Comments
Feds Take Over
Submitted by Anonymous on September 6, 2011 - 2:44pm.
That is the way they work. Feds hate working with volunteers because it makes their paperwork harder. They will contract with crews who have wildland "red cards" and a certification such as engine boss or sawyer. They fill their organizational chart with contracted crews who have done the paperwork in advance and have jumped through their hoops. They have a big book that has all of the different types resources that they need. They will use the federal crews first(USFS,BLM,tribal)then state, local government and private contractors. I know it sucks to be willing to give your efforts freely and be told that they don't need you. I've been there. I was the chief of a small combination fire department and after the first time we were tossed of a wildland fire (it was on tribal land), we got a contract before the next fire.
If you have a group such as the TNM who want to help beyond the initial attack and after Feds take over, get the paperwork from USFS or BLM or your state forestry, get everyone carded, and get organized. If you do not have engines or water tenders, you can be a hand crew. After knockdown, they use a lot of hand crews for mop-up and restoration. You can build a slide-in tank with pump to put in truck bed and three or four of you can be an engine crew. Two people can be a tender crew. The important thing is to get a contract in place at the start of the fire season.
Good luck.
Bob Shuttles