Women in WildFire

Do you have what it takes?

Are you physically fit? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you like to help your country? Do you want to be a leader and role model? Would you like to have a meaningful career? If so, the Women in WildFire (WIWF) Training Camp could be the perfect opportunity!

 

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest will be hosting a paid training specifically for women interested in wildland firefighting. Obtain certifications for S-130, S-190, L-180 and be equipped to apply as a competitive applicant for an entry-level forestry technician (wildland firefighter) position.

 

How to attend a Women in WildFire Training Camp

This camp is geared toward providing a bridge for beginners, women, and/or other underrepresented groups to wildland firefighting careers which they may not have otherwise been aware of. Participants will learn about careers in wildland fire with the Forest Service through basic firefighter training and leadership development. Individuals selected for this opportunity will be provided with a comprehensive wildland fire orientation, professional development, formal firefighter training, as well as certification and physical agility training. Upon completion of the training, participants are highly competitive for wildland fire positions.

Other national forests like the Angeles National Forest and Los Padres National Forest have put these training camps on in the past and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is thrilled to host the first annual Women in WildFire Training Camp in northern California. Many participants have graduated from these types of programs, some of which have worked or received employment offers to work in wildland firefighting positions and for the Forest Service since completing these trainings.

If you are selected for this opportunity, you will attend and complete the Women in WildFire Camp (WIWF). This Camp will provide comprehensive, formal training and orientation. Applicants must be at least 18, in order to be selected. Check full list of minimum federal requirements. All applications will be considered.

Expenses: Time will be paid and equipment is provided. Travel is not provided.

Certification: After the completion of the training, participants become eligible for entry level jobs and will be provided with information and guidance on how to apply for Fire Hire events in USAJOBS.gov.

 

Application, Selection and Training Timeline

To be considered for the WIWF program, each applicant will need to complete the application questionnaire and upload a resume.

  1. Applications open
    Oct 1, 2024 – Nov. 1, 2024

    • Applications are now closed.
  2. Online Training Deadline
    November 20, 2024

    If selected, the IS 100 and IS 700 online prework must be completed by predetermined deadline (before in-person training)

    • Instructions for the online portion of the course will be sent to applicants in an email on Nov. 4
  3. Selection and Notification Period
    December 2024

    Applicants will bee sent an email on Nov. 4 with instructions to complete online training and submit a federal resume by Nov 20 to be considered for selection.

    If selected, the training consists of two parts:

    • Classroom training 
    • In person field training 
  4. In Person Training
    March 30 - April 4, 2025 in Redding, CA

    • All training sessions are mandatory.

Camp Schedule and Location

This year’s 1st Annual Women in WildFire Training Camp will begin Sunday, March 30, 2025, and conclude Friday, April 04, 2025. The 6 day, 5 night Camp will be hosted in northern California. Training will include classroom and hands-on field exercises. Participants will be provided with personal protective equipment and line gear. They will be taken on hikes to simulate tasks that wildland firefighters regularly perform to gain a better understanding of the physical demands of the job. Full attendance is mandatory, and selected participants must participate and be present all 6 days and 5 nights of the camp. If selected, participants will be paid for the training and physical fitness test portion of the camp.

Our goal is for the location and surrounding area to be an ideal setting for this event. A large camp will be used for the class portion and will serve as the physical and outdoor training area. The location will offer room and board for participants and cadre. Participants will be staying on 3-sided platforms and gathering at the dining hall with commercial kitchen staffed with cooks to provide meals throughout the week.

Minimum Federal Qualification Requirements

  • Must be 18-37 years of age. (Exceptions will be considered.)
  • Must be in good physical condition
  • Must be able to pass basic wildland firefighter training (provided).
  • Must be able to pass the Forest Service Work Capacity Test at the "Arduous" level. This involves a 3-mile walk that must be completed in less than 45 minutes while wearing a 45-pound vest (provided).

