2 answers
joshua
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Updated
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for smoke jumper how did you get picked to be a smoke jumper?
how did you differentiate from others or make yourself more appealing to be a smoke jumper.
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2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3736
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey Joshua!
I hope this message finds you well. I'm here to give you a detailed rundown on the exciting journey of becoming a Smoke Jumper. It's a demanding yet rewarding career path that requires a blend of physical prowess, experience, and education. Here's what it takes to join the ranks of these brave individuals:
To be a Smoke Jumper:
Physical Fitness: Being a smoke jumper is not for the faint of heart. You need to be in peak physical condition. A tough physical fitness test awaits you, where you'll need to prove your endurance through running, pull-ups, sit-ups, and carrying heavy loads over long distances.
Experience: It's common for aspiring smoke jumpers to have a background in wildland firefighting or similar fields. This experience equips you with a deep understanding of fire behavior, safety protocols, and the importance of teamwork.
Education: Although a college degree isn't a must, having studied forestry, natural resources management, or fire science can give you an edge.
Certifications: To prove your ability to provide medical assistance in remote locations, certifications like Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) are often necessary.
Training Journey:
Basic Training: As a future smoke jumper, you'll go through an intensive training program covering fire behavior, parachute techniques, wilderness survival, and emergency medical skills.
Parachute Training: A major part of your training will be learning how to safely parachute into remote areas. You'll get to practice parachute jumps from aircraft under various conditions.
Physical Conditioning: Your training will also focus on enhancing your physical fitness to prepare you for the physically demanding nature of smoke jumping.
Stand Out from the Crowd:
Show Off Your Physical Fitness: To stand out, excel in the physical fitness tests. Going beyond the minimum requirements shows your dedication and readiness for the challenging role of a smoke jumper.
Highlight Your Experience: If you have prior experience in wildland firefighting, emergency response, or outdoor leadership roles, make sure to highlight it. Practical knowledge and skills in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
Earn Extra Certifications: Get additional certifications related to wilderness medicine or firefighting to enhance your qualifications and show your commitment to the role.
In conclusion, becoming a smoke jumper is a journey of dedication, physical strength, relevant experience, and a commitment to continuous learning and skill development. Those who make it through the tough selection process are a testament to their exceptional physical fitness, relevant experience, and unwavering commitment to the demanding responsibilities of a smoke jumper.
I've gathered this information from authoritative sources like the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the U.S. Forest Service, and the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. These sources provide reliable information about the qualifications and experiences necessary to become a successful smoke jumper.
May you be blessed in abundance, Joshua!
Best regards,
James.
I hope this message finds you well. I'm here to give you a detailed rundown on the exciting journey of becoming a Smoke Jumper. It's a demanding yet rewarding career path that requires a blend of physical prowess, experience, and education. Here's what it takes to join the ranks of these brave individuals:
To be a Smoke Jumper:
Physical Fitness: Being a smoke jumper is not for the faint of heart. You need to be in peak physical condition. A tough physical fitness test awaits you, where you'll need to prove your endurance through running, pull-ups, sit-ups, and carrying heavy loads over long distances.
Experience: It's common for aspiring smoke jumpers to have a background in wildland firefighting or similar fields. This experience equips you with a deep understanding of fire behavior, safety protocols, and the importance of teamwork.
Education: Although a college degree isn't a must, having studied forestry, natural resources management, or fire science can give you an edge.
Certifications: To prove your ability to provide medical assistance in remote locations, certifications like Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) are often necessary.
Training Journey:
Basic Training: As a future smoke jumper, you'll go through an intensive training program covering fire behavior, parachute techniques, wilderness survival, and emergency medical skills.
Parachute Training: A major part of your training will be learning how to safely parachute into remote areas. You'll get to practice parachute jumps from aircraft under various conditions.
Physical Conditioning: Your training will also focus on enhancing your physical fitness to prepare you for the physically demanding nature of smoke jumping.
Stand Out from the Crowd:
Show Off Your Physical Fitness: To stand out, excel in the physical fitness tests. Going beyond the minimum requirements shows your dedication and readiness for the challenging role of a smoke jumper.
Highlight Your Experience: If you have prior experience in wildland firefighting, emergency response, or outdoor leadership roles, make sure to highlight it. Practical knowledge and skills in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
Earn Extra Certifications: Get additional certifications related to wilderness medicine or firefighting to enhance your qualifications and show your commitment to the role.
In conclusion, becoming a smoke jumper is a journey of dedication, physical strength, relevant experience, and a commitment to continuous learning and skill development. Those who make it through the tough selection process are a testament to their exceptional physical fitness, relevant experience, and unwavering commitment to the demanding responsibilities of a smoke jumper.
