What is a hotshot in firefighting?
Hotshot Crews A hotshot crew consists of 20 specially-trained firefighters. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management. Hotshot crews receive top-notch training, adhere to high physical standards, and have the ability to take on difficult assignments.
What does it take to become a hotshot?
Are you physically fit to be a hotshot?
- 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less.
- 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds.
- 25 pushups in 60 seconds.
- Chin-ups, based on body weight. More than 170 lbs. = 4 chin-ups. 135-170 lbs. = 5 chin-ups. 110-135 lbs. = 6 chin-ups. Less than 110 lbs. = 7 chin-ups.
How much do hotshots get paid in California?
The average salary for a wildland firefighter is $21.67 per hour in California. 157 salaries reported, updated at July 11, 2022.
How often do Hotshots work?
Schedule. Wildland firefighters can work 14 days straight (called a roll) with 16-hour days and possibly up to three days travel before and after the official 14. Night shifts and longer shifts of 16-24 hours are possible depending on the fire and area you are in, but not super common.
Do hotshots parachute into fires?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who provide an initial attack response on remote wildland fires. They are inserted at the site of the fire by parachute.
Where do wildland firefighters sleep?
Because almost all wildland firefighters need to sleep either in fire camps or in spike camps, they sleep in tents, on the ground, and in hot, smoky, and dusty conditions. Shift work interferes with sleep, especially for those on night shift.
Do hotshot firefighters jump out of planes?
There are hundreds of smokejumpers in the U.S. who are all highly trained firefighters that parachute out of planes to quickly attack wildland fires in remote areas. Weston said as a leader, he would have to map out the fire, figure out what he needed to know about the fire before making the jump within minutes.
How much do hotshots make per load?
Generally speaking, hot shot hauling rates are around $1.50 per mile. Some jobs, typically urgent ones, pay as much as $2 per mile, but they are not common. This is balanced by loads with a more typical minimum of $1 to $1.25 per mile.