Steven Traverso

(40 Hours/Week)

The year round responsibilities of the Superintendent and Captain positions are so much more diverse than just involving activities related to firefighting. I’ve spent these last 7 years as a captain not just honing my leadership skills and developing into a well-versed manager of firefighters, but I’ve added greatly to the breadth of my supervisory abilities, gaining vital experience in all the areas that we ask our fire supervisors to attend to.

In addition to the in-fire-season obligations of running a Hotshot crew, I expanded my skills and responsibilities during the shoulder and Winter seasons within the realms of training, teaching, certifying, purchasing, hiring, prescribed fire and onboarding. I'll outline both the responsibilities that I've been tasked with as well as ones that I've sought out in order to add value to the crew, district and Forest in the forms of cross trainings, saw and medical certifications as well as permanent employee hiring operations:

• Managed, coordinated and oversaw Forest, District and Crew operations during National Permanent Fire Hire Events

o Oversaw all Perm hiring operations for the Boise National Forest during 2023-24 where the forest hired more applicants and filled positions at a more successful rate than any other forest in the Region

o Served as POC for the Boise NF with Hiring Team to ensure hiring SOPs were followed

o Interfaced with Forest resource leads determining staffing needs

o Worked with Forest/District FMOs to organize/track position selections, backfills and UTFs

o Advised prospective employees on resumes/applications, ensuring they meet/show position qualification/time-and-grade requirements

o Coordinated with other Forests competing for same applicants to determine best fit

• Participated in the planning, development and implementation of Wildfire assignments

o Developed strategies/tactics to meet both containment/landscape considerations with Agency Administrators on wildfires

o Regularly evaluated current strategy to determine efficacy/safety of tactics

o Directed subordinates and worked in conjunction with adjoining resources while on assignment

o Recognized, reacted to and communicated changes in weather, topography, fire activity and adapted planned strategies/tactics to more effectively/safely engage fire

o Identified and relocated fire line, safety zones and escape routes

o Developed and orchestrated plans for engaging fires in the wildland­ urban interface

o Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, development opportunities, selective considerations, difficulty of assignment and capabilities of employees

o Coordinated to assure on the job safety and health of employees

• Participated in the evaluation, planning, development and implementation of Prescribed Fire projects

o Worked with fuels personnel to meet management objectives on Rx burns

o Evaluated, edited and developed burn plans

o Served as an RXB2 on forest prescribed fires

o Served as both Holding and Firing Boss positions during Rx

• Develop A critical Training Schedule to Address the meeting of readiness and physical standards

o Implement daily physical training sessions

o Teach and train various fire suppression tactics, methods, techniques and SOPs

o Cover incident within an incident, 8-line, medical scenarios

o Conduct fuels projects for mutually beneficial realistic training opportunities and forest fuels objectives attainment

• Oversaw crew budget allocation and expenditure tracking

o Trained new purchase-card holders in documentation SOPs

o Constructed tracking spreadsheets to ensure budget constraint adherence

o Determined inventory deficiencies and procured necessary materials to meet supply preparedness/suppression needs

• Implemented annual crew/agency specific training programs

o Ensured crew met training requirements and was red-carded prior to first dispatch

o Created crew specific training aligned with current and safety based fire suppression principles, procedures and techniques

o Evaluated training needs of crew and provided training opportunities suited to both eradicate crew experience deficiencies and ensure future crew type-I status recognition

o Oversaw the initiation and provided training opportunities for the completion and submission of PTBs to the Red Card Committee

• Became accredited Health and Safety Institute (HSI) Adult 1st Aid/CPR and AED instructor and instructor trainer

o Oversaw the ordering of course materials for Idaho City Ranger District

o Coordinated with other districts to put on courses

o Taught/certified new teachers to aid in expanding the program and make the district self-sufficient with 1st aid/CPR training

