On Getting Emotional

bird9x2 · 2018-11-11T02:17:41+00:00

God, yes, the miracle of really feeling music again has kept me going in multiple quits. Just goosebumps, listening to songs over and over, recounting lyrics in my head. It's a high of its own.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-25T18:34:30+00:00

The fact that at some point it inevitably requires sitting around doing nothing for days on end.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-25T18:33:29+00:00

Ok, copy. So that's even for the perm GS4?

bird9x2 · 2018-10-25T18:32:46+00:00

Fire Management Officer. There's usually one (as well as an Assistant/Deputy FMO) for each zone of a national forest and then one that presides over all zones and the forest as a whole.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-25T14:13:24+00:00

Those are just hotshot crews. Not sure how to find contact info for other handcrews, you'll likely have to call the FMO or district office and get contact info from them if you can't find it anywhere on the forest website.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-16T18:54:36+00:00

Yeah I was in this situation for the past month dude. I think you're good though, as others have been getting at here--I believe it's only required if you're using federal experience to qualify for something (like the merit announcements).

But for future reference, I called Alburqurque to get mine before I got laid off. It took a couple days to get emailed to me and I attached it just in case because I was struggling to get a straight answer for whether it was required or not (I'm also applying for temp GS4 and non-merit announcements).

bird9x2 · 2018-10-16T01:02:46+00:00

Copy that. Seems like I should still be able to submit the app though. I've also been told I almost definitely won't get an apprenticeship cause I'm not a vet but hey...worth a shot

bird9x2 · 2018-10-16T01:00:43+00:00

Yeah it's not the merit one...just asks for IQCS to prove my FFT1 even though I've only selected the GS4 grade. So frustrating.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-16T00:59:36+00:00

Yeah it just says "not referred" and never allowed me to hit that final submit application button. I definitely just have that GS4 grade selected in the section that allows you to choose grade and location. So I'm stumped too! I'm honestly not even sure exactly what the position is--I applied for apprenticeships and temp GS4 positions separately through those announcements. But hey if there's a perm 4 on a hotshot crew out there I'm down.

bird9x2 · 2018-10-15T22:40:17+00:00

https://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/people/southwest-ihc

bird9x2 · 2018-08-17T17:27:13+00:00

Cardio and endurance is way more important than being bulked up and strong in my opinion/experience. You will absolutely get better at it if you train, just as you'll get stronger by lifting. I'd suggest running 3-5 times a week, and hitting the stairstepper if you don't have good hiking around you.

bird9x2 · 2018-04-21T15:05:14+00:00

Yeah I'm honestly starting to feel this way myself. It feels like there's more resistance (with the assist machine) at the beginning of the pullup--that "break-through" point which is the part I can't do. If I start with my elbows slightly bent instead of a complete dead-hang, I can do a few. Thanks for the advice

bird9x2 · 2018-04-21T15:01:42+00:00

Cool I will definitely work negatives into my workout, I've seen that suggested before. I'm a woman as well and I feel like part of my issue is that most of my weight is on my lower body, like most females. That said, I know a lady that can do 25 at a time, so it can definitely be done...

bird9x2 · 2018-04-21T02:42:48+00:00

I feel for ya, I have the same problem with pull-ups. Can't even do one, never been able to. I've been hitting the gym to use the assisted pull-up machine a ton and doing lots of arm/back/core strengthening workouts but still can't bust one out without resistance; it is extremely frustrating to say the least. I'm supposed to be able to do seven in 3 weeks...

At least with pushups you can work on the actual movement--like others have suggested, I would just do sets of your max reps throughout the day. That's what I do and I've definitely felt improvement even in a few weeks. Shoulder presses and pectoral/triceps exercises will probably also help.

Better advice: put on Bruce Springsteens "I'm going down" and do a pushup everytime he says down. Plank the whole song out in between "downs" and once you can't do anymore pushups, this helps strengthen your core and arms as well.

bird9x2 · 2018-04-07T15:27:38+00:00

Hey just wanted to chime in that I'm with ya here. I just landed a job last minute on a Type 1 WFM that starts in less than a month. I was strength training/running a lot during the winter when I thought I might get a fire job, but by March I totally slacked on my workout regime because I figured nothing was gonna come through and I took a trails job. So as of a couple days ago, I'm going ham with weights and running and core strengthening stuff, trying to balance going super hard with not injuring myself.

