NFPA would like to thank the volunteer committee that helps to maintain the Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) Certification. As a part of the CWMS committee, volunteer members work with NFPA staff to create new exam items, modify existing items to improve performance, and perform cut score studies.
This important work helps ensure the reliability and validity of CWMS exam results. The hard work and dedication of the following individuals, along with the rest of the volunteer committee, is appreciated.
Kristin Garrison, CWMS
Fire, Fuels, and Watershed Manager
Colorado State Forest Service
Kristin has worked for over 20 years with the Colorado State Forest Service in various areas of forestry including forest management and restoration, wildfire mitigation planning and implementation, wildland fire management, insect and disease diagnosis, and post-fire rehabilitation. In her current position she administers statewide fire mitigation, fuels and watershed management programs, coordinates with state and federal partners on cooperative fire programs, and administers federal grant funding for mitigation efforts. Kristin has a bachelor of science degree in forest management from Colorado State University.
Jerry McAdams, CWMS
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Boise Fire Department
Jerry McAdams is a senior captain and wildfire mitigation specialist for the Boise Fire Department in Boise, Idaho, with 18+ years of experience in the fire service, both in operations and prevention. Jerry has served on the board of directors for the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF), is an experienced fire investigator, and holds certifications as a Fire Inspector I, II and Fire Plans Examiner. Jerry started MC Fire, LLC and provides professional services for wildfire mitigation, fire investigation and code issues. He is an instructor for the NFPA’s Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire (ASIP) course. He has a passion for collaboration and helping create more fire adapted and resilient communities.
Chris Rea
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Lake Travis Fire Rescue
Chris Rea is the wildfire mitigation specialist for Lake Travis Fire Rescue located northwest of Austin, Texas. He enjoys working with homeowners to identify wildfire-related vulnerabilities to homes, to find cost effective retrofit solutions to prevent home ignition, and to help create defensible space zones around homes. Before coming to Lake Travis Fire Rescue, Chris worked as a wildfire mitigation specialist for Boulder County and the Wildfire Partners Program in Colorado, as a forest technician for the U.S. Forest Service in southern Arkansas; as a service forester and wildland firefighter for the North Carolina Forest Service; and as an assistant district forester and wildland firefighter for the Wyoming State Forestry Division.
Andrew Tate, CWMS
Wildfire Prevention and Fuels Reduction Program Manager
Wildfire Division, State of Washington Department of Natural Resources
Andrew Tate has been involved with wildland fire prevention, education, and mitigation for over 10 years. He is currently a program manager for the wildfire division of the Washington Department of Natural Resources. He administers and coordinates non-regulatory prevention and associated landowner and resident education, along with federal grants for hazardous fuels reduction treatments.
Jill Welle, CWMS
Senior Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Douglas County Building Division
Jill Welle received her undergraduate degree in natural resources management from Colorado State University in 1991 and her master’s degree in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver in 1998. She spent over five years with the United States Forest Service in northern California working mostly in timber sale administration and timber sale preparation where she managed complex multi-product timber sales. Jill has worked in wildfire mitigation at Douglas County since 1998. She has worked collaboratively to grow the wildfire mitigation program from a regulation based program associated with building permits to encompass zoning regulation, public education and outreach, collaborative partnerships, and forest stewardship on publicly owned properties serving the citizens of Douglas County, Colorado. She has worked with community wildfire protection plans (CWPP) on all levels; she works closely with representatives from fire protection districts and the Colorado State Forest Service.