In an effort to increase safety, the Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District Fire and Aviation Program will undergo a number of changes ahead of the upcoming 2007 wildfire season.
Agency fire staff spent the past winter identifying solutions to increase efficiency, training and leadership, a BLM news release states. The changes will be put into practice beginning this summer.
Under the modifications, changes will be made in the way each BLM fire engine is staffed. Formerly, three engines would respond to a fire together. Starting this summer, each engine will be staffed with the leadership and experience to operate independently.
Additionally, firefighters in the past were limited in their ability to gain needed training during the fire season because their leadership was required in their engine group. Now, firefighters will be able to work towards their training goals and increase their skills.
In order to accomplish this goal, the Twin Falls BLM will decrease the number of fire engines that respond to wildfires.
The agency formerly operated two sizes of engines, with the smaller holding only 300 gallons of water and the larger carrying 900 gallons. Beginning this summer, crews will staff only the larger engine, which will result in a more efficient response and quicker attack time on wildfires, the agency claims.
A total of at least 22 engines will operate seven days a week from Shoshone, Burley and Twin Falls, as well as remote guard stations located throughout south-central Idaho.
"I am convinced we can do more with less," BLM Fire Management Officer Chris Simonson said. "The changes we are making for this season will provide for a more efficient response to wildfires, as well as for the safety and growth of our firefighters."
Because of a decrease in engines and the number of returning employees, the BLM will hire very few new personnel for the 2007 season, the news release states.
"It's always good to have new blood in an organization," Simonson said. "However, we have to make sure we have the right leadership to be able to hire new folks."
As the BLM firefighters gain the training they need, the agency will increase both its leadership and engine staffing capabilities, he said.
"This summer will serve as a stepping stone for potential staffing increases in the future."
Safety continues to be BLM's No. 1 priority, Simonson said.
"Wildfire can be a dangerous business by nature, but in every effort or change we make, we are trying to even better ensure that our folks get home safe."
