A Guide to Becoming a Wildland Firefighter: Steps to Start Your Career
As dry season approaches, so does the hiring season for one of the most challenging and rewarding careers—wildland firefighting. Wildland firefighters are a special breed of brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our forests, natural landscapes, and communities from the devastating impact of wildfires.
Unlike structural firefighters, who primarily respond to fires in buildings and urban environments, wildland firefighters focus on combating fires in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas. These individuals work in some of the most challenging and dangerous environments, often enduring extreme heat, smoke, and rough terrain to protect the land and lives of others.
What Does A Wildland Firefighter Do?
The primary role of a wildland firefighter is to control and extinguish wildfires, often before they can spread and cause significant damage. This job involves more than just fighting fires; it also includes preventing them from happening in the first place. Some examples of their work tasks included:
Creating Firebreaks: These are gaps in vegetation or other flammable material that act as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire. Firefighters use hand tools, chainsaws, and bulldozers to clear these areas, making it harder for the fire to spread.
Backburning: A technique where controlled fires are set ahead of a wildfire to burn up fuel (vegetation) and create a barrier. By carefully managing these controlled burns, firefighters can limit the spread of larger, more dangerous fires.
Mop-up Operations: After the primary fire has been extinguished, firefighters remain on the scene to ensure that all embers and hot spots are fully extinguished. This process helps to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Aerial Support: Some wildland firefighters are part of aerial firefighting teams, operating water-dropping aircraft or working as smokejumpers who parachute into remote areas to tackle otherwise inaccessible fires.
5 Ways to Enter Wildland Firefighting
There are multiple pathways to becoming a wildland firefighter, and the right one for you will depend on your background, skills, and long-term goals. Here are the most common ways to break into the field:
1. Seasonal Firefighting Positions
Many wildland firefighters start as seasonal employees, working during the fire season, which typically runs from late spring to early fall. These positions are ideal for beginners and offer hands-on experience with the possibility of returning year after year.
2. Apprenticeship Programs
Some agencies offer apprenticeship programs that combine training and on-the-job experience. These programs usually last several years and are designed to provide a comprehensive education in wildland firefighting. Some examples:
3. Firefighting Academies and Training Programs
Enrolling in a firefighting academy or a specialized wildland firefighting training program can provide you with the technical skills and certifications needed to begin your career. Look for programs that offer courses in fire behavior, fire suppression tactics, and safety protocols.
4. Joining the Military or Job Corps
Some individuals gain experience in wildland firefighting by serving in the military or the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (CCC). Both organizations offer training in fire suppression and land management, which can be highly beneficial for a future firefighting career.
5. Volunteering
Volunteering with local fire departments or conservation organizations can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. While it may not be a direct path to a paid position, it can help you build a resume that stands out to hiring agencies.
Tips to Get Started
Physical Fitness: Wildland firefighting is physically demanding, and being in top physical shape is crucial. Begin a rigorous fitness routine focusing on strength, endurance, and agility. Consider training with weighted packs to simulate the conditions you'll face in the field.
Obtain Necessary Certifications: Wildland fire positions require basic certifications, such as the Incident Qualifications Card, also known as a Red Card. These certifications include classroom training for courses like the S-130/190 Basic Wildland Firefighter Training, field exercises, and a fitness test that's based on your job role:
- Arduous (Pack Test): Walk 3 miles carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes.
- Required for basic and advanced firefighters.
- Moderate (Field Test): Walk 2 miles carrying a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes.
- Required for roles like the Safety Officer or a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2.
- Light (Walk Test): Walk 1 mile with no pack in 16 minutes.
- Required for roles like the Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 or the Incident Communications Technician.
The Red Card must be renewed annually through the Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training (RT-130) to maintain your wildland firefighter status. These certifications can be obtained through local fire academies or online courses.
Network: Connect with current or former wildland firefighters through social media, community groups, or local fire departments. Networking can provide valuable advice, job leads, and mentorship opportunities.
Research Employers: Learn about the various agencies and organizations that hire wildland firefighters, such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state forestry departments. Each organization may have different hiring processes, requirements, and work environments.
