I would suggest to you that just such an opportunity has again arisen in the form of the 71 active forest fires currently raging in the province of Ontario (this plus the other 130 fires throughout Canada). There's nothing like the sooty faced young soldier fresh from the fire line with a toothy grin and look of relief on his face to get the public all fired up about the 'great work of the Reserve/Regular Army in our time of crisis'.

In approximately 2 days there will arrive approximately 500 well trained and motivated soldiers in Pet and the total plan consists of nothing more than an elaborate IBTS week of qualifications with a firepower demo thrown in for good measure. Seems like a hell of a labour pool of skilled bushmen to go to waste, Eh?

I've bounced this off a couple of 'staffers' and while the idea appears to have merit, it wasn't 'theirs' so it probably won't be considered seriously. If enough people think it has press value, training in adversity creates stronger bonds and everybody gets to fight the fires. We all win!

It's all been paid for...it's the same bureaus that control the funds...cut the toops loose on a mobilization of worth and watch the Press Corps come wading out in droves to cover the fires and 'our boys'.

I'm game...

Dileas Gu Brath

Ironically, in my last Army job, I was one of the guys that would be cringing at this suggestion right now. I was Staff Officer "No" for LFCA -- responsible for saying "no" to most people who asked for military assistance.

In my present life, I'm a consultant who helps clients get what they want by influencing the right people, the right way at the right time... yada yada. I'm a mix of PR/HR/Management consultant.

My thoughts:

Abandoning scheduled training to fight forest fires may create a short term tactical PR win. However, it may also create a long term strategic PR loss.

Additional, tactical issues also spring to mind. First of which is that our soldiers are not trained to fight fires. That, alone, may take the better part of a week -- and presto, even before they've had a chance to do anything productive on the fire line, we're pulling them out at ENDEX to leave the civilian firefighters holding the bag. An ugly photo op that is.

Or, we send them in as unskilled labour under the supervision of skilled firefighters. Might get them into the fray sooner, but do we really want to establish a "brand position" as "cheapest labour on the planet"??? That won't help us long term.

Far better, perhaps, to send them to Petawawa and concentrate on honing the expert skills that set them apart (and above?) firefighters: warfighting. This is still a "brand niche" that we own exclusively, even if we have tended to forget it.

Besides, fire fighting is a provincial responsibility and the provinces have ample resources to manage the situation.

A touch of PR Machiavelli: Forest fires generally tend to happen in (gasp *s*) forests. Far from the eyes of happy, thankful civilians. Floods, Ice Storms, Blizzards on the other hand tend to happen right in downtown mediaville. Far better PR bang for your buck than sending a bunch of guys into the woods, never to be seen again! *s*

[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Gunner ]

As far as I know, he did not actually request military assistance during the "Great Snow". He explored the possibility and sent of a "warning order" which prompted LFCA to pre-deploy regular troops to Downsview on standby. In fact, the regulars weren't required -- with the exception of a few Bison that were used as ambulances.

Toronto area reserve units, however, did launch some of their troops onto the streets to help with snow clearing. But, if I understand correctly, this action was officially a "local initiative" under the CO's perview to respond to an immediate and urgent requirement -- no doubt with the full support of the LFCA. Still, I expect that the costs of this reserve support was probably borne out of Unit Class A budgets -- and not costed back to the City, nor picked up by higher HQ.

As far as cost recovery goes in general... you're absolutely right Gunner. CF troops are the most expensive un-trained firefighters you could possibly find!

I appreciate your in-depth knowledge of the whys and wherefores of turning troops out without cost reparations/training/effective PR, et al and will take this information under advisement the next time I wish to point out what I thought was an obvious PAFFO dream come true (is there a smilie for being shot down in flames?).

I do however take some exception to your thoughts that the very few soldiers that actually showed up in Petawawa (I mean other than Brgade brass) were actually honing any skills at all (except getting up at Ostupid30 in the morning so that we couldn't set fire to the place). There were some very basic skill sets that were introduced and a decent mechanical range for C6 gunnery (damned difficult to see bullet splash at 400 meters without tracers,eh?) With the exception of an old WO past his prime having a heart attack during the assault boat races there wasn't much to write home Mom and Dad about.

Honing warcrafting skills...I don't think so.

Dileas Gu Brath

That said, what this means to me is that the Army needs to do a better job spending the money I, as a taxpayer, gave it to build and maintain a warfighting capability. I did not give the Army any money to fight forest fires.... I gave all that money to the Province, and it seems to be doing OK (read: nothing I own has burned down yet *s*)

2e

I was there and saw it from my aspect. I would like to hear it from you (in detail as to how it could be made better (there will be more guncamps but not in the next couple of years)).

Email me at home if you wish or spill it on the page (your call).

I want to assure you this is of professional interest to me and not a criticism of comments made by you previously. I appreciate you input and am interested in what you have to say.

Dileas Gu Brath

Jungle lanes: the QOR and the Tor Scot lanes were VERY different (even though I know that the tor scot one was supposed to be a famil before going to the QOR lane, so everybody would go through both. I ended up with the tor scot one)

The GD's...Some troops missed some good training due to that (i.e. rappelling and mock tower)

Now, the pairs live fire & movement was something really exciting, even though the FPO's were so safety concerned they took a lot of realism out of the job (i.e. do not crossfire on battlebuddy's target once u're close enough). The cliff rappel and the mock tower were two other highlights of the ex (for myself that is).