Forest Service forms working groups to implement Hotshot crew recommendations
The Forest Service has convened eight working groups to implement the recommendations of the Interagency Hotshot Crew Programmatic Review. This review, written by a 31-member interagency team, was based on substantial research and engagement with hundreds of members of the Hotshot community. Its recommendations aim to remedy the challenges identified by respondents.
The Review Implementation Working Groups include representatives from Hotshot superintendents and firefighters, agency leadership and fire managers. Each group focuses on one of the eight themes outlined in the review report: pay, well-being, facilities, hiring process, mission, organizational structure, crew organization and staff, and vehicles.
Groups are collaborating with subject matter experts to help them consider any potential impacts the recommendations may have on other entities, such as other fire crews/modules and agency employees. They’re also identifying any ongoing, parallel or complementary efforts.
Some recommendations have already been adopted or are in process. For example, the review helped inform the development of new policies, as well as the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget and supporting legislation to provide firefighters with a permanent pay increase, better housing, access to mental and physical health services, and improved work-life balance. Some of the recommendations are already advancing as part of our work to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and joint efforts with the Department of the Interior and the Office of Personnel Management. These include a Joint Wildland Firefighter Behavior Health Program, providing three days off after a 14-day assignment and establishing a firefighter job series.
Some working groups have started to draft action plans describing the resolution for recommendations in their areas. These plans will be submitted to a group of Forest Service executives who serve in advisory and decision-making roles. As one of the leads in the executive group, I can assure you that our goal is to act on these plans quickly and make immediate improvements to the work environment. Some recommendations will need further evaluation, as they are interwoven across multiple Forest Service programs, while others call for change beyond the agency’s purview, making them more challenging to implement. Those will be part of a Hotshot Crew Work Environment Improvement Action Plan that we expect to release by November 2024.
Change takes time, but the Forest Service remains committed to working with Hotshots and other firefighters to improve their pay, work environment, and mental health and well-being support—all of which they need and deserve.
For the latest updates, please visit the National Interagency Hotshot Crew Steering Committee webpage.
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