Prepare for the Application Process: Wildland firefighting positions can be competitive, so make sure your application stands out. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience, certifications, and physical fitness. Be prepared for interviews and possibly physical fitness assessments. If you have experience working on a farm or landscaping, that can be an advantage on your resume. Examples of job websites:
- Federal jobs begin accepting applications from mid-August to September. This provides the best variety of job roles and has the potential for more travel opportunities. You can find available job openings at USAJobs.gov.
- State fire programs start hiring at the beginning of the year. Check if it's available in your state by searching online for "[your state] fire programs."
- Contractor crews are another great option if you have some basic fire foundation. For more information, check out sites like The National Wildfire Suppression Association.
- Prescribed Fire Groups or Rx Groups specialize in assisting landowners or sometimes the government with putting good fire on the ground. Check out organizations like The Nature Conservancy or Audubon Canyon Ranch for more information.
Types of Job Roles Available
Wildland firefighting offers a variety of roles, each with its unique responsibilities and challenges. As you gain experience, you can move into specialized positions or leadership roles. Here are some of the primary job roles within wildland firefighting:
1. Firefighter (Crew Member)
You'll work on a handcrew and be responsible for cutting firelines and directly fighting fires.
- Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2): Also known as an entry-level firefighter, this role involves performing various firefighting duties, such as digging fire lines, cutting vegetation, and assisting with controlled burns. This role is physically demanding but provides the foundation for a firefighting career.
- Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1): This is an advanced firefighter position that typically involves supervising FFT2 personnel, leading small teams, and making tactical decisions on the fireline.
2. Engine Crew Member
Engine crews operate fire engines and are responsible for water delivery and fire suppression activities. The fire engines range in size from smaller engines that carry up to 300 gallons of water to heavy engines that carry up to 850 gallons of water. They work closely with other crews to control and extinguish wildfires.
3. Hotshot Crew Member
Hotshot crews are elite firefighters who tackle the most dangerous and challenging fire assignments. Members of these crews undergo rigorous training and are often deployed to the front lines of major wildfires.
4. Helitack Crew Member
Helitack crews are specialized firefighters who are deployed to remote areas by helicopter. They may also perform water bucket drops and other aerial suppression activities. They are often the first responders to a wildfire and are responsible for initial attack and containment efforts.
5. Smokejumper
Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who parachute into remote areas to combat fires that are difficult to reach by ground. They are among the most highly skilled and physically fit firefighters, capable of working independently in isolated conditions for extended periods.
6. Fire Management Officer (FMO)
An FMO is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing fire management activities within a specific area. This role involves a combination of fieldwork, administrative duties, and strategic planning.
7. Wildland Fire Investigator
Investigators determine the cause of wildfires by analyzing fire patterns, interviewing witnesses, and collecting evidence. This role requires specialized training in fire behavior and investigation techniques.
8. Fire Behavior Analyst
Analysts study fire behavior to predict how wildfires will spread and develop. They provide crucial information to firefighting teams to help them make strategic decisions during a wildfire.
The Challenges and Rewards of the Job
Wildland firefighting is not just physically demanding— but also mentally and emotionally taxing. Firefighters often work long hours, sometimes 24-hour shifts, in hazardous conditions. They may be deployed to remote locations for weeks or even months, living in temporary camps with minimal comforts. The work is exhausting, and the risks are high, with firefighters facing the constant threat of injury or worse.
Despite these challenges, the rewards of the job are immense. Wildland firefighters take great pride in their work, knowing they protect the environment, save lives, and preserve communities. The sense of camaraderie among firefighters is also a powerful motivator, as they rely on each other to get through the toughest situations.
Whether starting as a seasonal employee, volunteering, or pursuing specialized training, there are numerous pathways to a successful career in wildland firefighting. Embrace the challenge, prepare for the demands of the job, and you'll find yourself on the front lines of protecting our nation's forests and wildlands.
About True North Gear
True North has invested over 30 years into researching, designing, and manufacturing innovative gear and clothing for first responders and industrial safety workers. We provide the pinnacle in performance through a design philosophy that embraces durability, comfort, and protection as inclusive elements. Designing and delivering dependable products is essential to our overarching mission to support and protect customers operating in life-risking environments every day. As part of these efforts, we focus on actions that improve and support the great outdoors. Through our partnership with 1% for the Planet, and as a Climate Neutral certified organization, we’re putting our resources and attention on helping the environment that our customers live and work in because a safer landscape means fewer lives on the line, along with healthier land, environment, and air.
