UNITED STATES WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS OF THE UNITED STATES..WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

THIS ASSOCIATION IS DEDICATED TO THE WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.

Members

  • Michael Palmer
  • Donald Titzler
  • Eric Sagara
  • Chance Baker
  • Craig Badgett
  • Christopher Michael Carpenter
  • Matt McBride
  • Wulalowe
  • Mike
  • Zachary Herbison
  • Harmony C Klyder
  • Jody Albritton
  • anthony albritton
  • Bret-Lee
  • Darren clifford
  • Kelly Bilan
  • John N. Jensen
  • Cody James Gadwa
  • Tim Yokley
  • Robert Perdue

Notes

Kurt Kamm...Author of the book..ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK

Story of the Death of a Firefighter
<u>One Foot in the Black</u> is a FICTIONAL story about a boy growing up with an abusive father in Michigan who comes to California to be a firefighter. He ends up at L.A. County Helitak Camp 8. His role model and Captain is killed in a burnover while the crew is fighting a massive fire in Central California. Here are a few pages of excerpts. I hope you enjoy this – Kurt Kamm ©

Prologue
A year ago, I saw a man go up in flames.… Continue

Created by MIKE USWFA Aug 27, 2008 at 11:26am. Last updated by MIKE USWFA Aug. 27, 2008.

Notes Home

Fire Science

In the words of Stephen Pyne, a professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University,

Continue

Created by UNITED STATES WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION Apr 13, 2008 at 6:45am. Last updated by Kurt Kamm Sep. 6, 2008.

WILDLAND FIRE STATISTICS

WILDLAND FIRE STATISTICS.

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER DEATH STATISTICS.

Fire fatalities

Between 1990 and 2006, 310 people in the U.S. died during wildland fire operations. There were four primary causes of death.

• Aircraft accidents: 72 deaths.

• Vehicle crashes: 71 deaths.

• Heart Attacks: 68 deaths.

• Fire burnovers: 64 deaths.

Source: A 2007 report by the national Wildfire Coordinating Group.

Latest Activity

Nathan Plum and Chad Williamson are now friends
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On 1 September 1997, The NSW Rural Fire Service was established by an act of Parliament as the successor to the first bush fire brigade, redefining the world's largest fire service
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San Bernardino, CA, Region 5 BDF To discuss current events in our region. Anything from strike teams leaving to family events.
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The NSW Fire Brigades' purpose is to enhance community safety, quality of life and confidence by minimising the impact of hazards and emergency incidents on the people, environment and economy of New South Wales.
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MIKE USWFA added 10 blog posts
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THE UNITED STATES WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION IS IN NO WAY AFFLIATED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND IS A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORT WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS..SUPPORT PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES.


MISSION STATEMENT

The United States Wildland Firefighters Associations mission shall be to work on behalf of it's Wildland Firefighter and support personnel membership and to enhance their careers by

Listening to our members and understanding those issues which are important to them.

Assisting individual members in resolving employment issues.

Supporting legislation at the national,state and local level which furthers our member interests.

Speaking out on behalf of our members and promoting the honor and integrity of our profession.
HOTSHOT DOCUMENTARY





Blog Posts

MIKE USWFA

Wildfires Continue To Burn Throughout The State



by Jill Burke
Sunday, July 12, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Crews continue to battle wildfires around the state.

The Shanta fire on the Kenai Peninsula slowly moved away from Soldotna on Sunday. Right now it's about 10 miles southeast of the city.

Firefighters say the fire is m… Continue

Posted by MIKE USWFA on July 13, 2009 at 10:15am

MIKE USWFA

New wildfire Found Near Nenana



FAIRBANKS — About 9:30 p.m., firefighters working on the 144,000-acre Minto Flats South fire were diverted to a new blaze 33 miles south of Nenana, 20 miles northwest of Healy and 5 miles west of the Parks Highway. This new fire, the June Creek Fire, is being fought by 70 firefighters… Continue

Posted by MIKE USWFA on July 13, 2009 at 10:07am

MIKE USWFA

Red Flag Warning In Effect



Continue

Posted by MIKE USWFA on July 13, 2009 at 9:56am

MIKE USWFA

Spectators Go To Lake Elsinore For Firefighting Plane's Arrival



By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

LAKE ELSINORE - Against the backdrop of a cloudless blue sky, the red-and-white seaplane rumbled over Lake Elsinore on Sunday as it made its way to a new home.

