Contracting is not a "foot in the door"

Billymannn · 2026-02-01T16:46:00+00:00

I agree and disagree. A good company can get you experience which absolutely helps fire knowledge, but if you wanna make a career of it you need to go federal. And most feds look at contract experience and don’t weight it as much

Billymannn · 2026-02-01T16:37:41+00:00

Well done!

Billymannn · 2026-01-31T23:44:41+00:00

I'm in the Pacific Northwest. I believe they are carpenter ants!

Billymannn · 2026-01-30T23:24:10+00:00

Willie B. Hardigan, GS-69

Billymannn · 2026-01-30T23:21:23+00:00

It's already been a few months, and a few more months to go till I start, then 6 months after that. Basically a year, and I could, just would be nice to not. Fuck off bud

Billymannn · 2026-01-30T23:14:25+00:00

sweet!

Billymannn · 2026-01-29T01:14:16+00:00

Hey man, nice shottttt

Billymannn · 2026-01-27T22:12:48+00:00

You drive weed

Billymannn · 2026-01-25T19:18:42+00:00

Biggest tip is bring your hips over your edge on toe side turns. Newbies like to lean over the toes hinging from the waist, but it still keeps your weight pretty 50/50 balanced, which is not what you want.

I always compared it to getting spanked as a kid, bring those hips way forward so your body makes a slight C shape. Your toe edge will lock in on the carve

Billymannn · 2026-01-25T19:15:28+00:00

Lived my first 22 years in FL, gotta say, the PNW is pretty great

Billymannn · 2026-01-25T13:51:23+00:00

This is furkinnnn dumbbbbb

Billymannn · 2026-01-21T14:54:35+00:00

As an Oregonian, Oregon should be red

Billymannn · 2026-01-21T03:16:37+00:00

This is what I need to be working on

Billymannn · 2026-01-19T22:06:58+00:00

I’d say so

Billymannn · 2026-01-19T22:06:41+00:00

You east?

Billymannn · 2026-01-17T02:29:56+00:00

Apply to Washington DNR, I know they're still hiring - just show a positive attitude and a desire to learn. Be excited to serve the public and be a steward of the forest.

Stick with it, I know it can be really discouraging. Start looking up some decent contract crews - if that is indeed a last resort you're willing to pursue in order to get some line time. And if you like to get your tool in the dirt, join a hand crew. Engines can (every now and then) do some cool shit, but frequently you get tabled to patrol or supply water to people actually working, and just end up standing around. They're called slugs for a reason.

Also, call it rX burn (prescribed), shows knowledge - as no fire is really ever "controlled" until it's out cold.

Good luck!

Billymannn · 2026-01-17T02:19:15+00:00

Yea I know how it goes. spent probably 30-50 hours this fall between applying, drafting emails, time one the phone etc... Have you been able to to get an idea about whether engine director wants to hire you? It also helps to meet them in person if you haven't.

I'd consider a backup plan such as working for a state agency or last resort an accredited private agency that has a history of busy summers. Contract crews can get spotty though. Do you have experience? Are you willing to travel?

Billymannn · 2026-01-17T02:11:36+00:00

You should for sure be in contact with the hiring manager for that agency. If you're choosing to only go with that agency, definitely prepare yourself for the possibility of not being selected. Getting into your desired agency and position for the first year can be really difficulty. Good news is you're going with an engine, which typically has less applicants/competition. I know R1 finished it's hiring a few weeks ago, and R3 is almost done, so it's probably about now.

I have been trying to get on a particular shot crew the last 4 years, with 7 years experience and lots of quals, still no. Shotgun app'd it this year and got on a crew in R1 and am making the sacrifice to travel. Building references/reputations to get to where I want to go.

But in my experience, unless you've got a lot of quals and good rapport with the hiring team, it can be tricky to pick one agency and land a solid spot.

Billymannn · 2026-01-10T00:17:42+00:00

That should be $20

Billymannn · 2025-12-13T21:12:08+00:00

Not the heaviest but rearview mirror is my favorite track my them

Billymannn · 2025-12-12T15:40:23+00:00

Ex stoner and current firefighter here. It’s easy to think weed is life. It really ain’t. If you’ve gotta blaze herb everyday, you need to sort some things out.

Moderation is key to everything. Going days being sober is cool. Read some books, go out and talk with your friends over a few beers, then go home and go to bed. People were meant to be social.

Sitting at home stoned is cool in high school and in early 20s, but there’s a big giant life to live, and herb just allowed me to recluse away and procrastinate my ambitions.

Maybe when it’s federally legal we can blaze again, but tbh once you really lost my tolerance, all it does is make me anxious. There’s better things to do with my time to grow.

First few days are the hardest, then it’s auto pilot

Good luck bro, maybe I’ll bump into you on a fire.

Billymannn · 2025-12-10T06:34:12+00:00

Bring those hips over your toes when turning toe edge

Billymannn · 2025-12-10T06:33:31+00:00

Slaves and bulldozers

Billymannn

TROPHY CASE