I've gathered this information from authoritative sources like the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the U.S. Forest Service, and the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. These sources provide reliable information about the qualifications and experiences necessary to become a successful smoke jumper.
May you be blessed in abundance, Joshua!
Best regards,
James.
ShaRon Bynum
Program Manager
31
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
ShaRon’s Answer
Joshua,
According to the US Department of Agriculture Forestry Service (https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/fire/smokejumpers/qualifications) the qualifications to be a Smoke Jumper are as follows:
Candidates must be highly motivated individuals in top physical condition and capable of performing arduous duties. Any physical defect sufficient to impair efficiency or endanger fellow workers will disqualify the applicant. Individuals interested in becoming smokejumper candidates must meet the qualifications listed below.
Experience for a GS-5:
One year of experience that provided the applicant with skill in the use of hand tools, familiarity with safe work procedures and practices related to forestry and other fields such as range management, farming, ranching, fire control work, soil and water conservation activities, and knowledge of basic first aid procedures. The year of experience must have included at least one season* of specialized wildland fire suppression work.
Wildland fire suppression experience is work as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit, in forest and range fire suppression work under mountainous terrain and fuel conditions such as those found in the Western United States. This work must have included training in forest or range fire suppression methods and techniques, fire behavior, use of firefighting tools and equipment, and in safety and first aid practices common to firefighting work.
OR:
Successful completion of 4 years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus at least one season* of wildland fire suppression work, as defined below.
Experience for a GS-6:
One year of experience that provided the applicant with skill in the use of hand tools, familiarity with safe work procedures and practices related to forestry and other fields (such as range management, farming, ranching, fire control work, soil and water conservation activities), and knowledge of basic first aid procedures. 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.
Note: Entry level smokejumper positions are not entry-level firefighting positions.
All smokejumper applicants must have demonstrated skills for the effective application of fire suppression tactics using diverse resources including hand tools, chainsaws for felling and bucking trees up to twenty-four inches in diameter (24” DBH), and experience operating portable pumps using hoselay methods needed for effective operation in the wildland fire environment.
If you lack this required fire experience, you may want to consider applying for a position on an Interagency Hotshot Crew, or district helicopter or engine crew. These crews receive valuable training and experience in fire suppression work. There are numerous crews located throughout the United States with the majority being in the West. For specific information, contact your local Job Service, Forest Service or BLM office. You can also check out these websites:
Forest Service Careers
USA Jobs
According to the US Department of Agriculture Forestry Service (https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/fire/smokejumpers/qualifications) the qualifications to be a Smoke Jumper are as follows:
Candidates must be highly motivated individuals in top physical condition and capable of performing arduous duties. Any physical defect sufficient to impair efficiency or endanger fellow workers will disqualify the applicant. Individuals interested in becoming smokejumper candidates must meet the qualifications listed below.
Experience for a GS-5:
One year of experience that provided the applicant with skill in the use of hand tools, familiarity with safe work procedures and practices related to forestry and other fields such as range management, farming, ranching, fire control work, soil and water conservation activities, and knowledge of basic first aid procedures. The year of experience must have included at least one season* of specialized wildland fire suppression work.
Wildland fire suppression experience is work as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit, in forest and range fire suppression work under mountainous terrain and fuel conditions such as those found in the Western United States. This work must have included training in forest or range fire suppression methods and techniques, fire behavior, use of firefighting tools and equipment, and in safety and first aid practices common to firefighting work.
OR:
Successful completion of 4 years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus at least one season* of wildland fire suppression work, as defined below.
Experience for a GS-6:
One year of experience that provided the applicant with skill in the use of hand tools, familiarity with safe work procedures and practices related to forestry and other fields (such as range management, farming, ranching, fire control work, soil and water conservation activities), and knowledge of basic first aid procedures. 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.
Note: Entry level smokejumper positions are not entry-level firefighting positions.
All smokejumper applicants must have demonstrated skills for the effective application of fire suppression tactics using diverse resources including hand tools, chainsaws for felling and bucking trees up to twenty-four inches in diameter (24” DBH), and experience operating portable pumps using hoselay methods needed for effective operation in the wildland fire environment.
If you lack this required fire experience, you may want to consider applying for a position on an Interagency Hotshot Crew, or district helicopter or engine crew. These crews receive valuable training and experience in fire suppression work. There are numerous crews located throughout the United States with the majority being in the West. For specific information, contact your local Job Service, Forest Service or BLM office. You can also check out these websites:
Forest Service Careers
USA Jobs