Wildland Firefighter

Alder Creek Firefighting operates 13 Wildland Brush Engines and three Type 2 chippers under contract with the USDA. Our company is based out of Twisp, WA and is dispatched to fires across the western U.S., but most of our fires are in Washington and Oregon. We employ firefighters from all over the PNW. We have been in the private firefighting industry as contractors since 1995 and we are currently the largest private engine contract company in the State of Washington. As private contractors, we are hired on an “as needed” basis to assist State and Federal agencies during the Fire Season.

Fire Season: Typically, here in the PNW, fire season starts mid-July and runs through mid-September, although we can start getting calls around July 1st and, depending on the weather, can stay on fires until early November some years. In 2021 our new recruits averaged 60 days on fire. 2022 was one of our slowest seasons historically and 2023 was a little below average, with most employees working 30 to 35 days on fires. 40 days is our unofficial threshold between a “slow” and a “busy” season. Because we are at the mercy of mother nature and stupid people to give us work, this industry can be hit or miss from year to year, although busy seasons have been far more common than slow seasons in the last decade plus.

Compensation: Pay is by the hour, plus overtime after 40 hours in a work week (Sun-Sat). Starting hourly wage for first year firefighters is $26.48 $4.57 Health & Welfare bonus on regular hours ($31.05 for first 40 hours). OT is time & a half on $26.48 hourly ($39.72, no H & W bonus in OT). During a full 2-week assignment you can expect 90-100 hours a week. Average daily earnings will be around $400 for a first-year firefighter. Wages increase with experience and qualifications. Engine Boss wages start at $35/hour and increase with tenure with our company.

Employee Location: We prefer our employees to live within a 4-hour drive from our home base in Twisp, WA as most of the time we need to leave ASAP when we get dispatched to a fire. Who we call depends on where the fire is and when we need to be there, so it can be a benefit for us to have employees spread out around Washington and North Idaho. You may get picked up if you are on the way to the fire we get dispatched to, or you may be asked to drive yourself or carpool to Twisp or directly to a fire from time to time. Depending on where you live, a dependable vehicle that can make it across the state and back is not a requirement but it is a plus. Because of the seasonal, and “call when needed” nature of this business, there are NO GUARANTEES as to how many days an employee can expect to work during any given summer. As we cannot guarantee any work, we strongly recommend that new employees hold a "regular" job that will allow them to leave once fire season starts as a fall back in case of a slow fire season. Because of this uncertainty, we strongly recommend NOT moving here from out of the region just for this position. We are not a fire department or government agency and we do not offer any employee housing or any work during the summer other than going out of wildfires. If you are from outside of the PNW but are already planning to move to the area and wish to apply, please add a message to your application stating those intentions. Any out of region applicants that do not add this message will not receive a response.

Training: Minimum training required for the FFT2 (beginning firefighter) position is successful completion of the S130/S190/L180 classes. There are two options for training: In-Person Class Training or Online NWCG Training Courses. “In-Person” classroom training courses are available at different locations throughout the Spring. The classroom training is a 32 hour, 4 day course, typically held on consecutive weekends. Normally these courses are held in Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee and Pateros.

The Online Training Courses can be done from home and at the students’ own pace. Half of the S130 is a “field day” which must be attended in person and having the online portion of the S130 completed is required to attend. The field day is the 4th day of the in-person classroom training. For online students we host our own field day at our shop in Twisp, usually in early June. In addition to the S130/S190/L180 courses, the ICS100 and IS700a FEMA classes are required of all new firefighters and are only available online. Those can be completed in a few hours. We prefer that new employees do the online training, but if in-person works better for individuals we will get them signed up for a course near them if there are spots available. Whichever option an individual decides to take, we do prefer that they attend our field day (if they can) as it is geared more towards our company while still covering all the required material.

Fitness & work environment: Annually firefighters are required to pass the Work Capacity Fitness Test (Pack Test). The Pack Test is a 3 mile walk carrying a 45lb pack that must be completed in 45 mins or less. Because of the rugged terrain, hiking with heavy packs, and digging with hand tools on near vertical slopes, persons with bad backs, ankles or knees may not be suited for this type of work. Likewise, the smoke, soot, and dust can be a serious problem for anyone with even minor respiratory ailments. Working 14 days in a row in the heat, smoke and dust can take its toll. The better shape you are in, the easier it is to make it through each tour.

Fire camp policy, and our own company policy, is NO alcohol or non-prescribed drug use or possession will be tolerated while on assignment. This includes drugs that are recreationally legal in the state you are working in and is for THE ENTIRE TIME YOU ARE ON ASSIGNMENT, including when you are not on shift or not in camp.

Food & Lodging: Food is provided while on assignment, typically catered at fire camp. Fire camps will have porta-potys, showers, and camping areas for tents.

Length of Assignments: Deployments can last from 1 shift for small incidents, up to multiple tours for long duration Fires. The maximum length of each tour is 14 days, and then a required 2 days of R&R. During extreme fire seasons, when resources are depleted, extensions to 21 days are possible. Keep in mind these are consecutive days without days off. A normal shift is 13 to 14 hours each day but can be 16 hours depending on fire activity.

Company Provided Gear & Clothing: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Nomex (fire resistant clothing), hardhat, fire shelter, line pack and gloves are provided to each firefighter for use on assignment. We do have eye protection on the engines, but bringing your own sunglasses is recommended. Fire boots and Camp Gear are not provided and need to be purchased prior to fire season.

Employee Provided Gear & Clothing:

Here is a list of the required personal gear for fire assignments that are not provided by the company:

- “Fire bag” or Gear bag (backpacks or duffel bags work), to transport all personal gear. These typically need to be strapped up on top of the truck to travel to and from fires, so waterproof bags are ideal.

- 8” leather boots with Vibram soles, non-steel toed (qualifying boots range from $200 to $400 )

- Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad or cot. On some assignments we may need to move camp multiple times or set up in the dark. Tents that are easy to set up and break down without help are recommended.

- Enough underwear, socks, and tee shirts to work 14 shifts in a row without being able to use a laundry facility.

- Shoes/sandals to wear while off shift (flip flops recommended for the showers)

- Clothes for cold nights and/or night shift (i.e. coat, sweatshirt, etc.)

- Head lamp or flashlight (we are often setting tents up at night)

- Toiletries

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $26.48 - $40.00 per year

Expected hours: No more than 100 per week

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $26 - $40