Wildland Firefighter

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Silviculture and Forestry Workers (8422) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Silviculture and Forestry Workers (I162) 
• 2011 NOC: Silviculture and forestry workers (8422) 
• 2016 NOC: Silviculture and forestry workers (8422) 

There are several different types of wildland firefighting crews in Alberta:

• Helitack Crew (HAC) - These are first responders to the wildfire. They are usually transported to the scene by helicopter or by ground and are deployed to attack wildfires, sometimes with the assistance of air tankers or heavy equipment.
• Unit Crew (UNIT) - These 20-person crews contain and extinguish larger fires in remote areas of the province. Often they ensure that underground fires are extinguished by digging up ground. Or they contain approaching fire by lighting fires around the wildfire to stop the spread
• Firetrack Crew (FTAC) - Similar to unit crews, these firefighters are mainly used to contain and extinguish hotspots (small fires that burn underground) on larger wildfire incidents. Firetrack crews are typically deployed to large wildfires that require work over a long period of time (for example, 14 to 18 days)

Duties and responsibilities vary from one type of crew to another but, in general, wildland firefighters:

• Identify parts of a fire, such as the head, flank, rear and anchor point
• Identify escape routes and safety zones
• Watch for threats to the control line and counter them
• Check in and out at the beginning and end of each shift
• Brief and debrief the crew leader
• Identify hazards and make other firefighters aware of them
• Systematically locate and extinguish hotspots in mop-up operations
• Fell trees and dig trenches to construct firelines
• Use and maintain hand tools and equipment safely and effectively
• Rearrange or remove fuels near the fireline
• Use drip torches or fuses to conduct burnout operations
• Report conditions or activities that seem unsafe or counterproductive
• Maintain communications with other crew members and leaders
• Look out for the safety and welfare of crew members, including themselves
• Report injuries and accidents

Crews may be flown into remote locations to fight fires that are difficult to reach by other means.

Wildland firefighters work outdoors in all weather conditions, usually in isolated areas. Their work is dangerous and physically demanding. Occupational hazards include smoke, intense heat, falling trees and branches, wildlife and strong winds. Wind can quickly turn a small wildfire into a large, more complex wildfire.

Wildland firefighters are required to bend, stoop and crouch while wearing protective gear and carrying heavy equipment. They also must work quickly on steep and uneven terrain. They carry and use equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, water pumps and hoses, often for long periods.

Wildland firefighters may be required to work up to 24-day shifts and may be relocated anywhere in the province as needed.

Wildland firefighters are employed by Government of Alberta and contractors. Most are employed on a seasonal basis from April through late October.

The province of Alberta maintains a complement of about 3,000 certified firefighters. Many move on to full-time work in other fields, so employment turnover is high in this occupation.

Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre website: www.ciffc.ca

Canadian Wildland Fire Information System website: cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca

Government of Alberta website, wildfire information and recruitment: wildfire.alberta.ca

International Association of Wildland Fire website: www.iawfonline.org

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