Wildland Firefighter

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

• Type 1 Helitack Rappel - specialised crews based in Edmonton that provide initial attack and support where they are needed. They may rappel from helicopters to get to otherwise inaccessible locations. (Helitack is an abbreviation for helicopter attack.)
• Type 1 Helitack - mobile, highly trained initial attack and support crews that are usually based in Alberta Environment and Parks Areas. They use both ground and helicopter transportation to get to where they are needed. 
• Type 1 Firetack - intermediate level firefighting crews that often include post-secondary students and people associated with First Nations Aboriginal communities, Metis settlements and communities. They are employed by contractors to suppress spreading fires that require the efforts of many units.
• Type 2 Wildfire - eight person crews that usually are involved in mopping up to contain or extinguish hot spots after a fire is under control. They also provide support where needed.

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

• identify parts of a fire (for example, head, flank, rear, anchor point), 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, and brief and debrief the crew leader
• identify hazards and make other firefighters aware of them
• systematically locate and extinguish hot spots 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 that can quickly turn a small fire into an inferno.

Wildland firefighters are required to bend, stoop and crouch while wearing protective gear and carrying heavy equipment, and to 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 of time. 

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

Wildland firefighters need the following characteristics:

• a safety conscious attitude
• excellent health and physical fitness
• the physical strength and agility required to climb and balance when moving over rough terrain
• good spatial perception and awareness of what is happening around them
• good communication skills
• basic analytical skills
• an interest in working outdoors
• the ability to work effectively with a team under stressful conditions
• the ability to react quickly to the unexpected.

They should enjoy having routine, organized work that is punctuated by periods of intense activity, and technical activities such as operating two-way radios and meteorological instruments.

Wildland firefighters are employed by Alberta Environment and Parks and contractors. Most are employed on a seasonal basis from early April through late August.

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.

Alberta Environment and Parks webpage: www.aep.alberta.ca

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

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

Hinton Training Centre website: aep.alberta.ca/about-us/training/hinton-training-centre.aspx

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

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.