r/Wildfire • u/Automatic-Ad7764 • 2d ago
Where to go?
Applying to your first crew how did you guys choose where to go? What crews would be good as a rookie to gain experience to eventually move into FFT1/T1IA?
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u/Competitive-Note4063 1d ago
I got real lucky my first season and the engine got hired on had a crew as well. I talked to a captain and told him I wanted to fill in whenever possible. Next season they hired me on the crew. And You don’t even have to be in the same station to fill in with a crew. If they have an open seat and you have some cool people working with you they will work with you and help you get to where you wanna be!
If it’s your first season ever. Personally I’d take whatever engine or crew position I got offered and would learn what you can.
You could also get lucky and get where you wanna go.
But also don’t be afraid to show up in person during the off season and introduce yourself. Have some PT gear with ya and be ready to go for a run!
Cheers
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u/Competitive-Note4063 1d ago
Also. This is just my experience in north ops. But Gettting your fft1/ic5 will happen a lot quicker on an engine or type 2 crew then it will a hotshot crew.
the chances and amount of IAs vs campaign fires you’ll see are higher on engines and type 2 which will definitely help you get your task books. Hotshot crews you’re in line with all the other 1sr and 2nd years waiting to get the right opportunity to work on fft1 and ic5 is even rarer. Unless you get lucky and get a good lightening bust in the modoc or something.
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u/I_H8_Celery Parasite Type 2 1d ago
-Will i be able to pursue trainings I want
-is the crew good
-is there locality pay
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u/Snoo-53847 Wildland FF1 2d ago edited 2d ago
There's a couple things to look for when you get an interest check from a hiring manager, I usually ask these questions:
What amenities are nearby?
What's PT with the crew like
What's a typical season look like?
What are you looking for in a new hire?
What's your crew culture like?
These can usually tell you 90% of what you might be wondering about a crew and reflects good on you for seeming invested/interested.
If you're interested in Type 1 crews, apply to T2IA crews, there's so many of them, there's no real straight answer on which one is going to set you up for future goals. You should also just apply to Type 1 crews, it's possible on occasion for them to hire rookies and at very least you can ask the same questions and get an idea of what they are like
Edit: I'll add, that T2IA or other resources crews located near hotshot crews can have the opportunity to detail on the shot crew, so there is that as well.