Posted by: Charity_Maness on 08/07/2010 08:35 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 08/07/2010 11:26 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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Bureau of Land Management Firefighters Lending a Helping Hand Here in the Foothills ~ By, Charity Maness
Leaving Arizona on July 27, 2010 an 18+ crew of firefighters from the Gila District Office in Sierra Vista Az, headed out to help fight the fire around the Lake Isabella area. From there, the crew headed north to assist the Forest Service Firefighters with local suppression projects, mainly fuel breaks within the forest. Working out of the Dorrington Station the crew will spend their remaining 5 days in California cutting lines, creating fire breaks, and helping where is most needed.....
The BLM crew travels with two trucks and two buses carrying a minimum of 18 a max of 22 well trained fire personnel and all the equipment needed to fight a wildland fire, from chain saws to shovels. They are completely self-sustainable for up to 14 days in the wild, packing in MRE’s and enough drinking water to survive. When asked what source of water they use for extinguishing fire they all looked at each other with huge grins and one replied, “we don’t need water to fight a fire.”
Firefighting is not simply a job, it’s a calling. These men felt the need to do what they do, and sometimes they pay penalties in life for that calling. Anthony, was approached 14 years ago and was offered a job that included hiking in the most remote areas and wilderness’ of our great country and to get paid for it, as an outdoorsman he could not pass that opportunity up. Throw in playing with fire and he was sold. In the past 14 years he has made it to 50% of his 8 year old son’s birthdays, but knows he is providing well for him. Others in the crew also boast years of firefighting experience, Clyde 7 years, John 10 years, and Engine Crew Leader Robert 7 years.
Required wildland firefighting certificates are required for the job, as well as willingness to be away from home for up to 21 days and the innate ability to survive in the wilderness while fighting a crafty and sinister animal…wildfire. Many positions are seasonal, with the season starting in late April and ending in September, depending upon the weather and landscape.
Assisting other agencies is part of the game, “We play well together.” Said Anthony. There are no egos involved, just a common goal, “to safely protect the public, the natural landscape, wildlife habitat and recreational areas for our country’s citizens.”
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