National Logistics MeetingBoise, IdahoMarch 2011
Jennifer Letz, USFSMeghan Oswalt, USFS
Deanna Crawford, USFS
Intro to Sustainable Fire Camps
Topics
Introductions What is
Sustainability? Fire and
Sustainability Logistics &
Sustainable ICPs Importance of
Logistics How?
Fire Season 2011 How can we help?
Jennifer Letz
Sustainable Operations Specialist for the Deschutes & Ochoco NFs, Bend, OR
MA in Sustainable Management Worked in / around fire since 1996 R6 Fire & Aviation Chair of Western Collective Greening
Fire Team
Deanna Crawford
Incident Business Specialist, Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Idaho Panhandle Forests in Grangeville, ID
Resource Unit Leader on Northern Rockies Type 1 Team
Degrees in Art and Criminology Member of Western Collective Greening
Fire Team
Meghan Oswalt
Assistant Sustainability Coordinator for the Aerial Fire Depot Missoula, MT
BS in Computer Science Currently working on a MS in
Environmental Studies and MS in Computer Science
R1 Fire and Aviation Active participant of Western Collective
Greening Fire Team
What is Sustainability?
My definition is…
A discipline balancing the needs of the Environment, social Equity, and Economic issues in the decision-making process.
“The 3 Es.”
How Do We Think Sustainably?
Whole Systems Thinking Look at the big
picture Consider the near
& far reaching effects of your decisions
What upstream changes can create win-win solutions?
Greening vs. Sustainability
Greening Sustainability
Detail focused Whole systems focus
Tactical Strategic
Ecological The 3 Es
Focus on addressing symptoms
Focus on addressing root
cause
Fire Operations & Sustainability
Facilities & Water Transportation &
Fleet Green Purchasing National Fire
Caches
ICPs Contracts Appropriate
Response to Fire
In 2009, the USFS Washington Office of Fire & Aviation Management designated 7 areas to integrate
sustainable practices:
Greening Fire Team
Team under the Forest Service Western Collective for Sustainable Operations Agency initiative to organize
and promote sustainable operations in the Forest Service and beyond
Board of Directors comprised of Deputy Regional Foresters of 6 Western regions
Created in 2009Greening Fire
USDA Forest Service
Greening Fire Team
Research, recommend, and assist with implementing sustainable improvements at fire camps and beyond
Firefighter safety top priority Current projects include:
Waste reduction Recycling Alternatives to bottled water Outreach and education
Why Fire Camp?
Multiple opportunities to integrate sustainable operations Historical reliance on disposable items has
led to increase in spending and waste of resources and energy
Unique challenges due to various unknowns Increasing demand for spending reductions Crossroads of the fire community – chance
to influence behaviors of 1000s of folk from multiple agencies, states, private industry, etc.
Logistics, Sustainability, & ICPs Every camp denizen has a role to
play…Agency AdministratorAviation CacheContractors
Firefighters IC Information PlanningPurchasing /
Buying TeamOperationsSafety
… but Logistics is the “hub” of camp activity.
Day in the Life - Logistics
Average day may include making decisions about: Food Potable
Water Shelter Power Transport
Fuel
Equipment Fuel
Caterer Fuel
Supplies Waste
management
Sanitation Transportati
on Security Phones
IT connectivity
Radios Showers Laundry Night shift Spike
Camps Satellite
Camps DemobPHEW!
Working Towards Sustainable ICPs
Ultimately, a fire camp operating more sustainably will be:
Less expensive to run Safer for staff More efficient Less wasteful of
resources
Choose: ICP Flow of Materials
ICPFuel
Water
Food
Supplies
Recycling / Donation
Waste / Grey Water
Emissions
Cache / Host Unit
Collaborate: Sphere of Influence
Camp Crew
Team Members
Firefighters
Host Unit
Contractors
Branch Members
You! Buying Team
NIFC
Ask…
Communicate
Connect the Dots – lack of communication is biggest hurdle to successful sustainable operations at camp
IAP Shift Briefings DETAILED signs Inform branch staff
DETAILED purchase requests
One-on-one interaction
Moving Forward: Fire Season 2011
What are you already doing to improve sustainability at camp?
What can you do this season to improve sustainable operations?
How can we help you?