The goals of the camp are to provide the following benefits:

  • Motivate more women in the workforce to learn about careers in wildland fire and work for the Forest Service. 
  • Expose participants to a comprehensive wildland fire orientation using team building, leadership development, and professional development. 
  • Allow participants to gain a better understanding of the physical demands of the job through activities like challenging uphill hikes that wildland firefighters regularly perform.

Conducive Learning Environment

Participants stay in cabins during their training and food is provided on site. Classroom lectures complete the Basic 32-hour wildland fire training curriculum. The goal is to build a supportive network, team cohesion, and confidence.  Participants will be provided with personal protective equipment and line gear. They will be taken on hikes and other activities that wildland firefighters regularly perform to gain a better understanding of the physical demands of the job. Full attendance is mandatory.

Training Provided

Firefighting Training and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior:   This introductory course is designed to train entry-level firefighters. Participants will be introduced to and gain knowledge of the basic incident management organization, firefighting techniques, suppression equipment, safety, strategy, and tactics along with fire behavior. Field exercises will be performed for valuable hands-on training. Other (training) subject matter will include:

  • Basic Concepts of Wildland Fire
  • Fuel, Topography, and Weather  
  • Fire Behavior
  • Preparedness, Incident Command Systems, and Resources
  • Watch Out and Look Outs, Communication, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES)
  • Potential Hazards and Human Factors on the Fireline
  • Transportation Safety
  • Hand Tools
  • Firing Devices
  • Water Use
  • Suppression, Communication, and Mopup
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Wildland Urban Interface
  • Optional Knowledge Areas
  • Performance Day Requirements
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS) - An Introduction to Fire Shelter Training
  • Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) -Online course that must be completed prior to completion of Work Capacity Test

Camp participants will have the opportunity to pass the Agency Work Capacity Test at the “Arduous” level. This involves a 3-mile walk that must be completed wearing a 45-pound weight vest (provided) in less than 45 minutes.  For more information on the Work Capacity Test please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/wct/2002/brochure_2002.pdf

Employment Available

This training camp opportunity will not guarantee any type of employment, however, the camp does provide certification, knowledge, and skills that will enable participants to be competitive when applying for wildland firefighter positions.

Participants will receive professional development such as resume building, application workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The training will expose applicants to professionals in the field of firefighting and other disciplines within the Forest Service. Trainees will work alongside various female leaders from the fire community (hotshots, firefighters, helitack, smokejumpers, etc.), who will serve as mentors throughout the program.

There are multiple options to obtaining a Wildland firefighter position. Temporary, Administratively Determined (on-call) and other seasonal summer opportunities are available.  For additional employment opportunities, view Employment with the Forest Service.

Entry-level Wildland Fire position description

If you obtain a position in wildland fire, duties may include the following:

  • Participate in training and physical fitness.
  • Keep yourself and your equipment fit for duty, and in response-ready condition.
  • Travel and work 14 and possibly 21 day assignments, including out of the state.
  • Safely engage in wildland fire suppression and emergency response operation activities.
  • Exposure to primitive living conditions such as camping in wilderness areas away from electricity, showers, and with no cell phone reception for several days.
  • Tasked with operating vehicles both on and off road, hiking, commercial flights, boat rides, and mission flights on helicopters are just some of the modes of transportation which can be expected on the job.
  • Wildland Firefighters can operate in close proximity to open flames, heat and smoke.
  • The work can be physically demanding, requiring up to 16 hour work days for up to 14 days in a row without a day off.
  • The work consists of hiking, carrying heavy equipment, operating fire apparatus, working near heavy machinery, and using hand tools such as shovels, Pulaskis, and chainsaws, sometimes in highly stressful situations.
  • Respect, flexibility, understanding, and teamwork are the foundation of any good firefighter and firefighting crew. Exhibiting these principles both on and off the clock is very important.

Minimum Federal Qualification Requirements

  • 1. Must be 18 years of age or older
  • 2. Must be in good mental and physical condition
  • 3. Must be able to pass the basic wildland firefighter training (provided)
  • 4. Must be able to pass the Agency Work Capacity Test at the “Arduous” level

If you have questions please send them to sm.fs.shfwiwf@usda.gov. 

 
 

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