Bill Overview
Title: More Hasty Response to Firefighting Act of 2022
Description: This bill addresses initial responses to wildfires on certain public lands, including by authorizing certain persons to take aggressive action to put out such a fire and eliminating such a person's liability for that action.
Sponsors: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Target Audience
Population: People living near or owning property adjacent to public lands prone to wildfires
Estimated Size: 12000000
- Wildfires primarily affect communities near forests and grasslands, where the risk of fire can severely threaten human life and property.
- In many countries, especially in regions prone to wildfires like Australia, the US, and parts of Southern Europe, public lands susceptible to fires are close to residential areas where millions live.
- The act focuses on public lands, which in the US include national parks and forests that can be near towns and cities, potentially impacting a large population with preventive firefighting efforts.
- More rapid and aggressive firefighting response could affect not only those directly living near high-risk fire areas but also people in wider regions affected by smoke and environmental impact.
Reasoning
- The policy's primary impact is expected in regions prone to wildfires, such as the western United States.
- For individuals living near public lands, the policy may have a direct impact on their wellbeing by reducing fire risks to their homes and properties.
- For others, such as those indirectly affected by environmental factors like smoke, the policy might also improve general air quality, thus enhancing overall health and wellbeing.
- People involved in industries related to public lands and fire management are directly affected by changes in liability and operational procedures.
- The budget constraints suggest that while the act could significantly impact many lives, it may not fully address all needs, especially in larger cities or areas beyond specified public lands.
- Recreational users and small business operators relying on forest visits could experience fewer disruptions, thus increasing their satisfaction and business predictability.
Simulated Interviews
Firefighter (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy has the potential to enable us to act quicker and on our judgment rather than waiting for approvals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Ranch Owner (Oregon)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been worried about fires every summer. Knowing there could be faster responses is a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Washington)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive, but I worry about potential ecological impacts of aggressive firefighting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tour Guide (Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This should keep our areas safer and ensure fewer closures due to fires.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Nevada)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means we won't live in fear every year. It's about peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
University Student (Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to focus on studies when there's always fear of bad air quality impacting our health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Insurance Agent (Montana)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lower claims, which might reduce insurance costs for everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Farmer (New Mexico)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every year there's a risk to my crops and livelihood from fires, so any improvement in response is welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
School Teacher (California)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Evacuations are disruptive to schooling, and better fire response could help continuity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Park Ranger (Utah)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing liability for quick action is crucial for my job. It allows for better, decisive action.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $220000000)
Year 2: $195000000 (Low: $175000000, High: $215000000)
Year 3: $190000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $210000000)
Year 5: $180000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $170000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $190000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $170000000)
Key Considerations
- Effectiveness of the policy is contingent on efficient execution and allocation of resources for firefighting.
- The scope of public lands affected by this act and the corresponding variance in regional response strategies.
- The act's legal framework facilitating liability elimination will need careful structuring to avoid misuse or litigation.