wildland firefighting (red card) question

[milasco]

Hi all,

Just wondering what the process is to obtain a red card for wildfire fighting.

What I know: (please correct me)
- It's a seasonal job
- You have to take a pack test and hike X miles with X pounds, depending on the position you want

That's about it... so my questions:
- Do you need firefighting experience? (I don't)
- Do you have to be a federal employee? Like already working in a park in some capacity
- What kind of training, and how is it conducted?

I'm still in college and unsure of my post-graduation plans, but this has always interested me.

Of course I thank you in advance for any responses/info given :)

[JimSpoor]

There are several routes to get your "red card" The route most take is they are hired by either a private wildland outfit or a state forestry agency. Some of the larger fire districts will do this as well. This company/agency then sponsors you for testing and training. If you are qualified you will receive the certification. You are then put into the USFS database and on the call up list for any large scale wildland fire operation. You can work for your original company/agency wothout a red card but you can only work in the area "covered" by that agency. Your name does not go into the pool.

Although there are federal wildland firefighter slots with BLM, USFS, FWS, DOE, DOD, and probably others, these are limited and very competitive. But if you don't apply, I guarantee you won't be selected.

I don't know all the requirements for the red card. Let me look around some. Of course many correctional facilities throughout the West have vocational training for firefighting as well. I DO NOT recommend that route however.

The level of experience needed will vary depending on employer. Everybody received their initial training somewhere.

Good Luck.

addendum--------------

The pack test is 45 lbs, 3 miles , 45 min. here is the brochure for more info http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/wct/2002/brochure_2002.pdf

[milasco]

Originally posted by JimSpoor
Of course many correctional facilities throughout the West have vocational training for firefighting as well. I DO NOT recommend that route however.

Hehe, thanks for the advice!

Thanks for the other info, too. Definitely something I'm going to keep looking into.

SM

[JimSpoor]

This article is several years old but the info is still quite relevant:

http://www.wildfirenews.com/fire/articles/jobs.html

[skydiver7]

You can apply at the USDA USFS website. THat is how I did it two years ago with no experience and got a job with the Forest service. They got me my red card within the first two weeks I was working. Then I spent my summer traveling all over. I know this is really late in the season, but there is always next year.

http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/