To become a smokejumper, Jones says you need at least one year of firefighting experience and a month of jump training. Canada’s first smokejumping squad was founded in 1949 in La Ronge, Sask., according to the CBC.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ctJvl0TPDi0
How do you become a smokejumper in Canada?
Most people that apply and get in have at least 3-4 years of experience fighting forest fires. – Start with that. Get hired with any of the contract or government crews, then spend a couple of years and gain the important knowledge to fight fires.
Does Canada have smokejumpers?
Quick response times, initial-attack training, and 48 hour crew sustainability, make smokejumping one of the most cost-effective wildland fire fighting methods in Canada today.
How do you get into smoke jumpers?
In addition to passing the physical training test, prospective smokejumpers must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
- Height: Must be not more than 77 inches or less than 60 inches tall without shoes.
- Weight: Must weigh at least 120 pounds but no more than 210 pounds without clothes.
How much do smokejumpers make in Canada?
The average pay for a Smoke Jumper is $65,985 a year and $32 an hour in Canada. The average salary range for a Smoke Jumper is between $47,377 and $79,446. This compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Canada.
How long is smoke jumper training?
Smokejumper recruits learn the basics of rugged terrain parachuting during an intense six-week training course in smokejumper and fire management operations. Returning jumpers receive a three-week refresher course.
How hard is it to be a smoke jumper?
The OPM Physical Fitness Standards for smokejumping are as follows: Run 1.5 miles in 10:47 minutes or less. 6 pull-ups. 30 push-ups.
Does Canada have hotshot crews?
In British Columbia, I was part of a 20-person firefighting crew known as a “unit crew” – a configuration modelled after the American “hotshot” crews. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a hotshot crew in action. We’d been flown out in a helicopter to work a fire on a mountain not far from the Sun Valley ski area.
What’s the difference between a hotshot and a smokejumper?
While Hotshots hike up to battle remote wildfires on foot, Smokejumpers parachute in. These elite wildland firefighters are most often deployed to battle wildfires in extremely remote areas, before the flames spread far enough to pose a threat.
How much do BC smokejumpers make?
An entry level smoke jumper (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $49,650. On the other end, a senior level smoke jumper (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $83,257.
Is smoke jumping a real job?
Smokejumpers are employed by the federal government. Although smokejumping often provides a career target or goal for many wildland firefighters, career opportunities are limited. Most smokejumpers are temporary or seasonal employees that work the fire season from April through October.
What is the average age of a smokejumper?
35
The average age of an American smokejumper is 35, while the average age of recruits is 22.
What is the difference between smoke jumper and firefighter?
Smokejumpers are firefighters who parachute into hard-to-reach areas to fight fires. The smokejumper shown here is taking part in a training operation. Smokejumpers are skydiving firefighters.
How much do Canadian wildland firefighters make?
Wages Forest Firefighter in Canada
| Community/Area | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 16.20 | 22.50 |
| Alberta | 17.50 | 21.83 |
| British Columbia | 18.00 | 24.00 |
| Manitoba | 14.00 | 18.37 |
What is the highest paid fire department?
Best-Paying States for Firefighters
- $86,880.
- $86,860.
- Washington. $77,700.
- New York. $77,380.
- Hawaii. $68,590.
Do you need a degree to be a firefighter Canada?
Applicants to the Firefighter occupation must have a valid driver’s licence. The ideal candidate already have a college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training.
How much do smokejumpers make a season?
Firefighters, like smokejumpers, earn an average of $50,839 per year. Since the position of smokejumper is a leadership role, they may earn more than traditional firefighters.
What height do smokejumpers jump from?
This fixed-wing aircraft will fly at 3,000 feet above ground level for Bureau of Land Management U.S. Forest Service smokejumpers that use square parachutes. The height above ground allows smokejumpers to safely exit the plane near a wildland fire.
What do smoke jumpers wear?
Smokejumper jumpsuits
Under the jumpsuit, smokejumpers wear Nomex™ pants and shirt over cotton undergarments, and tall leather boots—the standard Federal wildland firefighter personal protective equipment.
Are smoke jumpers female?
The first woman smokejumper, Deanne Shulman, was hired in 1979, but despite meeting the established physical fitness standards, was “washed” from the program for being a few pounds under the required weight. This was despite it being known that there were several underweight men on other bases.
Do smoke jumpers use chainsaws?
Crosscut Saws/Chainsaws: Used by two smokejumpers to fell timber, crosscut saws are less prone to damage from the initial jump, while chainsaws are typically the only motorized tool used by smokejumpers.