Careers Gone Wild - Explore the Career Kingdom

Explore the Career Kingdom:


Forest Fire Fighters
Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

Other names for Forest Fire Fighters: Engine Boss, Fire Fighter, Fire Technician, Firefighter, Forest Firefighter, Forest Ranger, Forest Ranger Technician, Forestry Crew Chief, Forestry Technician (Fire), Handcrew Foreman, Hot Shot, Ranger, Rescue Worker, Smoke Chaser, Smoke Eater, Smoke Jumper, Wildland Fire Fighter Specialist, Wildland Firefighter,

What do Forest Fire Fighters do?
  • Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
  • Rescue fire victims, and administer emergency medical aid.
  • Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
  • Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
  • Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels, or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
  • Fell trees, cut and clear brush, and dig trenches to create firelines, using axes, chainsaws or shovels.
  • Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
  • Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
  • Participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness.
  • Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.
  • Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.
  • Inform and educate the public about fire prevention.
  • Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.
  • Organize fire caches, positioning equipment for the most effective response.
  • Transport personnel and cargo to and from fire areas.
  • Participate in fire prevention and inspection programs.
  • Perform forest maintenance and improvement tasks such as cutting brush, planting trees, building trails and marking timber.
  • Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.
  • Observe forest areas from fire lookout towers to spot potential problems.
  • Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
  • Serve as fully trained lead helicopter crewmember and as helispot manager.
  • Drop weighted paper streamers from aircraft to determine the speed and direction of the wind at fire sites.

Do you enjoy these?
  • All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled
  • Ladders
  • Lighters
  • Fire pump sets
  • Power saws
  • Geological compasses
  • Lighters
  • Power saws
  • Agricultural tractors
  • Fire suppression hand tools
  • Hold down clamps
  • Fire hoses or nozzles
  • Fire hoses or nozzles
  • Fire retardant apparel
  • Protective gloves
  • Fire escape equipment
  • Fire retardant footwear
  • Emergency medical services first aid kits
  • Fire pump sets
  • Shovels
  • Global positioning system receivers
  • Hand pumps
  • Hard hats
  • Fire hoses or nozzles
  • Notebook computers
  • Machetes
  • All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled
  • Picks
  • Fire suppression hand tools
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Parachutes
  • Personal computers
  • Picks
  • Weather stations
  • Fire pump sets
  • Safety helmets
  • Psychrometers
  • Fire suppression hand tools
  • Flares
  • Safety glasses
  • Goggles
  • Shovels
  • Fire suppression hand tools
  • Spanner wrenches
  • Binoculars
  • Fire hoses or nozzles
  • Track bulldozers
  • Mowers
  • Saws
  • Water pumps
  • Two way radios
  • Fire or rescue trucks
  • Anemometers

Technology used
  • Office suite software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Internet browser software
  • Electronic mail software

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