Do smokejumpers make good money?
The salaries of Smoke Jumpers in the US range from $23,010 to $79,490 , with a median salary of $46,870 . The middle 60% of Smoke Jumpers makes $46,870, with the top 80% making $79,490.
How do smokejumpers fight fires?
To stop a fire when there are no fire hydrants or firetrucks to supply water, smokejumpers create a “firebreak”—a zone that interrupts the fire's fuel source—by felling trees, cutting brush, and digging long trenches in the ground ahead of the direction the fire is traveling.
How much do smokejumpers make per year?
Smokejumper jobs pay a starting base salary of $30,113 to $33,567 according to the the 2020 General Schedule (GS) administered by the Office of Personnel Management for all government employees. They are hired in at step 1 of the GS-5 or 6 level and paid through the same salary table .
Is a smoke jumper 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.
Are smokejumpers hotshots?
Hotshots and Smokejumpers are considered the two most highly skilled, trained, and experienced firefighting crews at the U.S. Forest Service's disposal. Becoming a Smokejumper, however, is a bit more competitive because, while there are about 2,000 Hotshots nationwide, there are only about 400 smokejumpers.
What does it take to become a smokejumper?
In addition to passing the physical training test, prospective smokejumpers must meet the following requirements: Age: Must be at least 18 years old. Height: Must be not more than 77 inches or less than 60 inches tall without shoes. Weight: Must weigh at least 120 pounds but no more than 210 pounds without clothes.
How many smoke jumpers have died?
This information is a tribute to the more than 5,000 men and women who have served our nation as smokejumpers since the start of the program in 1939. These are the accounts of the lives and deaths of the more than 30 smokejumpers who have been killed in the line of duty.
What is the difference between a smokejumper and a hotshot?
While Hotshots hike up to battle remote wildfires on foot, Smokejumpers parachute in. These elite wildland firefighters are most often deployed to battle wildfires in extremely remote areas, before the flames spread far enough to pose a threat.
How do you train to be a smoke jumper?
Experience for a GS-6: The year of experience must have included at least one season* of wildland fire suppression work. One season of smokejumping fire suppression work at the GS-5 grade level is also required. *A season is at least 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis.
How many smokejumpers have died?
This information is a tribute to the more than 5,000 men and women who have served our nation as smokejumpers since the start of the program in 1939. These are the accounts of the lives and deaths of the more than 30 smokejumpers who have been killed in the line of duty.
How tall do you have to be to be a smokejumper?
In addition to passing the physical training test, prospective smokejumpers must meet the following requirements: Age: Must be at least 18 years old. Height: Must be not more than 77 inches or less than 60 inches tall without shoes.
What states have smokejumpers?
The U.S. Forest Service has about 320 smokejumpers that work from seven bases located in following areas:
- Grangeville, Idaho.
- McCall, Idaho.
- Missoula, Montana.
- Redding, California.
- Redmond, Oregon.
- West Yellowstone, Montana.
- Winthrop, Washington.
What are elite firefighters called?
Hotshot crew In the United States, a hotshot crew, officially known as an interagency hotshot crew (IHC), is a handcrew of 20-22 wildland firefighters which responds to large, high-priority fires across the country and are assigned to work the most challenging parts of the fire.
Do wildland firefighters jump out of planes?
Some say you have to be crazy to jump out of an airplane into a forest fire, but smokejumpers can't wait for the next fire call. Smokejumping was first proposed in 1934 as a means to quickly provide initial attack on forest fires.
How hard is it to be a smoke jumper?
All smokejumper candidates are required to pass the standard smokejumper physical training (PT) test on the first day of smokejumper training. Candidates must do 7 pull-ups, 45 sit-ups, 25 push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run in less than 11 minutes (McCall's elevation is 5000').
How do I get a job as a smoke jumper?
How to Apply. The BLM Smokejumpers are seeking candidates to fill multiple job openings for the 2020 fire season. These positions may be filled as a temporary seasonal, career seasonal, or detail. Positions will be selected by March, 2020 with training beginning in April, 2020.
Are Smokejumpers hotshots?
Hotshots and Smokejumpers are considered the two most highly skilled, trained, and experienced firefighting crews at the U.S. Forest Service's disposal. Becoming a Smokejumper, however, is a bit more competitive because, while there are about 2,000 Hotshots nationwide, there are only about 400 smokejumpers.
What are hot shot firefighters?
A hotshot crew consists of 20 specially-trained firefighters. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management. Hotshot crews receive top-notch training, adhere to high physical standards, and have the ability to take on difficult assignments.
Do Hotshots jump out of planes?
Some say you have to be crazy to jump out of an airplane into a forest fire, but smokejumpers can't wait for the next fire call. Smokejumping was first proposed in 1934 as a means to quickly provide initial attack on forest fires.
What is a Type 1 fire crew?
The Firefighter Type 1 leads a small group (usually not more than seven members) and is responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents. The FFT1 supervises resources at the FFT2 level and reports to a Single Resource Crew Boss or other assigned supervisor.
How many smokejumper bases are there?
nine smokejumper bases The United States has about 450 jumpers at nine smokejumper bases across the western U.S. (Conversely, Russia uses about 4,000 jumpers.)
Why do hotshots dig trenches?
To make a fire stop growing, our firefighters have to contain it. We do that by digging line — essentially a trench several feet wide — around the perimeter of the fire.
How do you become a fire jumper?
All smokejumper candidates are required to pass the standard smokejumper physical training (PT) test on the first day of smokejumper training. Candidates must do 7 pull-ups, 45 sit-ups, 25 push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run in less than 11 minutes (McCall's elevation is 5000').
What do hotshots do in the off season?
During the off-season, wildland firefighters may still work full-time as firefighters. However, seasonal wildland firefighters work during the fire season and may collect unemployment, travel, work other jobs, or further their education during the off-season.
What’s the difference between a hotshot and a firefighter?
A hotshot crew consists of 20 specially-trained firefighters. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management. Hotshot crews receive top-notch training, adhere to high physical standards, and have the ability to take on difficult assignments.
How long does it take to become a hotshot?
Selected applicants learn on the job by attending a two-month-long, 3,000-hour residential firefighting academy. They are paid for their time, and all training costs are covered by the agency.
What it takes to become a hotshot?
Are you physically fit to be a hotshot?
- 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less.
- 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds.
- 25 pushups in 60 seconds.
- Chin-ups, based on body weight. More than 170 lbs. = 4 chin-ups. 135-170 lbs. = 5 chin-ups. 110-135 lbs. = 6 chin-ups. Less than 110 lbs. = 7 chin-ups.