Just to throw it out there. We're pretty well aware of why there is a retention problem with the Forest Service. I'm a 4th year smokejumper, and a 10th year "wildland firefighter" with the US Forest Service. I make about $50,000 a year. Just throwing that out there. The amount of physical fitness, mental fatigue, and very wide span of skills associated with this job, coupled with wages that don't allow us to buy a house in the town we work, is the reason.
Yet, people sign up for the low pay and bad conditions. Lots of occupations are like that. Healthcare comes to mind. I know EMTs who make $13 an hour. And I know people with Master's degrees who expose themselves to radiation every day for $22 an hour.
@@jshepard152 I have a dual Bachelor's degree and am also an EMT. I get it. But we aren't talking entry level job in the industry, here. Not even the second job. I'm 10 years into my "career," and working with a resource that is highly specialized. We make up about 400 people of the 20,000 federal agency wildland firefighter force. Our rookie training has a average pass rate of 50%. We pull those rookie candidates from highly trained and physical Hotshot Crews. Aka, the second job for highly motivated people, who are already skilled in their field, and who have promoted a few GS grades, already. The compensation is pretty low for the long road to get here, the inherent danger once you're here, and the 20 separate professions worth of knowledge and skills you maintain to be successful here. This is not an entry level job. Not even close.
3:08 Anyone who's job requires them to carry *bear spray* has my utmost respect. In all seriousness these people are literally frontline firefighters and deserve the highest support.
Just to throw it out there. We're pretty well aware of why there is a retention problem with the Forest Service. I'm a 4th year smokejumper, and a 10th year "wildland firefighter" with the US Forest Service. I make about $50,000 a year. Just throwing that out there. The amount of physical fitness, mental fatigue, and very wide span of skills associated with this job, coupled with wages that don't allow us to buy a house in the town we work, is the reason.
I'll be joining you guys in a min. coming over to DoI after i finish my thing with the DoD
Hey man, current king air pilot here. Do you have any insight on breaking down how to get a pilot role for you guys? Thanks for all your hard work.
Yea they just skipped right past that part. You guys deserve more pay and more time off during the season
Yet, people sign up for the low pay and bad conditions. Lots of occupations are like that. Healthcare comes to mind. I know EMTs who make $13 an hour. And I know people with Master's degrees who expose themselves to radiation every day for $22 an hour.
@@jshepard152 I have a dual Bachelor's degree and am also an EMT. I get it. But we aren't talking entry level job in the industry, here. Not even the second job. I'm 10 years into my "career," and working with a resource that is highly specialized. We make up about 400 people of the 20,000 federal agency wildland firefighter force. Our rookie training has a average pass rate of 50%. We pull those rookie candidates from highly trained and physical Hotshot Crews. Aka, the second job for highly motivated people, who are already skilled in their field, and who have promoted a few GS grades, already. The compensation is pretty low for the long road to get here, the inherent danger once you're here, and the 20 separate professions worth of knowledge and skills you maintain to be successful here. This is not an entry level job. Not even close.
3:08 Anyone who's job requires them to carry *bear spray* has my utmost respect. In all seriousness these people are literally frontline firefighters and deserve the highest support.
Talk about going above and beyond! Stay safe. 👍👏👏👏
Love you guys and girls, thanks
Stay hard
Not under prepared, but UNDERPAID!!