To all federal wildland firefighters and the grassroots wildland firefighter movement,

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters (GWF) formed in late 2019 to advocate for systematic change and a paradigm shift in the working conditions that federal wildland firefighters face as fire seasons have now transitioned into fire years.

We are a primarily volunteer-led group of current, retired, and resigned federal wildland firefighters. Grassroots Wildland Firefighters are actively engaged in conversations with multiple legislative staffs, senior agency management, and local and national media outlets. Our efforts and relationships take hundreds if not 1,000s of hours of volunteer time. In the early days of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters advocacy efforts we were completely self-funded. We have added the ability to collect donations, and these donations have assisted in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, travel expenses to Washington D.C. for congressional testimony, social media and newsletter support, legal representation, and miscellaneous expenses.

Grassroots has recently obtained our federal 501c3 non-profit designation and we intend to increase our educational and resource efforts as we grow and formalize the organization into one that has longevity well into the future.

How your Donation Helps

Education and Advocacy

We spotlight the real experiences the fire management workforce and their families live in our current and changing wildland fire landscape, including economic/financial stress, mental/emotional health crises, high suicide rates, and acute and chronic physical health conditions. With our combined years of experience and expertise, we educate community members and policy makers alike.

A key component of our work lies in educating wildland fire professionals themselves about the policy and legislation that impacts them so that they have the agency and knowledge to contribute their voices and expertise to the table.

Storytelling, Community Connection, Visibility

We've seen that the public, as well as key decision- and policy-makers, lack an accurate understanding of the realities, hardships, and impacts wildland firefighters are facing. That's why we know it's critically important to connect community members and legislators to the stories and experiences of wildland fire professionals.

Membership fees & donations will go towards maintaining our website, the development of wildland firefighter self-advocacy tools, updating our comprehensive health & wellbeing resources page, and maintaining the infrastructure needed to ensure that the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters remain positioned to advise and/or work with legislative representatives and agency personnel. “Nothing About Us Without Us.” In addition, Grassroots will be recruiting and hiring an executive director to assist with our day-to-day operations and ensure that we are staying true to our mission.

To all who have used our website to educate themselves, donated time and money, and spread the word to family and friends, THANK YOU!!. We have seen some historic and positive changes, but the work has only just begun. Grassroots will be here for the long haul and continue to advocate for accurate classification, pay, comprehensive health and well being. We will continue to advocate for a working environment that provides the tools necessary to see wildland personnel successfully navigate their career from hire to retire.

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters is a 501c3 and 501c4 organization. Funds donated to the 501c3 (this campaign) will be utilized for education, awareness, resource sharing, and operational support. Funds donated to the 501c4 will be utilized for advocacy, travel to/from Washington, DC, and advocacy related activities to ensure Grassroots Wildland Firefighters remain positioned to maintain our ability to work with legislative representatives and agency personnel.

Support Friends of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters 501(C)3

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