Frequently Asked Questions

• Community Wildfire Mitigation - including Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and Haz Fuels Mitigation Plans

• Wildfire Risk Assessments using the latest fire science and 20+ years of on the ground fire experience

• Parcel and Subdivision Wildfire Mitigation - including Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code technical reports and reviews

• Wildland Fire Training for Fire Departments (non-NWCG)

• Prescribed Fire Planning, Training, and Implementation

I'm coming up on 30 years of public safety experience: law enforcement, EMS, SAR, Disaster Response, Emergency Management, Incident Management Team work, with 22 years in Fire, most of that with the USFS in Wildland Fire Management. In wildland fire I have done everything except fly aircraft, jump out of aircraft, and drive bulldozers.

Handcrews? Yep. Engines? LOTS. Dispatch/Coordination? 4 years in a BUSY ECC, with assignments to South Ops GACC. Fuels/Rx Fire? For years, including as a Burn Boss and teaching/mentoring up & coming Burn Bosses/Firing Bosses. Prevention/Investigation/Mitigation & Outreach? LOADS of experience in high-complexity Forests (Sequoia in CA, Malheur in OR) and this continues to be a main focus for me post-agency.

With all this training and experience, along with US Dept of Labor designation as a Wildland Fire Specialist (having graduated the National Interagency Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program 15 years ago), and graduation from NIMO's Field Command School program, I meet NFPA 1140/1051 standards & requirements for Wildland Firefighter 1&2, Wildland Fire Officer 1&2, WUI Protection Specialist, and WUI Coordinator.

I'm based in the Southeast Ozarks of Missouri and work on an international basis - yes I've delivered and presented materials, talks, and workshops nationally and abroad. Travel and per-diem costs will be required for any job exceeding 2 hours' travel one-way. Under 2 hours' travel will be negotiated.

"How people think (or don't)" is an interesting field, especially applied to public safety, where decisions can be split-second and have real life or death consequences. This is a journey of learning I've been on since starting with the Forest Service, thanks to some great mentors in the field of what I would call "applied incident psychology". I don't purport to be a psychologist or clinician; you could call me an "interested, self- and informally-educated party with relevant experience" who wants to share my insights and observations, and use them in a productive way in my own endeavors. I read, listen, and incorporate everything I can about human cognition and performance (especially under stress/pressure) into my work, coaching/teaching, and eventually writing. Influences include Jeff Cooper, Dave Grossman, and John Boyd along with Malcolm Gladwell, Laurence Gonzalez, and (surprise!) Brene Brown.

The short answer is: IT DEPENDS.

When you enter into a contract with Grounded Truths LLC, we will identify the scope of work to be done and whether - due to specialized needs, skills, equipment, etc., or just the amount of work - subcontractors are appropriate and authorized.

If we determine the use of subcontractors is allowed, the "guardrails" on hiring and use of subcontractors will be written into the contract. Within those guardrails, however, Grounded Truths LLC reserves the right to select, hire, and terminate subcontractors.

Unless other arrangements are made as part of the client onboarding/contracting process, payment is due in full upon receipt of "completed product" (this could be a program, plan, project, or successful conclusion of participation in an incident, event, or prescribed fire for just a few examples).
Invoices may be paid electronically via ACH or credit/debit card.