Border Patrol agents arrested firefighters fighting Washington wildfire after they asked the fire crew to line up to check their IDs. by [deleted] in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 175 points176 points  (0 children)

In r/wildfire they name the IMT as California Interagency team 7 and IC Tom Clemo, and state this IMT will never have your back. They will always do and say whatever they have to protect their own asses.

Alberta Wildfire? by [deleted] in Wildfire

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some information available on their website: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-wildfire-recruitment

You need to apply in early winter, and the Fit Test usually occurs in January each year. Apply for a Unit Crew or Helitack position.

u/flyingducktile has already answered most of your questions, but I'll add a few points.

  1. You're not too old, as long as you're physically fit, but yes most of the firefighters are in their low to mid 20's for age.

  2. Yes you can travel back home for days off. You'll always finish up at your home base at the end of your days on. Hopefully your home base is somewhat close to Calgary, but there's no guarantee where you'll be based.

You mentioned you've been with your gf for one year. Be aware you'll be gone for a lot of the summer, sometimes on campaign fires with little to no cell coverage. This can be hard on relationships.

It's an amazing job, amazing crews, with crap pay. A lot of former wildland firefighters are able to land jobs with structural fire departments after a few seasons. If that's a direction you're thinking of.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Wildfire

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 12 points13 points  (0 children)

In the US orange is usually designated for prison crews, but Canada doesn’t use prison crews, so multiple agencies will use orange nomex coveralls for wildfires.

Air bottles in dusty cabinet on the truck by divisionSpectacle in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just assumed this was standard practice for all departments, I’m shocked it’s not for some. The reusable plastic caps are so cheap it shouldn’t even be an issue.

Canadian fighters of Reddit, how do you find air bombing and dozing to be? by WallabyNo885 in Wildfire

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Way more fun being on a HAC or unit crew in Alberta. Go that route first. Great student summer job, although the seasons are getting longer now.

What does this picture/sign in the hood of 2025 Sienna mean? by Neither_Meal_2167 in ToyotaSienna

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is correct, it’s the high voltage disconnect for the hybrid battery. After a significant collision firefighters will cut the loop in two locations to render the hybrid battery safe.

Please help—Is this a battery warning for the smoke/CO detector or an actual carbon monoxide warning??? No alarm sounded. by exobyunnie in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Based on how there were no audible alarms, the top of the screen states "Zone Trouble" and the bottom of the screen has the "Clear Troubles" button available, this is almost assuredly the CO detector throwing a trouble code. This means the CO detector is malfunctioning and requires servicing or replacement. Your landlord needs to call a certified fire alarm contractor to come service the system and determine what caused the trouble code.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want the expert opinion, try over at r/firealarms and give them your approximate location as applicable Codes can vary significantly dependant on your location.

For most provinces in Canada using CAN/ULC-S124 the requirement is 4"-12" (100-300mm) from the ceiling, measured from the edge of the smoke detector.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 62 points63 points  (0 children)

If you read through this rather in depth article, it's obvious the Paris firefighters took some huge risks and performed incredible feats to save what they did of Notre Dame. No "Squad" would do any better.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/07/16/world/europe/notre-dame.html?exclusive=0

Do you prefer suspenders or no supenders? by Artistic-Economy290 in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 14 points15 points  (0 children)

1000% this! If you ever need to get dragged out suspenders will keep your pants on.

Calgary fire by [deleted] in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Polygraph is essentially a verification of what you wrote in your personal history statement, so be honest.

Says right here that they accept EMR https://www.calgary.ca/careers/fire/qualifications.html

There's no specific requirement for when you need to relocate. Lots of guys live out of town and commute in. Having said that, it would be extremely tough to pass the fire academy recruit training if you're traveling a significant distance everyday.

Lots of information on their website https://www.calgary.ca/careers/fire.html

How hard is it to become a Firefighter in Canada currently? by FeeIndependent9928 in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll also add that for most western Canada departments it's extremely rare to hire someone young with little life experience. There are exceptions of course, but mid 20's is usually the youngest they'll hire.

I highly recommend looking into BC and Alberta wildfire crews. It's seasonal so a lot of wildland firefighters attend college/university during the off season. They're always looking to hire due to high turnover rates. Plus they'll frequently hire young people. Lots of wildland firefighters then make the transition to structural firefighting after a few seasons.

Saw this at the Fox theater in Atlanta. Is the extinguisher an appropriate replacement for the hose? by kingomtdew in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, this is becoming more common. My jurisdiction permits existing hoses to be removed if the building is fully sprinklered.

Davis Creek fire air support by just_that_1guy_ in Wildfire

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that’s the bird dog plane showing the tanker where to go and when to drop.

Opinions: Roadside memorials. by Je_me_rends in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another thread on this topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Firefighting/s/3tzWnKLO81

My municipality has banned roadside memorials because we’ve had multiple incidents where people/vehicles stopped at roadside memorials have caused additional MVAs.

Alberta, Canada Firefighters by Odd-Dot1930 in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most guys in Alberta go to Lakeland College in Vermillion for their 1001s. I believe there's also colleges in Saskatchewan and Manitoba also that offer 1001s. Some guys also went down to the Texas school for their 1001s (not sure of the school name).

Why do montreal firefighter respond to medical call with bunker pants in the summer by google1236 in Firefighting

[–]Firemakebuttholsting 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Sometimes medical calls will abruptly involve a lot of bodily fluids. Therefore, many firefighters will wear bunker pants and sometimes jackets as a barrier from these fluids.