• Certified as an Advanced Faller and Advanced Faller Certifier

o Have worked with district/off-district resources in cross training

o I have helped train and certify Forest personnel

o I have put on trainings for crew/district personnel, ensuring continuity in safety, development and quality of district resources sawyer knowledge and capabilities

• Act as a "Driver Instructor" for Idaho City RD

o Conducted Defensive Driving and Driver Orientation classes as well as Driving Rodeo courses

o Accredit/re-certify new drivers incoming to district resources

• Proficient in the Incident Qualification and Certification (IQCS) System

o Have created, rostered, lead-instructed and closed a wide range of courses

o Have submitted documentation and aided in the digitization of employees training folders into the system

o Have evaluated master records and determined training needs

o Have edited and verified incident experience generated by the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC)

• Oversaw the coordination of the Wildland Firefighter Apprentices on the crew

o Certified monthly training hours

o Provided specialized training to advance WFAP taskbooks

o Scheduled/Enrolled individuals in Academies

• Proficient in various forms of documentation

o CA-1s (have worked with hospital liaisons throughout the Worker’s Comp Process)

o VAM’s; developed for new chase trucks and UTVs

o Travel and times: paycheck8 & ETS2

o Purchase Card holder: AccessOnline, requisitions, budget toolbox, etc.

(40 Hours/Week)

All of the clerical responsibilities of a fire supervisor: resource orders, budgets, vehicle break downs, S#s, performance appraisals, CA-1s, purchasing, training, travel, times, etc… I'd already had a lot of experience with these during my seven years serving as a Hotshot Captain. What this detail really afforded me was the independence, anonymity and the sole responsibility of personally overseeing the crew throughout a season full of fire assignments. It provided me with unique opportunities to develop into a fully rounded Hotshot Supervisor, capable of not just directing the daily activities of the crew, but also providing big picture expertise and advice to IMTs regarding effective containment strategies.

The duration of this detail was really spent perfecting the art of running a Hotshot crew through the meat of a hard hotshot season. Learning how to safely and most effectively utilize a versatile crew of hotshots to attack dynamic incidents across various landscapes, fuel types, and hazards (not to mention agency objectives). I learned not just how to identify and mitigate hazards unique to the incident while overseeing safe, effective and efficient operations, but I also learned how to dictate the strategies and tactics to IMTs and AAs, declining to participate in unnecessary or unsafe operations while providing them with realistic options.

Much of what I learned had to do with my own limitations and how to mitigate them. I learned how much responsibility I can effectively handle and where my experience deficiencies lie. I learned to combat those limitations by empowering and developing those around me to be able to take some of the load. The effect was employees with a greater sense of purpose as well as a higher quality output from the crew as a whole than previously possible.

Lastly, this detail taught me how to supervise people who supervise people. I learned about the importance of delegating authority and responsibility to them. I learned to not just acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, but to accept them and help some of my employees find ways to either overcome or mitigate their limitations. I think it’s important for the leader themselves to establish expectations, but I’ve come to learn that if every action is micromanaged, then the supervisors who work for me have less buy-in to the big picture. If given some ownership over the details, they become more motivated to ensure that a plan that they helped develop succeeds.

(40 Hours/week)

I spent the tail end of 2017 in an official Captain's detail after having previously performed in the position through two unofficial details in 2016 and early 2017. Throughout the rest of the 2017 fire season I continued to develop leadership and advanced firefighting skills as well as get an introduction into some of the post-fire season responsibilities of fire resource leads

• Managed a module of 10 Hotshots including both temporary and permanent-seasonal employees

0 Modified tactics/strategies to cope with changes in management objectives/priorities, weather, fire behavior, topography, fuels and hazards

0 Recognized and relayed information to crew and adjoining resources concerning changes to predicted weather and fire behavior

0 Took actions to assure work quality, efficiency and safety standards were being adhered to

• Conducted briefings, AARs, safety meetings, and presented Lessons Learned/FLAs as preventative safety measures

