Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report Opportunities for Success – Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Fire Program Bob Shindelar, Fire Chief, Boise National Forest
Forest Service Job Corps Fire Program Statistics
1,054 students redcarded for firefighting and camp crews
285 fire assignments
$3,676,358.60 salary paid to students on fire assignments
3,087 days worked
206,537 hours worked
10,536 hazardous fuels reduction hours worked (as of 07/05/16)
5,837 Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) acres treated
36 Job Corps graduates hired as wildland firefighters by the U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state, and private entities
Two Job Corps students placed in the U.S. Forest Service through the Public Lands Corps authority As of 8/25/2015
The success of a crew depends on management support, quality crew leadership, and the teamwork of crewmembers. This year all were in place. Our vision for this program was to help provide each student with enhanced character traits that would give them a gain in personal development. Management support was outstanding, and crew leadership was top notch. But, what impressed me the most were the students. I observed a group of men and women that were from different backgrounds, with different life experiences. Some had never stepped foot off of concrete, and others had spent their lives in the country. The students were eager to learn and to prove themselves in a new environment of firefighting. The successes that I observed from the students this fire season were many including the following:
Development of each student towards learning personal accountability
Team work
Mental and physical toughness
Encouragement and support one another
Confidence to succeed
(L-R) Centennial Job Corps fire students Quira Horton and Aneesha Serrano, with student Bill Newton completing field training at the Southwest Idaho Firefighter Training (SWIFT) course Photo courtesy of Centennial Job Corps.
Stress management under serious conditions
How to adjust in a changing environment
Pride in doing the job right the first time
Each student gained some or all of these characteristics. Clearly, they will serve as a road map for the student’s future success, not only in Fire Management but in whatever future career opportunities they may pursue.
The Centennial Fire program continues to grow each year, and its success is noted by the other students on the Centennial JCCCC campus and in the national fire organization. This year the number and days of assignments increased and those involved in the program are proud of the dedication, success and commitment made in 2015.
Centennial Job Corps Fire Crew 8 and Centennial Job Corps camp crew. Photo courtesy of Centennial Job Corps.
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Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
2015 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Fire Assignments by Center (as of 08/25/16– report numbers reflect multiple assignments of individual students who are red-carded for both wildland firefighting crews and camp crews)
JCCCC
Total # of Firefighters
Assignments
Days Deployed
Total # of Camp Crews
Total # of Students
Days Deployed
Day Deployed
Total Hours
ANACONDA
9
35
63
30
41
65
104
11844
ANGELL
9
18
52
26
31
44
83
5513
BLACKWELL
3
8
19
5
21
13
40
3038
BOXELDER
11
49
63
15
35
64
98
7575
3
15
39
15
39
2191
24
81
105
158
322
9945
COLLBRAN
5
31
52
31
52
4447
COLUMBIA BASIN
8
3
203
46
77
49
280
13794
19
56
40
126
198
182
238
36284
FLATWOODS
9
81
37
81
37
3858
FORT SIMCOE
4
3
165
7
169
2225
FRENCHBURG
10
71
39
71
39
1828
0
0
0
5
14
958
CASS CENTENNIAL
CURLEW
77
4
217
4
GOLCONDA GREAT ONYX HARPERS FERRY JACOBS CREEK
1
5
14
10
16
64
1
14
17
78
2083
2
6
18
9
11
15
29
2706
0
0
0
3
40
966
0
0
0
8
21
997
LBJ MINGO
2
3
40
OCONALUFTEE OUACHITA
2
8
21
PINE KNOT
19
96
68
38
58
134
126
13163
PINE RIDGE
7
26
57
24
36
50
93
10504
SCHENCK
6
40
38
40
38
2510
TIMBER LAKE
30
66
400
40
60
106
460
17601
TRAPPER CREEK
40
96
177
90
154
186
331
29159
0
0
0
TREASURE LAKE WEBER BASIN
42
184
172
6
23
190
195
12440
WOLF CREEK
10
3
48
58
113
61
161
10908
285
1000
1994
595
1093
1595
3087
206537
TOTAL
Page 3
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Forest Service Job Corps Fire Program Financials FY2013 - FY2015 FY2015
Including Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Excluding Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Number Of Students Trained
1054
1033
Number Of Fire Assignments
285
279
206,537
204,027
Number Of Hours On Fire Assignments Salary Paid To Students For Training (1054 Students x $15.96 x 40 hours)
