Don Simpson
The award presentation was a surprise to Jim and TJ. They were listed on the Commissioner's meeting agenda at 9AM for pre-season fire planning, but that was a ruse for the surprise award presentation. BLM Wyoming State Director Don Simpson came in from Cheyenne to present the awards. Photo by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
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Honored
L to R: Jim Mitchell-Sublette County Emergency Management Coordinator, TJ Hunt-Sublette County Fire Warden, and Don Simpson-BLM Wyoming State Director. Photo by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
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Awards
Jim Mitchell and TJ Hunt were recognized as National Wildland Fire Safety Award runners-up for their commitment to safety during the 2012 fire season and Fontenelle wildfire west of Big Piney. This is the first time this prestigious award has been given to anyone outside of the BLM. Photo by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
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TJ Hunt, Jim Mitchell recognized by BLM for Wildland Fire Safety
by Bureau of Land Management
May 7, 2013
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recognized Sublette County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Mitchell and Daniel Fire Warden T.J. Hunt as National Wildland Fire Safety Award runners-up for their commitment to safety during the 2012 fire season and Fontenelle wildfire west of Big Piney, Wyoming, at the Sublette County Commissioner’s meeting in Pinedale on Tuesday, May 7th.
BLM Wyoming State Director Don Simpson presented the awards and remarked, "This safety award has existed for many years and this is the first time it has ever been given to a non-BLM employee. That’s a big deal and it says a lot about the tremendous job these men did."
Mitchell and Hunt were honored for their support and contributions to wildland firefighter safety and wildfire preparedness in Sublette County, Wyoming. The county had not experienced a large fire in over a decade; however, extreme drought conditions increased the likelihood by the summer of 2012. Mitchell and Hunt initiated a pre-season field tour and discussion between the BLM, Forest Service, local fire management personnel, and operators and managers of the LaBarge oil and gas field to identify critical needs and hazards and to develop response scenarios in the event of a wildfire.
In June 2012, lightning ignited the Fontenelle fire on Forest Service lands immediately upwind of the LaBarge oil and gas field. The fire soon encroached on the field and, within a week, entered major areas of production. Almost 1,000 wells and associated pipeline were shut down and nearby helium production was interrupted.
During this incident, Mitchell and Hunt remained on-site and coordinated with the incident management teams. Mitchell worked with the Sublette County Sheriff’s Department to manage public access and, when the fire threatened homes, Hunt negotiated with neighboring counties for structure protection equipment to supplement resources left short due to other fires in the region.
Mitchell has been the Sublette County emergency management coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security since 2011. Prior to joining Sublette County, he was a peace officer in Sweetwater County, Wyoming for ten years.
Hunt has been the fire warden of the Daniel, Wyoming, volunteer fire department for five years. Previously, he served as deputy warden for 10 years and has been involved with the department for a total of 26 years.
"We recognize individuals and groups that help our organization learn, grow and become more resilient. Mitchell and Hunt demonstrated leadership abilities and commitment to safety by being proactive in wildland fire preparedness, by being key cooperator to incident management teams and by ensuring firefighter public safety," stated Timothy Murphy, BLM Fire Director. "Their support and contribution to the wildland fire community before and during the Fontenelle fire deserves special recognition."
The BLM’s National Wildland Fire Safety Award is presented each year for outstanding leadership and service in wildland fire safety.
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Editor’s Note: T.J. Hunt is the Sublette County Fire Warden and a member of the Daniel Volunteer Fire Company.
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