Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experience (CORE) Wildland Fire Training Crews

Background
The National Park Service (NPS) manages wildland fire to protect the public, communities, and infrastructure, and to restore and maintain ecological health. The NPS manages fire based on the best scientific information and monitors programs to ensure that objectives are being met. NPS wildland fire managers work in coordination with other natural and resource disciplines and interagency partners to ensure that park resources and values are preserved, protected, and enhanced through appropriate responses to wildfire and the application of fuels treatments. The NPS Wildland Fire Management Program is dedicated to safety, science, and resource stewardship. At the core of the NPS fire management program is a dedicated workforce that is passionate about the NPS and its mission. To ensure continued recruitment and retention of a talented and diverse workforce, the NPS is seeking to expand its use of women’s, veterans, and youth fire crews.

Grant Details
The Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experience Crews (CORE Crews) are wildland fire training crews comprised of women, veterans, or youth. CORE crews offer participants job experience and wildland fire specific training that serves as a developmental opportunity for participants and an opportunity for parks build relationships with the next generation of fire managers.

The CORE crews’ goal is to engage with women, veterans, and youth to begin development of the next generation of the wildland firefighters, managers and scientists contributing to the mission of the NPS wildland fire program by offering relevant work experience. The CORE Crew program seeks to offer basic training, knowledge and experience that will inspire interest in future career opportunities for participants while working to support the NPS wildland fire mission.

CORE crewmembers will work with trained professional fire staff with the NPS and gain on-the-job skills and experience. They will also be coached and mentored in wildland fire and NPS operations. Job experience will vary and include a wide array of activities such as work on fuels management projects, wildfire preparedness activities, fire effects monitoring, and potentially wildfire suppression.

Eligibility Requirements
This funding opportunity is limited to non-profit applicants who are Section 501(c)(3) compliant, state governments, and federally recognized Tribal governments. Non-profit organizations must be Section 501(c)(3) compliant according to IRS regulations. Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) including a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Period of Performance
Agreement terms for funded projects could range between one and five years.

Master Cooperative Agreements may have a maximum period of performance for up to five (5) years if selected. Task agreements awarded under the Master Cooperative Agreements may have a period of performance up to five (5) years.

Grant Value
Awards selected under this announcement are $0 Master Cooperative Agreements.

Subsequent funded Task Agreements will be determined once final fiscal year (FY) appropriations have been made. Funding provided under this NOFO will be provided through the issuance of subsequent Task Agreements based on individual program goals and funding made available through annual appropriations.