$
672,873.60
$
659,467.20
$
1,878,000.00
$
1,878,000.00
$
304,000.00
$
304,000.00
Salary Paid To Students On Fire Assign- $ ments (206,537 hours x $17.80/hour)
3,676,358.60
$
3,631,680.60
Fire Program Budget National Forest Support
FY2015 Forest Service Contributions to $ the Job Corps Fire Program
6,531,232.20
$
6,473,147.80
$
4,349,232.20
$
4,291,147.80
FY2015 Salary To Students
FY2014
Including Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Excluding Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Number Of Students Trained 864
847
328
263
Number Of Fire Assignments Number Of Hours On Fire Assignments 170,060 Salary Paid To Students For Training (i.e. 864 Students x $15.96 x 40 hours)
153,379
$
551,577.60
$
540,724.80
$
1,878,000.00
$
1,878,000.00
$
266,000.00
$
266,000.00
Salary Paid To Students On Fire Assign- $ ments (170,060 hours x $17.80/hour)
3,027,068.00
Fire Program Budget National Forest Support
$
2,730,146.20
FY2014 Forest Service Contributions to $ the Job Corps Fire Program
5,722,645.60
$
5,414,871.00
$
3,578,645.60
$
3,270,871.00
FY2014 Salary To Students
(Continued on page 4)
Page 4
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Forest Service Job Corps Fire Program Financials FY2013 - FY2015 FY2013
Including Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Excluding Davidson River Initial Attack Crew (Schenck JCCCC)
Number Of Students Trained
*851
*851
Number Of Fire Assignments
177
156
124009
114,649
Number Of Hours On Fire Assignments Salary Paid To Students For Training (851 Students x $15.96 x 40 hrs.)
$
543,278.40
$
543,278.40
$
1,800,000.00
$
1,800,000.00
$
152,000.00
$
152,000.00
Salary Paid To Students On Fire Assign- $ ments (i.e. 124,009 hrs. x $17.60/hr.)
2,182,558.40
$
2,017,822.40
Fire Program Budget National Forest Support
2013 Forest Service Contributions to the Job Corps Fire Program
$
4,677,836.80
$
4,513,100.80
2013 Salary To Students Three Year Total Contributions From The Forest Service To The Job Corps Fire Program
$ $
2,725,836.80 16,931,714.60
$ $
2,561,100.80 16,401,119.60
*Schenck Job Corps students were not included in 2013 students trained statistics 2013 & 2014 fire assignments included prescribed burns which is now tracked in the FACTS Database.
Photographs of the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers’ 2015 Fire Season
Collbran Job Corps firefighter Don Hawkins uses a chainsaw to cut down a tree during a S212 class on the Grand Valley Ranger District, GMUG National Forest. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
Weber Basin Type 2 Initial Attack Crew firefighters perform ignition and holding operations on the Blacksmiths Fork RX burn on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in September 2015. Photo courtesy of Weber Basin Job Corps.
(L-R) Pine Knot Job Corps firefighters Zachary Mead, Joshua Horton, Anthony Conner, Dakota Romanos, Bryan King, and Luis Ruiz clear the Natural Arch Trail on the Daniel Boone National Forest. Photo courtesy of Jamie Tyson.
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Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Proves Itself Indispensable During the Most Severe Fire Season in Modern Pacific Northwest History Alicia D. Bennett, Public Affairs Officer, Job Corps National Office
Forest Service Job Corps Centers had a pretty amazing fire season in 2015, but none more so than the Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. Out of a total 206,537 hours worked, the Center contributed 36,284—the most of all the 27 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. This accomplishment was achieved with a lot of hard work, talent, and commitment on the part of Curlew students and staff.
deployments will provide Curlew students on-the-job learning opportunities in different elements of fire management— opening up future, fire management career opportunities. The Curlew FFT2 crew had an exceptional season; however, the season for the Curlew camp crews was extraordinary. One hundred and thirty-seven students earned the qualifications to serve as camp crew members and were placed in the Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS). Curlew Job Corps Center deployed fifteen separate camp crews to support eight wildland fires on the Colville National Forest, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests, and on lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation—more than any other unit in the nation. Every student who earned the certification went out on a camp crew; combined, they worked a total of 28,000 hours.
