Story ID: 
Aerial Firefighters Form Association
By: Mark Huber
Caption: United Aerial Firefighters Association has formed In Washington, D.C. to advocate for industry issues. 
Word Count: 223
A group of aerial firefighting companies has formed its own advocacy association in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) was founded at the end of 2022 to educate policymakers, legislators, and the public about issues regarding aerial wildland firefighting.
“With the growing national security threat that wildfires pose year in and year out, the entire aerial firefighting community wants to ensure that we are doing everything we can to provide the highest levels of service to the taxpaying citizens expecting better outcomes,” said John Gould, UAFA president and president and CEO of 10Tanker. UAFA “looks forward to partnering with federal, state and private entities who share the same concerns,” he added. 
UAFA membership is open to companies who own, lease, or operate airplanes, rotorcraft, or UAVs to deliver fire suppressants/retardants under contract with federal, state, or local entities, as well as companies who support the aerial firefighting industry with products and services. Free membership is available to related nonprofits and government agencies.  
Founding UAFA board members include Gould; Bart Brainerd of Firehawk Helicopters, UAFA v-p; Brett L'Esperance of Dauntless Air, secretary/treasurer; Tim Sheehy of Bridger Aerospace, director; and Jennifer Draughon of Neptune Aviation Services, director.