National Wildfire Coordinating Group
National Interagency
Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705
It is with great pleasure that I announce the selection of the three NWCG Branch Coordinators:
Paul Schlobohm - Branch of Equipment and Technology, effective
1/4/2009
Elaine Waterbury - Branch of Policy, Planning, and Management; effective
2/1/2009
Tim Blake - Branch of Preparedness, effective 1/4/2009
Please join me in welcoming these three Branch Coordinators to the NWCG Staff!
The NWCG Branch Coordinator positions require that the incumbent possess a wide range of knowledge and experience in wildland fire, interagency wildland fire management, and a thorough understanding about the importance of NWCG products and services. The Branch Coordinators must possess an attitude and the communication skills to continually send a positive message and inspire others to work in a constantly changing interagency and ad hoc work environment.
Paul Schlobohm has worked closely with many of the functions in the NWCG organization. In addition to serving as an interim Branch Coordinator, Paul is the Chair of the Fire Environment Committee and has supported many NWCG projects in training, equipment development, and smoke management. Paul's experience ranges from national, interagency management to field operations. Paul has served as lead in the development of many NWCG products. Paul education credentials include a Master's Degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, and a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry.
Elaine Waterbury's experience includes program management, planner, Budget Coordinator, and Grant Administrator in various fire programs within the Forest Service, such as Coop Fire & Forestry, Rural Community Assistance, and Forest Restoration. Elaine has developed national policy, program guidelines, standards, technical manuals, and handbooks. She also has training and field experience in Silviculture and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act). She is a graduate of the USDA Executive Leadership Program and also has a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry/Fire Science.
Tim Blake has experience at the national and interagency level as a Coordinator at NICC (National Interagency Coordination Center) and in wildland fire training development and instruction. He also has experience managing suppression and preparedness operations as a Center Manager and in field operations as a Squad Boss and firefighter. Tim's education credentials include a Bachelor's Degree in Forest Management.
I want to express my thanks to Al Borup, Paul Schlobohm, and Lou Ballard who served as interim Branch Coordinators since April 2008. These interim Branch Coordinators laid a solid foundation for the incoming Branch Coordinators that will ensure continued success of the NWCG organization.