Forest Fire Fighter Career Summary

Duties and Responsibilities of a Forest Fire Fighter

Many forest fire fighters are hired seasonally, meaning they are temporarily employed during the seasons when forest fires are most likely to break out. Others might be employed full-time and carry out other forest service tasks during the off seasons. Tasks will vary widely depending on the position and the education of the employee. Like all fire fighters, forest fire fighters suppress blazes with water. But they must also be trained in specialized techniques, such as creating fire lines by clearing an area of any combustible vegetation in the path of the fire in order to deprive the fire of its

fuel. Specially trained hotshot crew members and smokejumpers work to suppress the most extreme wild fires. Following are some excerpts from actual job postings from a prominent Internet job board illustrating the responsibilities of a forest fire fighter position:

• 'Fire fighter will perform maintenance on fire equipment, buildings and grounds, complete fire reports and forms and maintain considerable contact with landowners, forest operators and the public in order to explain or interpret forest laws and fire programs.' --State of Oregon
• 'Duties of the fire fighter include serving on crews performing fire suppression and performing prescribed burning crew duties to reduce disease and fuel hazards while protecting wildlife. Fire fighter may also perform basic duties in support of fire, timber, wilderness, recreation or research programs, projects or activities.' --Avue Central

Job Requirements of a Forest Fire Fighter

Forest fire fighters, like all fire fighters, must pass written, physical and medical examinations to gain employment. Exact qualifications may vary by employer. The two largest employers of forest fire fighters are the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state parks are other large employers. Forest fire fighters need high school diplomas and some college courses. Employers prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor's degree in fire science or fire engineering. Some departments have apprenticeship programs. New hires are generally trained in-house. Leadership and teamwork are two essential qualities for a good forest fire fighter. Mental alertness, courage, self-discipline, mechanical aptitude, endurance, strength and a sense of public service are also necessary. Below are a few specific examples of requirements for forest fire fighter positions taken from postings on a prominent Internet job board:

• 'Applicant must be currently qualified as a Fire Fighter 1 (Squad Boss/Advanced Firefighter) under the performance-based task book as per NIIMS (National Interagency Incident Management System) OR have six months wildland fire fighting experience and training equivalent to S190 (Intro to Fire Behavior) and S130 (Fire Fighter Training).' --State of Oregon
• 'Applicants must have 90 days' on-the-line fire fighting experience gained through control, containment, suppression or use of wildland fire.' --Avue Central

Job Outlook for Forest Fire Fighters

While employment growth is expected, the field continues to be extremely competitive. Applicants with the best test scores (mechanical aptitude and physical conditioning tests) generally have greatest chances at employment. According to bls.gov, median annual salaries for fire fighters are $42,370, but this figure can vary widely by region. In California, for example, where forest fires are prevalent, fire fighters earn a median annual salary of $58,080.