r/Wildfire • u/smokejumperbro USFS • Feb 06 '25

News (General) Sens. Padilla, Sheehy propose new wildfire agency

https://www.semafor.com/article/02/06/2025/sens-padilla-sheehy-propose-new-wildfire-agency

Here we go folks

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u/smokejumperbro USFS Feb 06 '25

No matter how you feel, the USDA/DOI have let down firefighters and the country.

I read NFFE's write-up and it was obvious the USFS and DOI and violating OPM policies to screw firefighters over. All the money that Congress handed out during the Biden administration for mental health and well-being never turned into a single actionable program for firefighters on the ground.

They couldn't even say we had elevated cancer risks, so the DOL stepped up without them and offered cancer coverage.

Can't wait to get out from under the line officers that can't relate to our jobs or pay in any way.

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u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

What do you think this means for duty locations? Just hypothetical right now obviously but do you think this would move USDA people out of their current locations.

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u/BigSpoon89 Fire Ecologist Feb 06 '25

Probably not. Agencies share real estate now they'll just continue to do it then. Your engine bay at your local FS ranger station will just now be under a different agency.

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u/[deleted] Feb 07 '25

So this could mean one of two things for me: the front desk lady can no longer throw my shit out that’s in common areas of our shop that’s miles away from the office that she works in or it’s ops normal. I’d guess it’s ops normal. Kill the bill.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

I imagine it would be a years long process. Probably long enough to be moth balled by the next administration. But, if it happened, the responsible thing to do would to initially consolidate to jump/tanker/rappel bases. The agencies won’t be keen on just handing over real estate but places like Gifford Pinchot and the Oregon coast would just shed the fire staff and refocus on resources. Then an investigation to ensure these super bases are where they are still needed most. A handcrew leaving any particular jump base in the northwest can still rival a current response time.

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u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Interesting thought I really like it. And as far as other parts of the country go maybe utilizing different bases in region would work as well. Perfectly good base in northern Utah. It would also be sweet to start certifying other resources in operations particularly hotshot crews. Adding repel capability to a 25 person crew would be an excellent idea.

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u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

I mean, your heads in the right place…if you hire more rappellers and use more Type 1s it would have the same result. It’s all theoretical, but like working for the FS now, everyone has access to leadership classes and cert taskbooks. It would be a very similar vibe and logistics as it is now (handcrews piecing out folks for engine assignments, jumpers taking crewboss for reg roles, etc).