BLM, U.S. Army to unveil newest firefighting facility
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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in partnership with the U. S. Army, will unveil Arizona’s newest wildland firefighting facility at Fort Huachuca City, Ariz., April 28. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The building will serve as the operating base for the Aravaipa Veteran Firefighting Crew (AFC) as they work to complete certification as a Type I Hotshot crew by 2019 This would make them the only BLM-certified Hotshot crew in Arizona and one of 12 nationwide.
“Establishing the Aravaipa Veteran Firefighting Crew will be an invaluable resource to the local community and to BLM’s wildland firefighting mission,” said Ray Suazo, BLM Arizona’s state director.
The crew is predominantly military veterans and is part of the BLM’s emphasis on post-service veteran hiring, while responding to a nationwide increase in wildfire activity and the need for additional, highly skilled firefighters.
Stood up in November 2015, the AFC is led by Greg Smith, a BLM wildland fire manager with 22 years of experience and a U.S. Navy veteran.
“We are offering military veterans employment and leverages their strong spirit of service to the American people,” said Suazo, a military veteran himself. “We are dedicated to protecting the American people from the devastating effects of wildland fires and these individuals, through their previous honorable service, have shown the ability to meet that challenge.”
Fort Huachuca Army Base will be the home of the crew’s operating base and make use of existing Army facilities.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: June Lowery (520) 258-7223
Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Army to unveil newest firefighting facility
Tucson, Arizona – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Army will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for Arizona’s newest firefighting facility at Fort Huachuca City, Arizona.
WHEN: Friday, April 28, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fort Huachuca Army Base
- From I-10, take exit 302 onto AZ 90 toward Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista
- Turn right onto Hatfield Street, (Van Deman Gate)
- Park in Van Deman Gate visitor control parking lot by 9:00 a.m. and wait for escort, Fort Huachuca Public Affairs Officer Angie Camara, 520-533-1850
DETAILS:
The building will serve as the operating base for the Aravaipa Veteran Firefighting Crew as they work to complete certification as a Type I Hotshot crew by 2019. Once certified, they will be the only BLM-certified Hotshot crew in Arizona and one of 12 nationwide.
The crew is predominantly military veterans and is part of the BLM’s emphasis on post-service veteran hiring, while responding to a nationwide increase in wildfire activity and the need for additional, highly skilled firefighters.
VISUALS: Acting BLM Director Mike Nedd and BLM Arizona State Director Ray Suazo will be available for interviews following the ceremony. The Aravaipa Fire Crew will be introduced along with the unveiling of the crew’s logo. U.S. Army Major General Scott Berrier, Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, will provide remarks during the ceremony.
BACKGROUND: This event is the result of the partnerships between the BLM and the U.S. Army.
EDITORS: You must RSVP to June Lowery at (520) 258-7223 or jlowery@blm.gov no later than Tues., April 25, 4 p.m., if you plan to attend. Failure to RSVP by the deadline will result in denial of access to the base. Fort Huachuca will provide a single feed microphone for outlets to plug into.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.