• Executed mid-season, year-end and spontaneous corrective employee performance appraisals

0 Cultivated an atmosphere conducive to the growth, efficiency and overall success of the crew

• Provided purpose, direction and motivation for the crew members on a daily basis

• Fostered an environment of respect, hard work and crew cohesion

• Assumed sole responsibility of crew in absence of the Superintendent

o Coordinated with Division/adjoining resources to develop/implement the strategies needed to fight fire aggressively having provided for safety first

• Provided updates to Division concerning progress, fire activity and relevant developments

• Taken actions to ensure the safety of resources on assignment (i.e. moving fire lines, identifying safety zones/escape routes and establishing communications)

• Obtained equipment and supplies as well as forecasted future needs to safeguard success in meeting objectives

• Organized a training schedule to maintain/expand personnel's incident qualifications

o Provided formal training opportunities/details for the advancement of employee's careers through trainee assignments

o Presented informal initial/refresher training for the development of employees

• Includes pump, felling, radio, weather obs., 1st aid, etc.

o Worked in conjunction with the forest training officer throughout the season

• Created classes in IQCS and presented them to crewmembers in between fire assignments

• Eliminated discrepancies in S.O. and crew versions of training folders

• Compiled completed task books and submitted them for approval

o Constructed a program to present all necessary refresher training during mandatory 2-week critical training period

o Ascertained career ambitions and devised training goals for each individual on my mod

• Regularly performed auxiliary tasks to support the success of the crews priorities on and off the fireline

o Act as firing or holding boss on prescribed and wildland burnout assignments

o As a purchase card holder handled the acquisition of supplies and services throughout the season

• This includes procurement/reconciling the purchases of hotel rooms, meals, vehicle maintenance and incident resupply S - numbers

Handled the administrative tasks associated with my 10 man module (CA- 1s, employee evaluations, times, travel, task books, saw certifications etc.)

(40 hours/week)

At the beginning of 2016 I was promoted into the Squad Leader position which I had twice detailed into. Immediately following the upgrade I was selected to take on additional responsibilities. During the next two years I was twice afforded the opportunity to fill in for my captains during two unofficial captain details. The first lasted from November 2016 to April of 2017 while one of my captains took an AFMO detail. The second started in May 2017 when the position was vacated by the alternate captain and lasted until August 2017 when my official detail began. During these details, with their year round employment and elevated authority, I was able to accrue unique experience and take on additional responsibilities which were earlier not afforded me.

• Participated in the hiring of seasonal employees to fill vacancies for several of the fire resources on the Idaho City R.D.

o Evaluated hundreds of resumes and ranked out quality applicants

o Forecasted personnel needs for the crew (saw experience, medical qualifications etc.)

o Conducted interviews and performed reference checks for potential new hires

o Corresponded with leads throughout the forest and determined their hiring priorities

• Developed/taught throughout an early season program to ensure the crew completed its mandatory refresher training before receiving its readiness review

o Scheduled refresher courses/training and incorporated seasonal employees in their instruction

o Presented Lessons Learned Facilitated Learning Analysis' to better communicate wildland firefighting SOPs

o Guided permanent seasonal employees through preparing vehicles, facilities and equipment for upcoming fire season

• Oversaw the Idaho City IHC medical program

o Represented the crew in regional discussions pertaining to the certification of EMTs and discussed approaches to getting state/nationally recognized EMTs to be recognized and covered by the Forest Service

o Coordinated with the district/region officials ensuring our crew maintained nationally recognized standards with equipment and assimilated trauma kits based on those specifications

o Forecasted equipment needs for expired/damaged medical gear

o Entered EMTs/EMRs into district and regional refresher medical courses

o Developed training scenarios throughout the season to maintain readiness (i.e. packaging/transporting patients, 9-line familiarization)

