Has anyone ever seen options for battery recycling at base camps? I'm working my first full hitch as type 3 base camp manager trainee. I can handle most the waste that camps produce, but all the batteries going to the trash bothers me.

The other question would be, is there any way to recycle cubies? This one and done use is also annoying (if crews bring them back and we don't have a potable truck available for them).

Any other recycling things to consider? Bottled water/Gatorade? Tons of those here.

None of this would be for this camp. But knowledge for the future. Especially at the type 3 level when more positions tend to be grouped together under a few ppl.

Thanks!

Edit: Thank you for recommending/reminder to look at the cache catalog. Battery recycling is available. At least at ours.

Curious if the USFS Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program It's still a thing or no?

Asking for a friend.

I left voicemails for some of the ranger stations in r5 if they don’t call me back how soon should I call back?

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?

How is it being a wild land firefighter for NP? Just curious since haven’t seen much on it. I know it’s one of the 5 federal agencies but wanted to see what people stance on it is and about working there

Hello everyone, I hope your having a good (and safe) season so far.

I am looking for a place that will let me do an arduous pack test in or near Illinois. I got a job last year with a contractor on the west coast and they put on a couple of pack tests prior to the start of the season but its a 20 hour drive or an expensive ass flight which I would rather not have to deal with just to walk around a track for 45 minutes. I have looked extensively but have yet to find anyone.

If anyone has any ideas I really appreciate it.

I am trying to get into wildland at 21 and turn it into a career. I applied for a temp position in R3 for the Forest Service during the 2nd phase and it is supposed to start in January 2026. Does this temp phase mean that I would be working the winter months and I would technically have a "season" under my belt and could apply for an apprentice ff for the next hiring phase or am I too ignorant and need more experience and certs. Also would I be able to take classes to get my FF2 cert while in the temp phase? If I need to clarify anything let me know, my head is rushing through thoughts.

Amen.

Does anyone know anything about these crews? They’re the mythical fabled Type 6 engines that make like $50 an hour and fuck around near the power lines. I hear it’s boring to tears but the money is wonderful. I can’t find any info on applying anywhere. Any unicorns here who know something I don’t?

Benefits of going fed vs. cal fire when living in R5, getting out of the military soon and trying to see what I should do career wise. Thanks yall.

https://www.reddit.com/user/FitBiomics/comments/1lijax7/this_pill_was_made_from_elite_athletes_poop_now/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&p=1&utm_term=1

What agency/contractor would be best suited for somebody trying to get in their first year? I know there are pros and cons but generally speaking

Hello, I’m based in Ontario and looking to get into short-term or temporary work as a wildland firefighter. I’m curious how things work if I apply within Ontario versus out of province, is the process any different, and is it realistic to get hired somewhere else in Canada if I’m applying from Ontario? Also, how long do these contracts usually run for?

I know municipal firefighting is very competitive, so I’m also wondering how competitive wildland firefighting jobs usually are. I have no fire experience, I have a social science degree and am currently an infantry soldier.

Thank you!

Been living out west for a few years now in R4 to chase this job, but just saw an opening outside my home city of Fort Worth in Decatur, TX. Never would’ve imagined that I would have the opportunity to be home close to family and still be a WFF for the USFS. I of course plan to give the folks out there a call, but would anyone happen to have any personal insight on the duty station? What is the culture like? Is everyone a 26-0? Are there any type 3/4 engines, or are they all type 6? Are the overhead good, supportive people to work for? How is the work-life balance? The last one being very important to me since I have a wife and child. Thanks y’all!

Anyone made the jump over to commercial diving or under water welding? I’m playing with the idea of banking a few more hotshot seasons and enrolling in a school. I’m 31 and my body is feeling the hikes and moon dust.

How is your guys shift schedule regularly and for project fires and busy times or extended shifts like example ours in manitoba is 10 on 4 off but if we’re busy or sent out of our district we work 24 on 4 off with 20 max fire line days

Hey I was wondering if there are any hotshot crews that regularly accept students or have student-specific slots. This is my second season on a handcrew and I'm looking to get on a shot crew next season but my availability would only be from mid may to late August. Thanks I appreciate it.

This probably going to a stupid question, but I'll ask anyways: How does one get their FFT1 task book opened? Let me give you a peek into my background: I started firerfighting in high school with a local (rural) volunteer FD as a Fire Service Explorer then moved into cadet when I turned 18 to prep for the academy then my family moved my senior year. I went to college and then National Guard, then eventually made my way into the Federal service after doing several years in agriculture. I started with the USFS on the Huron-Manistee N.F. in Michigan before going to Montana. This past year I moved over to USFWS to try them out and did 5 months in S.C. before going over to Montana again. When I was with the USFS, they told me 1st years don't get FFT1 (YEAH,OK!!!) Many do, son I waited and was very enthusiastic in wanting to learn and absorb as much as possible. This year in S.C. they had told me they would initiate it and reevaluate after 2 months, then come to find out they had never initiated it in the first place. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to go Private like "Greyback" or CalFire or DNR? I need help, I'm tired of having high schoolers get it before me, I put the work in and do what I'm told just to have leaders that say they hate toxicity just to turn around and exhume more than the old skool guys.

Are NPS shortages affecting wildland fire response? You can reach me on Signal EileenSullivan.70

Are we all using them? Or are there still some sticks and leaves people ?

I have had Dude wipes, Good wipes, the natural Huggies with Winnie the Pooh.

Is there another brand to try?

Do they all just tear when pulling them out?

Can I buy a pack that isn’t 4lbs of wipes to throw in my pack pack?

Im an inside wireman apprentice in Ca currently earning 45 an hr take home and im in my 2nd year. At 5 yrs ill be taking home 70+ and hr.dependent on area of project. Once journeyed out id be somewhere in the 80+ and with potential to get 120/hr…would leaving this career for wildland be a wise choice? In not exactly sure how much yall make but im assuming more than my potential. Let me know your thoughts . Thank you

This might be a dumb question but how do you cold call a station what’s a line I could use?

Someone explain to me the LP boot game. Why are they so tall? Why do they cut their pants? Why do crew representatives have theirs ears gauged? Should I hang out with them? Should I avoid them? All I know is they have the best boots in the game and every time I've worked with them they have been pretty solid. Easy to work with and generally solid product producers. What's up about the boots and pants