Last updated: May 8, 2025
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2025 Veterans Fire Corps demonstrates fourth year of success for Allegheny Fire Management Zone
NPS/M FAHERTY
In January 2025, with snow on the ground, four crewmembers on the 2025 Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) hosted by New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NERI), took numerous trainings to prepare them for the upcoming season and potential future careers in wildland fire management. NERI is part of the Allegheny Fire Management Zone that has provided opportunities for veterans to work and live alongside other vets as they transition from military to civilian service. Kris Stone, former U.S. Army, as well as previous VFC crewmember, and current NERI seasonal interpretation ranger, led the 2025 crew.
This year, National Park Service (NPS) wildland fire training specialist, Sara Sink, hosted a virtual professional career day. NPS employees from across the country, some veterans themselves, in a variety of positions and stages of their career, spoke about their journey and experiences in wildland fire management.
NPS/K STONE
Sara spoke about the importance of the virtual career day for the success of the VFC program, “Opportunities like these are fantastic for not only the members of the Veterans Fire Corps but current National Park Service Wildland Fire Management staff as well. Our hope is to develop a true mentorship so they can feel comfortable having honest conversations now and, in the future, regardless of their career choice.”
In March, the crew was able to apply their training, spending time assisting Shenandoah National Park fire staff conduct a prescribed fire at the headquarters area and then doing the same later in the month at the Malvern Hill Unit of Richmond National Battlefield.
Shenandoah National Park assistant fire management officer, Derek Casbon shared, “The crew had a great optimistic attitude, they asked questions, they got lots of time doing saw work in preparation for our prescribed fire. This was their first prescribed fire, so seeing their reactions were great!” He added, “With their support we were able to go down to Richmond and complete another prescribed fire unit. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
NPS/M FAHERTY
In mid-April the crew headed to Cape Cod National Seashore to prepare two miles of emergency access roads for an upcoming prescribed fire. Access is critical on these roads for emergency services to access interior areas of the Seashore and serve as containment or ‘holding’ lines during a prescribed fire.
Interagency cooperation and teamwork are paramount for any successful prescribed fire, especially in the wildland urban interface with a mix of private and public land ownership. While at Cape Cod, the crew assisted the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) with a prescribed fire. The base is a 22,000-acre training area for the Army National Guard, Massachusetts Army National Guard; the 253rd Combat Communications Group, the 6th Space Warning Squadron, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Home to 37 state-listed species, some dependent on prescribed fire, JBCC is a valuable training ground and represents the largest tract of undeveloped land on the cape. Josh Nigro, a state firefighter from Massachusetts and U.S. Army veteran commented, “They were a true combat multiplier by helping JBCC burn almost 200 acres. They fit right into our operation seamlessly like they’d burned with us before.” He added, “As a fellow veteran, I always appreciate people going out of the way to give fellow veterans opportunities in fire and help them adjust and find purpose after their service in the military has ended.”
Thank you to the wildland fire staff of the Allegheny Fire Management Zone based at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve for their dedication to ensuring another successful season helping veterans transition back into civilian life and showing them career possibilities in wildland fire management.
VFC is administered by the Appalachian Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations.