Frequently Asked Questions
Please e-mail us if you have a question
you would like answered: learn@coloradofirecamp.com
What is the 'red card'?
The red card is an agency-issued document that certifies
that an individual has the training, experience and physical fitness
to perform the tasks of a specified position on a wildland or prescribed
fire.
How do I get my red card?
Most often, a person's first red card is for the position
of Firefighter 2 (FFT2) which requires:
- a minimum 32 hours of training (S-130/190
Basic Firefighting and Wildland Fire Behavior)
- demonstration of physical fitness at the “arduous”
level, by completion of the Pack Test — walking 3 miles
in less than 45 minutes carrying a 45 pound pack
- an employing agency to certify the individual
Do I already need to be with an agency to take the S-130/190 class?
No, in fact, that may be just the reason you would take the class
here — because you want to be hired by
a wildland agency. Getting the basic training before applying
improves
the chances that your job application will rank above the others.
Check our schedule
for the next S-130/190 class.
My son/daughter will be graduating from high school/college
soon. Can they really make a career as a wildland firefighter?
Yes, an intentional career choice in wildland firefighting
is becoming easier for those just starting out. That is, the federal
wildfire agencies have specified what is needed to reach each rung
of the career ladder. In the past, promotions seemed to be more
a matter of luck, like showing up early to work one morning.
The Interagency
Fire Program Management standards identify 14 technical
and professional positions that require increasing amounts of training,
experience and formal education.
This career choice does take planning, hard work and
dedication. At least a clear path is shown to reach the goal.
Does your school accept the Montgomery G.I. bill
and are there any special schedules for active military?
We do not yet applied to be an approved school for
the Montgomery G.I. bill education benefits. We crossed one hurdle
in getting our tax-exempt recognition from the IRS, but still have
quite a bit of paperwork to complete.
As much as possible, we try to keep our classes scheduled
on the weekends.
What is a position taskbook?
I have a position taskbook issued by my department.
If I bring it to class, will your instructors sign it off?
I'm an Emergency Medical Technician with no fire
experience. How can I get a job on a wildfire team or crew for fire
season?
Before posting a link to this 1997
article, we asked author Kelly Andersson a couple questions:
Q. Do you think things have changed much since then?
A. I don't,
really. The hiring processes with federal agencies have changed
some, but one of the GACCs
a couple years ago went over that article and said it was
still valid as far as they were concerned, and they used the
link for the same purpose.
Q. Is there some other advice you would offer to
people wanting to become a wildland firefighter?
A. I'd recommend
more coursework (standard courses, academies, community college
programs, anything that's available) and more college classes
in the natural sciences (forestry, biology, ecology) now than
I would have then -- partly in response to the fed agencies'
hiring and personnel changes. And I'd more strongly recommend
that people seek out and attach themselves to an older mentor
in the fire field. |
|
