Wildland firefighting?

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
1,864
Well this goes out to anybody that has been or is a wildland firefighter.

I'm in the process of looking for a job (well summer job) as a wildland firefighter. I have almost 2 years experience doing tree removals (everything from trims to lot clears by hand), as well as about 2 years worth of school. I'm going to a training course in a few weeks to get my "red card," which supposedly basically says I know enough to not know anything and can qualify for a position as a trainee.

So, basically, would you guys have any advice, particularly on how to actually get a position, and where to go? I've found a number of online resources, including http://www.firejobs.doi.gov/ and http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin/?page=fire but as always firsthand knowledge holds particular value. And of course, any tips on after I get a position are welcome.
 
Oregon.. If you can get on with an Oregon Team you'll make more money in 6 months than most people make all year.

BLM has some good crews.. There are also private "Environmental" Companies that do Wildland.. You may find it hard to get hired with this being your rookie year. Check firehouse.com as well..

Good luck, I'll see ya on the line this year if you come up to Washington.
 
Good money for the BLM in Oregon, huh? I'll keep that in mind ;)

I just hope I can get all this red tape figured out, and also where to apply. There are about umpteen different ways to try to get into this! Right now I'm getting my stuff together for the FIRES web site and also for Avue. There is just so much paper work to do its rediculous... and of course one of my transcripts from a community college is lost in the mail now!

But anyways, if I can wrap this all up and find a position, I'll be very excited. I've been missing my old life of outside all day every day that I had doing tree work; and thats not an exaggeration, 10-16 hour days 6 days a week. Wildland fires should be even more intense and exciting from what I've heard!
 
Buck268 said:
Good money for the BLM in Oregon, huh? I'll keep that in mind ;)

I just hope I can get all this red tape figured out, and also where to apply. There are about umpteen different ways to try to get into this! Right now I'm getting my stuff together for the FIRES web site and also for Avue. There is just so much paper work to do its rediculous... and of course one of my transcripts from a community college is lost in the mail now!

But anyways, if I can wrap this all up and find a position, I'll be very excited. I've been missing my old life of outside all day every day that I had doing tree work; and thats not an exaggeration, 10-16 hour days 6 days a week. Wildland fires should be even more intense and exciting from what I've heard!
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intense is a good way to descibe it. Better way to describe it. Well here it goes anywhere from 4hrs to god knows how many hours of nothing but adrenaline powered firefighting. Getting burned from falling embers and sweating your ass of in the hot wildland gear. Your completely black from soot and your lungs hurt like hell. Gatorade is like a gift from the gods and any meal is better than a steak on a normal day. About the time you think your gonna give out you rehab for a while and restart. You pick the ash out of your nose and cough it up for a week. Dont let this discourage you it is a true blast. Also invest in a good large camelpack it is a a lifesaver.
 
Water is the numer one thing. Remember to hydrate constantly. When I get called out to wildland fires the first thing I grab beside my gear is a camelback and a Sog seal 2000 (semi sheeple friendly). At times the Sog and camelback are worth more than my gear. If I am goining deep into the bush without any support I carry a coranado razor tooth saw, a fiscars hatchet or axe, extra water bladder, a MRE, PSK, GPS, ontario machete, Surefire flashlight, a bunch of paracord, a topo map of the area if I got it, a Sog Tigershark and a CS trailmaster, and a few other things that are slipping my mind. I also always carry a Sig 229 in 357 Sig since I have a CCL. I carry all this in a assualt pack with built in camelback hydration bladder.
 
I'm cautious about bringing/carrying a big knive, as I don't want to be the idiot noob. But you definately recommend bring one to leave in my gear, huh? All I have is a usmc Ka-bar in that area, might just leave it home. But definately the camel back, or at least some type of hydration system?

Also, as a rookie, what type of boots should I consider? I have a cheap pair of Cabela's woodman work boots, a old beat to shit pair of cabela's something or other work boots with rubber 'armor' on the toe and heel, but they are kinda falling apart. I was thinking middle-of-the-road danner quarry's or something for the first season.

Of course, this is assuming I can get a job. And I would think I could talk ot whoever hires me on as to what gear I should have.
 
tnmike said:
Boots have to be approved Kevlar thread fire boots
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Yes and No. I get away with wearing U.S. issue combat boots all the time. They are cheap at the surplus store and I have a tendancy to melt the soles some. So cheap is good if you replace them often ( every 3-6 months). It depending on who is watching you will let you know what you can get away with.
 
Hey Buck for boots look to White's or Nick's . The cost will be about $350.00 but they will last for years. Get the red dot sole. Links to follow.

Like has been said before if you want a taste of wildland firefighting sit in the fire place in your gear. Eat a day old sandwich that you first role in ashes and wash it down with 2oz of hot water. Have someone throw sand on you and play a tape of a bulldozer at full volume. Then hike 10 miles carrying 75lbs of stuff, sleep on the concrete in the middle of a busy parking lot using just a sheet that has been sprayed with diesel, get up at 0:dark30 and eat raw bacon and charcoled eggs. Ride home in the back of a dump truck full of hobos. Take a shower, sleep for two days and do it over again. Life is good.

I only work a few days a year on fires, falling trees. It's a young man's game. Good luck!


http://whitesboots.com/
http://www.nicksboots.com/
http://www.firecache.com/
 
You might have an easier time getting hired if you have EMT-B training. I got my EMT-B at the local community college, just one one-semester class, about $900.
 
2dogs said:
Hey Buck for boots look to White's or Nick's . The cost will be about $350.00 but they will last for years. Get the red dot sole. Links to follow.

Like has been said before if you want a taste of wildland firefighting sit in the fire place in your gear. Eat a day old sandwich that you first role in ashes and wash it down with 2oz of hot water. Have someone throw sand on you and play a tape of a bulldozer at full volume. Then hike 10 miles carrying 75lbs of stuff, sleep on the concrete in the middle of a busy parking lot using just a sheet that has been sprayed with diesel, get up at 0:dark30 and eat raw bacon and charcoled eggs. Ride home in the back of a dump truck full of hobos. Take a shower, sleep for two days and do it over again. Life is good.

I only work a few days a year on fires, falling trees. It's a young man's game. Good luck!


http://whitesboots.com/
http://www.nicksboots.com/
http://www.firecache.com/
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I agree with you on the boot issue. They may be pricey but they are worth it from what Ive heard. While I don't yet own a pair I plan on getting some in the near future. I just got off of a P-Burn (Prescribed Burn) today and my flat feet are killing me. On the suject of boots, they DO have to be fire rated and approved, especially if you are going to work for the USFS. Also Don't get boots with a steel shank or toe, the steel tends to heat up and stay hot. If you should get a job with the USFS they will probably send you to a wildland FF school. They should also supply you with your Nomex and some type of web gear. A camelback is not a bad idea. And one last bit of advice don't leave home without your Fire Shelter and Hanky.
 
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