The BIA works hard at fire service management to manage much of the land for the American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) employs mobile fire fighting crews throughout the fire season. These are available at a moment’s notice, (you have to be at the station in a couple of hours if you’re called in) and can be ‘on the road’ for up to three weeks, moving to wherever there is a fire which needs fighting.
Fire management is an important part of the BIA, as part of the management and maintenance of land for the American Indians and Alaska Natives. Fire service management crews are made up largely of college students (well, they do need them in the summer mostly) and they have to fulfill certain criteria and demonstrate standards of fitness.
Fire Fighting Crews
The fire management crews employed by the BIA are usually made up of 20 men and women, and they can travel to fires throughout the US. A crew usually has one crew boss (of course, every crew needs a crew boss), three squad bosses or advanced firefighters, and the rest are basic firefighters and chain saw operators. They can work really long hours in many of the remotest locations, constructing fire lines to stop the spread of wildfires and to keep them under control.
You have to be at least 18 years old to sign up as a firefighter, so if you’ve got a long summer ahead with not much to do and could do with some cash, it might be an option. You’ve got to be able to hike 3 miles in less than 45 minutes with a 45 pound pack on your back, but if you’re up to it then go for it. Don’t worry if you’re a bit short on experience, you’ll receive classroom (with a certificate) and physical training (pull ups, push ups, sit ups) so by the time you’re fully trained you’ll be a fit, lean, fire-fighting machine.
Camp Crews
If you fancy some extra cash and excitement, but are a bit less of the heroic type, then just maybe you ought to consider becoming a Camp Crew Member. The money is not quite so good, but then again, you won’t be working in the ‘danger zone’. You’ve still got to prove that you’re fit though, and go through the training, but you can join a camp crew from the age of 16.
