Why Wildland Firefighters deserve so much respect
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ย. 2024
- Wildland and Forestry Firefighters are a whole different breed from Structural Firefighters. Both deserve respect, but these are the reasons why I think they are incredible.
Structural firefighters protect cities.
Wild land firefighters make sure there are cities to protect.
Nah we just make sure the tobacco companies survive.
@@urmomtravelsmongo3430 truuuuuue
Yea
More like: structural firefighters protect buildings. Wildland FF protects cities.
Cal Fire does both
As a wildland firefighter. Thanks dude. I run a chainsaw on a handcrew. You explained it in layman’s terms and it brings awareness to us. The USFS pays us 13 an hour..... just saying. There’s currently a new bill being introduced that increases the wages for us, and benefits packages so we can support our families during the off season. Support is critical! Thanks and stay safe!
Yeah, we should do that.
Salute to you
You and your crew are national heroes. Thank you for your service.
****update**** as of 2022 a new budget was approved which raised our hourly pay up to a whopping 15.90 an hour. Any improvement is progress.
Now, I’d we could get the federal government to call us “wildland firefighters” instead of “forestry technicians” then we could see some real change in benefits and pay.
Thank you all for the kind comments!
@@roberttaylor9611 great.
my uncle used to be a wildland firefighter. him and his crewmates would chug as much water as possible, to see who would throw up last. this was their only form of entertainment.
They weren't very creative. Was talking to one of the old timers yesterday - they used to use the old MRE cans they got given, fill them with rocks, and toss them out near other guys who were taking a dump. Apparently it sounded just like a rattlesnake.
Lol! I truly miss the brotherhood. Didn’t know I’d miss it this much, enjoy it while you can. From a lowly former volunteer, you folks stay frosty.
AH yes. the frivolity! like seeing who can blow the blackest snot rocket
4-4-40
Yeah it's called the 4/4/40. 4 canteens (quarts) of water in 4 minutes or less and hold it down for 40 seconds. If you don't drink it all or throw up early, you don't complete the challenge.
The most American unit “football field per second”
It really is 😂
Football fields are used because an acre is around the same size as a football field so its easier to describe to civilians
Would be impressive if they were big
You don’t know about freedom units?
Except that second isn't an Imperial unit.
Not to mention we dont wear ventilators and we get paid much less than structure firefighters. Most of us have to purchase private health insurance and the camp food is terrible. Either way, props for the shout out!!
The nutrition is at least for me the largest issue. To perform hand crew duties on what’s given food wise is a joke. Would love an actual push towards getting quality meat and things that aren’t all soy and carbohydrate based, where I can actually feel like I’m thriving out there instead of downing a rice crispy treat and wishing someone in the federal government actually cared about my gut health and insulin sensitivity.
My last fire was about 5 years ago but we always had pretty decent catering on federal fires then being out of california on state fires ,calfire had the inmate catering and that usually was a little better
@@adam7474 Cal Fire fires are jam packed with food, in addition to their giant 5 lb lunches. It's hit and miss on fed fires...either it's alright, or it's atrocious...Cal Fire is like Christmas morning every time you line up for chow
Wild land firefighters deserve so much more
@@adam7474 Ya your right and the food wasn't as good this year because they didn't let the inmates cater with covid going around.
My personal records as an all-risk firefighter in California are 43 days without going home, and a 7.5-mile hike from where we parked the engine to our line assignment.
Mine is two gallons of ice cream..... so, challenge accepted
Longest hose lay?
@@scimet3627
Seems like an extremely personal question...
🤣
God bless you.
Hello From Stn 80. Along time ago.
I’m from Australia and at the start of the year when we were on fire, 83% of the people fight those fires were volunteers, now thats a whole new level.. btw we are very grateful from the assistance from America and Canada
Your very welcome
As first responders, we don't limit ourselves to just helping locally. It's a calling in a lot of us to help everyone that we can.
And the kiwis. They sent experienced squads on rotating deployments all season.
Around 70% of all active firefighters in the US are volunteer as well.
And Australia is back on fire the upper end Is seeing it quite badly
My man seriously just said: "If you get eaten by a bear, it's not workman's comp." I'm laughing so hard that the dude in the toilet stall next to me is scared for his safety. Lmao
L O L
Excuse me sir, but what the fu-
🤣 I can’t-
I’m cryin and wheezin !!
