How did you Do it?

[Bushwhacker]

Gotta a Couple questions for some of the Fed Guys/or girls out there. How did you start into Fire and where are you now. Here's the kicker if you could, how would ya do it again?

I was offered a a spot at a GS-5 level for the USFS. I am a Carded Engine Boss, ICT5, EMT-B, FF-1, Sawyer-B, and HECM-T. I have worked with The FS through local VFD on quite a few things from Fires, to training, and agrements. Like the people there and have good realations with them. This kinda has me thinking about jumping off the Private Engine.

[madeitin]

I started with a private company and first chance I got I jumped ship to the feds. I found the fire assignments to be better, training better, equipment better and in general the crews to be more by type of personality. I worked my way up until I was a smokejumper. If I had to do it all over again I would do the EXACT same thing.

Find out where you want to be in the fed system and go for it. For me it was being a smokejumper, thats where I wanted to be. I ended up turning down numerous PSE appointments because I wanted to jump as a temp and get my PSE as a jumper and not be a PSE detailer 1 season jumper.

For me it was the way to go, but keep in mind everyones experiences with the feds will be different. I am sure you will get private guys saying they get all the perks.

[SjfdJim]

Ya can't beat the security of a government job!

[Bushwhacker]

Thats Exactly where i want to be within a 3 year timeline. I know for a Fact that I want to take my HECM, and work as a Heli-rappeler( Dope On a Rope.) For a season, and then spring board into Jumping. I want to know however whats the training like to Jump? I have worked with Jumpers( Hard to believe in ND, huh?) that are Type 3 IC's, and such. Does the Average Pulaski Motor Get to jump? or are they looking for more of the overcast trained?

[madeitin]

Sounds like you know where you want to end up, so I would stick to the feds because private time is not really counted...

I am not sure if you want to put your email address up, but if you do i would be more than happy to help you out as much as I can.

[Bushwhacker]

Erick_2007@msn.com, anything is greatly appreciated. And please remember that I am not that well experienced with Fed-Lingo when it comes to Paygrades, employment levels, and all the fun stuff.

[FortechFEO]

Hahaha! Go be a Hotshot. More likely to get a jump slot if you have a couple years on the shots. Helislack you spend more watching the helicopters fly in and out of helibase than you do rappelling. If you want to fight fire. Stay away from any airborne firefighting operations. It's like prevention work. 1 in 100 are able to make a career out of it.

[Bushwhacker]

Hahaha! Go be a Hotshot. More likely to get a jump slot if you have a couple years on the shots. Helislack you spend more watching the helicopters fly in and out of helibase than you do rappelling. If you want to fight fire. Stay away from any airborne firefighting operations. It's like prevention work. 1 in 100 are able to make a career out of it.


I have heard that about Rope-Dopes before, How insane are Shots to work with/for?

[FortechFEO]

Well there are good and bad crews out there in the world, but it is definately a commitment. My advice is get your foot in the door and experience on an engine and if you are lucky take a ride along trip with a handcrew and see what the crew world is about. Now if you take a trip with a Type 2 crew you need to keep a perspective that Shot crews are a whole new level on top of that. The best thing I can recommend is get your boots on the ground and try things out and see what you like and go from there. I'd be happy address any questions send me a PM. I've never jumped, but have a few friends that did, but I can pretty much cover the other modules pretty well.

[Bushwhacker]

Another Question for you, Has Anyone worked with the NWCG Aussie/American Exchange program. One more reason that i need to go Federal:D

[FortechFEO]

My names on the list for this year. We will see. It is mainly Div supes, Task Forces leaders, ect. High end and support quals. I'll let you know if I go.

[Bushwhacker]

I see your from out west, Whats with everyones obession with Cal Fire(CDF)? I think I see enough Questions about them alone to start up a sub-fourm. Better yet whats your experience with them like?

[CaseyBhoy]

I see your from out west, Whats with everyones obession with Cal Fire(CDF)?

"CDF Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year, of which less than 2% are wildland fires. CDF Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters, and from structural fires to auto accidents to earthquakes to floods to the spilling of hazardous materials to every conceivable disaster, we make up California’s Fire Department.

CAL FIRE (CDF) is the largest fire department in California and the third largest fire department in the United States. Our firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA)."