After making an initial flyover, the Martin Mars, a World War II-era seap… Continue

Posted by MIKE USWFA on July 13, 2009 at 9:50am

MIKE USWFA

Cal Fire Evades Massive Damage From Budget Cuts



Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer

State firefighting costs have nearly tripled in the past decade but Cal Fire has avoided taking major hits in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget.

The state's firefighting agency has $790 million budgeted - roughly 44 percent of the General Fun… Continue

Posted by MIKE USWFA on July 13, 2009 at 9:45am

OTHER WILDLAND FIRE SITES OF INTEREST













Washington Times News

Fire Maps


FEMA NATIONAL SITUATION UPDATE

FEMA: National Situation Update

Posted: 12 Jan 2009 01:33 PM CST
National Situation Update: Monday, January 12, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Significant National Weather

West:
Some rain and mountain snow showers are forecast from western Washington and northwest Oregon southeastward into Colorado today. No heavy precipitation is expected. Flood Warnings have been issued in Washington for the Cedar River near Landsburg (affecting King County) and the Chehalis River at Porter (affecting Grays Harbor County). Santa Ana winds are forecast for Southern California through Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 10:00 p.m. PST today due to gusty northeast winds and low humidity. A High Wind Warning has been issued for the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains and remains in effect until 4:00 a.m. PST Tuesday for northeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 60 mph.
Midwest:
An Alberta Clipper is forecast to move into the northern Plains today. Strong winds gusting to 60 mph, and moderate snow up to six inches are expected. Wind chills could reach dangerous levels (to 30 below zero) and the clipper, bearing snow and icy winds, will continue to move southeastward through the Upper Midwest today. Blizzard Warnings are posted for most of North Dakota, northern South Dakota and extreme western Minnesota. Blizzard watches extend southeastward into Iowa; Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the same areas. Wind Advisories are in effect for portions of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa for winds gusting to 50 mph. Flood Warnings continue for several points along the Illinois River.
South:
The South will be dry today except for possible showers in central Florida and northeast Oklahoma.
Red Flag Warnings remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. EST today for the eastern and western Florida Panhandle and most of the Florida Big Bend due to expected long durations of relative humidity below 35 percent. Flood Warnings continue for rivers in Mississippi, South Carolina and Alabama.
Northeast:
Weather in the Northeast will be fairly calm with a few snow showers from the mountains of West Virginia through western Pennsylvania into Upstate New York and northern New England. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for a small portion of south-central Pennsylvania for snow accumulation up to 3 inches through 10:00 a.m. EST today. (NOAA, NWS, Various Media Sources)
Pacific Northwest Flooding:

As of 12:00 a.m. EST, the NWS and Northwest River Forecast Center reported three river gauges that are above Flood Stage in Washington State; one river gauge is at Moderate Flood stage, and two gauges are at Minor Flood stage. All rivers have crested and are falling and should fall below flood stage within the next day or two. (NWS)

FEMA RRCC Actions:

