What To Know Before Becoming a Wildland Firefighter
Wildland firefighting is a rewarding career for those who have a passion for protecting the world’s forests and wildlife from wildfires. While wildland firefighting may seem like an adventurous and exciting career path, it is also incredibly demanding and challenging. To determine if you are suited for such an arduous career, it is important to have a solid understanding of what to expect during the process of pursuing and landing a job as a wildland firefighter. Here’s what to know before becoming a wildland firefighter.
Wildland Firefighting Is Highly Competitive
Wildland firefighting is a highly competitive career. As certificate and degree programs in the field of wildland firefighting increase, so does the number of qualified applicants. As a result, an increasing number of aspiring wildland firefighters are all fighting for the same jobs.
While such competition is beneficial as it ensures that our forests are being defended by the best of the best, it can make it challenging for new wildland firefighters to get their foot in the door. If you are interested in pursuing a career in wildland firefighting, it is important to be aware of the field’s competitive nature so that you can make the appropriate effort to distinguish yourself from the sea of other applicants.
Be Prepared To Work Long Shifts for Days on End
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that a career as a wildland firefighter isn’t a walk in the park. However, it is important to be aware of just how grueling the job can be. Unlike your typical 9 to 5, wildland firefighters may be expected to work 16-hour days. In addition, wildland firefighters may be expected to work those long hours for up to 14 days straight (known as a roll) — not including travel to and from the location.
In some cases, shifts can even last up to 24 hours; however, such long shifts are rare. If you aren’t interested in adhering to such a demanding schedule, a career as a wildland firefighter may not be the best choice for you.
Determine What Type of Wildland Firefighter You Want To Become
Wildland firefighting is a broad field with many different subsections. Before becoming a wildland firefighter, it is important to be aware of the many different avenues you can go down. In doing so, you can specialize your education and training so that you are best equipped for the specific position you want to land.
Some of the most common types of wildland firefighters are hand crew and engine crew. Hand crew firefighters work on the front line to help suppress wildfires, while engine crews use engines to engage in initial and extended fire suppression. Aside from hand and engine crews, there are also several other types of wildland firefighting positions that require more experience and expertise.
Upon gaining experience, you may be interested in pursuing a career in a hotshot crew where you will be responsible for managing the most challenging areas of wildfires. Or, you could even consider becoming a smokejumper and parachuting out of planes to provide rapid response to wildfires. In the competitive field of wildland firefighting, it can be beneficial to know what direction you want your career to take and to tailor your skills accordingly.