(Taken from CDF Firefighters Local 2881 website)

[JayDudley]

I started in the Navy as a shipboard firefighter. I got out and was hired by the Feds as a GS-5 Firefighter to get some experience as a structural firefighter. Then I took the Long Beach City test as was hired by them. Twenty-six years later I retired. You need to get your foot in the door somewhere and with the Feds is not a bad move.

[slapinjoe]

"obsession with cal fire"? In California cal fire is THE top firefighting organization, especially for people trying to start a career in the fire service. Seasonals get benefits, retirement, 3 by 4 work schedule, and also respond to any type of fire and call you can think of. It is not just wildland fire. This, and their aggressive fire control as opposed to federal wildland management are all reasons 2000 applicants per unit each year is not uncommon.

[Bushwhacker]

"CDF Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year, of which less than 2% are wildland fires.

Then why are you in the wildland fourms?

Not trin to start a fight and I a am sorry if you took it that way.

"CDF Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties.............. we make up California’s Fire Department"

Thats about half.

"This, and their aggressive fire control as opposed to federal wildland management..."

Thats a pretty big statement.

It was a question, don't get bent outa shape,or take offense.

[slapinjoe]

because they still fight more wildland fires than any department in the world.

[CaseyBhoy]

Then why are you in the wildland fourms?

Not trin to start a fight and I a am sorry if you took it that way.

"CDF Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties.............. we make up California’s Fire Department"

Thats about half.

"This, and their aggressive fire control as opposed to federal wildland management..."

Thats a pretty big statement.

It was a question, don't get bent outa shape,or take offense.

Bush, I think you took it the wrong way. I just posted that to show why so many of us aspire to become a part of Cal Fire.

Here in California, it is one of the best opportunities to get into the fire service and that is why so many people pursue it. Plus, if you get on as a seasonal firefighter with the agency, you are pretty much guaranteed a position for the next season and have the opportunity to become a full-time member of the department.

Finally, Cal Fire is first-in on just about any wildland fire here in California, hence why I posted it in the Wildland forum.

[Bushwhacker]

because they still fight more wildland fires than any department in the world.


But yet only only 2% of your calls are wildland? Show me some proof that Cal-Fire fights more wildland fiires than any any other agency in the world.

Casey, I can see your point to and It makes sense to me if that is where ya wanna end up awesome.

[CaseyBhoy]

But yet only only 2% of your calls are wildland? Show me some proof that Cal-Fire fights more wildland fiires than any any other agency in the world.

I never made the claim on "most in the world".

I think the reason the CDF Firefighters page makes the statement about the "2%" is that here in California there is a common misconception that Cal Fire only fights wildland whereas they really are an all-risk agency in many parts of the state.

If you do the math (0.02 x 300,000 = 6,000), that's quite a few wildland fires. We also don't typically get "small" wildland fires here either. Have you heard or seen what happens to Southern California on an almost annual basis during the summer and fall?

Some of the worst fires in US history have occurred here in California: Oakland Hills, Cedar (San Diego #1), Witch Creek/Harris (San Diego #2). Cal Fire/CDF, amongst hundreds of other agencies, was there for all of them.

[Bushwhacker]

That was aimed more at slapinjoe. After i re-read that he said "as a department" that could very easily be possible, I was thinking at a Agency level.
I have had some very good freinds work with CAl-fire within the last 2 years.That was the reason for the question, I know first hand that it only takes one bad apple to run a basket. However The majority has had less than stellar reviews, about there over-head, all the way down to the pulaski motors.

I know that we are worlds apart and thats could very easily be the reason for the diffrences' in views but i have to ask why?

[CaseyBhoy]

That was aimed more at slapinjoe. After i re-read that he said "as a department" that could very easily be possible, I was thinking at a Agency level.
I have had some very good freinds work with CAl-fire within the last 2 years.That was the reason for the question, I know first hand that it only takes one bad apple to run a basket. However The majority has had less than stellar reviews, about there over-head, all the way down to the pulaski motors.

I know that we are worlds apart and thats could very easily be the reason for the diffrences' in views but i have to ask why?

Yeah, I think it ultimately comes down to the opportunities that the department presents, that's why a lot of people are so passionate about it. If there is one thing Cal Fire firefighters are known for it is their pride in being a part of it. It's almost fanatical (in a good way).

