Ohio Willand Firefighting

[FireIce22]

Hey Guys,

I am from Northeast Ohio and am planning on taking my S-190 and S-130 next Fall after I am finished with Medic school.
I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction of what to do after I finsih my S-190 and S-130 - how do I get on a crew? Are there any in Ohio? What is the difference between a engine crew and a hand crew. If you could just pass along any info for a guy trying to get into Wildland Firefighting, I would appreicate it. Thanks.

[RxFire]

There is one National Forest in Ohio - the Wayne NF (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/). I suggest you call and talk with them to see if they have a fire program. There is also some National Park Service lands (http://www.nps.gov/state/oh/) that may have a fire program.
NPS may utilize your medic skills better than FS
What is the difference between a engine crew and a hand crew
Simply that -

Engine crews have an engine and use it and it's tools (primarily water and hose) for fire suppression
Handcrews use shovels, pulaski's, mcleods, chainsaws, etc... they don't have an engine (thus no water) to create a fire line and often suppress fire without the need for water.
Engine crews can be turned into handcrews when the fire is beyond reach of the hose or inaccessable to vehicles. :p

Hope this helps.

[NJFFSA16]

You don't have to go far. Pick up the phone and call!

Mike Bailey, Fire Training Coordinator
Ohio Division of Forestry
State Fire Academy
8895 E. Main Street
Reynoldburg, Ohio 43068
(614) 752-7177

They DO have training sessions coming up in early 2007. Call them NOW and get registered!

The Ohio Division of Forestry website is at:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/forestry/fire/training.htm (Ohio Division of Forestry-Fire Mangement Link)

Good luck! Remember....DO IT NOW...classes fill up fast!

Ohio is part of the Eastern Area Coordination Center...and they DO provide handcrews for western fires. Call the academy and ASK QUESTIONS!

[FireIce22]

Thanks for all the useful information.

[dday05]

[QUOTE=FireIce22;748275]Hey Guys,

I am from Northeast Ohio QUOTE]

Where in Ohio are you?? Are you on a department at the present time?

[FireIce22]

I presently live in Akron and am not on a department

[dday05]

I presently live in Akron and am not on a department

Doesn't Akron U offer the classes?? I think they offer some type of wildland calss. It would be worth looking into.Good Luck.