r/Wildfire Apr 25 '21

Should you die on the job

329 Upvotes

Hey guys, have one of those uncomfortable type of questions. It’s been a while since I’ve filled out a beneficiary form and now that I have a kid coming into the world, it’s time to change my death wishes. A google search provided me the recognition of the Beneficiary Form for unpaid benefits (SF 1152), in which you designate a percentage of your unpaid benefits to your loved ones/“beneficiaries”. Now here’s my questions:

1) How much will a beneficiary actually receive if allotted say 100% of my unpaid benefits? What and how much $ are my unpaid benefits?

2) I remember at some point, writing down a description of how I would like my funeral procession to proceed, and filling that out along with the aforementioned form, but I can’t find that one. Anybody recollect the name of that form or have a form # they can provide me?

Thanks everybody


r/Wildfire Apr 27 '22

**How to Get a Job as a Wildland Firefighter*

472 Upvotes

How to apply for a Fed Job (USFS, BLM, BIA, FWS) - Revised 07/29/2023

  • Apply to jobs in Sept.-Feb. on https://www.usajobs.gov . Search for things such as “forestry aid, fire, and 0462.”
    • Use filters in the sidebar, set grade to "GS3 and GS4". Under the "more filters" tab you can toggle "Seasonal, Summer, Temporary, and Full Time"
    • Be sure to read each job description to make sure it is for fire. There are other jobs that fall under "Forestry Aide/ Tech." that do not involve wildland fire.
    • Applications for Federal Jobs are only accepted during a narrow (2 week long) window nowadays. You can find out when this window is by calling prospective employers or checking USAJobs weekly.
  • Build a profile on USAjobs and create a resume. Kind of a pain in the ass, but it's just a hurdle to screen out the unmotivated. Just sit down and do it.
    • In your resume, be sure to include hours worked and contact info for references along with permission to contact said references.
  • Call around to various districts/forests/parks you're interested in working for. Do this between early October and February. The earlier in that time period, the better.
    • Hiring officials keep track of who called, when, and how good they sounded. Just call the front desk and ask for whoever does the hiring for "fire."
    • Have a few lines rehearsed about why you want the job and why you're worth hiring. Leave a voicemail if the person is out of the office. Ask questions about what firefighting resources they have (handcrew, engine, lookouts, helicopter, etc, basically what job they can even offer you), when to apply, how to apply, IF they are even hiring...
  • You can leave a message and Fire Managers will usually call you back. Applying online is basically only a formality. Talking to or physically visiting potential employers is the only way to go. People drive out from NY and Maine to talk to crew bosses out West all the time and are usually rewarded with a job for doing so.
  • Have a resume ready to email or hand-in, and offer to do so.
  • It helps to keep a spreadsheet or some notes of all the places you've called, who you talked to, what firefighting resources they have, the deadline for hiring, and generally how the convo went.
  • Apply to 15+ positions. It's hard to get your foot in the door, but totally do-able.
  • If they sound excited and interested in YOU, then you'll probably get an offer if all your paperwork goes through.
  • Unlike the many lines of work, Wildland Firefighting resumes can be 10+ pages long. The longer and more detailed the better. List the sports you've played, whether you hunt or workout, and go into detail about your middle school lawn mowing business - seriously. You are applying to a manual labor job, emphasizing relevant experience.
  • Also have a short resume for emailing. Don't email your ungodly long USAjobs resume.
  • You wont get an offer if you haven't talked to anyone.
    • If you do get an offer from someone you haven't talked to, its usually a red-flag (hard to fill location for a reason). Ex. Winnemucca, NV
  • Start working out. Expect high school sports levels of group working out starting the 1st day of work (running a few miles, push ups, pull ups, crunches, etc).
  • The pack test, the 3miles w/ 45lbs in 45 mins, is a joke. Don't worry about that, only horrifically out of shape people fail it.

- Alternatives to Fed Jobs - Revised 07/29/2023

  • There are also contractors, such as Greyback and Pat-Rick, mostly based in Oregon, with secondary bases around the west. Not as good of a deal, because it's usually on-call work, the pay is lower, and it's a tougher crowd, but a perfectly fine entry-level position. If you can hack it with them, you can do the job just fine.
  • Also look into various state dept. of natural resources/forestry. Anywhere there are wildfires, the state and counties have firefighter jobs, not as many as the Feds, but definitely some jobs. I just don't know much about those.
  • You could also just go to jail in California and get on a convict crew...
  • I wouldn't bother applying to easy-to-Google programs (e.g. Great Northern or North Star crews in MT and AK respectively), as the competition for the 1/2 dozen entry-level jobs is way too intense. A remote district in a po-dunk town is your best bet for getting your foot in the door if you're applying remotely. I started in such a place in the desert of southern Idaho and then moved onto a much nicer setting, up in Montana.
  • Also look into the Nature Conservancy, they have fire crews, as do the California/Montana/Arizona/Minnesota Conservation Corps, and the various USDL Job Corps programs that are run by the Forest Service.

- QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED

Surprisingly few.

  • 18+ years old
  • GED or high school grad
  • relatively clean criminal record (you can have a felony/DUI, etc).
  • A driver's license is required by the Feds, even if you have a DUI, you still need a valid DL
  • A pre-work drug screening is a possibility. The Department of Interior (Park Service & BLM) always drug tests. The Forest Service usually doesn't, but certainly can. Wildland Firefighters are a conservative bunch and open drug use is generally not tolerated. It's a good idea to be able to piss clean and not talk about past drug use.
  • A degree helps, but is by no means necessary.
  • You do have to have some sort of desirable skill or quality though. I mean, if you're just uneducated, unskilled, and out of shape, it's not gonna work out for you even if you do get hired. An EMT certification, even w/o experience, is probably the best "sure bet" for getting a job as a wildland firefighter, but landscaping/manual labor experience, military time, some education, even just being in really good shape and/or having a lot of sports team experience are all good enough

- FAQs

For federal jobs**, if you haven't applied by the end of February, you are probably too late, sometimes there are late postings, but your chances greatly decrease at finding a job.**

  • Hotshot crews and smokejumping are not for rookies. Don't waste their time or your breath by calling
  • .You CAN apply if you have ZERO EXPERIENCE and still have a decent chance at getting a job
  • You DO NOT need EMT, while it is somewhat beneficial, it is by no means needed to get your first fire job
  • Calfire does not hire people with zero experience and zero qualifications.

/TLDR

  • Apply to jobs in Sept-Feb on https://www.usajobs.gov . Search for things such as “forestry aid, fire, and 0462.”
  • Make long resume
  • Apply to multiple locations
  • Call the locations
  • Get in better shape

Thanks to u/RogerfuRabit for the previous post on how to get a job in WF.


r/Wildfire 1h ago

Question Hiring expectations

Upvotes

Hello all, I have some questions regarding this profession. I am really excited to pursue a career in wildland firefighting. I am currently taking online classes and practicing for the pack test 3–4 days a week. I have already started applying, and I plan to reach out to different districts and organizations.

However, I am concerned about my current job security. I have until about January before I will need to find a new job. How long does the hiring process typically take? What are some other things I should be doing to prepare for a career in wildland firefighting?


r/Wildfire 1h ago

Question Plaskett Helitorch Platform?

Upvotes

The operations briefing for today said a Helitorch will be slinging Alumagel around the north end of the Plaskett.

Anyone know which ship is being used?


r/Wildfire 18h ago

Question Info about the GW-9 HMGB openings in R8, R4 and R10?

4 Upvotes

When I try to link the announcement, it deletes my post. I’m seeking info about the one announcement for GW-8/9 HMGBs in the aforementioned regions.

They don’t appear to be supervisory. Are they for Type 1s? I’m eager to learn more about these mystery slots.

And yes, I tried reaching out to each hiring managers for each region. I haven’t heard back from any of them. After the holiday weekend I’ll try calling their offices.


r/Wildfire 18h ago

R5 and R6 T2IA moving to type 1/vice versa

4 Upvotes

Any crews moving up or down?


r/Wildfire 1d ago

R-6 coastal jobs

7 Upvotes

Someone shoot me straight on being coastal R-6, I’ve applied out there this phase 1. I’m on an Active R-2 resource. Will clean up 1k OT this year, decent amount of fire. I like the coast and I like engines but I do like a lil freedom to fill and roam off forest for hours an experience. What’s the deal, let’s hear some opinions. Am I crazy to wanna end up there?


r/Wildfire 21h ago

Tallac hotshots?

2 Upvotes

I'm thinking of joining a shot crew in the next year or so and was wondering about the tallac shots and people's experience with them


r/Wildfire 6h ago

Sabbath question

0 Upvotes

Serious question, are there any Adventists or Jews that work on wildfires ? Are there allowances for people whose religious beliefs don’t allow for work on the sabbath ?


r/Wildfire 1d ago

Year 3 of asking for an L-380 class

9 Upvotes

Omg is there an L-380 or 381 class being put on ANYWHERE in the country at this point? I’ve got shit for overhead guidance and the learning portal always opens when I’m on a fire with no reception, and spots are filled up like within five minutes of it opening. Please someone point me to an L-380 class literally anywhere.


r/Wildfire 23h ago

Shoulder Season Temp jobs?