I can't speak so much to the overhead and equipment issues, but it wouldn't surprise me as California is always in some sort of financial crisis or another regardless of the rest of the country.

[BWTFD2]

Hence the reason I trying to get in with them! When you say non Fed wildland Cal-Fire is way at the top of the list.

[SecondSeasonFNG]

..........

[Bushwhacker]

Gotta another Question Fortech. If I get on with the USFS here in ND, What is abilty to transfer to other areas like? Start from scratch like a new hire again? Or Do you get a lil better chance, because you have already been hired?


Is there any Full-Time DNRC Fire Boys/girls out there beside FMO, or Rural Fire Specialists? I thourth i have seen a ENGB floating around here.

[Gnufsh]

The ability to transfer around with the USFS is pretty good.

[Bushwhacker]

Is it just kinda like walking up and saying i wanna go work in Idaho for a type 2 Crew?

[RxFire]

Is it just kinda like walking up and saying i wanna go work in Idaho for a type 2 Crew?


Sorta, you still need to apply and compete for the job desired. And you can compete for jobs in the BLM & NPS. Often there is a "Transfer of Station" whereby ionce you accept a new job, the govt will pay to move you. However this isn't always available, so you have to read the announcements carefully. Plus it wouldn't hurt to call and ask if TOS is an option if they don't outright state yea or nay.

[FortechFEO]

Sometimes getting a promotion means moving...Pretty much nation wide mobility with a Fed career.

[Bushwhacker]

So where are the Hot spots for the Federal Firefighter? Better yet whats the pay grade like?

[RxFire]

As for hotspots, it depends on your view... SoCal makes the news alot, and has some great fires, but it comes with a cost... it's hard to live in SoCal on what the feds pay. Northeastern CA has lots of timber and sagebrush rangelands, and not as much urban interface as SoCal (again, locality dependent), and may be less expensive.

Unfortunately, CA as a whole is expensive to live in compared to some other states. I'm in the middle of nowhere Oregon, and love it... I have timber fires and sagebrush fires, and the cost of living is not skyhigh. I would go back to parts of CA if I could afford it, but the cost of living and other personal preferences will probably keep me out.


I would say you need to decide what area would fit your lifestyle and concentrate your efforts on getting there.

Here ( http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/09tables/html/RUS_h.aspis ) the 2009 hourly wage for the continental US (exlcuding areas of higher pay to reflect higher cost of living) and the annual salary for the same area http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/09tables/html/RUS.asp

IMO the annual salary tables are just a loose guide as to what you will earn, since in the feds there are various pay differentials that increase your wage, that the salary table can't capture. Not to mention that the salary table makes the assumption that you will work year round... when in reality you only work for 6 months, but still earn as much or more of the yearly salary in just 6 months.

Nice thing about the feds is there is more travel opportunity with details and fire assignments.

Good Luck

[FortechFEO]

See the message above! Some other areas that might be enjoyable...Eastern Washington and Western Montana. Cali seems to be where the jobs and money is at.


RX
With the housing collapse you can buy a nice 3 bedroom home for 150K. Two three bedroom homes on my street just sold for a 100 and 125 K. two - three year old construction at most. Lol..Hilarous except I am buried in my little 1 bd loft home.

[Bushwhacker]

As far as previous traings and Certs. What makes some one a lil more Desirable? Is there any specific Certs that will bump you ahead of the game? And as far as PTB’s go what type of requirements are on them? I have quite a few of mine signed off from State, and local Fire Guru’s, (all of which are Qualified to sign)Will they still recognize them or will I have to start over, and go with all Federal Signatures?

[Mndrsn6]

I worked on a Hotshot Crew from 2000 - 2007, 4 years full time. Documentation is key when going to a municipality, so keep good records of classes, certs and fire exp. If the dept you are interested in is involved in wildland fires then ENGB is the way to go. If not, focus more on how to use the fed experience for the interview process.

[FortechFEO]

Depends on who you transfer in with...Hotshot crews will most likely bump you back to the bottom of the food chain as PTB's go. It actually really depends on the forest you decide to go to as to if you will get reciprocy from a municipal agency. I'm actually currently dealing with this problem for one of my employees.