Last updated: November 8, 2023
Article
Allegheny Fire Management provides opportunities for Veteran Fire Corp
Kate Jones
Tom Wilson's path to wildland fire management is marked by his passion for service and a love of the outdoors. Inspired by the military background of his father, grandfather, and sister, he served in the U.S. Army as infantry and as an aviation operations specialist until 2020. During his time in service, he worked on a unit that responded to fires, but he did not consider fire management as a career path until chatting with a fellow veteran and Army buddy of his who suggested that wildland fire might be a perfect fit.
Tom's journey into the Veteran Fire Corps (VFC) began online. When he saw a VFC opportunity with the National Park Service (NPS), he was reminded of his childhood exploring the national parks system with his family and filling out the NPS passport book. Excited to combine his love of the outdoors with his passion for service, he applied for the position and was accepted into Interior Region 1’s inaugural VFC program. His hard work in that first veteran fire crew caught the eye of Thomas Fielden, the Allegheny Zone Fire Management Officer for NPS, who offered him a seasonal role. Tom spent the rest of that year fighting fires, receiving further training, and growing as a wildland firefighter.
Tom returned to work with NPS for a second VFC program, this time as a crew leader, where he enjoyed mentoring newcomers as they gained confidence and skills in wildland fire management. Tom worked closely with Allegheny Fire Management to deliver trainings and field work opportunities that would help maximize the learning experience for new fire crew members. As a result, veteran fire crew members had the chance to participate on two prescribed burns as well as respond to two separate wildfires. Following this year’s VFC program, Tom was selected for a career seasonal role with New River Gorge National Park and Preserve through an apprenticeship program, and he is excited to continue his career in wildland fire within NPS into the future.