Fires can start unexpectedly and quickly blaze out of control. They are a natural force that has disastrous potential. No matter how much effort is put into stopping fires, it is impossible to eliminate them from nature. Luckily, with the work of thousands of individuals, from park administrators to fire scientists, wildfires can be fought rapidly and efficiently, with minimal damage.
Based on lots of work and research, fire plans have been put into place that help best fight fires. Through the use of controlled burning and fire maintenance, the Forests will remain healthy places. Fire management is a hard job that takes lots of work. Many factors must be considered to accurately make a solid fire plan.
Fire plans are large programs run by organizations like the US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Services. There are lots of available jobs for people that want to be involved in fighting fires, but may not want to be on the front lines getting their eyebrows singed by burning pine needles.
Here are a few fire management and planning jobs that may interest you:
Fire Management and Advisory Team develops and implements fire plans. They are responsible for notifying appropriate agencies and individuals of their role in fire prevention. The team is made up of high level fire experts, directors, and advisors. Many people on this team have extensive experience as fire fighters or as fire scientists.
Fire Manager works in a specific geographic location. They may be responsible for fire prevention in one national park or national forest. They usually have worked on the front lines fighting fires and have higher education in a related field. They must know their region like the back of their hand and be able to coordinate and organize people at a moments notice. These high profile, high pay jobs pull in just under the six figure mark – $98,000 a year.
Burn Boss is in charge of controlled and prescribed burns in certain areas. They are also responsible for putting the fire plans into practice. Burn bosses are veteran fire fighters and have participated in a minimum of 20 successful, controlled burns.
This important job makes about $18 an hour.
Incident Commander is like a burn boss that deals with less complex fires. They have lots of fire fighting experience and are ready to help at all times.
One of the best places to find more information on fire management is from The Nature Conservancy’s website. It describes fire management and planning, but also describes every job available in detail.
Fire planning and management is critical to the forests of the United States and it takes a huge team of strong individuals to accomplish that goal.