A recent report from Stanford University’s Climate & Energy Policy Program explores the barriers to attracting and retaining the United States federal wildland firefighter workforce. In the western U.S., wildfires are intensifying amid rising temperatures, droughts, and decreasing snowpack. As the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires globally continue to grow, the Stanford report lays out a set of recommendations to address the workforce challenges.
Authors of the report, titled “Building a Robust and Representative Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Workforce,” said the wildland fire response system has been strained, and investments are needed to protect against factors including worsening fire conditions and firefighter burnout. But there are obstacles, the report said, including inadequate workforce capacity, a homogenous workforce, outdated practices and a knowledge gap related to fire suppression, and “inadequate opportunities for communities to participate in and shape fire management decisions.”
The report calls for a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable fire management workforce to help address these challenges. The authors make suggestions across three key strategies for federal agencies and others to overcome a range of barriers that they said have prevented historically underrepresented groups from entering and staying in the field.
The 10 recommendations touch on areas including career development and training opportunities, affordable childcare coverage, increased mental health services and coverage for other healthcare, workplace culture assessments, and more.
By Sara Merken