The Team
The Wildland Fire Management RD&A is comprised of 19 individuals that live and work through out the continental US. With personal interests as diverse as their fire management skillsets, employees have a combined 300+ years of fire management experience, and have represented each of the federal agencies and geographic areas in their collective careers.
Click to learn more about each WFM RD&A Staff member
Click to see the most current organization chart
MISSION
The RD&A Program will sponsor and guide the development and application of wildland scientific knowledge; develop decision support tools; and provide science application services to the interagency wildland fire community. The RD&A Program will serve as a primary point of contact for communication between scientists and participating field managers, and as an advisor to program administrators at local, regional, and national levels. With integrity, professionalism, safety, and mutual respect as our core values, we serve as leaders, role models, and mentors within our resource management agency.
VISION
The Wildland Fire Management Research Development & Application (RD&A) is a highly effective organization providing exemplary fire science integration and wildland fire management support to management agencies and personnel through proactive and timely response and in collaboration with partners. The RD&A Program will sponsor and guide the development and application of wildland scientific knowledge; develop decision support tools; and provide science application services to the interagency wildland fire community.
WFM RD&A Newsletters
Issue 6 - Winter/Spring 2022
Issue 5 - Winter 2021
Issue 4 - Spring 2020
Issue 3 - Summer 2019
Issue 2 - Fall 2018
Issue 1 - Spring 2018
WFM RD&A Annual Reports
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
NFDSC Annual Reports
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
WFM RD&A Program Charter Summary
The Wildland Fire Management Research, Development, and Application (WFM RD&A) program was created to promote application of wildland fire scientific knowledge; develop decision support tools; and provide science application services to the interagency wildland fire community. The WFM RD&A serves as a primary point of contact for communication between scientists and participating field fire managers, as a liaison between research, wildland fire planning and operations, interagency wildland fire IT groups, and as an advisor to program administrators at local, regional, and national levels. The WFM RD&A was initially chartered in 2006 and re-chartered in 2011 for a five year period. The charter is recommended by the Directors of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Management Sciences, and Fire and Aviation Management and signed by the Deputy Chief of Research and Development, the Deputy Chief of State & Private Forestry as well and the Chief of the US Forest Service. The charter defines the areas the WFM RD&A will work and focus their attention. The focus areas are:
- Coordinate relevant and timely fire science applications.
- Develop and support a Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS).
- Coordinate technology and development efforts for hazardous fuels and vegetation management and support interagency training in this area.
- Develop applications, disseminate information and conduct training for existing and emergent research priorities.
- Participate in and manage the National Fire Decision Support Center (NFDSC).