So I'm a firefighter

[Porsche]

Forest Firefighter actually, but nonetheless.

Got an e-mail from the regional director yetserday asking me to call him ASAP, a few minutes later plus a little time for dancing and was employed for the summer.

Job's up in Pickle Lake, Ontario, far, far away from anything but it I get paid stupid amounts of money to ride around in helicopters, and well, fight fires. Pretty sweet summer job as far as I'm concerned, and I get to keep coming back every year!

Anybody else (kris?) done this sort of thing?

[clawhammer]

Is this an on-call job, or full time, you get paid for just sitting around, waiting for fires?

[Porsche]

Full-time for 18 weeks starting May 2nd. We fix equipment or do maintenance when not on a fire, but need to be ready to go anytime on our shift.

[95cord]

sounds pretty cool man.

[fredjacksonsan]

Watch your butt out there!


-and have a great time-

[ci5ic]

Kris is always doing wildland firefighting... sounds like an experience. Not really sure what kind of money he gets for it, but sounds cool regardless of pay. I'm guessing he's going to be pretty busy in the northwest this year as we've had a REALLY mild winter (snowpack is around 19% of normal).

[kris]

Sweet, I took a job with Washington State Department of Natural Resources. I have to report there May 21st. You're right, you make some insane money, having fun.

[fredjacksonsan]

19% snow pack....that's some serious lack of moisture. You guys are going to be busy.

[dugie6551]

Your still going to be able to post on AF, right ?

How will AF continue if you can't ?

[Gotti]

how much money exactly will you make for those 18 weeks?

[Porsche]

Answers;

ci5ic: They said it's supposed ot be another 88', one of the worst seasons in recorded history, they've already had 11 at my base and the season just started.

kris: Hope I'll get the chance to make it out that far, dunno though, Ontario sounds like it's going to have plenty of work for me this year.

dugie6551: I'm bringing my laptop, but I dunno about internet, the town is only 400 people... not looking good.

gotti: The flat rate is $17.13/hour, overtime is $25.95/hour, they said expect to work about 300-500 overtime hours in a decent season, on average a regular season will get you 22-25K in 18 weeks, a season like we're expecting, prolly somewhere north of 33K. (All Canadian funds)

Not a bad for a 19 year-old halfway through an engineering degree to pay for tuition.

[Cyprus106]

Congradulations!! That's awesome that you're going to be doing some good and getting good moeny to do it.

I've been trying to get into a position as a volunteer fire fighter and eventually on the squad. But damnit, there's a TON of hours of class I need to do and my schedule is just full-up. Congrats, again. I'm proud of you.

[YogsVR4]

Sounds like this will be one recurring summer job that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Congats!