Over 1,500 fires, aided by drought and lightning strikes burned 1,000,000 acres across the state of Washington, particularly across its northern border. The Stickpin Fire even forced the Curlew Job Corps Center to evacuate. Curlew Job Corps’ Firefighter Type 2s (FFT2) are an important part of Forest Service Region 6’s seasonal workforce and of Forest Service fire organizations across the country. However, in 2015, Curlew’s fire students never left the state of Washington due to its extraordinary level of fire activity. In 2015, 45 students completed guard school and the work capacity test, earning their U.S. Forest Service certification as a FFT2. Sessions consisted of S130, S-190, L-180, IS-700, ICS100 and entrapment avoidance. In cooperation with Colville’s Republic Ranger District, students completed a field day consisting of the endurance hike and fire line construction. In addition to completing the classes needed to earn their FFT2 credential, 15 Curlew students also completed advanced training, earning their S-270, S131, S-133, S-211 basic land navigation, and S-212 wildfire chainsaw credentials.
Curlew Job Corps’ hard work and support is vital not only to the Colville National Forest but also to the surrounding local communities. Highly trained, student wildland FFT2s work closely with the Forest on both hazardous fuels reduction projects, which mitigate wildfire hazards, and wildland fire support. Curlew’s students worked on hazardous fuel thinning projects on the Republic and Three Rivers Ranger Districts on the Colville National Forest, and on the Tonasket Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. The students also worked on the Curlew Lake State Park, Ferry Conservation District, and multiple thinning projects on private lands.
These students were deployed to 19 wildland fire assignments, working over 8,000 hours. Seven Curlew Job Corps firefighters were picked up as permanent hires by various Forest Service units, including the Colville and Siskiyou National Forest and a California Forest Service enterprise team. Curlew’s FFT2 crew completed three, two week assignments fighting the North Star Fire on the Republic Ranger District, working the fire line and on burn preparation, mop-up, and snagging operations. Curlew’s fire crew also had the opportunity to work 1,800 hours on rehabilitation efforts on the North Star Fire. Other assignments included the Buck Horn and ABC miscellaneous fires. All of these
To prepare for their camp crew assignments, the students completed two trainings, consisting of the ICS-100, IS-700, and a three day field exercise in which they completed projects oncenter that mimicked actual camp crew duties. To maximize the students’ opportunities to work on wildland fires, ten Curlew Job Corps staff members were red-carded as camp crew bosses and placed in IQCS, allowing the Center flexibility in responding to fire dispatches. Three of Curlew’s camp crews were extended from 14 to 21 day assignments because of the students’ excellent work ethic and positive attitudes. These extensions all were on the Stickpin fire, part of the Kettle Complex, that blew up to over (continued on page 6)
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Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Proves Itself Indispensable During the Most Severe Fire Season in Modern Pacific Northwest History (continued from page 5) Alicia D. Bennett, Public Affairs Officer, Job Corps National Office
Curlew Job Corps 2015 Graduate Job Placements
Ashton B. Bartley, Forestry Technician, Republic Ranger District, Colville National Forest
Matthew Corbett, Forestry Aid, Republic Ranger District, Colville National Forest Tena Deen, Forestry Aid, Republic Ranger District, Colville National Forest Tyler E. Howard, Forestry Technician, Three Rivers Ranger District Andrew R. Owens, Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest Christina Ralstin, Republic Ranger District, Colville National Forest Justin W. Johnston, Forestry Conservation ASAP Business Solutions
35,000 acres in size over a matter of days.
stepped up to train Blackwell Job Corps camp crew boss trainees, providing them the opportunity to train and obtain certification. The Curlew Job Corps fire program is an excellent demonstration of why the innovative partnership between the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers and Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management (F&AM) staff is successful. The Job Corps Fire program specifically demonstrates how talented Job Corps students can be identified and developed as new leaders within the U.S. Forest Service fire management organization and its critical role in fire management succession planning.
Fire incident management teams awarded members of two Curlew camp crew certificates of excellence for their dedication and positive worth ethic. In addition to developing the skills of its own students, Curlew
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Partners with Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Fire Programs Robert Kephart, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest–Columbia Basin & Fort Simcoe Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers
YEAR IN REVIEW
Camp Crew on the 2015 Wolverine Fire on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Photo courtesy of Robert Kephart.
