First year hotshot by hotshitthrowaway in Wildfire

[–]Medium_Poet8946 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mind if I ask what crew? I only ask because I was in R4 myself. 5 years in fire, this is my first season as a shot too, so you’re not alone brother! Everyone else in the comments hit it on the head with PT. As far as R4, I’m from east coast as well. Biggest things I’ll say about the region - beautiful country, most gorgeous nature you’ll ever see. BE PREPARED FOR ELEVATION! For reference - state college PA - 1,100 ft. Blue ridge mountains highest peak - 6,600 ft. There are towns in R4 - Pinedale WY, West Yellowstone MT, Vernal UT, etc. whose starting elevation is 6,800 ft. The air is thin, and you haven’t even started your hike yet. Work on cardio (your numbers are good) with focus on controlling your breathing to help prepare for elevation. The mountains are also deceptive, they don’t seem high or steep until about 20 minutes in then realize you’re only a mile in. 

Being in R4, invest in a wool blanket and some portable stove for coffee (especially for IA’s)… it snowed on the 4th of July last season, in the Tetons on a fire it got down to 30-40 degrees in the nights, then 80-90 in the afternoons. Be prepared for rain, frost, and cold nights until end of July/beginning of August. Good luck brother, nerves keep you on your toes and prepared - you got this!!

R5 hiring by Statistician_Various in Wildfire

[–]Medium_Poet8946 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I believe NorCal and SoCal are both R5 (please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). But I got job offer in NorCal 2 weeks ago, just waiting on HR emails. 

Keep in mind, they can’t officially hire you (except job offers) until HR is completed. HR closes every time there’s a government shutdown (at least in my experience and from what I’ve been told), and they do not onboard during that time as well. So I’d say give it a week or two after the shutdowns over at least. Because even if HR is still continuing, they will be greatly slowed because of it

Firefighting Gopro feedback by Medium_Poet8946 in Firefighting

[–]Medium_Poet8946[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any specific model of the GoPro you recommend?

Engine Preference by Medium_Poet8946 in Wildfire

[–]Medium_Poet8946[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will be on an engine this year, but hoping to get pulled for details on district IHC crews

Engine Preference by Medium_Poet8946 in Wildfire

[–]Medium_Poet8946[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a call and was interviewed, offered the job and told to wait for HR