"We've Been Here Before..."

(Image by kalhh from Pixabay)

Stay in a job long enough and you will see change. You may even see things come full circle and say, "We've been here before." Change will happen and not everyone will be happy with the results. Let's take the current workforce transformation effort within the wildland fire service; "we've been here before"....and before that.

In the 1990s wildland fire began employing a more "permanent" workforce. Albeit, limited in scope, a few temporary workers in a unit were hired as seasonal employees. These employees worked an 18/8 tour (18 pay periods on and 8 pay periods off) and got benefits. This worked great for the few who got the appointments, yet caused resentment to those who didn't. The agencies got workers for an extended time and could lay off their workforce as work and budgets deemed necessary. Some employees were happy they could travel or work in other professions; others couldn't make ends meet or balance life at home.

As time moved on, the 18/8 appointments grew as conditions worsened and budgets allowed. Today we find ourselves in the midst of one of the biggest workforce transformations wildland fire has ever seen. The "great resignation" (mass retirements and an exodus from the workforce), coupled with movement from a fire season to a fire year and a burnout of employees, has caused wildland fire agencies to make some big changes. One of those changes is movement away from the 18/8 appointments to permanent full-time positions and development of a wildland fire series. This works for some and not others. 

None of us really knows what the full transformation will look like. Some agencies may adopt the PFT model; others may go with a hybrid. One thing is for sure, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. Those who really liked the 18/8 appointment will be required to work year round. Others will have full-time employment and access to benefits. 

Ultimately, we work for the agencies; and the agencies have a mission to accomplish. They must try to balance the wants and needs of the workers (an unachievable mission) with each agency's mission in an ever-changing environment. There will be huge adjustment period with unintended consequences. There will likely be another exodus of those who don't want this model. There will always be those who want something different. We are individuals; each with different needs and wants.

Regardless of what happens, we must all learn to give a little. We must work together to create a positive leadership environment—one that serves our people well while accomplishing the mission and leading for the greater good.

We've been here before and we'll be here again. Next time you might be making the decisions. 

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Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Committee. The expressions are those of the author.