Lol
One of my captains said that he will fight structure fires all day, but wildland fires are something he will not do. Is reasoning is that you can get outside on a structure fire and then you're mostly bsafe, but in wildland fires you're already outside and the fire is coming to get you
When your on a crew you feel much more safe knowing that your brothers have your back
@@jeremiahclipp haven't had the pleasure of trying it yet, but probably next year when I'm done with medic school. There's definitely a sense of camaraderie in doing the dangerous or impossible together
Stefan Latimer try ODF, I’m with them and I’ve learned so much without going to fire camp training
@@jeremiahclipp hey man. I live on hood and after these recent fires. I'm sure you're out there working. Just wanted to say thanks and I sent emails out today asking to come volunteer on the line
Chris Santos I appreciate it. I’m working IA in southern Oregon so I’m good on work
Childe - "Why do Wildland firefighters exist Daddy?"
Father - "Because son, even structural firefighters need Heroes"
I am a retired structural firefighter. And you are so right.
Tartaglia asking the right questions
@@Carpatouille I dont think they have a wildland fires in Snezhnaya tho.
@@Carpatouille Whales Unite!
Truth
My cousin was a volunteer firefighter in Nebraska. He got trapped in a cornfield fire. He died multiple times on the table, ran up 6 million in medical costs, ended up with burn scars over most of his body. He is alive and amazing. Wildfires move insanely fast and are very tough to fight. Nothing but the highest respect for the people that do this job.
God bless him🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
6 million in medical bills... I highly doubt that since the insurance wouldnt have covered any of that which makes him liable for it all. The Hospital wouldnt have treated him.
@@inceneration my friend got run over on his motorcycle. messed him up badly. he was life-flighted to BAMC (military medical hospital in san antonio, tx). he ended up with a million dollar medical bill. he told me, "it just went away." he was unemployed at the time with no insurance.
@@kimplummer2672 Oh definitely, this kind of thing DOES happen.
My father was getting a stint put in but died on the table due to water in his lungs from CHF, so they started to resuscitate him.... except that he had a DNR and they KNEW IT. But why would they do it? Because my mom had been trying to get there on time to go see him when he came out of surgery, except the front desk gave her the wrong directions and the hospital got her completely lost for at least a half an hour before finally getting to him.
The hospital was so fucking embarrassed... we never had to pay for anything. Not even cremation. Everybody was extremely quiet about it, in hopes that my mom wouldn't get loud or try to sue them.
@@inceneration How fake does a country have to be to have hospitals refuse to save your life
Appreciate the love, I’m on a shot crew and it’s been a busy bone grinding summer thus far! Sometimes it feels like we’re just invisible people out there working, helicopters always steal the glory. But the majority of us don’t want it anyway, it’s what we love to do! Stay safe and keep making these great videos!
We appreciate you man!
Thank you for what you do! And please pass this on to all your buddies, I appreciate you guys and your hard work!
Thank you for what you do. As an avid explorer of forests I appreciate it a lot that people like you are preventing the forests from burning down the forests.
although forests fires are natural they may be deadly
so be safe
Thank you for everything you’ve been doing, my dad used to be part of a hotshot crew. I have so much respect for you and all of the other hotshots!
Thank you for answering a question I've had forever and didn't want to ask. "How do firefighters die while fighting a forest fire? There's so much room to run."
*Wildland fires can travel a football field a second* I'm very sorry I had this stupid question but thank you for the facts. So much respect.
I got wildfire training in the 80's. So a lot of my knowledge will be out of date, but back then firefighters would get something that looked like a floor less puptent made out of space blankets. The idea was that if you got trapped you opened that bad boy up, put your hands and feet in the corners and fell forward. If you couldn't break out your fire tent, you were to lie face down on the ground at a low point and let the fire pass over you. When I spoke to experienced firefighters, they said that the safest place to sleep, other than base camp, were the already burned out sections.
At fire school, during the section we practiced using fire shelters, the instructor told us that if we ever planned on using it we should carry a potato in our pack so the recovery team would have something to eat. They are better than nothing but if you have to pull it out you have already screwed up big time.
Fire school was a week of reviewing how you can die and what to do avoid it.
When I hear about someone dying on a fire, I still run the list of fire orders and see which ones they didn't follow.