• Oversaw the Idaho City IHC saw program

o Coordinated/Conducted the maintenance and repair of chainsaws throughout the season

o Worked to order/maintain a saw inventory with replacement parts and working chainsaws to keep the crew running efficiently

o Taught new and existing sawyers/saw-teams safe operating/felling procedures

o Certified/recertified fallers on the district

o Provided classroom/field training opportunities for all crew members

• This includes teaching S-212, informing sawyers of recent issues (i.e. the Strawberry Fire Fatality and geysering prevention techniques), overseeing thinning projects and hazard tree felling

• I was also able to continue to build upon my leadership skills and garner more diverse experience while in charge of a module consisting of half the crew

o Utilized Forest Service Literature and guidelines to aid in the leading/instruction of crew members

• I was able to pull information from resources like the Fireline Handbook, National lnteragency Mobilization Guide, lnteragency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation, Standards for lnteragency Hotshot Crew Operations, 1Os and 18s, SAFECOMS etc.

o Scouted out and determined feasibility of probable plans of action

• Recognized presence of hazards and proposed mitigation measures in an effort to establish an acceptable level of risk

• Determined which suppression tactics would safely allow us to meet overall management goals

o Maintained an aggressive and efficient unit while adhering to safety standards

• Took corrective actions to immediately amend unsafe/unsatisfactory practices

• Established LCES and immediately communicated updates if it changed

• Continually reevaluated whether tactics were prudent as work environment evolved

• Chose SMART objectives and strategies with trigger points/contingency plans

o Adjusted tactics in changing environments to ensure safe, efficient and effective work practices or to continue to meet incident objectives (i.e. during direct/indirect line-production, felling, mop-up and burnout operations)

o Recognized evolving hazards and effects they would have on possible plans of action

o Monitored fire activity and anticipated its potential shifting behavior in relation to; weather, topography, season, fuel, slope and time of day

• I gained specialized experience by taking on single resource training assignments

throughout the season

o Performed in several fire assignments as an Incident Commander (ICT-4 level)

• Worked in the wildland/urban interface and established/maintained communication between resources from different agencies

• Ordered, organized, allocated and demobilized different resources from my fires

• Filled out Incident Organizers, documented significant events and communicated pertinent information to dispatch

• Worked with forest representatives to discuss their objectives pertaining to preferred fire utilization priorities and fire end state

o Performed in several fire assignments as a Taskforce Leader

• Maintained responsibility for the briefing, coordinating and safety of taskforce resources

• Discussed assignment objectives and resource needs with Division

• Forecasted ordering/releasing of resources throughout my assignment

(40 Hours/Week)

In 2013 my position as a Senior Firefighter began with my acceptance into the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program. Aided by the education I gained through the Apprenticeship Program and experience I got through trainee assignments, I was selected for two Squad Leader Details between the 2014 and 2015 fire seasons.

Additionally, I was able to work in the early season levelling applications and working as an administrative assistant for our forest training officer.

• Fire-line Leadership

o Supervised line-production, felling/mop-up/burn-out operations and project work for a 6-10 person module

• Coordinated resources (employees, engines, bulldozers, helicopters) based on capabilities/limitations during hand-line construction, mop-up and burnt area rehabilitation assignments

• Communicated updates (hazards, progress, change in weather/fire behavior) with adjoining resources during line construction, burn-out, mop-up and felling operations

• Designed/ Ordered supplies for/Constructed/Deconstructed hose­ lays

• Developed daily plans of action and effectively communicating those plans and their hazards through briefings to Module in absence of Assistant Supervisor

• Coordinated proper placement/spacing of resources in relation to hazards (i.e. saw team spacing during felling operations, distance of line production to active fire edge/working heavy equipment)

• Managed small groups in the absence of supervisor

o Gave briefings, scouted lines, identified hazards and communicated with adjoining forces

o Instilled safe work practices in the employees I was entrusted

• Proper felling techniques, SA/LCES understanding

• Explained crew expectations/SOPS

o Directed helicopters during initial attack/mop-up operations

o Ensured Proper PPE was available and used at all times

o Implemented LCES and made its existence known/understood throughout assignments

o Performed/participated in Job Hazard Analysis meetings prior to and After Action Reviews after operational shifts when necessary

