The Eastern Nevada Agency (ENA) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is accepting applications through mid-April for on-call (AD or EFF) wildland firefighters for the upcoming fire season. Firefighting handcrews (Type II Crews) consist of 20 men and women who travel to fires throughout the United States, for up to 21 days at a time. Crew configuration typically consists of one Crew Boss (CRWB), three Squad Bosses / Advanced Firefighters (FFT1), and the rest of the crew consists of Basic Firefighters (FFT2) and chain saw operators or sawyers (FALA / FALB). They work long hours in remote locations constructing firelines to halt the spread of wildfires and mopping-up to control wildfires. In past years, local ENA firefighters have fought fire across the western United States. In addition, they were also assigned to the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery Effort in 2003 and Hurricane Katrina and Rita Recovery Efforts in the Gulf Coast region in 2005.

Firefighters must be 18 years old prior to June 1 of the current fire season, must be a U.S. citizen, must pass a pre-employment urine screening for illegal narcotics and physical fitness test. The fitness test, or Pack Test, consists of a three mile hike over flat ground in 45 minutes or less, while carrying a 45 pound pack.

The Eastern Nevada Agency is also accepting applications for camp crew workers for the upcoming fire season. Camp crew members provide support for the logistical needs of large fire camps. Crew configuration typically consists of one Camp Crew Boss and nine Camp Crew Members. Camp crews are also available for dispatch anywhere in the country and work is performed outdoors in a camp setting under non-hazardous conditions. Camp crew workers must be 16 years old prior to June 1 of the current fire season, must be a U.S. citizen, must pass a pre-employment urine screening for illegal narcotics and physical fitness test. The fitness test consists of a one mile hike over flat ground in 16 minutes or less with no pack.

Fire Crew Training

• Classroom Training: Every applicant who applies and passes both the pre-employment drug test and Pack Test will receive over 40 hours of training, and with successful completion of Basic Wildland Fire Training will be qualified as a Firefighter Type II (FFT2). It is mandatory that rookie crew members successfully complete this training in order to become qualified. This training covers a wide variety of both classroom and field training including basic wildland fire suppressions skills, introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), introduction to wildland fire behavior, introduction to fire weather, introductory leadership training, wildland fire safety, and field training in the use of hand tools, engines, pumps, fire shelters and firing devices. Students successfully completing Basic Wildland Fire Training will be awarded NWCG certificates for I-100, S-130, L-180, and S-190 training courses.

• Physical Training: During Basic Wildland Fire Training, crew members are required to participate in a daily PT program with their crew, this usually consists of a 45 minute hike over varying topography with a pack (around 30 lbs). The purpose of this training program is to prepare you physically and mentally for the demands of wildland firefighting. It is vital that you report for work in good physical condition. When you report for work, you should be able to meet the following fitness goals: 1 ½ mile run in 11 minutes 40 seconds or less, 5 pull-ups, 20 push-ups, 30 sit-ups. It is mandatory to successfully pass the Pack Test in 45 minutes or less prior to Basic Wildland Fire Training. Due to the nature of the position as an Emergency Fire Fighter, organized physical training after Basic Wildland Fire Training is rare so it is imperative the crew members take it upon themselves to remain physically fit throughout the season.

Location & Accommodations

Our office is co-located with the Elko BLM Field Office in Elko, NV. This is an interagency program managed by the Eastern Nevada Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs and Elko BLM District Office Fire and Aviation. Government housing is not available. The fire crew does have a fleet of 4 X 4 vehicles that are used to travel to incidents across the country, including pick-up trucks and multi-passenger SUV’s. All equipment, tools, and gear are available on site and ENA Type II crews are self sufficient once dispatched to an incident. Camp crews generally travel to incidents using contracted buses with drivers, unless assignments are local.

Work Dates & Rates of Pay

ENA crews are typically not available for assignment until mid-June at the completion of Basic Wildland Fire Training. Depending on crew member numbers and the loss of employees returning to college, crews may be available up to October. Many of our fire crew members are hired to work as engine crew members on BLM wildland fire engines at the end of August to replace returning college students. This offers an excellent opportunity to receive training and experience in a region with one of the highest wildland fire occurrence rates in the country.

Employment is somewhat flexible and college or high school students are encouraged to apply. It is mandatory that all rookie fire crew applicants are available to attend the Basic Wildland Fire Training, which is typically held the first week of June after high school graduation. After successful completion of training, crewmembers are available to be dispatched at any time, anywhere across the country. Crew members are responsible for their own transportation to Elko for crew mobilizations (two hours upon being called), and then from Elko to their home upon demobilization.

For both camp and fire crew, once you accept an assignment you are expected to commit to the crew for the remainder of the assignment (typically 14 days, possibly extended to 21 days). Family emergencies are dealt with on a case by case basis, but any circumstances not considered a family emergency are not considered as justification for returning early from an assignment. Crew members who choose not to finish their full assignment commitment will be terminated and will be responsible for their return transportation to Elko and all associated costs.

Rates of pay are based on the Department of Interior’s AD Pay Plan which is revised annually. AD employees (also called casuals) are not entitled to overtime or premium pay while assigned to an incident. Rates of pay from the 2008 DOI AD Pay Plan for select AD rates are as follows:

AD Rate	AD-A	AD-C	AD-D	AD-F
Job Title	Camp Crew Member	FFT2	Camp Crew Boss, FFT1, FALA	Crew Boss, FALB
Hourly Rate	$11.16	$12.28	$15.08	$18.10

How to Apply

Applications are currently being accepted for both Camp Crew and Fire Crew positions. Hard copies of applications can be picked from the front desk at the Elko BLM District Office, 3900 E. Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801 and from the Eastern Nevada Agency BIA Field Office, 1555 Shoshone Circle, Elko, NV 89801. Applications will also be available from tribal offices located within the jurisdiction of the Eastern NV Agency BIA.

In addition, you can download applications in PDF format. Print out the application, follow all instruction located on the cover page when completing application, and return to the Elko BLM District Office at the above address. Applications are accepted by standard mail, in person, or faxed to 775-753-0315 (please provide a cover sheet addressed to BIA Fire) until the due date listed on the application.

Contacts

Acting Assistant Fire Management Officer:
Spencer Gregory 
Phone: (775) 753-0308
E-Mail: spencer_gregory@nv.blm.gov

Downloads

2009 FIRE CREW APPLICATION

2009 CAMP CREW APPLICATION