Cal Fire/ USFS

[jmal]

Im a 20 year old female looking to get into the fire service but im in need of some help. So I applied last year to about 50 different places and didnt get anything. Im going to give it my all again this season and hope for the best. Any advice for applying for CAL FIRE or USFS? Maybe some other places to apply? I have my FF1 and EMT-B im working on my AS in fire technology and eventually Paramedic. Anything would help.

thanks

[RangerJake72]

not to bust on you or anything but you do realize California is not the be all and end all of wildland firefighting?
there are many other state /USFS regions to work in, not to mention Fish & wildlife, National Parks, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other Fed agencies to work for, that all have their own fire programs (and all work together when the sh*t hits the fan) not to mention all the state agencies as well. Where you are and where you might like to work will have a bearing on advice on how to get hired/training,/locations/recommendations

[mikeyboy411]

Wow.....

not to bust on you or anything but you do realize California is not the be all and end all of wildland firefighting?

Whoa, whoa, whoa now..... Now that hurts.....

We do have some unique aspect features here that present great burnings. So. California is one of the few places where routinely we have north/south facing aspects that intersect east/west facing aspects. Check it out on Google Earth sometime. Most of the Country has major mountain ranges that are east/west facing aspects while we have that plus many areas where north/south facing aspects intersect which makes for some awesome fire behavior.

Have I been to Florida? Yes on vacation. Have I fought fire in Florida? No, but I have many friends that went from the So. California USFS Stations and helped when Florida was burning and talking to them they still say we're unique. I know Guys that have fought fires around the world (Greece, Australia, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and the Contiguous U.S. and they all say that So. California is unique in the extreme fire behavior that we routinely see on fires.

As far as CalFire goes, keep filling-out apps and then be patient, it'll happen for ya. Do not get discouraged.....

[RangerJake72]

not to insult the firefighters from California, it just seems that everyone who wants to be a wildland firefighter wants Cali, every state has unique challenges and different ways of doing the job. Im simply saying look everywhere, and if the season is bad enough, you will end up in Cali on a fire ( we had crews out on the La Brea Fire last fall, and the Raleigh fire this summer)

[Macman3334]

not to insult the firefighters from California, it just seems that everyone who wants to be a wildland firefighter wants Cali, every state has unique challenges and different ways of doing the job. Im simply saying look everywhere, and if the season is bad enough, you will end up in Cali on a fire ( we had crews out on the La Brea Fire last fall, and the Raleigh fire this summer)

I agree with you. I am from CA. How would I get some Apps in for other states for the seasons? -Thanks-

[Bushwhacker]

I agree with you. I am from CA. How would I get some Apps in for other states for the seasons? -Thanks-

www.usajobs.com or www.avuedigitalservices.com Both show listings for jobs in various states.

[firefightcowboy]

Come to Montana. We are always looking for firefighters for our unique fire behavior.

[CasperC3]

I have worked for the Forest Service for 5 years now and would definitely recommend the experience gained from working for the agency, the best way to apply is through avue as mentioned by bushwacker. If you live in a western state I would recommend applying for either the state you live in or California, if you live in the Mid-West or further out East I would recommend California, I say California for the simple fact that the fire season out here normally allows a person the maximum length of employment as a seasonal. When applying for a Forest Service job it is important to fill out your application thoroughly, knowing exactly what positions you are applying for and their locations, it is a good idea to find out where you would like to work and contact the station to get accurate information for your application. Contacting the station also provides a good way to get your application recognized and may help you get a job. Many Forest Service ranger districts are active in recruiting new firefighters and there is an emphasis on increasing the number of female applicants, so contacting district offices may be advantages to you.

Working for a federal agency over Cal Fire has the advantage of providing good life experience, as you are able to travel throughout the country, if your goal is to go municipal I would still recommend this experience before transitioning to Cal Fire or directly to a municipal department, this piece of advice has come from talking to numerous fellow firefighters and captains for both Cal Fire and a mix of city departments.

I have contacts for my districts recruiting program as well as contacts for stations in my area (including Cal Fire), feel free to contact me for this info as well as any questions you may have.

[Bushwhacker]

Come to Montana. We are always looking for firefighters for our unique fire behavior.

Where have you been the past 3 years? What fire behavior?<- sarcasm intended

[FirstDue52]

california depts.

california may not be the only place you can fight wildfires but you will gain some great experience in the state whether your working in heavy timber up north or with the santa ana's down south (all the fuel models you can dream of)...not to mention structure protection up the wazoo.with the feds your going to more than likely start on a crew (plenty of line cutting) and work your way to an engine. 8-5 monday through friday with HP (hazard pay). No grooming standards. Spike camping it on fires. Make most of the money on campain fires with the OT. with the state agency your going to start on a wildland engine (sched. B) with two firefighters and a capt. or engineer, 3 on 4 off. (72 hours straight). good benefits and salary for any seasonal position. sleeping in hotels during fires (if on 24's). Both departments work together when the s*** hits the fan and gets the job done.

PM me if you have questions

[FirstDue52]

mikeyboy i agree. there is deff. a pucker effect when that s*** is rippin

[mikeyboy411]

It's not just the fire...

Add to the fact of the extreme fire behavior the fact that Californians like to build their "Super Mansions" and such right in the middle of the wildland areas and our Urban Interface responsibilities increase the fun. I remember a time when we would travel down the highways/interstates and see Horse Ranches, Fruit/Vegetable Groves, Cattle Ranches, brush and trees. Now, it's all housing and lights.....

I was on a fire in Ventura County were they told us "if it comes to protecting the ....... groves and protecting the house, let the house go....." I did a "double take" and had to quickly shake my head to understand. The thought process was that it took many years to get the fruit/vegetables back to this production rate, about a million dollars an acre to plant/water/grow and most houses are insured. So, it was easier and more cost efficient to rebuild the house. A WAY different philosophy from what I have experienced in the past and what is taught.

[gobears75]

Out In CA, you're going to have to spend acouple years on an engine before trying out on a crew. Unless your an apprentice, then you will transition after 1 season. If you decide that the Feds is the way you want to go, then getting on a hotshot crew will be on of the best fire and life experiences you will get. Going back to an engine, if you dont get full time, will really suck. That is unless you really hated it on a crew

[CasperC3]

Out In CA, you're going to have to spend acouple years on an engine before trying out on a crew. Unless your an apprentice, then you will transition after 1 season. If you decide that the Feds is the way you want to go, then getting on a hotshot crew will be on of the best fire and life experiences you will get. Going back to an engine, if you dont get full time, will really suck. That is unless you really hated it on a crew

The engine first route isn't necessarily the only way to get on a crew, I know plenty of first year firefighters being picked up on shot crews, and the type 2 crews are always picking up first year firefighters. There is also the option of getting on a helicopter, I don't recommend it, but it is an option.