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Smokejumper Spotter Academy: Training leaders in the sky

A smokejumper kneels beside an aircraft to do final checks before boarding. Two people stand near the aircraft doorway talking.
Pick your favorite theme song and imagine it hits the loudspeakers. You suit up, load up and head out to the plane. After a 20-minute flight you are briefed about the jump spot and the fire behavior. A tap on the back tells you to hone your focus and remember every day of training you’ve had as you free fall into the atmosphere. Five seconds, a tug and tranquility follows the rush of adrenaline…
#Smokejumpers, #Wildfire, #WildlandFire, #WildlandFirefighters, #Aviation, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Fire, #Firefighters

Ready for Wildfires

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Wildfires are growing bigger, faster and more unpredictable. Drought conditions and years of accumulated dry vegetation continue to raise the stakes, and the U.S. Forest Service is prepared.The Forest Service coordinates the largest and most capable firefighting systems in the world. The mission: keep the public and firefighters safe, protect communities and actively manage forests.A National…
#Priorities, #Recreation, #ForestInventoryAndAnalysis, #Fire, #EmergencyPreparedness, #Wildfire, #EmergencyResponse, #Aviation, #Firefighters, #FirefighterSafety, #Firesafety, #Smokejumpers, #Helicopter

Technology is at the forefront to keep smokejumpers safe

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Reserve smokejumper parachute evaluation guided dummy drop conducted at the Missoula smokejumper base. USDA photo by Justin Gilman. MONTANA – The Forest Service smokejumper program employs highly skilled individuals who provide leadership for a variety of missions such as creating a command structure for an…
#NationalTechnologyAndDevelopmentProgram, #Smokejumpers, #Firefighters

Annual air show: Cooler than a shark shirt

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Attendees of the Oregon International Air Show in line to tour the Shorts SD3-60 Sherpa aircraft, used by smokejumpers. USDA photo by Tony Sleznik. OREGON—A display from the Pacific Northwest Region’s Fire and Aviation Management program at the 35th annual Oregon International Air Show, held…
#Visitors, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Smokejumpers, #SmokeyBear, #Education

Smokejumping

Skydiver at edge of open door, ready to exit the plane with smoke in the hills below.
The California Smokejumpers preparing their gear and parachutes after receiving a call from dispatch, July 15, 2023. (USDA Forest Service photo by Tom Stokesberry) It’s that time of year when wildfire activity is increasing across the country. Have you heard of the Bear Fire, Campbell Fire,…
#Smokejumpers, #FireAndAviationManagement

HerStory: Meet Sara Brown

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This story is part of a series highlighting the contributions women have made to the Forest Service. If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured in a HerStory piece, please contact Patricia Burel. Sara Brown is program manager for the Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program at the…
#RockyMountainResearchStation, #Smokejumpers