chambero said:
In my opinion, what wildland firefighters do is infinitely more dangerous on a routine basis than organized city fire departments. I wish those guys got the same type of benefits other firemen do. There isn't always an easy way out if things get out of control where these guys work. And it aint 24 on, 24 off or however most fire departments work. These guys move from fire to fire all season long.
I agree with you! They had it worked out pretty good in the CDF (now Cal Fire). Most were seasonal, but CDF staffed the stations that were between cities, or in areas where cities could not pay for protection themselves, and in the CA mountains where fire activity is high, so there were always firefighters on duty. My husband did his time as a seasonal, and got his paramedic license so he could stay employed year round (72 on, 4 off). I hardly saw him in the summers, gone for two weeks at a time on wild land fires, going from one to the next. To hear the sadness in his voice over loss of property and life was tough at times, but it was his calling. It is a special person who goes out there and does that. Age slowed him down, and caught up with him, but let me tell you he still wants to be out there fighting right next to the next guy, it is in his blood. Like trying to retire a race horse, they still want to race!
I tired it (volunteered at the local station here in MO for 3 years), not my cup of tea. Every time I went into a burning building, I could not stop thinking of my kids and why was I doing this! I am better with support outside; water, re-hydration, and first responder duties. I like fire, just do not like to run into it! ;D