Just look for some advice and if anyone has done something similar? I am an E-6 active duty Air Force maintainer with a little over ten years in and thinking about a career change to firefighting. Has anyone skillbridged over? How was it getting started? Things you wish you knew before? Federal, state, or private? All information is welcome!
I was wondering for early season what temperature rating bags do you like and which brands and models for June & July when its hot out and then late season bags Temp Ratings, brand/models for when the temps drop at night up in the mountains.
Are the high end bags from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering worth the big prices?
Any hidden favorites?
Stay warm, the cooler weather is coming.
Waiting to be called out on my very first fire.
Completed my gear checklist but would love to know from some experienced dudes what other items I should bring along aside from the checklist.
Curious if any of you have any advice or experience for someone with no experience in that field.
I work for a FD we do 911 and urban fire, 24/72s so I have lots of time off. I'm a paramedic and have the opportunity to be a medic on a truck on the fire line. Im getting my red card shortly. Just curious if there's anything I need to know about wildland that I might not have considered. Or of any of you have worked for companies like this. I intend to "deploy" for 7 days at a time.
Immediate opening for engine boss to run on fire engine for current wildland fire in Reno, NV. Must have all certs up to date. Reporting in Boise, ID. by 8am tomorrow, August 13, 2026. DM for contact info.
Where can I submit a complaint about an equipment operator? This is not about performance on the job but about overall conduct (animal welfare issue). I was told it was brought up to the team (maybe a few iterations of teams) but not sure anything came of it.
Just moved back to California after several years Active Duty (Army) in North Carolina. Don’t know what the fuck to do. Don’t have any transferable skills from the Army. I know how to deal with misery, how to stay in shape and I would hate an office job. I’ve been considering wildland firefighting but also maybe structural? What are the best and worst parts? I walked into a local fire station to ask the guys how I start. They said go to an academy and also do EMT. So I’m starting an EMT class in two days and bought an expensive ass textbook. I guess this is the first step. But I want y’alls advice and insight.
I like the idea of the time off from the wildland side (I like to travel and having months off at a time seems really appealing) but reading through Reddit it seems like they pay is dogshit and the life sucks. Which I’m used to but idk if I want more of that. Structural seems better paying and stable and nice but less time off. What would yall do if you were in my shoes? Or if you could rewind the clock and start over again? What steps would you take or do differently?