Wildland fire support jobs

[Fireguy57]

Hello,
 I didn't see anything about this mentioned in the forums.  When there are big fires going on,  Fire camps spring up.  There are a lot companies that contract to the government for support services.   These are not front line fire fighting jobs.  You are not required to be in top physical shape.  No age requirement.

     All kinds of different skilled and unskilled jobs.  Pretty easy to get hired.  High turnover.  Because it's call when needed.  You could work for 3 months straight,  or never get called.  It all depends on the weather.  

   When one is working in fire camp,  There are virtually no expenses.  Free meals prepared for you.  Free showers, Free laundry service at the bigger camps.  Most have mobile cell towers now.  Probably free wifi.  

  It seems like it would fit in well with the nomatic lifestyle.  Not sure what other states do.  But in California you need a vendor card to work in fire camp.  A one day class.  Cost $80.  It's good for a year.

If someone is interested,  now would be a good time to start making contacts.  Here's a link to fire contractors by geographic area. (US gov't website)  Called Vipr contracts.  Address, phone numbers, and what services they provide.  Even has a tutorial if you want to submit your own contract.  

     If anybody has any questions,  Fill free to ask.  I worked 33 fire seasons before my heart gave out.  20 for the feds and 13 as a contractor.  

    I'm not selling anything.  Just trying to pass on some good information to anyone that might be interested. 

  Take it easy.

 

[GotSmart]

Perhaps it is me, but I cant find a link in the post/   :huh:

 

[jonsun]

does it pay?

 

[Goshawk]

Nice but definitely need the link to the company. Or list of companies doing this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fireguy57]

Opps My Bad. Here's the link: https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/equip.php

The dispatch priority list tells you who gets called first in different areas. National contracts are for kitchens, showers, things like that.
Yes, it does pay. It varies by employer and employee skill level. I have been out of the game since 2013. Back then, Companies contracting to the federal government were required to pay their employees an additional $3 per hour during their first 40 hours per week. That was so you could buy health insurance. With the implementation of Obamacare, That may have changed. I don't know

 

[Wabbit]

Cool post, sounds like interesting work! Thnx for posting it.

 

[Queen]

I'd love to be around fire again, even as a kitchen worker or something. Might have to check this out, thanks!

 

[GotSmart]

Before she retired, my mother spent one season cooking at a forestry station.  She loved it.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Great thread, I'm going to look into this out of curiosity.

My uncle did this after retiring from the fish and game dept in Alaska. He'd be hired to shuttle the firefighters and supplies up and down the rivers up there in his jetboat. I forget what he made, but it was a lot. He used to joke he was making more money being retired than when he was working.

 

[Vanholio]

Real interesting opportunity!

 

[Fireguy57]

BTW, That link I posted is not complete. They don't list the catering companies. They used to.

Here is a link to a trade magazine for mobile kitchens.: http://www.cateringmagazine.com/featured-articles/fighting-fire-with-food/
Excellent article. It has the names and locations of several wildfire catering companies. Also a good explanation on how the system operates.

Good luck

 

[jaxtonsgram]

This sounds interesting. I've looked at your links. So, one wwold have to get 'hired' and then hang around general area all summer to wait until called in to work?  I can't do it this summer, not on road yet, we get wildfires in up of Michigan. Do you know anything about companies up here?  Thanks. Nora

 

[closeanuf]

There is a company in Cody, Wy called Mobilesleepers that takes semi trailers and makes sleeping quarters for fire fighters.  It's a standby situation and they fly you to the site and you keep these trailers clean for fire fighters.  When I talked to them last they pay you from the time you get on the plane until you get home.  I didn't feel like I was physically able to do it.  

www.mobilesleepers.com

 

[Fireguy57]

This sounds interesting. I've looked at your links. So, one wwold have to get 'hired' and then hang around general area all summer to wait until called in to work?  I can't do it this summer, not on road yet, we get wildfires in up of Michigan. Do you know anything about companies up here?  Thanks. Nora

Hi Nora  Try that first link I posted. Click on the Dispatch Priority list. That's a list of who gets called when there is a fire.  It breaks it down by geographic area.  Michigan is in the eastern area.  Region 9.