NWSA Executive Director Debbie Miley has been an integral part of this organization since its inception. From a small conference room in Reno, Nevada in 1991, the first NWSA members elected Debbie to their Board of Directors. Her depth of fire industry experience – more than 26 years – has helped her guide the Association to the role they play today.
Debbie is committed to helping NWSA members grow in capacity and professionalism as emergency service providers by offering training and education opportunities for its members. As the head of the association, Debbie works tirelessly to help the public, agencies and legislators better understand and support the wildland fire contracting industry.
For more than a decade, Debbie and her husband Jim owned XL Hotshots, Inc., providing handcrews, engines, tenders and dozers to regional and national agencies. Upon retiring from the contracting industry, Debbie, who was already on the NWSA Board of Directors, was asked to serve as Executive Secretary and then Executive Director. She has been in those roles since 1997.