Will a BS in Wildfire Sciences help me get on a fire team?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:35:53 -0400

I am currently enrolled at my local Junior College and am going to take classes towards an AS in Fire Sciences so I can be a fire fighter in my city. I have learned that my AS can be transferred to a 4 year University to get a BS in Wildfire Sciences. If I were to persue that, would it help improve my chances on getting on a National Guard Firefighting Team, possibly even an Aviation Unit? I know who to talk to about dropping a packet, but I don't actually know anyone that does those kinds of things to ask.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2020 2:01 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:01:07 -0400

I don't know if you necessarily need all that. My experience was this. I enrolled in a basic wildland firefighting course at the local college and was immediately placed on a hotshot crew. I think all situations are different. I don't know enough to speak intelligently about how the NG operates. I would assume it is a secondary duty during wildfire season. I would believe that different national guard units are trained in wildland firefighting to include some of the aviation units. Then they go do their regular missions after fire season is over. I would research into NG units that have done that mission and ask them. You pursuing a degree in fire science and having experience in it at some point should always help you in achieving your goals further in whatever fire service you choose. Best of luck in your future endeavors

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Oct 20 at 2020 3:39 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:39:07 -0400

You are really asking several questions and not very good. Not much of a packet needed to fight fires with the NG, more of right time, right place. Aviation, like to be a pilot? They still have high school to flight school so a BS is not necessarily required. Please give it some thought to what you really asking so we can better help and answer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2020 4:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:15:05 -0400

Go find your local NG firefighting team and ask them what they are looking for.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Oct 20 at 2020 10:25 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 22:25:35 -0400

I don't know about today, but in this state wildfire duty was generally farmed out to the Engineer units, since they had the bulldozers, shovels and chainsaws. We did not get any specific certification here East of the Mississippi.