McCall Smokejumpers Work Assignments

Work assignments may include brush piling, prescribed burning projects, fuels management, pre-attack planning, timber stand improvement, construction and maintenance of facilities, or trail maintenance. Professional conduct on these projects is evaluated, along with performance on fire related activities.

As the fire season increases in intensity, a crew of appropriate size is held at the jump base for immediate response to fires. While waiting for fire dispatches, these jumpers are engaged in work around the base, such as parachute rigging and para cargo construction. Aircraft and Smokejumpers may also be moved throughout the country as fire season dictates.

McCall operates spike bases out of Ogden and Richfield, Utah and frequently have aircraft and personnel positioned there during peak season. Crews returning from fire assignments are placed at the bottom of a rotating jump list, while those who have worked their way to the top of the jump list become available for the next fire assignment.

McCall Smokejumpers wear many different hats during the season. While each jumper enjoys the job of fire suppression, they maintain a very flexible mindset as each assignment might bring them a number of different tasks and responsibilities. Pride is taken because of the ability to morph into a wide variety of roles.