Becoming a wildland firefighter

[TheCity]

Hey guys and gals, I am completely new in wildland, so I was hoping you guys can give me some advice on what to do to become one? What are the require courses, certs, etc.. If it helps, Id like to become one in California.

thanks in advance for the help

[Bushwhacker]

A Arm, A leg, and a blessing by a voo-doo witch doctor.

[RangerJake72]

try to find someone from your state Forest Service/Forestry Commission to talk to, generally it is the state that has the "contract" with the U.S. Forest Service to provide hand crews, which they then make up from their own local resources (state forest service, parks, local FD, etc) that might be a good way to get started. you could also go try a site like Wildlandfire.com where they have links to various agencies and contractors, as well as people who live, eat, sleep and breathe wildland fire

[Gnufsh]

Hey guys and gals, I am completely new in wildland, so I was hoping you guys can give me some advice on what to do to become one? What are the require courses, certs, etc.. If it helps, Id like to become one in California.

thanks in advance for the help

If you want to work for one of the federal wildland agencies, you need I-100, S-130, S-190 and L-180. These classes are usually offered together and take about a week. Many community colleges offer them. Then it helps to find out where you would want to work and call and talk to the engine captain or crew sup. They can give you direction on the online application process and it helps to get you up on the list of people they want to hire.

[Hickman]

Redding Interagency Hotshot Crew Training Opportunity
Fire Leadership Training - Career Development

2010 Announcement now available

Issued: September 14th, 2009
Closes: December 18th, 2009

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/people/hot...ngrecruit.html

You might also look at the different regions, since each region may have a different time for recruitment,
http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/people/hot...ex.html#eastgb

[RxFire]

The easiest way to get on is to go to https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/ and apply through Avue to whatever FOREST you want. But also, and more important, is to call places you desire to work and speak directly with the fire staff to see how they hire. If you get picked up and haven't had S-130, S-190, I-100 etc, you will be given the training as a part of your hiring.

The Dept of Interior (BLM & NPS primarily) has it's own hiring, and you need to contact the desired location again and see exactly how they hire.

There are many places that hire students, and by hiring on the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) can tailor hiring to those they want much easier.

I have answered this question numerous times in this forum, so please do a search or just view all.

[TheCity]

what about that CDF 67 course?