Level: FFT - 2

Immediate Supervisor: Squad Boss (FFT-1)

Second Level Supervisor: Single Resource Boss (Crew or Engine)

Equipment Required: (See Qualifications and equipment list)

This position is established as a Contract Crew Person for Ore-Cal Fire Suppression Inc.  This position includes the ability to work on either a 20 Person Type 2, 2 Initial Attack Hand Crew, Project Work Crew or as an Engine Crew Person on a Type 3 or 6 Wildland Fire Engine. The responsibilities of this position are to perform Wildland Firefighting work with safety of themselves and others as the highest priority. 

This is a laborious position requiring long hours, severe work environments, and physical testing by means of a “pack test.”  All personnel on fire crews are required to have certified wildland fire training and are required to take a Work Capacity Test at the ARDUOUS Level which consists of walking 3 miles in under 45 minutes carrying a 45 pound pack, and show proof of said requirements.  In addition, all employees are subject to drug testing prior to first assignment. Without prior notice, a crew may be subject to additional testing during or after an assignment. 

Work requires strenuous, physical exertion for extended periods of time.  Including but not limited to the following: walking, climbing, chopping, throwing, lifting, pulling, and frequently carrying objects weighing 45 lb. or more. During fire season you must be in excellent physical shape and you are required and responsible to maintain your physical shape for the duration of the fire season.  This is very important for endurance and safety reasons. 

You must carry personal ID on you at all times. You may be required to be gone from your home base for 3 weeks (21 days) or longer, fully geared for a camp situation.  You will be required to have your own sleeping and camping gear, also you must have your own fire boots, it is up to you to take care of your own gear. 

Description of Duties: 

A Crew Person must maintain professional conduct while completing all tasks assigned by their immediate supervisor. Each member of the crew is responsible for obeying all company policies and individual crew rules. A crew person must be able to work together with other crewmembers, agency personnel and other contract crews.  A regular crew person’s responsibilities include safety of themselves and their crew, completing the task they are assigned, and obeying the rules of the crew. 

Each Crew Person works directly under their squad boss but may be assigned to work under any other supervisor as assigned.  They are required to let their squad boss or immediate supervisor know where they are at all times, this includes on duty times as well as off duty times while on assignment.  

A Crew Person serves as a member of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of wildland fires.  They will also participate in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fireline activities.  Performs assignments as a wildland fire fighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology.  A Crew Person must learn to orient themselves in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute. This consists of fireline construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in the effective use of water and additives, working in and around aircraft such as helicopters, safety rules and basic fire behavior.

As a member of the fire crew duties will include searching out and extinguishing burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump, etc. Chopping brush, felling small trees and moving dirt to construct a fireline using various hand tools such as axes, shovels, Pulaskis, McLeods, and may use power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to control spreading wildland fire and/or to prepare control lines prior to burning.  Patrolling firelines to locate and extinguish embers, flare-ups, and hotspot fires that may threaten developed firelines.   A Crew Person may be responsible for patrolling burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.

In addition to these duties a Crew Person may assist trained personnel in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack, construction of helispots, helitack operations, and performing hover hookups.  They will also participate in cleaning, reconditioning and storing of fire tools and equipment. 

A Crew Person working for ORE-CAL Fire Suppression, Inc. may perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazardous fuel reduction projects.  Other projects may include but not limited to; road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance and participates in crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions and fire critiques. 

When on the fire line each fire fighter will maintain the work speed and synchronization of the entire crew during all phases of work; hiking, digging fire line and tool maintenance.  It is every Crew Person’s responsibility to keep their vehicle and themselves clean and presentable, make sure they have food and water, maintain their tool(s), while assisting their supervisors in tasks required of each individual incident.