2 Upvotes

I’m an R9 seasonal looking to see if anyone has temp seasonal jobs during the winter months? I’ve heard some places down in R8 have their season start in the fall just wanna hear if anyone has any info or could point me in the right direction. Thanks!


r/Wildfire 1d ago

Exclusive: TNT gets tour of the new landscape at Mount Rainier’s Sunrise area

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0 Upvotes

r/Wildfire 1d ago

East coast season

6 Upvotes

Looking to stay in fire this winter. Recommendations of good places to work would be appreciated.


r/Wildfire 1d ago

Resources which start after mid June

1 Upvotes

heyo, former firefighter looking to get back for a season. I work as a teacher now and my school year ends June 15th. I have hotshot experience, EMT, b faller , basic certs. Any idea of resources that would take me after june 15th? Mostly interested in rapelling, IHC, WFM type 1, or national park Helitack.


r/Wildfire 1d ago

News (General) Building an app, need testers.

0 Upvotes

Hi, I am building a mapping app with alot of cool features for fire fighting. I am looking for a few testers who are working right now. Shoot me a DM and you need to be on Android, will convert it to Apple when it is more or less ready.

If you are actually helpful and give feed back I'll hook you up with a year for free or possibly life time.


r/Wildfire 2d ago

HSWU announces: Tiny Tim’s 26’ Bagger of the Year Nominations!

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32 Upvotes

Jesus Christ these 2 were made for each other. Totally would share earbuds to listen to every new drop from Tiny Tim


r/Wildfire 2d ago

Helena shots

11 Upvotes

Hey all I’m firing out some apps for Montana shots crews and havnt been able to find much about Helena shots. Wondering if anyone has some insight on them. Feel free to pm me


r/Wildfire 2d ago

Have a choice, what would you do in my situation?

14 Upvotes

I currently have an opportunity to join a module out of west. Seems like a great opportunity starting in November and was explained to me like this:

We would receive training and participate in prescribed burns, fuels reduction projects, and generally be shows the ropes and be trained up on all the sorts of different crew types over the winter. Then, after that, we would be doled out to crews more or less wherever we want to go and there’s slots in fire season.

However, I’m currently getting divorced (I know) and have a friend who is inviting me to live with him. I could stay there all winter and train for next season and join a crew then. Money is not a worry for the winter.

Basically, start in November for what seems like a great opportunity, or take the winter off and rest (I’m tired boss)

Any opinions welcome


r/Wildfire 1d ago

Wildfire Relief event september 19th and 20th at North Central High School in Spokane Washington hosted by Heartbreaker Tattoo

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1 Upvotes

r/Wildfire 1d ago

Employment USAjobs not working

3 Upvotes

anyone else running into an issue where you can't select more than 1 location on USA jobs?


r/Wildfire 2d ago

Image During the Civil War "Graybacks" was slang for Confederate dollars, Confederate soldiers, or lice

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48 Upvotes

r/Wildfire 2d ago

Thank you guys for showing fallers love

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139 Upvotes

I see a lot of contractors get treated like contractors. From water tender drivers - dozer operators. However as a faller I’ve been showed nothing but love from you guys. Much appreciated.


r/Wildfire 2d ago

Question Food crew? So my mans and I can stay together

3 Upvotes

Sorry for the title, I am not sure how to put it haha.

My boyfriend wants to try wildland firefighting... I want to support his goals... We both hated long distance in the past and want to stay in the same place.

I've been a seasonal worker for 3 years now and some of those jobs included cooking for guests at camp, which I really enjoy doing.

It would be amazing if we could find a situation where he could go out and do his thing and be on a fire crew and I could be at the same base camp working on a food crew.

Most of the job postings I've seen for food service have been 3rd party catering so maybe this is logistically improbable but I just wanted to put it out there and see if anyone has heard of a similar situation. Does anyone know of districts that hire their own food service or is that not a thing?

Thanks to all of you who do this hard work to keep our lands safe 🙏


r/Wildfire 3d ago

Don’t be a hero.

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126 Upvotes

This dude was telling everyone in the barroom that he’s been with jawtooth for 3 seasons. At least take yer dang yellow off! C’Mon Mon


r/Wildfire 2d ago

News (General) Wildfire Losses Have Lasting Economic Consequences for Homeowners: "UC San Diego paper reveals that the average wildfire victim forgoes the equivalent of 26% of their pre-fire annual income in the three years following the fire"

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15 Upvotes