News Release
NPS/C BOEHLE
News Release Date: July 22, 2022
Contact: Tina Boehle, 208-387-5875
William “Bill” Kaage is retiring at the end of July 2022 after 39 years with the federal government. He has served the past eight years as chief for the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Fire and Aviation.
Kaage began his federal career in 1983 as a firefighter on the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, progressing up the ranks until he became assistant fire management officer on the Powell District of the Clearwater National Forest. In 1994, he moved to Everglades National Park, in southern Florida, where he served as the park’s fire management officer.
He next moved to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in California as fire management officer. During his tenure, Kaage focused on building an integrated fire and fuels management program based on resource objectives, park goals and teamwork. From 2005-2009, Bill served as the deputy regional fire management officer for Operations in the Pacific West Region of the NPS.
In April 2009, Kaage moved to the national office in Boise, Idaho and served as the chief of the Branch of Wildland Fire. As branch chief, he led development of the updated Wildland Fire Strategic Plan, revision of the NPS Reference Manual 18, Wildland Fire Management, and was instrumental in workforce realignment due to reduced wildland fire funding levels. In the interagency arena, Bill represented the National Park Service on several national groups including the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, National Multi-agency Coordinating Group, and Wildland Fire Executive Council.
As division chief of Fire and Aviation, Kaage managed a portfolio that included the most complex aviation program in the Department of the Interior, an evolving structural fire program with increased collaboration across multiple NPS portfolios, and a wildland fire management program facing increasing complexities due to climate change and impacts upon the workforce.
When asked what he saw as his greatest points of pride over the course of his career, Kaage noted items from each park and office, but cited that he is most proud of having the privilege of “Managing and leading a wonderful workforce of women and men throughout my career.” He added that “Collaboration and partnerships are fundamental to all we do. Without strong relationships within and between organizations, we cannot be successful. In all things, we have to work together.”
In retirement, Kaage plans to continue to work on becoming a better person while serving others. It will involve more exercise, more social time with family and friends, more sleeping without an alarm clock setting his schedule, more leisure travel, and refinement of time spent setting vision or strategic planning.
If you would like to send a well wish for Bill in retirement, please use our Contact Us page.
Last updated: July 22, 2022