Q & A with Assistant Director of BLM Fire and Aviation - Grant Beebe on Pay, Classification, and Other Issues

The Anchor Point Podcast

The Anchor Point Podcast Episode 116 with, Grant Beebe, Assistant Director of BLM Fire and Aviation. On today's episode we will be discussing Wildland Firefighter Pay Parity, Classification, Mental Health Issues, and much more...

The wildland firefighting workforce is currently facing a number of challenges, and these issues are the focus of The Anchor Point Podcast Episode 116. The guest on the show today is Grant Beebe, Assistant Director of BLM Fire and Aviation, and the conversation centers around current concerns regarding wildland firefighter pay parity, classification, and mental health issues.

One of the primary issues facing wildland firefighters is pay and retention. With the expiration of the BIL pay and benefits supplement in October, many fear that they will be back to the pay schedules and rates that existed before the work of the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters and NFFE. Grant acknowledges the uncertainty and discusses the potential personnel crisis that could result from a lack of equitable pay, benefits, and classification.

Beebe believes that pay parity is crucial for the men and women who are the boots on the ground. In his opinion, an equitable pay rate needs to be established, and there should be efforts to retain personnel who are vital to the day-to-day operations of wildland fire ops, including dispatchers, WG, militia, logistics, and secondary fire personnel.

Beebe explains that there are plans to address these issues, including temp buyback, insurance and benefits, and classification. However, the question of how to fix these problems remains. Beebe suggests that it may require legislative action.

Another issue affecting the wildland firefighting workforce is mental health. Beebe acknowledges that there is a mental health crisis within the ranks and discusses efforts to address the issue. He notes that the BIL provided funding for the development and improvement of mental health programs across all agencies. Beebe discusses some of the programs that are being improved with this funding and notes that there are other mental health programs on the horizon.

Beebe also discusses operational changes and concerns, including aviation, fuels, and hiring. He discusses the BLM aviation programs and how they plan to bolster fuels programs without overburdening fire employees who have already worked 1000 hour seasons. Grant also discusses transparency and honesty with hiring.

DISCLAIMER:

For the topics discussed today: I want to make it absolutely clear that I disagree with some of the things said by Grant in this episode - And I do agree with some of the stuff he says as well.

However I will say this: Grant, we're all looking up to you in the Bureau of Land Management. We hope that you have those difficult conversations and listen to the boots on the ground - Because those are the people that have the most skin in the game, and you have the position and power to bridge the gap to do what's right by them.

I hope that this is of value and I hope that everyone out there gets to understand Grant from his position and his perspective...

Y'all know the drill:

Stay safe, stay savage... Peace!

The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following amazing folks:

Mystery Ranch
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https://www.mysteryranch.com

Hotshot Brewery
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Not sponsors of The Anchor Point Podcast, but great organizations:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org

The A.W.E.
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org