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A
Job To Love
Imagine flying in a helicopter above
a large stretch of forest. You see smoke
rising from the treetops. The helicopter
circles around to give a clear view
of the fire below. It then travels past
the smoke and you land in a safe area
and grab your gear. You feel an emotional
and physical rush as you and your crew
move quickly to control the fire before
it grows large enough to destroy the
entire forest.
Forest
fire fighters suppress forest
fires and work outdoors as part of
a crew. Many forest fire fighters
live where they grew up. Aboriginal
forest fire fighters protect forests
and wildlife by putting out the fires
that threaten them.
You
might enjoy working outdoors, but
no job is perfect. As a forest fire
fighter, you’ll work in remote
areas for weeks at a time. This means
living in small, often dirty, camps
with other fire fighters. You’ll
work in all kinds of weather conditions.
You’ll carry heavy equipment
across rough terrain, and be exposed
to smoke, intense heat, and fumes.
Then again, you’ll also become
dedicated to teamwork and fitness,
and feel satisfied knowing that you’re
helping to protect the natural environment.
Job
Description
Forest fire fighters use a variety of
tactics to control forest fires. For
example, when a raging wildfire is on
its way, sometimes it’s necessary
for forest fire fighters to set a strategic
fire to remove trees that could serve
as fuel. Forest fire fighters work for
logging companies, contractors, and
the government.
Job
Duties
- Use
firefighting tools such as hoses,
axes, and handheld radios
- Operate
and maintain skidders and bulldozers
- Participate
in water bombing operations
- Dig
trenches, cut trees, and pump water
onto burning areas
- Patrol
burned areas to watch for hot spots
that could restart fires
- Prepare
firefighting reports
Fact
Every year, humans cause 58 per cent
of the wildfires that consume our
forests and grasslands. Lightning
causes the remaining 42 per cent of
wildfires.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for this job include physical education,
English, math, and biology. Aboriginal
studies, history, and languages will
prepare you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as mechanics
and chemistry.
The
minimum education requirement for
forest fire fighters is a high school
diploma. Consider taking a diploma
or university program in forestry.
This advanced education will make
you more competitive in the job market
and you’ll find it easier to
get a full-time job and negotiate
your salary.
Before entering the workforce,
forest fire fighters might require
training in:
- Chainsaw
safety
- Standard
First Aid
- Transportation
of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
- Workplace
Hazardous Materials Information
System (WHMIS)
Look
into specific high school prerequisites
set by the college or university you
would like to attend.
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Forest
fire fighters with a high school diploma
make an average of $18,500.00 per
year.
Forest
fire fighters with several years experience
and education make an average of $25,000.00
per year.
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Some
of the best knowledge you’ll
gain for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Ask your Elders about the
different methods that they use to
prevent and control fires. Join your
family on hiking and camping trips.
The time you spend outdoors will make
your studies easier and your experience
with the natural world will appeal
to employers.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Botanist
- Agricultural
technician
- Forester
- Tree
planter
Relate
and interact with forest fire fighters.
Ask them what they like about their
jobs, and how you should get started.
First Nations Forestry Program
Canadian Forest Service
580 Booth Street, 7th Floor
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E4
Telephone: (613) 947-7380
Fax: (613) 992-5390
email: info@fnfp.gc.ca
website: www.fnfp.gc.ca
National
Aboriginal Forestry Association
875 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 3W4
Telephone: (613) 233-5563
Fax: (613) 233-4329
email: nafa@web.ca
website: www.nafaforestry.org
The
Canadian Institute of Forestry
606 - 151 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5H3
Telephone: (613) 234-2242
Fax: (613) 234-6181
email: cif@cif-ifc.org
website: www.cif-ifc.org
The
Boreal Forest Research Centre
H.A. George Building, Fairview College
Bag 3500
Peace River, AB
T8S 1V9
Telephone: (780) 618-2623
Fax: (780) 624-0725
email: boreal@fairviewcollege.com
website: www.borealcentre.com
Relate to other students. There are
Aboriginal student associations and
resource centres at most universities.
Visit these centres to find out what
they have to offer. Also, look into
community, friendship, and multi-cultural
centres.
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