@@asmith8692
That's true for the highly publicized instances, but most wildland casualties are far more pedestrian. Like urban firefighting, vehicle accidents and heart attacks from over-exertion account for the bulk of the deaths. Beyond the urban interface, however, things like falling trees, chainsaw accidents, falling off cliffs, getting run over by a bulldozer, and aircraft falling from the sky are common causes of serious injury and death.
@@brianreilly7079 O. M. G. I had...no idea. I mean, I can see most of them but...AIRCRAFT FALLING FROM THE SKY!!!??? How does that even happen??!!
@@enerioffutt1881 Fire bombers drop their payloads right on fires, and fires make a lot of hot air. Hot air rises, which means there's a lot of air moving around very fast around them, so flying a plane in those conditions is hard on the airframes. That said, generally not that many actually crash.
Amen! I am in rookie school and my class dedicated our academy to the Granite Mountain Hotshots who died in the line of duty in Arizona. Wildland firefighters deserve every ounce of respect we have to offer.
As do the air crews overhead.
I live in Arizona, and remember that wildfire. The Granite Mountain Hot Shots Memorial is a beautiful dedication to their hard work & sacrifice.
I also grew up camping here, and one summer a forest fire began near the area we were camped. I was 12. I remember the way all the campers came together to help... some with their shovels, some helping people get out of the area, going back & forth, but most of all I remember the "pink smoke" dropping from the planes overhead. I helped people get their dogs loaded up into their trucks, and ran water to the people helping. When I saw the fire fighters arrive to our area, the relief I felt is indescribable (especially the thought of "now my grandma will leave"). The only time I can remember a feeling of Hero Worship.
35 years later, I still camp in that same area, and am thankful no lives were lost in that fire.
As a wildland firefighter, I feel the love for once I feel we don’t get Acknowledged enough for the hard work that’s been done! But I love it!
Thank you for keeping us safe 🙏💙🤗💗
Amen brother! We ground pounders definitely don’t do it for the glory.
Keep fighting the good fight, we appreciate what you do. ❤️
Very true, we diggin dirt for MRES
@@trevorseibel1837 Yea, but sometimes we are blessed with the mythical "meatwad sandwich" in fire camp.
I remember feeling that pride on the day I was certified as a "wildland firefighter" (2002). My first fire was caused by lightning strike in the woods close to our community. It was only about a 10 minute drive followed by a 15 minute hike.. followed by 12 hours of digging and "bumping up". Man, those were some good times. I was so soar after that, I couldn't lift my arms up the following day... 👍
Im a volunteer fire-fighter in Perth Western Australia and I love this guy. Thanks for the mention mate. Side note. We do this job for free cause it needs to get done
Free? No payment?
@@mariaweston5477 Yep. Free. Volunteers, living normal lives (working, sleeping, etc) until the call goes out.
The way you just explained our job vs 90% of us...
"It's just camping. We're basically gardeners hired by the state" 😂😂
Thank you "shovel boys" for saving our forests
Essentially landscapera/ truck drivers
Your not wrong lol, but I'd add I get paid to blow sh*t up 😏. Well on a good day.
@@tbuff91 you're welcome hose humpers. Serta Mattress thanks you for your feedback from all the naps. LOL
Just got back from a 20 day run in Colorado. Fought and mopped up a fire for 3-4 days with the help of some snow and rain, then our titles changed to “extreme landscapers” 😂😂
Did wildland firefighting for years and I miss the hell out of it! Going back after I'm done with the army.
It can be brutal at times and yes, hiking in 3 miles to then start digging is kinda suck but it's all oh so rewarding knowing that you are working to keep a town full of people and lives safe. Respect to my brothers and sister out there on the fire line!
Thank you brother!! I was wildland for 14 years. From 02 to 16. And it wasn't until 2013 when we had the highest facility rate for a crew in recorded history did anyone even mention us or what we do. And you didn't even touch on the folks that are called smoke jumpers. You know those overly insane guys and gals that leap out of a perfectly good aircraft 100 miles from the nearest road and parachute into the wildfire. Then have to hike out when they are done. Oh and getting a bath is just hoping in the river you got to trudge through on your way to set up camp for the night. Cold mountain spring water. Lol. I would do it again in a heart beat though. It was by far my favorite job. I grew up in Idaho and I would spend every day of my life in the mountains if I could.
