We desperately need reform in organization, process, & expectations while keeping the elements that contribute to success, like the safety culture. We also need a focus & commitment to strategic thinking--our quickly changing world is now too complex to rely on old experience & more tactics. 6/

Before we create a wildland fire agency, we need to look at many things, including local knowledge, org structure, community involvement, how we set priorities, and so on. It cannot be a one-off, but must be done within the context of the larger emergency management world--we don't just do fires. 7/

I do not trust these folks to do the work necessary to test current assumptions or make meaningful reforms that will strengthen the wildland fire organization and protect communities. I do expect the real issues will be used to offer a false solution of privatization. 8/

Also, there will be good people that sign on because the idea of a centralized wildland fire agency has always had adherents (me included). But the devil is in the details, so be careful about what you support. 9/