The IAWF’s Diversity & Inclusivity Committee works to advance equity, diversity, and inclusivity within IAWF and the wildland fire community. This committee is driven by the efforts of its working groups, each of which tackles a distinct aspect of these priorities.

As we prepare for 2022, we are seeking pitches from those interested in leading new working groups on important issues within equity, diversity, and inclusivity in wildland fire. Such working groups could range from small (e.g., developing a tool for a specific need) to big (e.g., running or making available trainings on an ongoing basis). Ideally, these pitches should focus on actions – studying an issue is welcome, but it should lead directly to some sort of action or outcome.

Proposals are welcome on any aspect of diversity and inclusion. Discussion within the Diversity and Inclusion Committee has highlighted several priority areas to inspire possible projects, including (1) addressing social justice and racism, (2) engaging underrepresented communities (including students and early career professionals), and (3) creating tools and resources for training, outreach, and communication.

To pitch an idea, please answer the following questions in a short response. Ideally, we request pitches to be submitted by December 15, 2021, although we will continue to evaluate ideas on a rolling basis thereafter. During the evaluation, we will review the pitches with a focus on feasibility, priority, and potential for combination/integration of ideas.

Questions to answer

1. What is the issue that you plan to tackle? Why is it important?

2. What do you plan to achieve over the next 12 months? What actions, tools, interventions, products, or outcomes do you anticipate creating?

3. Do you envision this group completing its mission within a 12-month span, or do you anticipate this pitch could evolve to an ongoing working group?

4. Who would be involved in this working group? (You can name specific people who are interested in joining, or the types of people you would hope to engage.)

5. If applicable, there are modest funds (up to $500) available to help launch working groups on issues of diversity and inclusion. If such funds would be helpful to making this working group successful, explain how you would plan to use them.

Examples of just a few of the current and recent working groups include:

• The Workforce Resilience sub-committee, which is providing monthly talks that are designed to provide support to the community and inform the community on actions and issues around diversity. These are public events, for anyone interested in learning more about diversity, inclusion, and resilience.
• The SINE sub-committee, which developed a set of pledges and practices for running inclusive conferences and events – tools that are now available to IAWF members.
• The Data & Monitoring sub-committee, which is developing strategies to collect and use data about diversity within the wildland fire community in more rigorous, appropriate, and evidence-driven ways.

Questions?: Contact Mikel Robinson, IAWF Executive Director via email or phone 406-625-7059.

The IAWF is offering registration scholarships for underrepresented minorities to attend our upcoming Virtual Conference, 16th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit & 6th Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, May 24-27, 2021. 

Fire Safety Summit and Human Dimensions Conference (firesafety-humandimensions2021.com)

Being a diverse and inclusive organization will enable the International Association of Wildland Fire to learn from others, grow our understanding, and find new ways to address, understand and implement solutions to complex problems.

Our goals are:

1. To increase participation of underrepresented minorities and geographic areas in the Wildland Fire Community to attend, present their work, network with other, connect with mentors and learn about career opportunities at the Wildland Fire Safety Summit and Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Virtual Conference. As a result, we will have more diverse perspectives and backgrounds at the conference.

2. To promote the visibility of scientific research and other IAWF related projects conducted by underrepresented minorities.

Details:

Applications will be accepted continuously until the conference. However, we will begin reviewing the applications and making awards on April 1st. 

The award is complimentary registration to the conference, no funds will be exchanged. If selected you will receive an email with information about how to access the Virtual Conference during the week of May 24 - 27, in addition all presentations will be available for up to 3 month after the conference. 

Please complete the application below and answer the following questions (complete the application as fully as possible, this will help us ensure we meet our goal of reaching a diverse audience. All answers will be confidential, only the review committee will see your responses). 

• Tell us about your current work as it related to wildland fire.
• Why do you want to attend the conference?
• Do you propose to present a paper at this conference?
• How will attending the conference help you with your work?
• How would this scholarship make a difference to you?

If you have any questions, please contact: 

Mikel Robinson

Executive Director

International Association of Wildland Fire

O. 406-625-7059

M. 406-531-8264

execdir@iawfonline.org

www.iawfonline.org

pronouns (she/her)

The IAWF is offering registration scholarships to attend our upcoming Virtual Conference, 16th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit & 6th Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, May 24-27, 2021.
Fire Safety Summit and Human Dimensions Conference (firesafety-humandimensions2021.com)

Our goal is to provide an opportunity for those who might not otherwise be able to attend the conference due to the cost. 

Details:
Applications will be accepted continuously until the conference. However, we will begin reviewing the applications and making awards on April 1st.

The award is complimentary registration to the conference, no funds will be exchanged. If selected you will receive an email with information about how to access the Virtual Conference during the week of May 24 - 27, in addition all presentations will be available for up to 3 month after the conference.
Please complete the application below and answer the following questions (complete the application as fully as possible, this will help us ensure we meet our goal . All answers will be confidential, only the review committee will see your responses.

• Tell us about your current work as it related to wildland fire.
• Why do you want to attend the conference?
• Do you propose to present a paper at this conference?
• How will attending the conference help you with your work?
• How would this scholarship make a difference to you?

If you have any questions, please contact:
Mikel Robinson
Executive Director
International Association of Wildland Fire
O. 406-625-7059
M. 406-531-8264
execdir@iawfonline.org
www.iawfonline.org
pronouns (she/her)

The IAWF is offering registration and travel scholarships to attend our upcoming conference, Fire & Climate Conference, May 23-27, 2022, in Pasadena, California and June 6-10, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. 

Our goal is to provide an opportunity for those who might not otherwise be able to attend the conference due to the cost. 

