The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the creation of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). Fire Chief Brian Fennessy has been appointed the Director of the new USWFS.
The new agency would consolidate the wildland firefighting capabilities from various DOI agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Office of Aviation Services, and the Office of Wildland Fire. The DOI plans for the new USWFS to "streamline decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the [DOI] 's ability to respond quickly and effectively to wildfire threats.”
"Chief Brian Fennessy is an experienced and innovative leader in wildland fire response, who has represented the IAFC before Congress," said Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, IAFC president and Board Chair. "He has the knowledge, relationships, and political acumen to successfully build and oversee the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service. I look forward to continuing to work with Chief Fennessey on one of the fire service's greatest threats to our communities. The IAFC and our members look forward to supporting his mission. We are proud to have one of our own in this newly created office."
The IAFC congratulates Chief Fennessy on his new role in shaping this new agency and strengthening our national approach to wildland fire management.