In their report on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2012, (HR Report 112-151) dated July 19, 2011, the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations indicated an awareness of the duplication that exists in the Department's wildland fire programs at the national, state, regional, and local levels. As a result, they directed, "the Department to complete an assessment of these Wildland Fire programs in order to determine the most cost effective and efficient means of providing comprehensive fire management services in support of Departmental and bureau missions, and to better direct scarce resources from duplicative administrative management organizations to focus resources on protection of lives, property, and natural and cultural resources."

On April 9, 2012, the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary and the four Departmental bureaus with wildland fire management responsibilities—the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, entered into a contract with PricewaterhouseCoopers (the Assessment Team) to conduct an assessment of the Department's overall wildland fire management program. At this time, the Assessment Team is tasked to complete the following by October 17, 2012:

• Task 1: Identify opportunities for improvement;         
• Task 2: Develop recommendations; and        
• Task 3: Develop an implementation plan.  

Their work will be accomplished through a series of interviews and site visits across the United States and a segment of the international wildland fire community.

The expected outcome of the Interior Fire Program Assessment 2012 includes:         

• affirmation of existing efficiencies and effectiveness within the Department's wildland fire management organization/program; and         
• identification of potential areas where additional efficiencies can be achieved and where duplication of efforts could be eliminated that will ultimately lead to more funding on the ground where it is needed the most.   

A report is due back to Congress after conclusion of the Assessment.

The Assessment survey is closed.  Thank you to all who took the time to participate in this important process!

Additional information can be found at the Interior Fire Program Assessment 2012 Myfirecommunity.net neighborhood.