• Managed the crews radio inventory

o Programmed in new groups during fire assignments and cloned in annual district frequency changes

o Scheduled maintenance and ordered replacement parts/mies

o Facilitated implementation of new Bendix KNG style handheld radios into crew inventory and reconciled complications in cross-cloning to BK style radios

• Completed a two week detail in 2013 with the Lucky Peak Rappel Crew and was rewarded my HECM qualification

o Learned SOPs necessary to working safely/efficiently around rotor-wing type resources

• Constructed manifests (utilizing load calculations and factoring in HOGE/HIGE), built sling loads, gave pre-flight briefings before shuttling crews and reconfigured helicopter before repelling/bucket missions

• Began working on single resource assignments

o Opened and performed assignments until the completion of my Crew Boss, Firing Boss and Heavy Equipment Boss task books.

• Worked in the Boise National Forest Supervisor's Office

o Sifted through and levelled resumes for all fire positions GS levels 3-5 on the Boise National Forest

• Determined caliber of applicant based on experience, qualifications and references

• Learned what crew leads value in potential new hires

• Contacted, interviewed and checked references for applicants

o Served as an administrative assistant for forest training officer

• Recorded newly acquired qualifications or classes taken for all fire personnel on the forest

• Examined training folders and help compile experience records

• Miscellaneous shoulder season work performed

o Utilized Faller one certification to certify new sawyers for other district resources

o Provided facilities maintenance during the off season, starting vehicles, shoveling/plowing snow and winterizing structures

(40 Hours/Week)

I spent my first four seasons in the Forest Service working with the lead saw team on the Idaho City Hotshots. I feel for such an inexperienced employee that I was lucky to develop an early understanding of fighting fire. The lead saw team is often the first to set eyes on new country and is entrusted with "paving the way" and "setting the pace" for the rest of your crew. These seasons were dedicated to acquiring skills as a sawyer and developing an understanding of basic wildland firefighting:

• Operating and maintaining a variety of different chainsaw models

o This includes Stihl MS-440s, MS-441 s, and MS-460s

o Developed safe work practices (using proper PPE, communication of intentions with crew and surrounding resources, proper chainsaw handling/felling/brushing techniques etc.)

o Performed daily saw maintenance as well as periodic deep­ cleaning/refurbishment

o Learned accurate size-up analysis and felling procedures of hazard trees (Faller B qualifications)

• Operated and programmed of radios:

o Communicated within/outside the crew while utilizing proper fire-line communication techniques, nomenclature and etiquette

• Directed helicopters and being able to describe task at hand

• Communicated with supervisor, adjoining resources and dispatch (size-ups, progress updates, resource needs, etc.)

• Programed in and navigated through radio channels, frequencies, tone guards

o Became proficient in all FFTl duties:

• Serving as a lookout and learning to recognize changes in weather and fire behavior

• Running pumps and building hose lays

• Directing small groups and leading grids

• Miscellaneous Experience/Duties performed

o FFTl /Crew boss assignments overseeing: Mop-up, Fire-line construction, Hose-lays, Grids, Felling assignments and construction/clearing of helicopter landing zones

o Used/Maintained a variety of different fire equipment (drip-torch, Fuses, Quoin gun, Pulaski, McLeod, Pin Shovel, Falling Axe, Chainsaw, Combi, Portable pumps, Hoses, Reducers, Clamps, Nozzles)

o Maintained/Refurbished supplies: Mixing chainsaw, pump and drip torch fuel, restocking rations, potable water, fuel, oil etc.

o Vehicle Maintenance: PM checks, checking/replenishing liquids, basic vehicle maintenance

o Documentation: Incident experience (EZ forms), CTRs, Demobilization check sheets, JHAs, AARs, shift tickets etc.