Wildland fire requires different degree of business management

Take a minute to imagine a wildland firefighter. Can you name the gear they carry, the tools they use, or the equipment they drive? What items do you picture? Have you ever stopped to think about the people working behind the scenes who make it all possible?

If you haven’t, you’re not alone — an often unseen but vitally important team member of any fire unit is the fire management and program analyst. BLM Colorado’s Jeffrey Frimel is a fire business analyst for the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit who manages the day-to-day business operations. Working in fire business may not have Jeff wielding a Pulaski or a hose and attacking flames head-on, but his role is vital to ensuring firefighter success — both on the fireline and during the off season as crews prepare for the next fire season.

Jeff started working as a seasonal wildland firefighter, then spent time working on crews in Alaska, California, and Montana before joining the Unaweep Wildland Fire Module in western Colorado in 2010. Looking to spend more time with his wife and children, Jeff wanted to explore options outside of the frontline fire world. Taking his depth of operational experience, he transitioned into administrative roles and ultimately found his way into his current position as a fire business analyst.

Jeff plays a role in nearly every aspect of the fire unit’s operations. He makes sure firefighters have the equipment they need to do their jobs, supports out-of-zone crews, manages budgets, mentors others, and ensures people are properly and promptly compensated — all while showing off his prowess in Excel. He describes his position as a “catch-all;” when a question arises, he is often the first person others turn to.

For Jeff, being a strong team player and understanding the mission of the fire program — both locally and nationally — is key to building a sense of community. It’s what brings people together from across the country to work towards a shared purpose. Fire business managers like Jeff often serve as a vital bridge to helping land managers, fire crews, and even the public understand how and why things work the way they do.

While there are no specific requirements for fire business jobs, Jeff says it helps to have some background in finance, some fire operations experience, an ability to interpret complex documents, and — most importantly — an enjoyment of working with people.

When asked to share a final thought about his work, Jeff declared, “I love what I do and the people I work with. Everyone doesn’t get to hear it as often as they should, but our incident business team here in Colorado is amazing and every single individual is appreciated and is doing a great job.”