Its ok to be bearish on these solutions because you have real world experience and understand the problem. Firedome is a ridiculous idea. It is 90 lbs. just think of the force required to launch a 90lb balloon a 1/4 mile. Next the sensor network required. Its 200k a year! If it doesnt explode and hits you then what? We saw what a tiny drone did to an airtanker. Its just not what anyone needs and its sad to see these get traction like this. I have a story i cant tell you but know this has got the attention of influential people who see this as a solution. Its just ridiculous.
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In terms of where the future of public land management is headed…
Imo, one outcome (perhaps un-intended - perhaps not) from the re-organizing & chopping of land management agencies will result in the largest shift in land management philosophy in my lifetime. In my mind the forthcoming actions will shift us away from a conservationism & stewardship for greater good mindset back to one of pure revenue generation for the greatest amount of $$ mindset? I wonder - what happens in the Rx ecosystem once #fire gets pulled out of current agency’s and put under the OWF? I also wonder what happens next in the agencies that no longer have a fire dept?
Imo it seems like a yellow brick road is being paved for the other industrial complexes #Timber #Gas/Oil/Coal, #Tech & #Aviation to become the new tip of the sword for doing the “peoples work” through mainly contracting & monopolizing each sector. Does that mean those left standing in our land management agency’s become contract managers instead of land managers?
In my lifetime none of the industries mentioned above have NEVER shown a history of doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons for the people - unless it profited them to do so OR they got caught doing un-nicery. Right now there is more executive order pressure than you can shake a stick at pointing the way towards privatization & contracting.
It is not fake news to remind folks that ALL of the good public service #lifers always say they aren’t in it for the $ yet they stick around (and endure the b.s.) because of the mission & the people. Point being its not a $ driven mindset/motivation that gets the land management results we the people need. I go so far as to say that it actually its the exact opposite mindset needed to meet the challenges we all see happening and those yet to come. Idk where i’m going with all this - guess i drank too much green/yellow cool-aid back in the day…
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Perhaps more intel to be learned regarding what the fed firefighting future might look loke.. or not.
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Additional intel…
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How does the “new” US Wildland Fire Service sound?
Worth the listen (or the read) this one is free…
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As the WH threat of layoffs, Rif’s & furloughs move through rank & file at the agencies this announcement hit’s the streets. How.. ironic?!
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Some of what the other hand has been up to while the attention is elsewhere…
Edit: As a footnote to this post - i’m finding it very interesting when you do the digging on the dna/background/qual’s of the new batch of adults in charge.
Take for example Americas new “leader” of the Forest Service..
"While Michael Boren awaits his confirmation to lead USDA’s Forest Service, the multimillionaire business owner reportedly has a new job at the Interior Department: acting assistant secretary.
Boren — whose nomination to be undersecretary of Agriculture for natural resources and environment is among more than 100 awaiting Senate action — will now take over a key post overseeing Interior’s policy, management and budget, according to an order signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum last week.
The role was previously held by Tyler Hassen, who had been [expected to leave the agency] in August but has remained on staff. Burgum had put Hassen in charge of an Interior staff reorganization.
The Interior Department would not address if Boren is the same Michael Boren who was nominated by Trump to the USDA job overseeing the Forest Service. USDA and the White House did not respond to requests for comment."
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Unfortunately, the pay scale for the position will probably deter many of the higher-end amazingly qualified individuals/chiefs whose names have been floated around. Uprooting your life and family while taking a pay cut will probably not seem attractive enough – besides the extreme challenge of pounding square pegs into round holes. This will be interesting to watch.
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Seems like the kinda pay scale that’s only gonna attract a 3%@50(maaaaybe 55)-type who wants to leave a little early to have the DC experience for the first part of their first retirement and/or someone who wants to parlay that job into a cushier lobbying/private sector gig after padding their resumé for a year or three…
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#gradechasing #truth
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You all are on point with this one…a wild ride ahead for many folks.
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It’s it’s not so much that he has announced his retirement, it’s that he announced his retirement (effective in January) because he has tentatively accepted the new Chief position for the United States Wildland Fire Service. If he is successful in the on-boarding process he’ll take the helm later on in January. This is a huge change. He has a background in the USFS and wildland fire, but has a significant background in municipal departments including Fire Chief jobs with San Diego Fire and Rescue and Orange County Fire Authority. Those that are not familiar with him – just youtube his name.
This is a transformational change for a new agency. I know Brian, and I know he’s been a front runner for a while. He is a forward thinker and an excellent leader with significant respect and political savvy. Those are traits he will need.
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Totally agree. Fingers crossed for him to be allowed (and supported) to bring his entire experience to bear on the agency(s) with all their needs, opportunities & challenges! Its not a bad thing to have a former Hotshot (among his many other experiences) at the helm! Things just might be looking up for Smokey Bears troops! Let’s go!!!
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Letter to county officials, management team and the troops.
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