What kinds of Federal Firefighting Jobs can I get for the summer? What about for beginning a career path?
Most people who become professional career wildland firefighters begin with a seasonal position. You might try a summer of firefighting to see if you like it, then approach your captain to get the forest to sponsor you as an apprentice. Apprentices get some experience on a variety of crews over a number of seasons. (Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program). More education will be necessary. If you’re already a student or are planning ahead, you might want to take advantage of one of the Forest Service Student Programs. A seasonal firefighter can be a member of • an engine crew, • a hotshot crew or other organized handcrew, • a helicopter crew or • a smokejumper crew. The tasks these groundpounding firefighters perform are arduous (physically demanding) and they have to be in top physical shape. The work is hard and can be dangerous. They carry packs and equipment weighing between 40 and 120 pounds. During fire season days are long.
Most people who become professional career wildland firefighters begin with a seasonal position. You might try a summer of firefighting to see if you like it, then approach your captain to get the forest to sponsor you as an apprentice. Apprentices get some experience on a variety of crews over a number of seasons. (Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program). More education will be necessary. If you’re already a student or are planning ahead, you might want to take advantage of one of the Forest Service Student Programs. A seasonal firefighter can be a member of • an engine crew, • a hotshot crew or other organized handcrew, • a helicopter crew or • a smokejumper crew. The tasks these groundpounding firefighters perform are arduous (physically demanding) and they have to be in top physical shape. The work is hard and can be dangerous. They carry packs and equipment weighing between 40 and 120 pounds. During fire season days are long. “Groundpounders” often eat and sleep near fires an