* Region X RRCC activated at Level II (24/7) due to widespread flooding, excessive runoff from heavy rainfall and melting snow in the State of Washington
* ESF's 3, 6, and 12 still activated, all other ESFs demobilized
* FEMA LNO demobilized
* DCO/DCE, US Coast Guard and US Geological Survey activated in support of Region X RRCC
* Preliminary Damage Assessment Teams from FEMA, WA State Emergency Management Division and affected counties assembling to assess damage, scheduled to begin January 13
* WA State EOC remains at Full Activation (24/7)
* Washington State Proclamation from December 24 was amended to include counties with ongoing January flooding occurring in eastern and western Washington; a total of twenty-three counties and fourteen cities declared emergencies related to flooding and seven counties declared emergencies for snow
* No fatalities or injuries have been reported
* Five shelters were occupied overnight with a total population of 69 (down from 97) (NSS Report as of Midnight, January 11, 2009)
* Most boil water advisories have been lifted
* Two Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) requested by the State are expected to arrive Wednesday, January 15
* All Amtrak routes are operational as of Sunday, January 11, 2009
* The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) flood fight teams continue to demobilize from the Olympic Peninsula. Currently USACE has 57 people in 5 river basin areas
* WA National Guard has concluded Winter Storm response missions. Two continuing missions to support flood response will conclude today
* I-90 and I-5 are open to all vehicles with some lane and exit restrictions. Portions of US-12 (White Pass) are closed
* No unmet needs

Fire Management Assistance Grant

No activity. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Jan-2009 08:15:14 EST
 
 

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Hotshots


Perhaps you should really know what a Hotshot Crew does. The very term "Hotshot" means many things to many people. But those of us who recruit, train, and work Hotshots, the job title is anything but glamorous. From experience we know that fire-fighting is 90 percent physical labor for the Hotshot Crews. The nature of the work is demanding. Only those of high strength, agility, coordination, and stamina can cope with the sustained physical exertion required of the average Hotshot. As a Hotshot you will be required to not only produce physically but to live together, eat together, sleep together in close, crowded conditions. Complete compatibility is in itself a difficult challenge.

You must take orders, and carry those orders out at all times, day after day. The emotional strain is extreme and the competitive pressure of your peer group is always present. For a crew is only as good as it's weakest member! When not on fire duty, you will be required to engage in daily structured physical fitness training that consists of running three to five miles, coordination exercises, pushups, sit-ups, chin-ups, stretching, etc.

The rest of your day will be like every other day: hard labor using various hand tools, other duties include digging weeds, picking up garbage, cleaning up toilets, sharpening tools, piling brush, and other duties as assigned. You will be expected to be ready at all times to answer fire calls on the District or throughout the United States. This requires you to be on a twenty four (24) hour alert.

On the fire line, the Hotshot Crews are singled out for the most hazardous and difficult assignments. It is normal for Hotshot Crews to be on the first shift up to thirty two hours before relief is available. Succeeding shifts of up to 16 hours are necessary. On occasion you will be "spiked" out away from the main fire camp, thirsty, hungry, and sleeping on rocky ground, sometimes without even a sleeping bag. You will hardly have the luxury of washing your hands, much less facilities to bathe. You will be filthy, exhausted, underfed, and hurting. There will be no privacy, no sanitation, no shelter, and no doctors, however first aid is available.

The Hotshot Crew is so named because of the need for tough, knowledgeable, rugged individuals who can be sent ahead of the main contingent of ordinary labor crews, and independently construct holding lines around critical segments of the fire, hold their line, and survive with little or no support. You will be required to walk long distances, sometimes packing heavy loads, up and down extreme mountainous terrain, (carrying packs of hose, chainsaws, or backpack pumps) cut trees into shorter lengths, drag limbs and brush out of the fire's path: dig (3 feet to 10 feet wide) fire lines to mineral soil: build trenches; haul hose, pack heavy portable pumps and tanks; and burn out your line before the fire gets there: then start extinguishing spot fires over your lines. And that's not the end of it. The dirty work of mop-up begins; digging and scraping all hotspots out and extinguishing the heat source. Other features of the job are living and breathing smoke for days, contending with mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, flies, stump beetles, snakes, scorpions, spiders, rolling rocks and falling debris, thorns, and cactus. It is dirty, dusty, hot, and you are always sweaty and at times freezing cold. Hotshots travel all over the United States and Alaska, often seeing home only a few days a summer. We want the toughest and the best. Being a Hotshot can be exciting, but very challenging. Many people try out for the Hotshots and don't make it. This is not the time or place to get in shape, you must be in outstanding shape and mentally tough when you start work.

 

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