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Abstract
The work environment for a wildland firefighter on an incident is both physically and mentally demanding, and for some requires a high level of caloric intake from quality food sources provided by meal catering services. The aim of this study is to explore wildland firefighter perceptions of meal catering during wildfire incidents. We conducted seven, in-depth one-hour interviews with wildland firefighters with over four decades of wildland fire experience, during the months of May through June 2024. Exploratory qualitative findings from seven interviews revealed the following themes: greater need for dietary choices, negative and positive impacts on morale, a desire for guidance on portion control, the need for structured feedback mechanisms, and suggestions to use best available nutrition science for decisions on incident meal catering. This exploratory research addresses the need for a national study on current perceptions, experiences, and recommendations for the National Mobile Food Service contract and multiple Mobile Food Service Units that deploy to wildland fires.
Citation
Flores, David; De Vroome, Myrium; Caggiano, Michael. 2025. Nourishing wildland firefighters: Exploring perspectives on wildland fire incident catering. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-448. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 12 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-GTR-448.