TRAINING Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps students began informal training during the fall of 2014 with two weekly physical training classes and additional classes on physical fitness, nutrition, goal setting, and team building. Firefighting Instructors spent a great deal of time building relationships with the students and
Camp Crew at the Lucerne Guard Station on the 2015 Wolverine Fire on Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Photo courtesy of Robert Kephart.
communicating with them about wildland fire issues.
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
Guard School, each lasting one week, was held at both Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe during the spring of 2015.
• I-100 Introduction to ICS
Students spent approximately 50 hours in the field and the classroom. The students completed the following training: • S-130 Firefighting Training
• L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service • IS-700 NIMS an Introduction After successfully completing the work capacity test, the students used their first paycheck to purchase boots and outfit their red bags.
In 2015, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest entered into a wildland fire management partnership with the Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers in central Washington. The partnership was new to both agencies. Aside from the normal growing pains of building a new program, 2015 was extremely successful and laid a solid foundation for years to come. A total of 20 students completed fire fighter type 2 training. Six of those completers were placed on national forest initial attack crews for a majority of the summer, saving the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest approximately $39,400 in wages. Utilizing Job Corps wildland firefighters resulted in a significant savings for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The forest budgeted $10,600 for each temporary GS-4 employee. A vast majority of the wages earned by the students came out of P-Code dollars.
Page 7
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps Wildland Fire Management Partnership Robert Kephart, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest–Columbia Basin & Fort Simcoe Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers
A member of the Naches Crew 83, Columbia Basin Job Corps wildland firefighter Christian Rodriguez fought fire in Alaska in 2015. Photo courtesy of Robert Kephart.
FILLING THE GAP OF TEMPORARY HIRING Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps wildland firefighters were successful at supporting the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest by filling out hand crews. Due to the introduction of the Forest Service’s new hiring process, many national forest firefighting crews found themselves short staffed once June arrived. The Methow Valley and Naches Ranger Districts took
advantage of the new partnership and hired six red carded Job Corps wildland firefighters on their FFT2 initial attack hand crews. The students were a great success, and now additional districts on the forest are utilizing Job Corps students in 2016. During the 2015 wildland firefighting season, Columbia Basin and Fort Simcoe Job Corps students worked 3,955 hours, grossing $69,608 in wages.
Columbia Basin Job Corps Facts
Fort Simcoe Job Corps Facts
Students: 280
Students: 170
Employees: 68
Employees: 50
Associated Forest: OkanoganWenatchee National Forest
Associated Forest: OkanoganWenatchee National Forest
Program Year 2015 Graduate Placement Rate: 85.95%
Program Year 2015 Graduate Placement Rate: 88.43%
Career Technical Training
Career Technical Training
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT Logistical support represents the majority of student involvement in 2015, and 38 students were involved in the following:
576 hours spent on the North Star Fire as an administrative support crew grossing $8,363 dollars.
288 hours spent at the local fire cache grossing $4,181 dollars. 7,920 hours spent on camp crew assignments grossing $260,198 dollars.
Camp crew unloads supplies for the Wolverine Fire Pike Camp at the Lucerne Guard Station, Okanogan -Wenatchee National Forest. Photo courtesy of Robert Kephart.
Computer Networking/Cisco
Office Administration
Culinary Arts Facilities Maintenance Nurse Assistant Home Health Aide Pharmacy Technician Union Carpentry Union Cement Masonry
Automobile Technician
Union Carpentry
Union Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic
Union Painting
Brick Masonry Culinary Arts Heavy Truck Driving Mechanics Union Heavy Equipment Operations
Union Plastering SVACT– College
Position
No. of Students
Hours Worked
Wages Earned
FFT2
6
3,955
$69,608.00
Admin Support
6
576
$8,363.00
Cache Support
4
288
$4,181.00
Camp Crew
31
11,200
$160,832.00
TOTALS:
47
16,019
$242,984.00
Page 8
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Work-Based Learning Program Yields Results Justin Abbey, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Bitterroot National Forest-Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Trapper Creek Job Corps has a unique opportunity with the ranger districts on the Bitterroot National Forest through its Work -Based Learning (WBL) partnership. Trapper Creek Job Corps forestry conservation and firefighting students who have completed the necessary training are used to supplement the local ranger districts' fire programs. Each year, local fire managers interview Job Corps students in February and March to select students who have consistently demonstrated good behavior, student leadership, and model the wildland fire principles of duty, respect, and integrity.
