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Who We Are:
The Blue Goose is a US Fish and Wildlife Service wildland fire crew located in Moses Lake, WA. The two primary goals of the Blue
Goose crew are to provide training opportunities for agency firefighters, while partnering with a local Job Corps Center (JCC) to provide job skills to future firefighters. For the 2008 fire season the crew is planning on an active operational
period from mid-June through mid-September.
Details:
The program is organized as a Type II I.A. crew
available for assignment on a national basis. Currently, the Superintendent is the only
permanent position with plans to fill other overhead positions in the
future. The majority of the crew is filled with agency firefighters with five to six
spots available for JCC students. Agency detailers need to be
available for the duration of the season, although a couple spots may be reserved for individuals unable to commit to this
length of time.
Priority will be placed on those individuals that need trainee assignments for crew boss, squad boss, and ICT4/5. Crewmember positions are available to those who seek training at the squad boss level. Squad
boss positions are open to firefighters who would like more training in the crew boss capacity. The assistant superintendent position is open to
interested applicants who are CRWB qualified and have proven leadership
ability.
What to Expect:
The summer of 2007 was a challenging season with assignments in demanding terrain and active fire behavior. Potential detailers will need the
physical conditioning required to hike several miles a day cross countrywith relief changes of over 3,000 feet and still put in a full days
work. The crew carries all gear,
food, and water needed for a typical shift on the line with no support,
your pack alone will weigh 35-40 pounds. Individuals that maintain year-round physical training will be
better prepared to meet these demands and be safe, productive members of
the team.
Training:
The crew will conduct a week of field and classroom
training prior to their first assignment to cover crew organization,
suppression skills, and small-unit leadership principles.
Additional formal training may be provided based on the needs of the crew and
available time. Individuals working
on taskbooks will work with a qualified trainer
to receive one-on-one mentoring during their trainee assignment(s). No matter your position on the crew,
everyone has the opportunity to have a great experience if they arrive willing to work hard and be successful. |