Amen brother, I live in wisconsin and I can't wait to head out your way.
I remember that morning briefing. I was in Umatilla NF, North Fork John Day.
I'm sure smoke jumpers was included in this big shoutout to. I fought fires in 96 and 97. There's no way this guy is jumping out of a plane.
In Colorado, the fires are bad. Much respect for everyone
Prep Medic is there working it. Check out his channel.
Can't thank those guys enough for saving my beloved state.
Fires are bad and terrain is rough. Not to mention Rattle Snakes at lower elevation
Yeah it’s really bad sometimes. Raining ash and smoke filled air. Feels like the western slope might just burn down. Big thanks to anyone battling the fires.
My dad was a hotshot for a number of years. When he'd come back from a fire it would take him weeks to remember the fire alarm LED wasn't an ember.
Thank you for this video I had a friend die in the South Canyon fire in Colorado in 1994, and Scott Blecha was a great guy and the best friend ever to all who were lucky enough to know him.
Respects to your friend and our brother. May he rest in peace.
RIP🙏🏻♥️
Wow never thought I’d hear a structure guy acknowledge wildland. But thanks for the shout out!
Wildland FFs and smoke jumpers have a very high rate of suicide due to the mental and emotional stress and trauma of this very dangerous work. Indeed they deserve a lot of respect for the work they do.
On the other it is quite rare that they die during firefighting
Fact source PLEASE?
We have the highest rate of any public servant. But we do our best to look out for one another. It's usually not until we leave the service that we have problems.
@@mattyp7582 just google 'wildland fire suicide' and there are plenty of articles there
I wouldn’t say the mental or emotional “trauma” or stress; the suicide rate in my opinion is indicative of the winter months being away from the crew, and not having the identity you wear with pride during the fire season to fall back on. For structure dudes it’s a full time gig, wildland is seasonal, and it’s also underpaid and under appreciated. That aspect adds up, as does the cohesion you build throughout a season and then suddenly find yourself alone and with zero purpose during the off season, you’re just a regular joe. To go from a hotshot crew, getting flown in to fires that are ripping, and then two months later you’re unemployed, welcome to the high suicide rate. There’s nothing inherently “dangerous” or trauma ridden doing initial attack firefighter a la smoke jumpers, etc. The loss of identity, especially once someone moves on to another profession, or age forces them out is an incredibly hard thing to do and handle.
My younger brother who is only 19 years old, works for the California Conservation Core on the Fire Contracts helping make those fire breaks during live fires. He wants to jump over to Cal Fire if they allow and while it is hard as older siblings to see your younger siblings as anything more than the annoying goblins you would argue with day after day; I am so impressed with the man he is turning into.
You should be proud! The conservation corps is hard work across many disciplines but it's very rewarding and important work that will provide so many opportunities for him ! Hope he enjoyed the experience
I love this. Wildland firefighters definitely don’t get as much respect as they deserve, that is one of the jobs that I would never want to do. I have so much respect for them and I pray that they never feel unappreciated.
They are unappreciated 😭 all the time in California. My boyfriend is on a hotshot crew. He says people in California treat them like shit. I live in Arizona and most people here understand the things they go through and the amount of danger that comes with the job.. because of the 19 Granite Mountain hotshots that died in 2013. It truly is one of the most dangerous jobs there is and Im worrying so much this fire season 😓 I’m glad I met my boyfriend though because I will never let him feel unappreciated ever again ♥️ I feel like my job now is to always make sure he’s okay when I can. Mentally, physically, emotionally.. support is what those guys need most and I wish more people felt the same way and understood what they go through each year 💕
@@nicholltupak What do the people treat him like i'm also a wildland firefighter in California on a engine.
@@mikesmith7497what are the capabilities of your engine?
R.I.P Granite Mountain Hotshots
Forever in out hearts ❣️💖
🙏
I live in Arizona and have hiked the hotshot memorial. My wife lost her house in the Yarnell fire that also claimed the lives of the 19. This all inspired me and I am now a wildland firefighter and being a part of this community is the best thing I've ever had the chance to do. Respect and love to all my forestry tech fam
Big thanks to all firefighters especially the Wild land fire crews, you do a dangerous job I'm not willing to.