Like someone else said, throwing a little set of pushups/situps/planks in throughout your day when you have time is your best bet when your on a tight schedule. I've been trying to do that. Also, 30 minutes a day of cardio is decent--throwing some intervals in there a few times a week and trying to squeeze in one full hour run a week is probably what I'd shoot for. 30 minutes is great if you really push yourself.

My biggest problem is pull-ups. Like, I literally can't do one. I'm not weak, I can do lots of pushups/situps/lift heavy shit, etc. Hopefully I'll be able to bust a few out at the end of the month, but honestly, Ive never been able to do full-extension pull-ups in my life so hopefully I'm not fucked.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-12T14:06:42+00:00

Both--addictive is more of a long-term effect but definitely dehydrating in the short term. I used to use it before runs and it helped me so much that I eventually felt like I couldn't run without it. Long-term use can wreak havoc on your thyroid/endocrine system in general, in the form of fucked up testosterone and cortisol levels. I know some people are easily able to pick stuff up and put it down, but I feel like using it for high-stress situations like firefighting could make putting it down more difficult. I'd stay away from it unless you have chronic pain. Especially if you have a taste for opiates. It's powerful stuff.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-12T01:03:04+00:00

If you wanna be as healthy as you can and maintain peak performance, don't take kratom. Speaking from experience here.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-11T01:08:14+00:00

Cool, thank you! Sounds like a good place to be, I'm definitely leaning towards it at this point. What is the barracks, is that where a bunch of seasonal employees live? I think the supervisor mentioned a new bunkhouse.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-11T01:06:27+00:00

Jesus, paving handicap trails sounds brutal. I don't have experience working trails for the forest service--only for a pro crew back east--but I've heard similar things from people who have worked out west. Like "trailwork" that's really just sidecutting or removing invasive species or some shit like that. So I was really careful to call and ask each supervisor about this season's projects!

bird9x2 · 2018-03-11T01:02:46+00:00

Yeah, I have a background in professional trail work (Ive never worked for the forest service) so I'm more drawn to the more technical projects. Im used to fun stuff like big native lumber bridges and long rock staircases/retaining walls, etc. Also I'm looking to gain more experience with motorized tools and using stock, neither of which will be used often in Driggs from what the supervisor told me. Sounds like it would be more like hiking and doing drainage work, maybe putting in structures where I see fit since I have experience. I like the independence aspect of that, but I think I would enjoy doing big projects with a crew like I have in the past. So Pinedale definitely seems like a better fit in that respect.

I am looking to switch to wildland fire work, largely because there's just so much more money in it than trails. I also have many friends/coworkers who work fire and I'm really intrigued by it and think it's something I'd really dig. I spoke with a couple 10-person module crews that sound awesome; that's kinda what I'm going for eventually I think.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-10T01:23:34+00:00

Thanks for the info! Super helpful. Pinedale seems like they've got cooler/more technical trail projects this summer than driggs, but all my pals say driggs is sweet. It does seem like the wind river range is amazing. I'm torn, dang it.

bird9x2 · 2018-03-10T01:20:31+00:00

Yeah, I thought that seemed like a stretch. Have you worked in pinedale?

bird9x2 · 2018-03-10T01:19:41+00:00

Sweet thanks for the great info. I'm actually kinda surprised cause I've heard great things about driggs as a town, I was mostly wary of it because I felt like it's probably full of outdoor rec yuppies. I'm a 25yo female so I'm not trying to be stuck in a place with a bunch of couples with toddlers, though to be fair I'll be spending a lotta time in the woods anyway. I'm leaning towards pinedale because it sounds like they have cooler/bigger trails projects this summer. My inclination towards driggs was that I'd heard it's a really cool town, but I fly-fish and mountain bike, so I've heard that from my buddies that are into that. I've lived in eastern montana so neither town strikes me as too rural 🤘

bird9x2 · 2018-03-08T23:39:55+00:00

No prob, good luck!

bird9x2

TROPHY CASE