Wildland Fire Jobs

[@ZqueenB831]

I’m new this season, I love your videos you’ve taught me so much! Thankyou, it’s nice having a woman’s perspective. I do have a question hopefully you see this, I’m currently looking for my red bag. What brand is yours and how many liters? We are told to get one 75L minimum but I’m thinking I’ll need closer to 100L and I like how large yours is and how the zipper is so large so removing my tent and larger stuff would be that much more convenient. Thankyou for doing what you do! 🙂💪

[@wildlandfirefit]

Hey Brandi! Oh I am so glad to hear that!! The bag I have is an old one, it's an FSS bag. I did a quick google search and there is one on ebay for about $70.00. There is this one that I think would be just as good www.fire-etc.com/out-of-county-bag/ and not something you have to buy off ebay.

[@ericturner4850]

my plan is to do wildland firefighting when im 18 in the summer and then im going to apply for a spot as a city firefighter, after ive gone to my fire school in western ontario

[@missingtooth9558]

i need help. Im 17 and looking to get into wildland firefighting but I don't know how to apply or how to meet with people about getting a job as a wildland firefighter or what I need to do in order to become one. Can you help me out? i understand if not i just figured id ask.

[@wildlandfirefit]

Hey there! Because of your comment, tomorrow's video is on how to apply for wildland fireifghting! :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJKzomuan7enlZY

[@missingtooth9558]

@@wildlandfirefit Oh my gosh thank you so much i really appreciate all the help. Thank you for helping me try and become a wildland firefighter because it looks like the coolest job

[@wildlandfirefit]

@@missingtooth9558 Of course! That's the whole intent of this channel. If you have questions or need more info on a topic, let me know!

[@isaacguenther3523]

Would you say that the pay and benefits offered to firefighters by state agencies are better than those,say, offered to a Type 1 IHC crew at the federal levels? I’ve read conflicting statements.

[@noahsuess2806]

Depends on the state. In California where i used to live, Cal Fire made better money, had a better union and had better everything all around. Some people preferred the culture of the Feds over the state even if the compensation wasn’t as good. In Montana where I live now, the Feds pay better than the state does.

[@Kutmaini]

Question, which one is good for a beginner?

[@wildlandfirefit]

I would recommend an engine crew or hand crew. You could apply for a helitack crew but some of them may want you to have a least 1 season of experience before they'd hire you on.

[@coolscout09]

I’m wanting to spend my summer getting in shape to get red card certified in type 2 then go straight into type 1 certification because I wanna work on a hotshot crew for federal. Do you have any suggestions on how to get into shape for hotshot over hand crew?

[@kamrenstaples]

I know that through the NFS they allow up to 20% of a type 1 crew to be first year wildland firefighters. What do you think my odds are for getting on right after high school onto a hotshot crew. I am in really good shape obviously, I have done a lot of backpacking, long distance running, weightlifting. I know I can crush the really low standards (I say low because to become a hotshot it isn’t about meeting the standards, you must exceed the standards) that are in place for hotshots, the push ups, sit ups, pull ups, 1.5 mile run, and ofc the pack test which is required to get a red card. Sadly, I don’t have any of my qualifications for wildland firefighting yet. Just wondering if it’s feasible or if you’ve heard of people kinda “walking on” to a hotshot crew? Love your content!

[@wildlandfirefit]

Hey there Kam! I think if you really want to go out for the shots then you should totally apply. I would highly recommend talking to someone on the crew you are wanting to apply for so that way they already know your name when they are going through the applicants and they can give you more of an idea if you have a shot at getting hired as a first year. I would also recommend applying for a hand crew or some other crew incase you don't get picked up with the shots. The worst they are going to say is no and then you apply next year when you have a season under your belt and then they will see that you applied the previous year and are serious about wanting to be on their crew. You can show initiative by calling them to ask questions, check on your package status, etc... people think they are being annoying or bugging them if they call to check in but I have ALWAYS been told by hiring personnel that you aren't bugging them or being annoying at all. They get a lot of applicants and it is a way for you to stand out a little bit and get your name into the right people's hands. I'm glad you are good on the physical aspect how are you on the mental side? Being on the shots is going to be demanding and you are going to be gone a lot (depending on the fire season of course)! Which means potential burn out by the end of the season. I just want you to have a good idea of what you'll be getting into. The better prepared you are the more resiliency you'll have when the time comes for it. Thank you so much for your comment and I really hope this helps!!

[@kamrenstaples]

@@wildlandfirefit That's something most people don't plan for. They prepare physically and have this huge stature, but rarely do they prepare their mind. I have done extensive farm work for 12-14 hours a day in the blazing sun since I was 13. I have also worked a couple of 17-18 hour shifts in fast food. Yes those are much different than waking up in a tent after 4 hours of sleep, to go work on the fire line for up to 24 straight, just to head back to the same tent, or even better, spike out for the night, just to get the same 4 hours night of sleep. A lot of people see the glory when it comes to wildland firefighting but they don't see the hundreds of hours of hard work. I trained extremely hard for special operations in the military but was just medically disqualified from all departments of defense and the department of homeland security. Different story for another day. The closest I think I can get to special operations in the civilian world is through wildland firefighting. I am hoping to become a smokejumper one day as Air Force Pararescuemen are based off of smokejumpers and that was my whole goal. I actually know a superintendent of a HotShot crew, but have been finding the answers to all my questions online through my extensive research so that I can ask him the best of the best questions. I do not want to be every other kid that watches "only the brave" once or twice and thinks they have what it takes to become a hotshot. I think I have a decent resume. I played extensive sports a throughout highschool so I know what it's like to be a part of a team. I became an Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America before my 14th birthday so I'd like to think I know a thing or two about leadership. I have also worked 1-4 jobs ever since I was 13 years old, I love hard work, it's satisfying. I have done tons of backpacking including a 200 mile trek in 10 days. I have run half marathons, lots of triathlons, tons of regular hikes, and I love the outdoors. I have a decent amount of basic first aid that I feel like the average person doesn't know, splints, proper tourniquet usage, treating for shock, obviously cpr, how to properly use an AED, and I have an epipen which I know how to properly use on myself and others. I feel like I have a lot of little things that would help me standout. Thank you for your informative and detailed response. Is there anything else you would recommend for me? I like being the idiot in the room and will absorb any information you care to share with me like a sponge.