I'm a Correctional Officer for the Arizona Department of Corrections, there aren't many inmates I'd trust and respect needs to be earned on a individual basis, however the low security inmates that volunteer to work our Wildland Fire crews I respect. I also know that the officers that are their supervisor and right there next to them trust them with their lives. They live and sleep together in the field, no restraints and the supervisors are unarmed, they risk their lives together and I don't think any have tried to escape.
Thanks for the shout out! Thank you. All structural firefighters and helicopter pilots are getting all of the attention. And we can barely support and see our families, but I sure love my job on our hand crew.
I don't know why I haven't seen this channel before. I really appreciate the balance of humor and education/critiques.
Much love to you Jason. And thanks for the shout out for our brothers and sisters in the wildlands. They all do a hell of a job ... for all of us!
My brother, here in Australia, is a volunteer fire fighter, and yes, those guys deserve total respect. We are like California in that we have outrageous fires spreading across thousands of acres during the summer months. When everything is burning, we worry about their safety but know they are there because they are heroes who care. Thanks for making this video thanking all wildland fire fighters!
Since beginning the process of trying to become a firefighter, you’re channel has been a godsend. You’re such a humble dude and thanks for giving us some insight into what these brave guys do
Wow! I live on the east coast, I had no idea how much back-breaking work was involved in this. Thanks Jason, stay safe family.
Working for the forest service, I once watched a fire cover over 1000 acres in an hour. Because of the amazing first responders and police, all of the residents got out safely, safe for one man who had a heart attack. I've seen firefighters run towards the flames as all others were running away. It truly takes an incredible heart to put other lives in front of your own. Thank you.
As a wildland firefighter with 20 years under my belt and still learning each season. I appreciate that you made this video content. A couple facts were just a little off, but you pretty much nailed it on the head. The bear part? Precious!I personally have seen very few bear and most are running scared. Now Rattlesnakes......that is the shit that you have to really look out for!!!!
Thanks.
To you all - thank you for all you do. To those woodland fighters, your sacrifice is beyond measure. My deepest gratitude goes out to all fire fighters - praying for your safety always ♥️
Mad respect to those guys, spent 4 years in mt and every year we had the 4 seasons plus one additional(smoke). They had great support the communities they were protecting which was awesome to see.
Thanks for this man, I did a couple seasons on a type 2 IA handcrew with the forest service and it often times feels like a thankless job. And respect to all the inmates that do it for a couple bucks an hour.
As a California resident where we have 5 seasons.....the 4 normal ones and what my best friend calls fire season..... I absolutely appreciate y'all and all the hard work y'all do. Thank you for keeping us safe. This goes for first responders also.
My husband and his crew are out in Northern California right now. All FF and VFF do not get the appreciation they deserve. Unlike cops n military. I believe FF and VFF, wildland FF dont get the appreciation they deserve ever, we need to show them more respect and more appreciation
Thank you for the video. I just got cert'd as a wildland firefighter as I work towards my structural. My first deployment was to the border of Mexico/Cali where there was no shade, it was 120 degrees and the fire was smoldering under the sand. Pure nightmare fuel, but it was an experience and I am looking forward to whatever way my career goes whether structural or wildland.
SDCFA? Good luck.
Yeah, that's something a lot of people don't know. That a fire can burn tens of feet underground through dried-out roots and pop up behind you.
@@MonkeyJedi99 wouldn't missing oxygen be a problem ? Im just curious and i don't know anything about fire fighting.
@@Trashloot Dry dirt that is loosened by surface roots has a lot of air in it that during wetter times is filled by water.
And it doesn't take as much oxygen for dry plant matter to smolder as it does for it to burn with visible flames.
So the heat has enough air to use the dried-out shallow roots like a candle wick and when it reaches the open air of the plant itself, it can start a new hot burn.
-
Oh, just re-read my comment. When I said "burn tens of feet underground" I should have clarified that I was speaking of lateral distance, not depth.
I apologize for any confusion that caused.
@@MonkeyJedi99 You did not confuse me. I was just so surprised that fire can "travel" underground. Thank you for the explanation.
Lots of respect and thanks to the Wildland Firefighters working on the Pine Gulch Fire about 10 miles away from my house. It’s been burning for 3 weeks, and currently covers an area of 135,958 acres. Lots of respect and thanks to all of the Firefighters out there, be safe and keep it in the black.