TOTAL SUTDENT HOURS IN FIRE & FIRE SUPPORT 29,159 HOURS TOTAL STUDENT HOURS IN TRAINING 6,106 HOURS TOTAL STUDENT PROJECT WORK HOURS 4,945 HOURS APPRAISED VALUE OF WORK PERFORMED BY STUDENTS TO NATIONAL FORESTS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS $222,540.00 DOLLARS
Trapper Creek Job Corps fire crew work on the Stetson Fire on the Chugach National Forest in June 2015. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
Wildland Firefighting Hires
Graduate Job Placements In 2015, the following students graduated from Trapper Creek’s Forestry Conservation & Firefighting Training Program with fire fighter type 2 (FFT2) qualifications and went on to start their careers as entry level wildland firefighters or purse advanced wildland firefighting training. Three Trapper Creek Job Corps students who were hired as casual hires and who are paid via incident codes or severity assignment codes. The Center partners with districts on the Bitterroot National Forest to place its students in Work-Based Learning opportunities. Photo courtesy of Trapper Creek Job Corps.
This year Trapper Creek Job Corps Center supported five ranger districts (Darby, Sula, West Fork, Wisdom, and Plains/ Thompson Falls) across three national forests (Bitterroot, Beaverhead- Deerlodge, and the Lolo), with 17 students. Students selected for WBL are required to maintain excellent behavior under center conduct standards. The 17 WBL students were fully integrated with national forest wildland fire crews, lived in government housing, and worked side-by-side with other district personnel.
Trapper Creek supported its students logistically with meals and transportation while the districts provided the supervision and training. The students were paid as casual hires (AD) when assigned to an incident (PCode) or a severity assignment (S-Code). Otherwise, they were actively volunteering their time to gain on-the-job experience, resulting in more boots on the ground with minimal expense to the government. In 2015, each Trapper Creek WBL student contributed approximately 800 volunteer hours of work for the districts between May and midOctober.
Kevin Bossardt: Moose Creek Ranger District, NezClear National Forest
Viridiana Gonzalez: Wisdom Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Jessica LeBlanc: White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Lewis and Clark National Forest (continued on page 9)
Trapper Creek Job Corps firefighters work on the Stetson fire on the Chugach National Forest in June 2015. Photo courtesy of .Justin Abbey.
Page 9
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Work-Based Learning Program Yields Results (continued from page 8) Justin Abbey, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Bitterroot National Forest-Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Kyle King: Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest
Drew Allen: Grayback Forestry, Inc.—Missoula, Montana
Don Frisch: Grayback Forestry, Inc. —Missoula, Montana
Pawel Halicki: Grayback Forestry, Inc.—Missoula, Montana
John Moynihan: State of Colorado
Advanced Fire Training
David Ortega: Enrolled in Schenk Job Corps Advanced Wildland Fire Program
Public Lands Corps Hires Using the Public Lands Corps (PLC) hiring authority, Trapper Creek also placed two young female firefighters in career positions with the U.S. Forest Service in 2015. Both of these graduates did an outstanding job not only on the fire crew, but also in the leadership and mentorship they provided to the student body while enrolled at Trapper Creek Job Corps.
Brianna Larry: Albuquerque Service Center
Christina Sotelo: Forest Service Region 2, Pike-San Isabel National Forest
Each year, local fire managers interview Job Corps students in February and March to select students who have consistently demonstrated good behavior, student leadership, and model the wildland fire principles of duty, respect, and integrity.
