How to Get a Wildland Fire Job
Wildland firefighters have a physically and mentally demanding job. It requires an understanding of how fires develop and move through a forest and also the physical and mental endurance to work long hours, sometimes for several weeks in a row. In most areas with regular wildfires, such as California, there is a fire season from around late spring to early fall that keeps wildland firefighters busy and employed. During the winter, wildland firefighters spend their time training and preparing for these positions.
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Instructions
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Exercise and train to pass a physical fitness test. Fighting wildfires can have you climbing mountains while carrying several pounds of equipment and personal gear. As an example of what you would need to accomplish, California company Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression requires applicants for wildland firefighter jobs to pass a fitness test. This involves three tests: a three-mile hike while carrying a 45 lb. pack in less than 45 minutes, running two miles in less than 18 minutes, and then doing several strength exercises in less than three minutes.
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Become certified in CPR, AED or automated external defibrillator training, and first aid. This will be necessary to help care for injured citizens or other firefighters during a fire.
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Go to college and work towards a degree in a natural resources field such as conservation, soil science or forest engineering. These types of degrees or college courses are required to move up into higher paying positions when working as a federal forestry technician. Some entry positions may not require a completed degree.
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Take a wildland fire training course or gain training by working an entry-level seasonal fire suppression job. Training courses are offered through government organizations in charge of fire suppression, such as the U.S. Forest Service, and also by private companies.
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Apply for a government wildland firefighting job, which can be found through most state and federal agencies responsible for parks and natural resources. This includes the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state forestry departments, and state fish and game departments. Some positions may be listed as "Forestry Technician."
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Apply to a private company or nonprofit organization that contracts with governmental agencies to fight fires. WildlandFireJobs.com maintains a list of jobs available through private companies and nonprofits.
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References
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Forestry Technician Series, 0462
- Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.: Fitness
- Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.: Training
- U.S. Department of the Interior: Wildland Fire Jobs: How to Apply
- Wildlandfire.com: Wildland Fire Jobs
- U.S. Forest Service: Fire & Aviation Management Training
Resources
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