HOTSHOT CREW HISTORY IN AMERICA PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL INTERAGENCY HOTSHOT CREW STEERING COMMITTEE November 2013 BLM/ALASKA FIRE SERVICE HOTSHOTS In 1974 the BLM established the first Alaska Hotshot crew, stationed at Kenai, in South Central Alaska. In 1976, a second Hotshot crew was formed in Kenai. The crew size was set at 16 to meet the carrying capacity of the Twin Otter. These crews were also stationed at Tanacross in Eastern Interior Alaska and at McGrath in Western Interior Alaska where the airports were large enough to support larger aircraft. In 1982 the Alaska Fire Service was established and based at Ft.Wainwright, Alaska. In 1985 the two hotshot crews (Midnight Sun and Chena) increased their numbers to twenty, to meet Type I Interagency standards. These two crews have continuously been stationed at Ft.Wainwright, a military base on the outskirts of Fairbanks. The crews are housed in old Army barracks that are approximately ½ mile from the Alaska Fire Service operations building, which sits on the edge of the Ft.Wainwright airstrip. Between 1987-2003 Chena and Midnight Sun would detail to locations primarily in Northern California and Idaho, as well as Utah and Nevada, occasionally combining crews for Lower 48 assignment. For fire seasons 1993 and 1997 the crews did not go south on Lower 48 fire assignment. In 1998 the Denali Hotshots were formed under an agreement between the Chugachmuit Native Corporation and the Alaska BLM. The Denali Hotshots would detail to various locations throughout Nevada from 1998 to 2003. MIDNIGHT SUN CHENA DENALI 1985-David Lockwood 1985-88-Jon Larson 1998-Larry Nolan 1986-88-Jerry Soard 1989-Steve Bumgarner 1999-Pat O’Brien 1989-91-Dave Jandt 1990-93-Skip Theisen 2000-03-Lawrence Moses 1992-Jandt/Matier 1994-Mike Powell/Mike Theisen 2005-06-Ray Crowe 1993-97-David W. Matier 1995-Skip Theisen 2007-Steve Boatman 1998-Shane McDonald 1996-98-Mike Theisen 1999-2007 Dave Matier 1999-Mike Theisen/Shane McDonald 2008-Swisher 2000-Shane McDonald 2009-2010-Dave Matier 2001-03-Pat O’Brien 2010-present-Jake Livingston 2004-07-Jake Livingston 2008-09-Chris Marabetta Midewin IHC History 2001-Present The Midewin (mi-day-win) IHC was established in During the 2003-2007 seasons, the crew was operational April of 2001 as a result of the National Fire Plan. from the beginning of March through mid September. Generally, the crew would begin its season by supporting The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (the crew’s initial attack efforts and prescribed fire east of the host unit) was established in 1996 and is the first Mississippi river before heading out west. The crew was national tallgrass prairie in the country. It is able to establish a reputation of being a hard working crew administered by the U.S. Forest Service, in that spent most of its time away from the host unit. cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and with the support of hundreds of 2004 was an extremely difficult season for the Midewin volunteers and partner agencies, businesses, and IHC. On April 24th Alan Toepke was fatally injured in an organizations. Part of the former Joliet Army off-duty traffic accident while returning from a fire Ammunition Plant, Midewin remained largely assignment in Florida. The crew stood down for 2 ½ closed to the public while the Army cleaned up months but was able to finish the season strong with contamination remaining from decades of TNT several good assignments in July through September. manufacturing and packaging. The crew is the first During the stand down the majority of the crew traveled to of its type in Region 9 of the United States Forest the Superior National Forest in Minnesota to assist with Service. initial attack and fuels management projects. At the time of the accident the crew was pursuing its certification as a The first employees arrived in June of 2001 and the fully qualified IHC. In October of 2004 the crew moved crew was operational by early August. The crew into its new facilities. was temporarily based in 3 trailers at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, IL. Due The crew was certified as a fully qualified Interagency to the late start, the crew was only on two Hotshot Crew on July 30th, 2006. assignments in 2001, the Rex Creek Complex wildfire in Washington and the World Trade Center Superintendents – Career and Detailed Relief Effort in New York City. The Midewin IHC Steve Little – 07/01- 09/01 received the Forest Service Chief’s award for Michael Frederick – 02/02- 06/02 emergency assistance for the work performed in Dave Martin – 07/02- 08-02, 05/05 New York. Lito Contreras – 08/02- 09/02, 08/03- 12/04 Rich Stiles – 03/03- 04/03 2002 was the crew’s first full season. The crew was Russell Harris – 04/03- 05/03, 03/05- 04/05 operational