The Past, Present, and Future of Workforce Development and Education Panel Recording
The Southwest Fire Science Consortium has uploaded the recording of a panel discussion about the wildland firefighting workforce which occurred at the 4th Southwest Fire Ecology Conference.
From the Southwest Fire Science Consortium: “The wildland firefighting workforce — vital to wildfire risk reduction, response, and recovery — is facing serious challenges. With nearly half of the workforce employed seasonally and critical leadership positions remaining vacant, the scale of today's wildfire risk demands urgent investment and innovation. This plenary session, held at the 4th Southwest Fire Ecology Conference, examines the pressing workforce shortages, recruitment and retention hurdles, training gaps, shifting qualifications, and the growing need for specialized skills in wildfire management. Despite the challenges, there is momentum: expansions in academic programs, on-the-job training, and initiatives like the Joint Fire Science Program's Knowledge Exchange Networks and others are helping build fire knowledge and resilience across the nation. Continued collaboration and workforce development will be key to meeting the evolving needs of wildfire management and protecting communities and landscapes into the future.”
