What do helitack crews do?

What do helitack crews do?

Helitack crews provide land managers with a safe, highly skilled, and productive aerial firefighting resource. Crew members are specially trained in the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire suppression. These crews are a primary initial attack resource transported to wildfires by helicopter.

How do I get on the helitack crew?

Applicants must have at least a year of experience as a seasonal firefighter or a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Range Management, as well as a valid driver’s license. Prospective helitack crew members who apply prior to February 20 each year get first consideration for all available positions.

What does it mean to be part of the helitack crew?

Helitack crews are teams of firefighters who are transported by helicopter to wildfires. Helicopters provide rapid transport, enabling helitack crews to quickly respond and assess a wildfire situation. Once on the ground, crews build firelines using hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting tools.

Where are hotshot crews located?

The Bureau of Land Management has 11 interagency hotshot crews stationed in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. A hotshot crew consists of 20 specially-trained firefighters. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management.

Is smokejumper a real job?

Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who provide an initial attack response on remote wildland fires. They are inserted at the site of the fire by parachute. Smokejumpers are usually on duty from early spring through late fall.

Are wildland firefighters in demand?

Demand for Forest Firefighters is expected to go up, with an expected 44,460 new jobs filled by 2029. This represents an annual increase of 1.59 percent over the next few years.

How much do helitack crews make?

$1,914 – $2,161 per month or $11.00 – $12.42 per hour.

What is a Type 3 fire crew?

Type 3. Extended initial attack on wildland fires. IC walks the line between a manager and a ‘doer’ Resources may vary from several single resources to several task forces or strike teams. Some Command/General Staff positions (ie, Division Supervisor, Unit Leader), may be filled.

What is a Type 2 helicopter?

Type 2 helicopters are very effective initial attack resources. They can transport up to nine firefighters at one time. These helicopters can support firefighters on the ground by delivering up to 300 gallons of water to the fireline in a bucket or tank.

How much do hotshot crews get paid?

As a federal worker, a Hotshot Firefighter earns an average of $13 per hour during off-season. The pay increases during the peak fire season where they work up to 16 hours, sometimes even extending up to 48-64 hours. They earn an average salary of $40,000 during a six-month season (including overtime and hazard pay).

Are there any female smokejumpers?

Of those in fire, 18 percent were women. Among firefighters, particularly the high-level hotshot and smokejumping teams, the ratio is much lower. The agency’s 11 hotshot crews employ one to three women on a typical 20-person team, and this year there are three female smokejumpers of 140 nationwide.