Trapper Creek Job Corps Facts
Students: 217 Employees: 67 Associated Forest: Bitterroot National Forest Program Year 2015 Graduate Placement Rate: 96.38%
Trapper Creek Job Corps students dig line during the 2015 Guard School under close supervision of an instructor. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
Career Technical Training
Culinary Arts Electrical Office Administration Facilities Maintenance Forestry Conservation and Firefighting Union Carpentry Union Cement Masonry Union Painting Welding The Trapper Creek Job Corps culinary arts students meets all of the wildland firefighting teams’ needs, serving huge orders of excellent food on short notice. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
“The 17 WBL students were fully integrated with national forest wildland fire crews, lived in government housing, and worked side-by-side with other district personnel.” Justin Abbey, Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer, Trapper Creek Job Corps Trapper Creek Job Corps creates opportunity through exposure. Instructors and presenters from all staff functions across the Bitterroot National Forest, including the botanist, historian/archeologist, engine/ hand crew foremen, fire management officers, and assistant fire management officers meet the students to expose them to employment opportunities. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
Page 10
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Collbran Job Corps Fire Program Teams up with the Gunnison River Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) Fire Crew Alicia D. Bennett, Public Affairs Officer, Job Corps National Office
al in July and August. Fires on the Six Rivers National Forest traditionally are difficult fires to manage; this is due to terrain and fuel models that include heavy snag areas. The Gunnison River Type 2 IA responded to new fire starts on the Lower Trinity District that would eventually become the 20,000 plus acre Castel Complex. Job Corps students demonstrated outstanding leadership skills under high stress, staying organized with both saw and supply needs.
Collbran Job Corps wildland firefighter Joe Battaglia works on the Minnie’s Gap Fire, south of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
As a partner with the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG), Collbran wildland firefighters are available to join the Gunnison River Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) fire crew. This crew is comprised of staff from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. In 2015, twenty-four Collbran Job Corps students completed the work capacity test and guard school, earning the wildland firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) certification. Additionally, 14 students completed S-212 wildland fire chain saw training and received the Faller 3 certification. Nineteen Collbran students worked across the West in 2015, including California, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington. After a slow start to the fire season, Collbran’s students’ longest assignment was 19 days where they were prepositioned on the Six Rivers Nation-
The crew’s next assignment on the Castel Complex was managed by a Type 1 fire management team. This complex covered over 8,000 acres on both the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests. Working with the Plumas National Forest Interagency Hot Shot Crew (IHC), the Gunnison River IA Crew fought fire on a large slope threatening Trinity Village, California. Collbran students worked three days on direct and indirect saw line in steep terrain that included underslung and over-slung hand line and hazard tree mitigation. As their final assignment on the Castel Complex, the Gunnison River Type 2 IA crew was deployed to the Nickowits Complex on the Orleans District, managed by a Type 3 fire management team. The assignment included downhill line construction and indirect fire line construction, which allowed Collbran students to learn about the complexities of both tasks. Successive fires to which the Gunnison River crew were deployed were the Minnie Gap, Santaquin, Eleven Mile, and Okanogan Complex fires. Eight students also participated in two prescribed fires on the GMUG National Forest in which they held the control line of the
Throughout the training and fire season, GMUG National Forest fire staff have successfully mentored Collbran Job Corps students, teaching duty, respect, and teamwork.
burn with hose lays and hand tools. Additionally, the students relayed messages and moved equipment up and down the hand line. These fires were successful in reducing large areas of fuel loading adjacent to Colorado communities on Colorado’s western slope. Yet another fuels reduction project Collbran wildland firefighting students completed was a joint project between the Forest Service and the City of Grand Junction to reduce a Pi-
non and Juniper forest, meant to preserve the Grand Junction Watershed. Students spent 180 hours on the project, which included hand thinning and chipping. Throughout the training and fire season, GMUG National Forest fire staff have successfully mentored Collbran Job Corps students, teaching duty, respect, and teamwork; they have been a huge factor in the students’ success. Collbran wildland firefighters have a better comprehension of wildland firefighting management, including initial attack, large fire support, medical evacuations, and fuels reduction. Collbran Job Corps Center will continue to nurture its partnership with the national forest and looks forward to future collaborations.
Collbran Job Corps 2015 Job Placements
Arron Nall, Boise National Forest
Jordan Hurley, Bureau of Land Management
(L-R) Collbran Job Corps wildland firefighters Don Wawkins and Chris Settergren are transported on a Bell 212 to a spike camp to construct direct fire line on the 10,000 acre Eleven Mile Fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
Page 11
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Harpers Ferry Job Corps Fire Program Signs Public Lands Corps Agreement with Florida State Parks Jothan McGaughey, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Monongahela National Forest-Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
As of October, 2015, the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center Fire Program comprised of 19 students and five staff members. Eighteen students were red carded as firefighters Type 2 (FFT2), one student was credentialed as fire effects monitor (FEMO) and one student was credentialed as an expanded dispatch recorder trainee (EDRC). To participate on the Harpers Ferry Job Corps fire team, prospective students must obtain permission from managers across the Center, including the works program manager (vocation), academic manager (education), social services manager (dorms), center standards officer and either the center director or center deputy director. Only after these individuals sign-off are students allowed to take the firefighting work capacity test (WCT). After successfully passing the WCT students can attend basic fire school conducted in both the spring and the fall. Harpers Ferry wildland fire team members are expected to memorize the ten standard fire orders and 18 watch-out as part of their commitment to the team. As students show both an interest and an aptitude for fire they receive further training, including weather observation, map and compass, fire effects
Job Corps students also are used to supplement the fire program on the Monongahela National Forest and are used on the forest hand crew on fire assignments in the West.
