Comments on: How to Become a Wildland Firefighter

By: Tabatha

Tabatha — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:04:45 +0000

I recently met a firefighter who peaked my interest even more in firefighting. I had thought about it few years back and joined the Army in stead and now I want to do both. My main interest is in Wildland Firefighting. I just want to know what I should do to get started? What corses or schools are good? I have no problem work from the bottom up. I just need to know what to do and what I need to do in order to move up the chain quickly. Thanks again.

By: anthony murry

anthony murry — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:13:33 +0000

i need to know if you already finish complete your pack test is a chance i still can join without doing it again

By: randy

randy — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:43:16 +0000

i really need to know where in so cal i can get a job fighting wildfires? please help if you know how i can get started

By: Morgan

Morgan — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:03:47 +0000

TONY- Try either the US Forest Service or CAL FIRE for SO. CAL. hiring. Most are probably booked now but its worth a shot. Your best bet is to find the forests in So. Cal. you want to work in and call them and they can put you in touch with the right people. They get so many applications that with a face with the name or at least a call you will just get put at the bottom of the pile. So. Cal. is a happening place and they get a lot of applications. Hope is works out for you- it is awesome!

Be Safe!

By: tony

tony — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:36:41 +0000

i mean wildland fire fighter agencies

By: tony

tony — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:35:49 +0000

any one know of fire fighter job agencies in so cal?? I wanna apply.

By: N. Chrystine Olson

N. Chrystine Olson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:15:02 +0000

Eric is right. Age is not a hinderance as long as you are fit. Getting the pre-requisite training in Type 2 crews (engines, ground crews other then “Hot Shots). I know many school teachers who work fires in the summer, partly for the cash, partly because they are adrenaline junkies and enjoy the work.

Another good option for the aviation minded is a heli-tack crew. You are attached to a ship for the season doing everything involved in the water drops and support functions helicopters provide in wildland fire. Smoke jumping positions are highly sought after and the competition is fierce within both the Forest Service and BLM. Very few get a jumper slot right out of the gate. Don’t forget state forestry agencies; the California Division of Forestry hires fire crews each summer as do most other western states. If you are in forestry/resource school you can also get on pick-up crews as part of your curriculum, if your college/university offers the option.

Eric points out some important realities of pursuing this line of work. When the season isn’t jumping you’ll be doing other kinds of work. As an ecologist for the Forest Service, I enlisted hot shot crews and helitack to complete fencing projects, fisheries habitat restoration and other non-fire orientied jobs. Once the call goes out though, you’ll be on the line. Remember you’ll be gone for extended periods of time….sometimes months. Significant others need to know this (this includes your four pawed family).

One other perk of seasonal firefighting work is the schedule. Unless you are “full time” with an appointment, you’ll be working just a portion of the year. If the hazard pay and overtime are good, that gives you a block of time and a pretty fat bankroll for traveling. Fire fighter friends in California go to Baja for a few months every year once they hang up their Whites and put the red pack away for the season.

An interesting international note: Russia hires 10 times the smoke jumpoers as the U.S….somewhere in the number of 5000 . A close friend of mine was the first ever female smokejumper in the US Forest Service. She rose in the agency to become an international liason, working overseas and bringing firefighters from their country over here. Good luck to anyone trying to break into the fray. I still have lots of contacts in the agencies, so if you need some assistance send me a message through the Matador network.

Cheers,
Chrysser

By: Eric Warren

Eric Warren — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:15:15 +0000

Sorry this reply is so late!
Chris,
The AVUE Digital Services website is the only place to get an application to any wildland firefighting job run by the US Forest Service. The website is large and cumbersome, but once you fill out the forms you will be in the pool. Here’s the website again:
https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html

Ethan and Herbert,
Ethan, you are on the right track. Most smoke-jumpers start on regular fire crews getting valuable experience before trying to go for the type 1 fire card. Learn everything you can, then try out for smoke jumper. The competition is fierce, but well worth it in the end. If being 43 is a concern for you Herbert, don’t worry. I didn’t run into any age restrictions in researching this story. If you’re in good physical shape and have a flexible enough schedule, get on a regular fire crew. After that, sky’s the limit.

Good luck,
Eric

By: herbert reyes

herbert reyes — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:50:09 +0000

I have been interested in becoming a smoke jumper for quite some time, a few years to be exact, but I have no fire experience, what do i need to do in order to accomplish this lifelong goal of mine. I am a high school teacher/baseball/wrestling coach i am 43 years old, in pretty good physical shape.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:22:48 +0000

I’ve been doing a lot of research on smoker jumping and hotshoting. I am very interested in doing these things. I am about to become a firefighter here in alabama. I hope eventually to get out west and become a smoke jumper. I would like any information anyone can give me. Thanks.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:57:56 +0000

i am very interrested in becoming a smoke jumper. i need to know where i can get a application for the job.