This is topic I am a US Forestry Firefighter :) in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=028841

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 
Hell yeah! Just got hired today! I start at the end of May once i am out of class from Sac State
I can't wait to start, this is going to be badass. I'm going to get to travel to other states and fight Forest fires


 

---

Posted by uh0h50 (Member # 3125) on :
 
that is awesome news dana.. congrats!
 

---

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :
 
Congrats

They are gunna need you this year
 

---

Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
Congrats!! From what I understand that isn't the easiest job to land. NICE WORK!
 

---

Posted by RixSikCobra (Member # 5058) on :
 

 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TRIXSNK:
Congrats

They are gunna need you this year

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:

quote:

---

Originally posted by TRIXSNK:
Congrats

They are gunna need you this year

---

yeah it definitely seems like they will. I hope i travel to other states, i will definitely bring the camera and take pictures of all the fires i go to.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 03SVTPower:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:

quote:

---

Originally posted by TRIXSNK:
Congrats

They are gunna need you this year

---

yeah it definitely seems like they will. I hope i travel to other states, i will definitely bring the camera and take pictures of all the fires i go to.

---

I have seen some pretty wicked pictures along with some amazing looking ones too from a buddy of mine whom use to work for CDF. Have fun man!

---

Yeah when i went to talk with the captain they showed me the videos they make for the entire crew at the end of the year of all the pictures they've taken from each fire they went to. One of the pictures i saw really stood out.
It was night time and they took a picture looking through the forest which was on fire, the ground had about a foot of fire going all the way through and the huge trees were burning atleast 40 feet up and it was all at night so it looks like pillars of fire. Crazy ass picture.
 

---

Posted by 91PONY (Member # 206) on :
 
Congrats Dana! Sounds like a great opportunity for you.
 

---

Posted by The Camaro Z-28 Kid (Member # 3100) on :
 

 

---

Posted by CLEEN 50 (Member # 5867) on :
 
Congrats, be safe
 

---

Posted by p5.0 (Member # 6160) on :
 
congrats man. im actually tring to get hired as one too.
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by p5.0:
congrats man. im actually tring to get hired as one too.

---

where at? The best way to do it is go in and talk with the captain plus if you know someone it also helps as well.
 

---

Posted by BlueBeast88.306 (Member # 6360) on :
 
Congrats Bro,
I'm taking my EMT training right now to become a Firefighter, I'm going to stick with the cities though. Hopfully be able to start in Brentwood. Good work man, it should be a sweet ass job. Be safe.
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars
 

---

Posted by slidewayz94 (Member # 3101) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by slidewayz94:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars

---

they will last and provide protection. All this stuff is tax deductable. Boots can be resoled and last a long time. It is worth it to spend the money and a good boot.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:

quote:

---

Originally posted by slidewayz94:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars

---

they will last and provide protection. All this stuff is tax deductable. Boots can be resoled and last a long time. It is worth it to spend the money and a good boot.

---

Yeah i know and i think i might get the Wesco Firestormer boots but i wanna go try them on and stuff first.

---

Honestly if you ask any career CDF'er or Forest Circus smoke eater what they would chose footwear wise 99.99% would choose a pair of White's. White's have the best overall protection and comfort as well a longevity. They should cost anywhere from $350 to $425 depending upon where you go. I know Solon Fire Control in Rancho used to be able to order them in but didn't stock them. Some of the uniform shops in Sac I.E. Sacramento Uniform on Arden Way stocked them at one point. Being on your feet pounding away on a fire can kill your feet and your whole body if the fit isn't right. Be sure to TAKE YOUR TIME when fitting them.

What National Forest are you going to be working out of? Who were your interviewer's if you remember any names?

Piece of advice Dana....I know you're strong and lift stupid amounts of weight but make absolutely certain your cardio surpasses your strength. One thing that CDF and USFS do more than ANY other agency in world is a method known as progressive hoselays. They suck. Most firefighters hate this method of deploying attack line at wildland fires, but in some instances it is THE ONLY way to put the wet stuff on the red stuff. It should be easy for you to practice since you live in GV. Go and find yourself a nice steep hill that's maybe a couple hundred feet in length and strap a backpack on your back with at least 60lbs of weight inside of it. Do this evolution at least 3 times per day before fire season and you'll be good to go.

Also if you're in better shape than your Captain just keep with his or her pace. DO NOT try to out work them.

I'm assuming that you were picked up as an engine crewman correct (Series 462)?

[ March 29, 2007, 02:59 AM: Message edited by: WRS92GT ]
 

---

Posted by NiftyWhiteFifty (Member # 4320) on :
 
Congrats dana!!!
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by WRS92GT:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:

quote:

---

Originally posted by slidewayz94:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1968_Fastback:
Wildland firefighting boots are hella money! 420 dollars

---

they will last and provide protection. All this stuff is tax deductable. Boots can be resoled and last a long time. It is worth it to spend the money and a good boot.

---

Yeah i know and i think i might get the Wesco Firestormer boots but i wanna go try them on and stuff first.

