National Greening Fire Team Quarterly Bulletin - Summer 2020; Volume 5

What role do you play at incidents, and how do you think your community could play a more pronounced role in “greening fire” in the future? (continued)

My day job is a contract specialist on the Incident Procurement Modernization team, and for incident assignments, I am a Procurement Unit Leader Trainee and a Buying Team Member.

I believe the procurement community could play a greater role ensuring that more “green” products and services are purchased by making conscious decisions to select “green.” In addition, the end user (for example, logistics personnel) could include details like “encourage solar-powered” in their general messages/requests. This would indicate to procurement personnel that the team prefers “green” products/services and would, in turn, encourage our vendors to be more eco-conscious by adopting more solar power, LED lighting, etc. The incident service and supply plans and related source lists in each Geographic Area Coordination Center should highlight eco-friendly vendor options to make it easier for procurement personnel to identify these opportunities. 

I also think we need to look very closely at our pre-season incident procurement efforts for greening opportunities. If we can green more of these procurements, it will go a long way toward greening fire.

Do you believe it is important for the USDA Forest Service to take an active role in “greening” fire operations? If so, why?

Yes. Many of the incidents are on national forest land, with a lot of Forest Service personnel and Forest Service-led contract actions.  If the Forest Service takes a leadership role in “greening fire,” it helps encourage other agencies to follow. For example, shortly after the On-Site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement was awarded in 2019, I was contacted by representatives from other agencies asking if and how they could also use the BPA. Fire camps can be like small cities, and they can last weeks or months at a time. We are fighting fires to save a natural resource, so why not do it in all aspects of our operations?

Over the years, have you noticed any changes in the USDA Forest Service’s efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of incidents? If so, what changes have been most successful?

Yes, the On-Site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The creation of the BPA and related education and marketing has helped to bring recycling to the forefront of people’s minds at incidents. Although the BPA helps ensure recycling is not an after-thought, there is still room for improvement. 

Having observed implementation of the On-site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement, what suggestions do you have to improve recycling at incidents?

We need to increase internal advertising so more of the fire operations personnel know and understand how the BPA works. Recently, logistics personnel asked me where they could obtain more information on the incident recycling BPA so it could be added to the team’s initial order when appropriate. We need to encourage all personnel to think like this. We also need to educate more people on the costs and benefits of recycling. The recycling BPA is so much more than dumpster diving. 

Can you highlight a few sustainable efforts currently under way at fire camps that you observed?

There are many best practices already in place! Here are three examples:

• The Mobile Food Services Contract requires that national catering contractors provide bio-based/bio-preferred utensils, plates, and cups, and collect these items and food wastes in bio-based/bio-preferred liners. This is an effective first step in implementing composting in fire camp operations.

• Many incidents had comprehensive recycling options, including cardboard, plastics, glass, and even batteries. One incident contracted these services out to a vendor, resulting in a large increase in recycled materials and minimizing the burden to USFS staff associated with coordinating recycling efforts.

• The use of canteens, or cubies, is broadly encouraged and often adopted. Potable water taps are provided on all fires, and the use of cubies helps reduce the plastic waste generated from plastic bottle use.

Did you know that the Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) investigated “greening fire” best practices at fire camps and published a compilation of recommendations? Which NREL recommendations should we focus most on in the future?

Yes. I think a lot of the recommendations are important and situation-dependent. There are a number of recommendations that could be incorporated into pre-season contracts and BPAs, and I hope to discuss the opportunities at a national level. I would like to see increased opportunities for integrating solar power into camp operations instead of fossil-fuel power. Solar power is quieter, reduces fuel costs, and reduces emissions in fire camp. In addition, I would like to see a focus on the “reduction” aspect of “reduce-reuse-recycle” when it comes to incident waste.
What else should our Bulletin readers know about you?
While I hate seeing single-use plastic waste in general, my pet peeve is bottled water. Not only is it wasteful, but it is expensive. Many times, camp is set up at a location that has water easily available, and for those without water, we order potable water trucks and nearly everyone has a refillable bottle or “cubie.” We need to use these refillable options more and lead by example to normalize reusable items. Last summer, I made sure to fill my HydroFlask at a highly trafficked, centrally located water fountain rather than drink from a plastic water bottle. In addition, I used my reusable travel mug and camping utensils at mealtimes to avoid single-use cups and plastic ware. Everyone needs to think about what we need and what we are doing to make a difference. Small steps add up!

