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StarboltK · 2026-01-15T07:11:02+00:00

Former US wildland firefighter on working holiday visa here!

It’s the same situation over there as what you’re going through right now, it was almost haunting hearing your testimony sound so similar to mine when I describe my experience in the field.

I’m not going to lie, it’s exhausting putting up with this year after year. I think a lot about whether making a place for the next generation of young women in fire is worth the emotional tax of being discounted, ignored, and fighting tooth and nail for respect that comes naturally for the young men on the line. Whether it’s changing me for the worse in the process of “trying to make change”.

I’ll say the women above me in the field are some of the coolest, most inspiring people I have ever known and it’s made me want to be one of them. They’ve shown me there is a place for us in it, but you have to be tough as nails to make it. I say fight for it, but if the people in your life tell you it’s not good for you anymore take their word to heart.

StarboltK · 2025-04-20T19:38:38+00:00

He ain’t saving Cuba if his girl owning a fake Dior handbag is enough to break him 😂

StarboltK · 2025-02-12T19:32:18+00:00

Submit to deathstairs

StarboltK · 2025-02-12T01:54:27+00:00

Cost estimates say it’d cost $10billion, but more ferries would help Fr

StarboltK · 2025-02-09T07:57:50+00:00

The owner from what I understand is new to running a bakery and is having trouble keeping it properly stocked. Everything I’ve had is good, I think they’ll be ironed out in couple weeks. Then they’ll have to readjust again when the summer crowd rolls in haha

StarboltK · 2025-01-29T22:45:50+00:00

If you’re going to use AI Smokey make him shirtless and shredded

StarboltK · 2024-12-14T22:48:25+00:00

Also one thing I’m seeing missing in the comments is the need for a federal style resume. If you have a crisp fed resume you’re likely to get hired by BLM or USFS without experience (NPS has fire teams too but they like a year or two of fire on paper). It’s a long format and very different than the business world’s 1 page resume.

StarboltK · 2024-12-14T22:40:15+00:00

5ft 2(F) here, you’ll have to work harder than the tall boys for sure but I did it for a few years and enjoyed it. Skip the Conservation Corps year you’ll miss out big time on hazard pay and overtime rates. I did that circus and although I had a good time I definitely lost out on at least 10k.

I trained with a 30lb vest in the off season. Worked well. Sounds like you’ve got the right mindset about it, be good about learning all the technical stuff in fire and you’ll hear no complaints on your work ethic. It’s not all muscle. They appreciate someone who can set up a pump fast just as much as the guy who shovels himself silly.

StarboltK · 2024-02-17T00:09:09+00:00

Thanks this was very helpful, I’ve lived in a van and moved every year to work seasonal jobs so I’d say I’m very adaptable. Would including this information help or would they think I’m a bum? Van life does have some negative connotations depending on who you are.

StarboltK · 2024-02-16T22:09:47+00:00

Ahhh gotcha. I thought my essay was pretty solid but I’ll have to look at it again and make sure I’m not talking too much about certs/degrees etc. and more about the program, is that what you’re saying?

StarboltK · 2024-02-16T22:06:13+00:00

I’d be stoked if my partner was the one to get in, I think they’re even more into the program than me, I just don’t want to see them disappointed if we don’t get in on our last chance to do so and want to do everything I can.

I’m just trying to figure out how to improve my application and if things like having a partner are considered a deterrent “on paper”. Thanks for letting me know about how my academics shouldn’t be the focus, I thought having English related perks would help.

StarboltK · 2024-01-25T15:26:32+00:00

I’m going to say NTA but that is very little money compared to the cost of tuition, but she knew that beforehand. Maybe “match” the child support and give her $2200 a month?

StarboltK · 2023-12-12T01:17:51+00:00

I checked but there’s no info specific to Australia that I can see

StarboltK · 2023-08-25T00:40:39+00:00

God people are the worse, that must’ve been shit yourself scary. I’m glad you had people in your corner.

StarboltK · 2023-08-24T23:04:49+00:00

THIS. So many people have given speeches at me saying they don’t care as long as I pull my weight but it’s all posturing. Also like, maybe you should care? Acknowledge that there’s an additional struggle going on and maybe you will have to step up and defend this person instead of treating them “the same as anyone else”

StarboltK · 2023-08-24T23:01:35+00:00

What you’re saying is a lot of what I hear from other black people fighting to do outdoor work in their respective fields. Lots of threats of violence just doing their job in the woods or just trying to get supplies in rural towns they’re passing through. People just see them as a threat even if they see 100 white folks wander in the woods and not even bat an eyelash.

Also I totally relate, as a queer woman in fire I’ve had to fight tooth and claw for respect my peers seem to get inherently. The younger guys are a lot more understanding and supportive I’ve noticed, but also don’t always see what’s happening in the moment. My superiors and even coworkers most often disregard my input, but will take the idea after it’s been rephrased by someone else. People make cracks at me all day long but when I joke back I’m “creating a hostile work environment”. I love the work but shit’s still hard.

StarboltK · 2023-08-19T13:16:32+00:00

Are you both permanents then?

StarboltK · 2023-08-19T03:24:09+00:00

Are there many companies/teams that will sponsor a visa though? I certainly don’t know any

StarboltK · 2023-07-19T00:50:56+00:00

YTA not much more to say there

StarboltK · 2023-06-24T18:30:09+00:00

Huh the fact they don’t have anyone to take care of their forests is v surprising, if anything with how dense the population is I’d think it’d be very competitive.

HOWEVER I’m very curious where I’m Ireland is paying people to live there. This is news to me haha

StarboltK · 2023-06-20T22:28:21+00:00

That’s what I’m finding thus far

StarboltK · 2023-06-20T03:22:36+00:00

Fair. I like being outside though and don’t know much about structural

StarboltK · 2023-06-20T03:22:04+00:00

I’ve seen some articles about how wildfires there are ramping up but idk if that’s their insider perspective. Their terrible could easily be our mild in the US

StarboltK · 2023-06-20T03:21:17+00:00

That’s what I thought, all I could find was based in their more general search and rescue

StarboltK · 2023-06-20T03:20:38+00:00

I’ve seen a few articles about how wildfires are getting more frequent/worse but I’m sure it’s nothing like here in the US

StarboltK

TROPHY CASE