breadth of knowledge provides them with valuable skills and insight useful to address many of the challenges BLM faces.
Over the last few years, Boise District’s Bruneau Field Office and district fire management officers have started a pilot program that utilize firefighters’ experiences to help the field office’s multiple-use work needs when outside of peak wildfire activity. For the Bruneau Field Office, they receive welcomed help during a busy time of year for grazing turnouts in the spring and maintenance work in the fall. For firefighters, it aligns with recent efforts to transform our seasonal workforce by providing additional work months, professional experience with other career paths, and opportunities for deeper understanding of the resource issues they protect.
“Much of my schooling was in range management and this has been a great opportunity for me to apply it on the ground while continuing to work as a firefighter,” says Boise District Engine Captain David Butler.
The benefits of this effort go beyond simply getting needed work done. Fire and resource staff tackling projects together creates an environment for collaboration and innovation, while fostering relationships between the various disciplines that comes from working side-by-side.
“When the fire program and field offices work together on these types of projects, it creates an ideal opportunity to reconnect and achieve common goals,” said Josh Renz, Boise District Assistant Fire Management Officer. “This builds stronger relationships and paves the way for success in the future, both on and off the fire line.”
Managers driving this effort remember this kind of cooperation in the past and the impact it had on their early careers.
“I really appreciated my start as a firefighter being able to help with stream restoration and wildlife habitat improvement projects,” says T.J. Clifford, Bruneau Assistant Field Manager at the time. “It helped me to understand the bigger picture of land management and played a critical role in starting my career as a resource specialist.”
The program also uses off season reviews between staffs to improve efficiencies and address concerns. Issues raised have included providing clear leader’s intent, technology training, and ensuring continued relationships with permittees who are members of the local Rangeland Fire Protection Associations.