The vendors are in the process of “pivoting” and adapting their employee training, personal protective equipment (PPE) preparation, and waste diversion services, so that they can set the standard as the cleanest individuals at a fire camp while dealing with the dirtiest waste streams. For example, one vendor developed an internal color-coded system to identify the risk of COVID-19 exposure (and adjust their employee PPE accordingly). Another vendor contracted an OSHA specialist as a consultant to enhance safety and compliance by his team. A Logistics Chief shared that the BPA vendors helped make the fire camp feel more organized, clean, and well-managed—all aspects that could provide added benefits in a fire year with concerns related to COVID-19.

Outside of the incident recycling BPA, several of the recycling vendors have applied their background in waste management to develop “enhanced sanitation” and “comprehensive resource management services” that can be provided nationwide and on-demand through Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements (EERAs). 

The positive feedback demonstrated Year 1 of the BPA’s success with incident recycling; however, the GFT wanted to ensure all possible opportunities to improve and enhance the service were incorporated into Year 2.

The GFT collected additional input via internal (e.g., Contracting Officer, Logistics Chiefs, and GFT Members) and external (e.g., BPA vendors) After Action Reviews. They were conducted during the Team’s November 2019 Annual Meeting. In addition, feedback was collected from phone calls, emails, Incident Management Teams (IMT) and Google surveys. This feedback was applied to Year 2 modifications of the BPA.

Changes include clarifying signage and labeling requirements, as well as expanding and streamlining information delivery via post-incident Waste Audit Reports. In addition, vendors are now required to provide recycle receptacles at remote camps (and service them). If it is not logistically feasible for the vendor to provide these receptacles, they will process back-hauled recyclables from the main fire camp.  In addition, IMTs are encouraged to order the optional line item for compost management at remote camps (when feasible) to reduce food waste. It is estimated that roughly 2,000 pounds of food is wasted per 100-person spike camp per week. Compost management at remote camps may offer the added benefit of reducing wildlife encounters because the vendors are required to provide animal-proof (including bear-proof) compost receptacles when this service is ordered.

In addition, several best management practices were identified, including establishing “Recycle Centers” at camps when feasible to provide a “one stop recycle shop” for incident personnel, as well as eliminating dumpsters in crew parking areas (and replacing them with recycle stations) when possible so as to maximize participation in the fire camp recycle program.

The work of GFT Ambassadors to advance sustainability Best Management Practices (BMPs) associated with incident management will make a difference turning heads and conversations towards more sustainability efforts. We truly appreciate you considering being part of our network and serving as “on-the-ground” champions to further our Team mission, vision, and deliverables.

What are the benefits of being a GFT Ambassador? Besides the gratification of knowing you are helping to improve sustainability practices in incident management, involvement in the Program also presents an opportunity to more directly integrate sustainability in your program of work (pending supervisor approval). Additionally, all GFT Ambassadors that complete the annual survey will receive a certificate of appreciation. Ambassadors that go “above and beyond” may receive additional recognition.

Based on your motivation and availability, you may select from four (4) Levels of Involvement (LOI). Below are examples of tasks that fall within each LOI.

• Bronze: Share official correspondence/emails/bulletins with relevant contacts
• Silver: While on an incident, model sustainability by using (if available) electrolyte powder in your re-usable container and participating in the fire camp recycling program
• Gold: While on an incident, advocate for sustainability practices (e.g., contracted incident recycling) and report successes or barriers
• Platinum: Create a wildfire sustainability plan for your local unit
  If you are interested in being a Greening Fire Team Ambassador, visit the National Greening Fire Team Ambassador Page to learn more and contact us via our Shared Inbox to sign up!