nership with Sustainable Solutions is an ongoing arrangement that allows students to experience on-the-job training with a private company in the natural resources field.
Harpers Ferry Job Corps’ wildland firefighting students began their season employed by Sustainable Solutions, an environmental services company, through a Work-Based Learning agreement. The students worked on eight projects falling
For the first time, Harpers Ferry Job Corps fielded a 14 day FFT2 RX Wildland Fire Module through a Work-Based Learning (WBL) agreement and a Public Lands Corps Agreement between the Center and Florida (continued on page 12)
monitoring, fuel moisture sampling, pump and engine operations. There are plans for the fire crew to be trained to conduct fuel moisture sampling and IT students to learn geographic information system (GIS) mapping skills. This will increase the student’s skill sets and allow the Monongahela National Forest’s remote weather stations to be correctly calibrated. The program also is planning an L-280 Followership to Leadership class in the future. All of these training experiences increase the students’ forestry related skills and increases their chances for employment. The fire season for the Monongahela Forest is broken up between a spring and fall season which includes the prescribed fire season as well. The forest has two type six engines. Harpers Ferry Job Corps wildland firefighting crew members detailed with the engines for the both spring and fall fire seasons. Three students participated in the spring detail and four students participated in the fall on engine details. During the spring engine detail, the three crew members deployed on three off-forest wildland fire assignments, the Hanging Rock, Martin-PondGreen, and Big Fish fires in Ohio and Minnesota. Harpers Ferry
into three categories: prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction and invasive weed mitigation, that ranged from a few days to months. Land owners ranged from private landowners, non-profit organizations and federal agencies, including National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As of October 16, 2015, seventeen students participated in these projects for a total of 1,202 hours and 386 acres treated. Sustainable Solutions conducted training sessions at Harpers Ferry Job Corps which covered prescribed fire techniques, cold weather clothing for outdoor work environments, geographic information system skills and on state of West Virginia requirements for obtaining an herbicide applicators license. Harpers Ferry Job Corps’ part-
HARPERS FERRY JOB CORPS FACTS Students: 156 Employees: 54 National Forest: Monongahela National Forest Program Year 2015 Graduate Placement Rate: 76.52% Career Technical Training
Brick Masonry Carpentry Computer Technician A+ Office Administration Union Cement Masonry
Page 12
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Harpers Ferry Job Corps Signs Public Lands Corps Agreement with Florida State Parks (continued from page 11) Jothan McGaughey, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Monongahela National Forest-Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Harpers Ferry 2015 Advanced Training Placements
One graduate placed in the Schenck Job Corps Advanced Forestry Program
One graduate placed in the Shenck Job Corps Advanced Fire Program
State Parks. Seven Harpers Ferry Job Corps fire crew members participated in this 14 day prescribed fire assignment from May 16 through June 2, 2015. Both a Work-Based Learning agreement and a Public Lands Corps agreement were signed between Harpers Ferry Job Corps and Florida State Parks. Funding was provided by Department of Labor, Monongahela National Forest, Forest Service Job Corps Program and
Florida State Parks for this project. On-site housing was provided by Florida State Parks. Eight prescribed fires were conducted with a total of 4,562 acres treated with fire and an additional 499 acres prepped. Land ownership included Florida State Parks, State historical site and Department of Defense (Eglin and Tyndall Air Force Bases). Students participated in ignitions, holding and monitoring positions. Florida State Parks has expressed a strong interest in continuing and expanding this partnership which not only offers training and experience for Job Corps students, but also offers training opportunities for Monongahela Forest Service employees for qualifications as squad boss (FFT1), firing boss (FIRB), fire effects monitor (FEMO) and burn boss (RXB2) levels.
