Russ Babiak, former fire management officer for the Boise District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has joined the NPS as a wildland fire training program manager at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Russ’ diverse career in fire began in 1994 and spans nearly 28 years with bureaus within the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service.
The early part of his career included time working with a hotshot crew, engines, and a wildland fire module. In the early 2000s his career shifted to fuels management, and he spent time working as a fuels assistant fire management officer and district fuels specialist for the NPS and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
In 2010, he moved to Boise, Idaho as an assistant wildland fire training specialist for the USFWS at NIFC. Since 2019, he has had the privilege of being a fire management officer for the BLM on the Boise District. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in mathematics from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in wildlife from the University of Arizona.
“Russ' experience as a fire management officer on a complex unit will bring fresh perspective to the NPS wildland fire training program," said Jim Shultz, Wildland Fire Operations program lead. “Russ also brings experience in training program management at the national level, familiarity with interagency peers and processes and importantly, a passion for developing our future wildland fire service professionals. I look forward to working with Russ as he steps into this critical position."
Russ and his wife, son, and daughter enjoy being together in the outdoors of Idaho and spend time with outdoor pursuits whenever possible. He began his new position on Jan. 1, 2023.
Tags: branch of wildland fire dfam wildland fire program wildland fire training
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