[@wildlandfirefit]

@@kamrenstaples Wow!! You are the ideal candidate for a fire crew. Any crew would be very lucky to have you on it. Please let me know what crews you apply for and which ones pick you up!! I can't think of anything else to recommend, but If you think of any questions that you have just write me and I'll answer the best I can. Good luck!!!

[@KWMiller945]

It's going to be really rare that you're picked up as a first year. For one we don't like to put people through initial training. Once the seasonals show up we're starting into critical 80 training which is a kind of a refresher training shot crews do and there's no time. Our fitness standards are based more on whether you can make it through critical 80 than the generic hotshot fitness test which was a joke. We actually quit doing it because it was a waste of time and we filled that time with other creative tortures. If you're really looking to get on a hotshot crew for your first year which honestly I don't recommend, you should be looking more in region 5 of the Forest Service which is California. There's enough turnover there and competition with other agencies that it's where I've heard of the most people being rookies to fire on shot crews. We're based out of region 2 which is Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota and we have more experienced applicants than jobs available making it tough to compete in the applicant pool if you don't have experience. For example I'm expecting this year's list to have around 500 applicants and we'll be pulling 5 to 6 off of it. There's a lot of crossover between the applicants and the other crews in the region but basically you could expect the other 4 crews to be hiring around 5 as well. Another issue you're going to run into with Forest Service hotshot crews is positions start at gs-4 instead of the typical new to fire gs-3 which will make it hard to qualify out of the gate. The DOI agencies, NPS, BLM, BIA all have shot crews, though not as many and they have gs-3 positions. Our application period is closed this year already but if you want to stay current on regional hiring dates I try to post hiring information on our crew page which you can find under Wyoming Interagency Hotshots on FB or Wyoming_Hotshots on IG.

[@BreakingWildGaming]

@@KWMiller945 Great info and advice. Being fit, while being hugely important, is still only a fraction of what any specialist crew is looking for. Fireline work is unlike any other type of job. Kam, wherever you apply, remember, you are the new kid on the block. Show up, do the work, be humble, respect others, have a good sense of humour, expect and accept change as the fire is a dynamic environment and of course, listen. I'm in Australia, but the game is the same. Enthusiasm does not beat experience and knowledge.

[@Patrick-uu5xg]

What do you know about going out as a signal resource sawyer? Thanks

[@wildlandfirefit]

I don't know much about it. Does anyone in the chat have any insight?!

[@adamw2030]

Do you know around what time job offers are typically made? I applied for about 15 hand crew positions in early December in CO

[@wildlandfirefit]

Typically the application window is Oct-Dec/Jan and the hiring window is January- March

[@jacobshields6942]

Do all wildland firefighters work for blm or how does that work

[@wildlandfirefit]

No, there are federal, state and contact jobs available. Just depends on who you want to work for

[@PlayaSzn]

How do you get on a hotshot crew any tips ?

[@itsyaboimat2393]

There's a company in Alaska that will train you to be a hotshot it's called High Stat

[@rbdmichaelz4856]

How do I become a helitech crew member

[@wildlandfirefit]

I have a free guide that walks you how to apply for fire mailchi.mp/305a43c8971d/ronni-ocampo-wildland-fire

[@mattnwells]

I'm curious if you know anything about dispatch jobs? I'm 39 so it seems like its unlikely I could get a job on line but I've read that occasionally dispatchers are allowed to go out on a roll as well? I have a Masters Degree in Public Administration (I wrote my thesis on the political challenges of fire management in California) and I'm also in the process of getting my red card through a prescribed burn non-profit. Other than that I don't have experience! I really just want an exciting job in land management where I can do something meaningful!

[@wildlandfirefit]

Hey Matt you can still get a job on the line if you are 39! As long as you can pass a pack test there is no age limit. I don't have personal experience applying for dispatch however I'm sure there is just a specific code they use on USAJOBS and you can just submit your resume and application there. I am uploading a video soon on the whole process which may help.

[@mattnwells]

@@wildlandfirefit Awesome, pack test would be no problem. I'll keep an eye out for your video!

[@noahsuess2806]

@@mattnwells The only issue as far as working for federal agencies would come into play if you wanted to make a second career out of it is, in order to get a permanent job you have to be 37 or younger, or would be 37 or younger after you subtract your cumulative wildland fire experience. Other organizations might not have those requirements. With the temp seasonal jobs, you don’t have to worry about that though.

[@BreakingWildGaming]

39 is still young. I'm 52 and i'm still jumping out of helicopters, hiking remote mountains and fighting fire with hand tools. If you are fit and healthy, and you want to have a go at the front line fire stuff, then I say give it a go. Do what you can while your body lets you. When the knees start to fail or you aren't enjoying the smoke, then you can transfer your knowledge and understanding of fire to despatch or Incident Control jobs.