Excellent job Brothers you deserve all the respect this country can muster.
I just want to say thank you for this video. As a wildland firefighter, you explained my job better than myself or my coworkers could have ever done!! I've been showing it to my friends and family on fb and to my coworkers and everyone is cracking up!
Thank you so much for the shout out!! I personally think you structural guys are nuts and I have mad respect for you guys.
My girlfriend asked why I do this instead of settle down (I own a butcher shop, and I'm a climbing arborist in the off season) and I could only reply "Because this is frikkin awesome"
I like to say, yeah it's really tough. I became a wildland volunteer firefighter for 2 years. The amount of work we have to put in even when we're not fighting a fire, is incredible. We have to do standardized test to make sure not only we understand but know our information on fighting a fire. There is like three books of materials, we have to read and those are just the beginner books. Textbook level!!!. Physical aspect is just one of the commitments we also have to maintain. I found myself running a minimum of 25 miles a week that's 5 mi a day. We have to do it at around 8 minutes or under a mile. Hiking is one of the most strenuous parts. Because we have to carry 45 lb for practice for the real fight, up a hill or a mountain for at least 4 to 5 miles of training. That's also not including our tool and the 1 gallon of water we have to carry by our side. And our certified wildland firefighting boots way like 5 lb each. So you're caring at least 55 to 60 lb on you. For training. Oh and there's also a physical standardized test and one of the test is you need to run a mile and a half in under 10 minutes and 45 seconds. Don't worry your boy right here did it in 10 minutes and 10 seconds.
Wildland fires are called bushfires here in Australia. We had a bad start to the year with the bushfire being stopped within 600 metres of my hometown. We were surrounded by fire for more than a month and at one point all ways to escape were cutoff, leaving us as an island of dry drought affected land, with between 1500 and 2000 people (many older people) plus firefighters. Both town fire brigade and rural fire brigade members fought to save the town.
Hehe bushfire hehe
@@Hooligan-pp2xl Not funny but ok
hey i was also living in rural victoria. those big fire were really scary weren't they. my local cfa team were out there for 100 days without coming back. my friends dad is the captain of the cfa and my friend pretty much didn't see him all summer because of the cfa team being on the frontlines
@@channels7446 we needed all the help we could get. My dad has lived here since he was 5 and says big fires like that happen every 20 years or so. Id be happy to never see another fire so close again. When the fire in Canberra happened years ago i was a volunteer handing out evacuation notices and helping people to leave. The sky went black for days.
Im not in Victoria but rather NSW between Canberra and the coast.
@@dotcassilles1488 a few yaers ago there was the ellinbank bushfires and they stopped les than a kilometer from us. firefighters are the best they keep us from turning into crisps.
Here in Florida we don’t hear or see too much of these men. That being said…..”That was an AMAZING PSA and I’m very happy that you made it for people like me who really didn’t know ANYTHING about firefighters 🚒 like this!” 👍👍👍
That red glitter they drop from above is just a distraction to what's going on. People see something shinny and flashy and get distracted. These smoke jumpers are the real deal. Putting out thousands / tens of thousands of acres of fire with basic tools such as shovels is just insane.
Hot shots and smoke jumpers are crazy SOBs but man I respect them more than anyone can understand or know
My dad is a wildland firefighter, thanks for giving them the credit they deserve! :)
Damn....those men and
women and the special operators of the fire dept.
they are special no doubt
There are wildland firefighters called smoke jumpers that will parachute into the most remote spots to stop a fire.
@@swatrifeman in Australia, I volunteer with the RFS and I'm working my way to go into RAFT.
It stands for Remote Area Firefighting Teams, all of them are regular volunteers with advanced training. They either hike up or winched down via helo to the area location.
Not the same as Smoke Jumpers, but similar
@@eyecyou8525 We should give them Red Berets to wear to distinguish them, just like the Green Berets/Army Special Forces
@@sarge-cp8yq not sure about that, maybe football helmets ?!?!?
Nice to hear the structure guys giving some kudos to the wildland guys. Here in Straya, our wildland fire brigades are all local volunteers. I joined after the crazy fires we had here over Christmas 2019, and a large proportion of the guys and girls were doing 15 hours shifts, with no days off for several months. And a significant percentage of these were actually retirees, because they had the most free time!
