The 1995 Federal Fire Policy is still generally sound and appropriate. The fire hazard situation in the Wildland Urban Interface is more complex and extensive than understood in 1995. Changes and additions to the 1995 Federal Fire Policy are needed to address important issues of ecosystem sustainability, science, education, communication, and to provide for adequate program evaluation. Implementation of the 1995 Federal Fire Policy has been incomplete, particularly in the quality of planning and in interagency and interdisciplinary matters. Emphasis on program management, implementation, oversight, leadership, and evaluation at senior levels of all federal agencies is critical for successful implementation of the 2001 Federal Wildland Fire Management.
Accreditation is essentially an evaluation and planning process.
It helps you identify what you should be striving to achieve, where you are in the continuum to achieving your own established outcomes, and helps you plan to achieve those goals over time. In reflecting upon our process, I believe that accreditation has its place. There are some that would never achieve accreditation, nor should they have to. However, for those who want to improve their organizations in a continually developing process, it provides you that opportunity. Well, coordination of finances, operations, community needs, projects and expectations was the paramount consideration.