Need info becoming a wildland firefighter or a Hotshot

My advice is to talk to the people in charge. Here's a list of hotshot crews around the country.

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/people/hotshots/IHC_list.html

Every hotshot crew is run slightly differently. Most have only a limited number of student positions, and most crews now work May-October, so school can be a problem. See if they'll work with you.

Hotshot jobs are extremely tough to get these days. My old crew (Sawtooth) gets around 500 applications a year for ~5-10 open spots. Very competitive. Being an athlete is a big plus - and yes, the physical fitness requirements are easy - but they are the minimum. Our crew averages were:

8:45 1.5 mile

15 pull-ups

55 push-ups in a minute

60 sit-ups in a minute

You don't necessarily need previous fire experience to be on a 'shot crew, but it is a big advantage (i didn't have any). Most hotshot crews these days don't put on the basic wildland firefighter classes - so you'd probably have to get those on your own or be willing to start a few days early.

If you can't get a hotshot job, try getting an engine or district handcrew job, they'll put you throught the training. pick a forest that sponsors a hotshot crew, and you might be able to go on a "roll" with them.

Get used to the online app service - that's the only way to go. Do searches for "Forestry Technician: Fire" (I believe the position code is 0462 - forest service, the BLM has a different one 0455 i think)

Biggest point i can make is the first one - call and talk (or if you live near a forest, go visit). And do this before christmas - everyone is gone for close to a month.

good luck.

Thanks for the info. Can you clarify something for me? I read on the net that a hotshot is part of a more specialized crew, and one generally starts "lower" as part of a general wildlands firefighting crew-is this true?

Hotshot crews are more specialized, but on the line everyone does more or less the same job. Hotshot crews collectively have more training and experience.

If you get on a district crew ("lower"), you'll work small, local fires, usually with 3-5 other people. Occasionally you'll work as part of a "Regular" crew - 20 people, if your forest (or a nearby one) has a large fire.

Hotshots are 20 person crews that work large fires all around the country. Two week tours are the standard, with 48hrs off.

Thanks for the info. Could you send me a blank e-mail so I can contact you if I have questions?

What are the steps to get in with the forrest service? Is there a step process that needs to be followed to get in with full time employment? I am wanting to get into the fire service and don't know where to begin. I am graduating in two weeks with an exercise physiology degree. Not really fire related, but I figure that should at least get me somewhere. Anyway, I am looking for information to get in with a forrest service. Does a person have to start with seasonal work? Do they hire in January? Any information would be great.

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