Western Fire Chiefs Association’s Senior Policy Advisor, Bob Roper, Appointed to the
Biden-Harris Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission

July 25, 2022 (Wilsonville, OR) – The Western Fire Chiefs Association announces that its Senior
Policy Advisor, Bob Roper, has been appointed to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management
Commision (WFMMC). In this role, Roper and his colleagues will work collectively to form federal
policy recommendations and strategies on ways to better prevent, manage, suppress and recover
from wildfires, and provide recommendations for aerial firefighting equipment needs.

“The wildfire problem needs a fresh outlook as our environment is changing and we must project
solutions to future wildfire challenges,” comments Roper. “My goal is to raise awareness of the true
costs of wildfires and to create the out of the box thinking needed to meet future wildfires. I am
honored to be appointed considering the huge outpouring of qualified candidates and I am
dedicated to contributing to this noble effort.”

The WFMMC is part of the Department of Agriculture, the Interior and Homeland Security through
the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In his role with the WFMMC, Roper will focus on the
National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, working with colleagues to develop creative
strategies to address the current and future environment of wildland fires.

Roper’s extensive experience includes not only serving as Senior Policy Advisor for the WFCA, but
he also served on Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2003 Wildfire Blue Ribbon Commission. Prior to his
role with the WFCA, Roper was the Fire Chief for the Ventura County Fire Protection District. After
his Ventura County career, Roper became the Nevada State Forester (NDF) in 2015.

About the WFCA: The Western Fire Chiefs Association represents fire related emergency service organizations
throughout the west coast and Western Pacific Islands. The WFCA is dedicated to protecting
people and the environment from the occurrence and outcomes of fires and other natural,
technological and human-behavior-caused emergencies.