Details: Applications will be accepted continuously until the conference. However, we will begin reviewing the applications and making awards on April 1st.  The award is complimentary registration to the conference, and/or $500 (USD) for travel expenses for those attending in person. If selected, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the conference. If you will be traveling to Pasadena or Melbourne, you will receive your travel reimbursement when you arrive at the conference.

Please complete the application below and answer the following questions (complete the application as fully as possible, this will help us ensure we meet our goal of reaching a diverse audience. All answers will be confidential, only the review committee will see your responses).

• Tell us about your current work as it related to wildland fire.
• Why do you want to attend the conference?
• Do you propose to present a paper at this conference?
• How will attending the conference help you with your work?
• How would this scholarship make a difference to you?

If you have any questions, please contact:  

Mikel Robinson

Executive Director

International Association of Wildland Fire

O. 406-625-7059 M. 406-531-8264

execdir@iawfonline.org www.iawfonline.org

pronouns (she/her)

"Fired Up" Initiative to Honor and Feature our Stories of Success

We at IAWF want to share stories about the unique contributions made by individuals and groups to the Wildland Fire Community. Therefore, we are launching the "Fired Up" initiative, featuring those who have made strides in advancing and contributing to wildfire/bushfire operations, mitigation/prevention, training and research. Contributions can be at the ground-level through administration, so long as they are noteworthy or innovative.

We invite members of the IAWF and the Wildland fire community at large to submit recommendations for individuals and groups that deserve to have their stories shared for publication.

Guidelines: Submit your nomination for an individual or group that you believe is worth featuring in an issue of Wildfire magazine. We will need a justification for why an individual should be recognized, a short bio, and photo of the individual or group at work (if you have one). All IAWF members as well as people supporting the global wildland fire community are eligible to nominate individuals as well as to be recognized.

Wildfire magazine will feature up to two individuals or groups an issue. Individuals who are recognized in "Fired Up" will receive a one-year  membership at IAWF, and groups who are recognized will receive up to five, one-year memberships.

Thank you,
Editors of Wildfire magazine and the IAWF Membership Committee

Nominate to join the Board of Directors

Nominations are now open for new members of the International Association of Wildland Fires' (IAWF) Board of Directors.  

IAWF is committed to maintaining a positive, empowering, inclusive, and innovative culture where all members of the wildland fire community feel safe, valued, heard, and included.  We recognize that diversity encompasses differences between people and include recognition of ethnicity, culture (including indigenous peoples), personality, age, sexual preference, disability, religious beliefs, social and economic standing, as well as profession, education, work experiences, and professional identity.  And inclusivity creates feelings among groups of diverse peoples of equal value and respect, equal access to opportunities and resources, and open and accepted contribution of perspectives and talents.

We welcome and encourage nominations for all individuals meeting the requirements listed below, and we will also accept self-nominations.     

Nominations will be accepted through September 30, 2022 and successful candidates will begin their 3-year term on January 1, 2023.

REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

• Must be an “individual” member of the IAWF in good standing. Student, Corporate and Agency members are not eligible.
• The IAWF Board of Directors is a working Board. We expect that individuals serving the membership in these positions will contribute the time, energy and expertise to serve on committees, participate in eleven (11) conference calls per year and generally assist in furthering the mission of the Association. (Calls are scheduled the last Tuesday every month, except December and generally last about 60 minutes. The calls are generally scheduled for 3:00 or 4:00 pm Mountain Time).  Visit this link to check the time of the meeting in your time zone. 
• Applicants with skills/expertise in Financial Management, Board Governance, and Communication/Journalism/Media (Writing and Editing) are highly encouraged to apply.

The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) mission is to facilitate communication and provide leadership for the wildland fire community. The IAWF was formed to promote a better understanding of wildland fire, and built on the belief that an understanding of this dynamic natural force is vital for natural resource management, for firefighter safety, and for harmonious interaction between people and their environment. The Association is dedicated to communicating with the entire wildland fire community and providing global linkage for people with shared interest in wildland fire and comprehensive fire management.

• Please consider if your job or other activities will prevent you from dedicating sufficient time to committees and monthly meetings.
• Since most of the Board’s activities are conducted electronically, applicants need to be comfortable using email, opening and filing attachments to email, using Microsoft Word for very basic tasks such as creating documents, opening documents, filing them, and minor editing.
• Attending an annual face-to-face Board of Directors meeting is very helpful, but not a requirement. The IAWF at this time is not able to pay travel expenses for Board meetings. The annual meetings are one day and are generally held at one of our conferences. 
• Candidates will be ranked based on knowledge and experience, IAWF service, geographic area, and diversity.

Principles of Conduct – Living Our Values – Leading by Example

In the conduct of personal and professional matters, IAWF places high importance on the values of integrity, responsibility, and reputation. We are committed to maintaining high standards both within the organization and in our dealings with others in our daily lives. Our leadership has developed these Principles of Conduct to define our accepted and unacceptable ethical behaviors. It is important that our standards are defined, available, and understandable. We have established guidelines for all members at all times and non-members who may be participating at any IAWF conducted activities. It helps ensure that IAWF promotes, achieves, and maintains high standards of practice and it provides a benchmark for members and non-members participating in IAWF activities to use for self-evaluation.

Compliance with these standards demonstrates our individual and collective respect for our profession, our professional and personal relationships with others, and our respect and commitment to the long-term vision, goals, and values of IAWF.

Principles of Conduct

Deadline for Applications is September 30, 2022.

The Board of Directors will hold their election for the expiring positions during the week of October 24 and new board members will be invited to attend the board meeting in November.

For questions e-mail or call Mikel Robinson, Executive Director +01 (406) 625-7059.