Totally enjoyed my years with USFS as a wildland Firefighter.
Why stay structured when you can go wild
Making a fireline is still looking and sounding dope.
Everyone brave enough to run into fires, has my respect.
I was a firefighter in a rural area of the Midwest for almost 40 years and I applaud you. We might not have had "forest fires" but we had thousands of acres of tall grass, cornfields, wheat fields, and CRP land (the worst) that seemed to spontaneously combust every year around July 4th at about midnight. We used a lot of fire swatters made from mop handles and old mud flaps, and the old metal Indian back pack, hand pump sprayers that held 5 gallon (40 pounds) of water.
"Red Anti-Fire Sparkly Powder" sounds like a preworkout.
I want to give a shout out to the Carlton volunteer fire department! They are a bunch of farmers who have teamed up to protect their land with outdated equipment, and pure grit. They stop many many grass fires, and if one of them gets injured, the nearest hospital is at least a 40 minute drive, but if its really serious, they have to be airlifted to the ER!
Been in the wildland fire service for 4 years now, last two seasons as the crew EMT. Love every second of it. Looking to get onto a city fire department soon
When I was younger I was in boy scouts and my scout master was the head of the wild land fire department and the amount of respect he got when we went camping was crazy, usually the rangers made it a point to come and talk to him if they knew he was there and we could camp anywhere we wanted with no hassle we would even camp in ranger camps sometimes
my girlfriends dad is a forrest firefighter and a couple of her cousins went to australia last year and it was scary
I’m a wildland firefighter and thanks and I also want to thank you I’ve had some experience doing the structure side of firefighting and it’s just as much of a rush getting woken up at all hours of the day and helping those who call us. Keep it up brother. Your Cali bro.take care be safe.
I definitely felt like a zombie after those 30 day long rolls. 2 days off then back at it again.
Thank you for the recognition for me and my band of brothers and sisters! You da man, Love the videos!
Wild land firefighters are so incredible and the thing is- almost no one knows about them! I know way too many people who don’t really know a lot about emergency services and none of them know what a wild land firefighter is or even that that was a thing, it’s crazy how dangerous it is while also being unappreciated and uncredited a lot of the times
When I was in high school my brother volunteered as a “smoke jumper” and when he came home I saw this small backpack and asked if it was his parachute and thought it was so cool. He then told me it was like an emergency fire blanket that he would have to pull out and wrap up in in case the fire changed directions. Thankfully he didn’t have to use it but sadly we lost a family friend because of that. Just thinking about working your butt of digging a fire line exhausted and having to keep in the back of your mind that if the fire changes direction and you see it you might not even have enough time to use the blanket before you’re caught in the middle. Mad respect.
You lost me when you didn’t say “Forestry technician” 😏.
Ayyyy I see you 😉
There trying to change that we shall see brother
We're only called firefighters when we're laying in a casket
I once had the occasion to use a fire extinguisher at work on a previous job. FYI: polyester pillows do not spontaneously combust: they need some help. My first arson fire! But not my last.
If I had felt my life was in danger, I would have run the other way with my coworkers. Mad respect and thanks to those of you who run towards the fire while the rest of us are running to safety. Firefighters are a special breed. Wilderness firefighters are beyond special. Think about what it takes for someone to willingly risk their life fighting fires, and be thankful such people exist. I sure am. 🔥🔥🔥
I just completed my first run as a Wildland Firefighter. The men and women I've fought along side are the definition of bad ass! We need more firefighters, come join us!
I really want to!
Thank you so much for this!!!!!! Live in Santa Cruz California and been through the CZU shit that's still burning in roots and what not, these guys worked so hard, and when I asked what I could do to help, it was socks, their socks were so worn out and stinky, with no ways of hitting the laundry mat between shifts due to trying to sleep and refuel themselves, that socks, a simple thing, were sought after.
Dam my hat off to that .....straight up next level after all that hard work now you sleeping on the ground no shower yep that's dedication definitely gets my respect 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇
My infinite respect, well wishes and admiration goes out to the wild land fire fighters out there like the Granite Mountain Hotshots who gave their lives trying to make a difference at the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Actual footage of the fire, actual radio transmissions (including their last recorded words) and interviews with the sole surviving member of that group exist right here on TH-cam, and the movie 'Only The Brave' does a great job of turning a real life tragedy into a touching cinematic experience. I highly recommend everyone check that stuff out to truly understand what's involved with fighting wild land fires and what some have to give to do that job.
