Need help

[nickytonk]

I have been looking into becoming a wildland firefighter as of recently but I am pretty lost on where to apply and such. I understand that the park services and the bureau of land management has openings, but is there any other organizations? If someone could simply point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[mtnfireguy]

http://www.wildlandfire.com/jobs.htm

http://www.wildlandfire.com/jobs/455.htm

http://forestry.about.com/cs/forestfire/a/fire_fight_job.htm

[nickytonk]

Awesome, thanks a lot!

[Shamrock26]

Hey guys,

I also am looking to spend the summer out west for wildland firefighting. I was a volunteer FF while in college and was planning on going to paramedic school, but the program shut down, and now heading out west is what I want to do.

Is it possible for me to go out west if I have not yet gotten a red card and do not have my FF1 and FF2 certs? I have been browsing around this site and others for the past few days and cannot find the best way to get started. Sorry if I am being repetitive but any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Gnufsh]

Hey guys,

I also am looking to spend the summer out west for wildland firefighting. I was a volunteer FF while in college and was planning on going to paramedic school, but the program shut down, and now heading out west is what I want to do.

Is it possible for me to go out west if I have not yet gotten a red card and do not have my FF1 and FF2 certs? I have been browsing around this site and others for the past few days and cannot find the best way to get started. Sorry if I am being repetitive but any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Yes. Most of the wildland agencies don't care about your structural certs (FF1/2), and the feds will train you. For the forest service, you can apply online from avuedigitalservices.com . PM me and I can give you some contact information for where I work.

[Gnufsh]

I have been looking into becoming a wildland firefighter as of recently but I am pretty lost on where to apply and such. I understand that the park services and the bureau of land management has openings, but is there any other organizations? If someone could simply point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
How could you forget the USDA Forest Service?

[Shamrock26]

Hey thanks for the post..

It seems I was unable to send you a PM. I am trying to a grasp on where to start, so I appreciate the help.

So far I have started my resume on USAjobs.com and got a list of all units to send my apps for CALFIRE.

Any help you have is greatly appreciated. I really do not have any certs besides my EMT-B. Just some vollie experience. Also trying to find a place in MA to get my red card.

Thanks again

[Crwb4104]

Also, a point to consider, look at the various state agencies that handle wildland fire. Various western states have Department of Conservation and Natural Resources who's responsibilities include fire suppression. (although with the economy in the toilet, most are not hiring right now-mine might have layoff's pending, but that's a whole different post...) Out of curiosity, what state are you looking at?

[Shamrock26]

california is my number 1, i know they have CAL FIRE. Now with most agencies, will they train me if I am accepted, or should I try to get my redcard this winter?

[Ticonderoga]

california is my number 1, i know they have CAL FIRE. Now with most agencies, will they train me if I am accepted, or should I try to get my redcard this winter?
Red card gets you that much higher in knowledge. Never give up an opportunity to learn.

[Gnufsh]

california is my number 1, i know they have CAL FIRE. Now with most agencies, will they train me if I am accepted, or should I try to get my redcard this winter?

The federal agencies will train you (but if you have a red card already youare more likely to get hied). for CAL FIRE, it is just about impossible to get hired without at least their "67 hour wildland acadey."

[Shamrock26]

that 67 hour academy class... are there classes offered around Boston?

I think I can get my red card by April hopefully...I should probably mention that on the resume...thanks again for the help

[JulianNorCal]

No, the Cal Fire 67 hour course is only offered in California. The courses are just starting to be offered and will continue at various community colleges, fire departments, etc. through the end of spring.

[Gnufsh]

I am not aware of any CAL FIRE classes outside of California, but I don't work for them. If you want to get in to wildland fire out west, the forest service and BLM are good ways to get in.

[Shamrock26]

I think within the next couple of months I will be able to obtain my redcard and recieve training on Confined Space Rescue Awareness. Do you think it will make a difference on my applications/resume to mention that I will soon have those certs?

[Gnufsh]

I think within the next couple of months I will be able to obtain my redcard and recieve training on Confined Space Rescue Awareness. Do you think it will make a difference on my applications/resume to mention that I will soon have those certs?
Yes (at least the red card training).

[Phaedrus]

So hows the search goin Nick an Shamrock? I am also in the same boat, but have a step up on yall, what with the redcard and by the end of the year my FFT2 (Ive heard it doesn't help with wildland fire, yet theres always a spot on applications for it..)