---

Honestly if you ask any career CDF'er or Forest Circus smoke eater what they would chose footwear wise 99.99% would choose a pair of White's. White's have the best overall protection and comfort as well a longevity. They should cost anywhere from $350 to $425 depending upon where you go. I know Solon Fire Control in Rancho used to be able to order them in but didn't stock them. Some of the uniform shops in Sac I.E. Sacramento Uniform on Arden Way stocked them at one point. Being on your feet pounding away on a fire can kill your feet and your whole body if the fit isn't right. Be sure to TAKE YOUR TIME when fitting them.

What National Forest are you going to be working out of? Who were your interviewer's if you remember any names?

Piece of advice Dana....I know you're strong and lift stupid amounts of weight but make absolutely certain your cardio surpasses your strength. One thing that CDF and USFS do more than ANY other agency in world is a method known as progressive hoselays. They suck. Most firefighters hate this method of deploying attack line at wildland fires, but in some instances it is THE ONLY way to put the wet stuff on the red stuff. It should be easy for you to practice since you live in GV. Go and find yourself a nice steep hill that's maybe a couple hundred feet in length and strap a backpack on your back with at least 60lbs of weight inside of it. Do this evolution at least 3 times per day before fire season and you'll be good to go.

Also if you're in better shape than your Captain just keep with his or her pace. DO NOT try to out work them.

I'm assuming that you were picked up as an engine crewman correct (Series 462)?

---

Yeah i am looking at White's also and i will definitely test fit them first. I just need to find a place that sells all these boots.
I wasn't interviewed really, i hung out with the Captain of the engine for a couple of hours and after all the veterns got hired onto other stations they picked up me
I've already been working on my cardio and i definitely plan on putting 60+lbs in a backpack and hiking around.
I won't out work my captain, hes probably in better cardio shape than me right now.
Yeah i am a Grade 3 US Forest Service Firefighter off Engine 42.


EDIT: I am working out of the Tahoe National Forest

[ March 29, 2007, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: 1968_Fastback ]
 

---

Posted by OneBadHatch (Member # 970) on :
 
so speaking of fire fighting im trying to get into it when i get out of the marines next year, whats the best route to take? I am taking emt certification and goign to take some fire science classes, what else should i do? also whats better city? or smoke jumping cause i cant decide thanks ahead!!
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by OneBadHatch:
so speaking of fire fighting im trying to get into it when i get out of the marines next year, whats the best route to take? I am taking emt certification and goign to take some fire science classes, what else should i do? also whats better city? or smoke jumping cause i cant decide thanks ahead!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by OneBadHatch:
so speaking of fire fighting im trying to get into it when i get out of the marines next year, whats the best route to take? I am taking emt certification and goign to take some fire science classes, what else should i do? also whats better city? or smoke jumping cause i cant decide thanks ahead!!

---

Depending upon where you live either Modesto JC or Butte College both have widely regarded fire academy programs. I would recommend after receiving your DD 214 you enroll in a State Fire Marshall approved fire academy for your CSFM Firefighter I certification. After that it would be very wise to look into attending NCTI for paramedic certification. Being just an EMT-B/D anymore is not enough to get you through the front door hardly. Paramedics are in short supply and high demand. Most city/county agencies have adopted paramedic engine programs if not ALS transport services. Of course being a Marine will definately help your cause as well.

Good luck.
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

 

---

Posted by FoRdGiRl (Member # 6279) on :
 
good shit dana congrats best of luck and im up here too now start my new job tomorrow
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by FoRdGiRl:
good shit dana congrats best of luck and im up here too now start my new job tomorrow

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 66mstgfsbk:
congrats, a buddy of mine was volunteer for the town of Rough and Ready which isnt to far from g.v., his grandfather was also the capt of the house. if your looking for places up by you for gear let me know and ill ask where they got all the gear. now you can get the ff lic plates and put them on the fb.

---

Thats what i was thinking of doing
Yeah find out for me where they got their gear i am going to need some stuff.
 

---

Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 
Today was my first day of training for wildland firefighting. It was fun, the instructor is awesome and i like watching the videos of forest fires and the "Kodak Moments" when the fire is raging and theres nothing to do but take pictures.
I also bought my boots, 405 dollars I've never wore boots so high in my life so i am sure my shin will be hurting tomorrow but other than that they fit nice. I got the White's Smokejumpers boots.
I bought 90lbs of sand and i am going to put 5lbs in ziplock bags and start hiking around with 25lbs on my back until i can do 60+lbs. i think just walking around our property should be a good workout. I need to get in cardio shape for my pack test. Its a 3 mile hike with a 45lb pack on your back and you have to do it in less than 45 minutes. Sounds interesting.
 

---

Posted by Got50Fever (Member # 4187) on :
 
Sorry I couldn't resist


 

---

Posted by 88DroptopGT (Member # 2535) on :
 
Congrats man!

Good luck training on those hikes with the equipment. Three miles with 60 lbs HIKING in 45 minutes is a tough task no joke.
 

---

Posted by 66mstgfsbk (Member # 5197) on :
 
i talked to my buddy he said that there is 2 places in auburn that are close, other than that theres not much in the area. he forgot the names but that where he got some gear. he also said that he wore wesco's and that they lasted him 7 yrs fighting and were comfortable but really heavy. hope that helps.
 

---