What I’m hearing is that wildland firfighters are metal af.
Great video! Most people are clueless what they're doing or how they have to do it.
Thanks for video and spreading the love to them!
“Red anti-fire sparkly powder” best thing I’ve heard yet today.
I live in central Washington and pretty much our ENTIRE fire fighting force is wild land fire fighting.
Grizzly Creek Fire 🔥🔥🔥 just came back from a 14 days
THANK YOU
Enjoy that sweet R&R man! Me and my crew are on the North Complex Fire.
@@jessemedina6100 yeah I don't know why I haven't been called for California yet.
@@jameycoombs646 yeah its very weird considering we have resources from Canada and Mexico to help with these fires.
Thank you - my late husband was a wildland firefighter who survived a burn over. Was even struck by lightening. Still, loved it - lived it.
On behalf of all of California. Thank you.
Full respect to those who do this as a job but also to prisoners who join them and do the same work for no pay. Currently a prisoner firefighter can work for years and is still barred from getting a job doing the same when they are released. Everyone who works hard and puts their lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe and happy deserves respect, good pay and a pension that's actually worth a damn.
I'm Phil Swift and I thank you for your service.
Thanks, Phil
Y’all do put your own lives on the line to make sure we’re safe and taken care of. You’ll always be my hero.
"Red anti-fire sparkly powder" ... I'm crying!
Best combination of knowledge bombs and comedy - Thank you Fire Department Chronicles!
Hello from Cali, wildland is my dream job, I love firefighting but can’t do the medical stuff lol
Why no medical?
@@mikesmith7497 I witnessed a accident as a teen and helped a off duty emt until medics showed up. Can’t do that again lol
He has a very interesting way to make a serious topic sound unserious but also very serious in the matter of 2.5 seconds
I respect them, doesn't mean I don't still laugh when I have to treat one who hit himself in the foot with a pulaski trying to be a turbo-bro on the line.
I only worked wildland for a couple years as EMS, but one of them was deployed to the camp fire and had to work the line for a few days. First time I saw a crowning fire come over a ridge, you could've clipped a cigar with my butthole. Nothing I have ever seen nor done in my life has ever been as abjectly terrifying as a crowning fire.
I'm Australian and a volunteer firefighter with the RFS.
The one thing I can remember about pine trees when I deployed about 2 hours south of Bega, is that they fucking explode.
Not catch fire, but explode when they are lit. Saw fire shoot straight into the air about 10 metres from the tops of the tree.
Watching a crown event is some scary stuff. The sky is on fire and you can only assume that if the fire is above you, you're about to be swallowed up by it.
Thank you Colin Martin for what you did there, thanks to the people like you many of my friends and family were able to escape from paradise, Eva Walker being one of them.
You said “clipped a cigar with my butthole!!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for being there, and keep up the good work and be safe. Have a good Thanksgiving day and have a blessed week amen.
Thank you! I'm retired wildland.
Thank you ❤️ Watched this a year ago. Waiting for this year's call currently. Appreciate you structure men aswell doing your part. Much love from Oregon. And thanks for the memories.
I knew what a fire line is because I watched Rescue Heros as a kid. It's sad that a kids cartoon from 20 years ago is more informative than modern TV, which seems to have only rescue dramas.
Amen bless all firefighters no exceptions
Much respect to them, and even the inmates as well! Very much appreciated from a guy in Cali! Have buddies that do it, gone all summer, thank you guys!
Australian volunteer firefighter on deployment to Cali at the moment
Amen, these guys deserve more praise for what they do. I live in Reno, and many of those large fires in Cali were on my doorstep, I volunteered much of my free time to bring them cases of water and boxes of MRE's. Its not much, I don't have much money, but I hope it was enough to show my appreciation.
As a former USFS Forest Firefighter I can say that less than 10% are "Man Caused".
1:11 definitely a training video. those clothes are *so* clean!
Lmao, imagine Australian wild land firefighting. Trekking in 45° celsius (110°f) heat but the fires also spread so much faster due to the drier wood and plant compost. It's insane