These duties include serving as a firefighter or engine operator during prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities; conducting regular maintenance and repairs on various equipment such as fire engines, tractors, mowers, chain saws, and hand tools; serving as a crew member during fire break preparation which
How are wildland firefighters different from normal firefighters?
Most firefighters begin as handcrews, hotshots, or engines Wildland firefighters are often away from home, without days off, for 14+ days at a time Wildland firefighters do not work regular schedules of 8 hour days but are often asked to work 16+ hours a day when on a fire or an assignment
What do wildland firefighters do in the off season?
During the off-season, wildland firefighters may still work full-time as firefighters However, seasonal wildland firefighters work during the fire season and may collect unemployment, travel, work other jobs, or further their education during the off-season
Do wildland firefighters make good money?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $155,000 and as low as $17,500, the majority of Seasonal Wildland Firefighter salaries currently range between $26,000 (25th percentile) to $52,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $122,500 annually across the United States
What’s it like being a wildland firefighter?
“This job makes you mentally and physically tough, no matter what type of crew you work on Some crews push you physically and mentally when it comes to physical training With others, you’re uncomfortable the whole time working, digging line or using a chainsaw day in and day out
Can you make a career out of wildland firefighting?
While there are many career advancement opportunities available to wildland firefighters, they aren’t for everyone Regardless of your strengths and preferences, if you’d like to make a life-long career out of wildland firefighting, the opportunity is there
What to Know Before becoming a wildland firefighter?
Here’s what to know before becoming a wildland firefighter Wildland Firefighting Is Highly Competitive Wildland firefighting is a highly competitive career Be Prepared To Work Long Shifts for Days on End Determine What Type of Wildland Firefighter You Want To Become
Where do wildland firefighters sleep?
Because almost all wildland firefighters need to sleep either in fire camps or in spike camps, they sleep in tents, on the ground, and in hot, smoky, and dusty conditions Shift work interferes with sleep, especially for those on night shift
How much does a first year wildland firefighter make?
Wildland firefighters work in crews to suppress fires in remote locations The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour marketEmployers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years Starting $2690 Overall $3192 Top $3647
How long is wildland firefighter training?
Selected applicants will attend a 3,000 hour on-the-job learning program, which includes a two month-long residential firefighting academy at the Wildland Fire Training Center in McClellan, California Apprentices will be paid and all costs of training will be covered by the Forest Service
What is the number 1 killer of firefighters?
Another research study by the International Association of Firefighters in 2017 reports that cancer is the disease that causes the most death among firefighters, with a 61% rate of career line-of-duty deaths among firefighters between 2002 and 2017 being caused by it
How many wildland firefighters died in 2020?
The 24 deaths of career firefighters while on-duty in 2020 continues the trend over the previous 10 years where the total has been in the 20s or lower
What do Cal Fire firefighters make?
Cal Fire Jobs by Salary Job Title Range Average Battalion Chief Range:$87k – $152k (Estimated *) Average:$114,984 Civil Engineer Range:$83k – $148k (Estimated *) Average:$112,254 Electrical Engineer Range:$86k – $167k (Estimated *) Average:$118,551 Fire Fighter Range:$41k – $89k (Estimated *) Average:$60,428
What do hotshots do in the off season?
The seasonal employees are laid off, and go to college, get other jobs, travel, or collect unemployment The permanent staff have several options Some go to work for other functions inside the agency, like timber management, recreation, or wildlife
Is it hard to be a wildland firefighter?
Despite all the adversity, wildland firefighting remains a highly competitive occupation, with many applicants vying for limited positions
Is becoming a wildland firefighter hard?
While some wildland firefighters work year-round and some work only during the fire season, the work is always strenuous and positions are always highly competitive Prospective workers can often increase their chances of securing a job by earning a certificate or degree in fire science
Do wildland firefighters wear masks?
No, wildland firefighter face masks offer little protection against the harmful components contained in smoke, and they do not protect against superheated gases or supply oxygen Fighting wildland fires can expose firefighters to harmful components contained in smoke, which in part include: • Acrolein and formaldehyde
What is a Type 1 firefighter?
The Firefighter Type 1 leads a small group (usually not more than seven members) and is responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents The FFT1 supervises resources at the FFT2 level and reports to a Single Resource Crew Boss or other assigned supervisor
What do hotshots do?
Hotshot crews are the most highly trained, skilled and experienced type of handcrews They are qualified to provide leadership for initial-attack and extended-attack on wildland fires Hotshots are trained and equipped to work in remote areas for extended periods of time with minimal logistical support
Can you be a full time wildland firefighter?
Positions range from entry-level firefighter to senior fire management positions Appointments range from temporary, seasonal positions to permanent, full-time year-round positions
How much sleep do firefighters get?
Despite this call, the firefighter is still able to sleep for 6 hours The employer can still deduct 6 hours of sleep time for that firefighter As a general rule, firefighters must be on-duty for more than 24 hours in order to deduct sleep time from hours worked
Why do hotshots wear yellow?
To find out what Paul and Tess are wearing, click on the gear list below A wildland firefighter’s standard-issue fire shirt is made of fire-resistant Nomex material and is always bright yellow for easy visibility
What do wildland firefighters eat?
Carbohydrate-rich foods include whole-grain products, beans, rice, corn, peas, potatoes, fruit, fruit juice, milk, yogurt, energy bars, and most sport drinks During work, firefighters need 40 grams of carbohydrate each hour from snacks and sport drinks