from April to the end of August. In Gordon Admundson – 07/03- 08/03 July, the crew received its current fleet of vehicles Bob Little – 05/05- 05/08 consisting of 1 Ford extended cab pick-up and 4 Jerry Hoffman – 03/07-09/07, 05/08-04/09 Chevy crew cabs. Rick Moreno – 04/09 - Present Assistant Superintendents – Career and Detailed Steve Parrish – 07/01- 04/02 Dan Philbin – 05/02- 05/03 Dan Anereno – 07/07-08/07 Dale Snyder – 08/08 Jerry Hoffman – 06/03 – Present Lolo Interagency Hotshots Lolo National Forest Missoula, Montana Background Information The Lolo Hotshots have roots in the beginnings of modern-day fire suppression history. Although the crew was officially recognized as a national shared resource in 1961 as one of the original 9 Interregional crews, the crew originated from the Blister Rust control crews (BRC) who performed important forest health mitigation work in areas affected by Blister Rust infection. These crews were used for local fire suppression assistance and because of their experience, were often requested for fire assignments outside the region. In 1961, due to the nation-wide demand for the more experienced, mobile and organized suppression crews, the Forest Service created Interregional Fire Suppression Crews. Two of these crews were placed in Region 1 (Northern Rockies), one based on the Nez Perce National Forest at Slate Creek on the Salmon River (this crew no longer exists) and the other on the Lolo National Forest at Ninemile Ranger District, 30 miles west of Missoula, Montana. From 1961-1970 the crew was based at the Ninemile Ranger District then was moved 40 miles west to the St.Regis Work Center in 1971 because the work center was not being used and could accommodate 25 people. This proved to be a logistical problem for the crew so they moved back to Ninemile where they were based through the 1981 season. In 1982 the crew’s base of operations was moved to the Missoula Ranger District where it remains today. Crew Composition Organization of the crew has changed significantly since 1961. In the early years (1961-1974) the crew was composed of 1 Foreman, 3 Squad leaders, a Cook and 20 Crewmembers. The Foreman (now Superintendent) was the only career appointed position on the crew. In 2004, the Superintendent and Assistant are permanent full- time employees, with 3 Squad Leaders, 6 Senior Firefighters and 2 Apprentices employed under 13/13 career appointments. In 2011, the Superintendent and 2 Assistant Superintendents are permanent full-time employees, with 2 Squad Leaders and 4 Senior Firefighters employed under 13/13 career appointments. The remaining 10-11 are employed as temporaries. In 1974 the number of individuals assigned to the crew dropped from 25 to 20 due to aircraft configuration and changes in flight weight limitations. Significant Events 1980- The first woman was hired on the crew. 1989- Margaret Doherty became the first female Hotshot Crew Superintendent in the nation. 1990- ESPN documentary program “America’s Wilderness” profiles crew during pre- season training and while on fire assignment. The hour-long production was broadcast worldwide on several occasions. The documentary included interviews with several crewmembers and footage of fireline operations. It gave a sense of what life on a hotshot crew is like and conveyed the diversity of both the people and the work the crew performs. 1994- Marshall Brown* detailed as Superintendent vice Karkanen detailed to Ninemile District Fire Management Officer (6/94-2/95). 1998- CBS News 48 Hours profiles crew during Hopper Fire in Southern California and conducts follow-up interviews. Broadcast in October 1998 (received their lowest ratings ever). 2001- Holly Maloney* detailed as Superintendent vice Karkanen detailed into Forest Deputy Fire Staff (6/00-11/00). 2011- Steve Karkanen retired in May as the longest running Lolo IHC Superintendent. Crew Leadership 1961 - Ron Stoleson 1962 - Lyle Brown 1963 – Jay Penney 1964 - 1973 – George Bissonette 1974 – Neil Ramberg 1975 – Neil Ramberg/Kevin Brown 1976 - 1981 – Mike Cyrus 1982 – Jerry Benson 1983 - 1984 Don Feser 1985 – Roger Christopher 1986 – Don Feser 1987 – Steve Betlach 1988 – Greg Power 1989 – Margaret Doherty 1990 – 2010 Steve Karkanen 2011 – Present Tim LaRoche L ewis & Clark Hotshots… History 2001-Pr esent Original Logo Current L ogo The L ewi s & Cl ar k I nteragency Hotshot Crew they operate with only 4-6 detailers. The has a rather short history; being one of several remainder of the crew configurations consist of IHC’ s developed nationwide in 2001. After a one PFT Superintendent, one PFT Foreman regional decision was made to initiate an (from 2001-2004 the crew had operated with the additional R1 IHC, the L ewis & Clark NF took two foreman system), three 13/13 Squad Bosses the opportunity to host the L & C IHC.