North Dakota State Wildfire Response Simulation Brings Practitioners and Students Together for Experiential Learning

Public-service leadership is often tested in moments of uncertainty, urgency, and collaboration. On February 7, 2026, students and practitioners from across North Dakota had the opportunity to experience those realities firsthand during a virtual interactive wildfire response simulation hosted by the North Dakota American Society for Public Administration (ND ASPA), in partnership with the University of North Dakota Master of Public Administration program (UND-MPA) and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

The simulation immersed participants in a rapidly evolving wildfire emergency scenario, requiring teams to navigate interagency coordination, stakeholder communication, and high-pressure policy decision-making. Participants assumed the roles of agency leaders, emergency responders, and community stakeholders tasked with balancing competing public interests while responding to a developing crisis.

A defining feature of the event was the active involvement of experienced public-service practitioners from across North Dakota. Representatives from the North Dakota Forest Service, fire chiefs from communities throughout the state, and local government leaders worked directly alongside students, sharing professional insights and modeling collaborative leadership in real time.

Among the practitioners participating was Sarah Hellekson, City Administrator for Jamestown and ND ASPA member, whose involvement reflected the organization’s commitment to connecting current and future public administrators through experiential learning opportunities.

Participants described the simulation as both realistic and impactful.

“It is realistic and pushes you to approach problems from multiple perspectives.” — Bill Ruelle

“This is an incredible asset to the future of North Dakota, from the smallest park board to the state legislature. Everyone can win with this program. It has taught me how to maintain the balance of who I am, and what I believe, and learn to work with others that have different thoughts. Everyone’s voice does matter in this simple simulation. We all have to give and take to achieve a win for the future of society.” — Brian Galvin, Chief, Goodrich Fire Department

“It’s good practice in balancing interests while working toward policy solutions.” — Marisa Sauceda, Legal Services North Dakota, Disaster Services Program

“It is enlightening and engaging.” — Troy Shockey

Feedback from participants reflected strong support for the experience. In a post-event survey, all respondents indicated they would recommend the simulation to others, with 70 percent saying they would definitely recommend it. Additionally, 85 percent of respondents rated the event as excellent or very good.

Beyond emergency response, the simulation emphasized core competencies central to modern public administration, including communication, collaborative leadership, negotiation, and strategic decision-making. Participants were challenged to work across organizational boundaries, adapt to rapidly changing conditions, and communicate effectively under pressure.

The February event also connected to a broader national initiative in experiential public-service education.

On March 14, 2026, UND’s MPA program and Department of Political Science and Public Administration hosted a regional wildfire simulation event as part of the NASPAA Student Simulation Competition. Winning regional teams advanced to the global round of competition, and one team participating through the UND-hosted site earned recognition as a regional winner.

The winning team included students from the University of North Dakota, the University of Oregon, the University of California–Irvine, the University of California–Riverside, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Rhode Island. The University of North Dakota was represented by Jessica Garkie, a student in the Master of Applied Economics and Predictive Analytics program.

The regional and state simulations demonstrated the value of experiential learning opportunities that bridge classroom instruction with the realities of public-service decision-making. Through collaborative problem-solving and scenario-based learning, students and practitioners alike gained valuable experience responding to complex governance and emergency-management challenges.

The events also reflect ND ASPA’s broader mission of strengthening public-service education and fostering connections among practitioners, students, and communities throughout the state. ND ASPA became North Dakota’s first state chapter of the American Society for Public Administration when it was officially chartered in July 2026 and continues to expand opportunities for professional development, networking, and collaborative learning across North Dakota.