Golconda Job Corps Trains and Fields its First Camp Crew in 2015
Page 13
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Another Super Successful Year for the Weber Basin Job Corps Fire Program Brandon J. Everett, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Uinta-Wasatch Cache National Forest-Weber Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
also hosted both students and staff with detail opportunities on the Logan Hotshots, Weber Basin Crew, and Wasatch Helitack.
Weber Basin Job Corps Type 2 IA crew prepares for their 10 mile pack-out of the Elkhorn Fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest in July 2015. Photo courtesy of Brandon Everett.
The 2015 fire season began early in Northern Utah after an abnormally dry winter. In February, two Weber Basin Job Corps students accompanied a contingent of Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest employees to a fire ignited by a crashed tanker truck. Later in the day, there were two more fire starts in the dispatch area where those students had been placed on standby. Basic fire training concluded in March 2015, and the Weber Basin Job Corps Fire Program began the interview process for selecting students for its initial attack (IA) module and engine crew. The vetting process included evaluating students’ physical fitness scores, Center color status, fire school scores and completion percentages in academics and vocational training. Twenty students made the first cut. After written and oral interviews were completed, nine students were offered positions on either the IA module or the engine crew. In May, students on the engine crew and IA module continued with their training in preparation for the UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest annual preparedness rodeo and readiness review. This event was catered and hosted by Weber Basin Job Corps. From late July through August, Weber Basin firefighters worked the majority of their time on
large fire support in Regions 1, 4, and 5. The Center’s fire program also facilitated multiple training opportunities on its hand crew, IA module, engine crew, and single resources. Weber Basin Job Corps’ Engine 461 worked two, two-week assignments on the Boise National Forest working large fire support and local initial attack. The engine crew traveled approximately 5,000 miles accident free, working 97 shifts on 20 fires. The crew on Engine 461 spent twenty seven days on national forest account work, including days spent constructing defensible space on the Weber Basin Job Corps Center improving hand line used on the Center’s physical fitness trail. Engine 461 Weber Basin Job Corps 2015 Job Placements
Jaime Noonchester, UintaWasatch-Cache Helitack Musa Abadallah, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands Saul Pineda, Logan Hot Shots Eric Caserio, Uinta-WasatchCache Engine Crew Nina Oppenhiem, Bureau of Land Management Eric Duran, Colorado State Forest Service Tyrone George, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
fitness, and general firefighting operations. The crew on Engine 461 and Villa also spent a day on the national forest patrolling for new fires and checking known, local, problem areas for escaped camp fires.
Initial attack module 11 spent a majority of its season committed to the Weber Basin hand crew, Washington Office Fire Staff’s completing three of six two-week Budget Analyst David Christenassignments with the hand sen was detailed to the procrews in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, gram, spending time on the and Arizona. Module 11 worked Weber Basin Crew, IA module six incidents and 28 days outand Engine 461 to gain a better side of the Northern Utah Dispatch Area. A total of 52 days were assigned to Pcodes. Module 11 spent 29 days on national forest account work, including days spent constructing defensible space on for the Weber Basin Job Corps Center and improving hand line used on the (L-R) CONAFOR firefighter Elder Camilo Castro, detailed with the Logan Center’s physical Inter-agency Hotshot Crew, spent shifts with Weber Basin students Saul Peneda and Adrian Calderon on the Bobcat Fire, Salmon Challis fitness trail. National Forest in August 2015. Photo courtesy of Brandon Everett.
Weber Basin’s firefighters actively participated in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest fire prevention and education program through patrolling and the Smokey the Bear program. The students participated in the Wheels of Wonder Program at Hill Air Force Base’s Child Development Center and posted firework restriction signs in area camp grounds and picnic areas. Weber Basin also hosted several national and international visitors, including Juan Villa from the Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR), Mexico’s equivalent of the U.S. Forest Service. Villa spent a day with Weber Basin firefighters discussing fire suppression tactics, engine standards, equipment types, physical
understanding of the interworking of fire operations. The Weber Basin Crew hosted an interagency partnership on two assignments with the State of Utah Dromedary Peak Fuels Crew. This partnership was very successful and is one we hope to continue in the future. The Weber Basin Fire Program also participated in Job Corps’ 50th Anniversary Celebration in Washington D.C. Weber Basin student firefighters and fire program managers hosted an informational booth on the USDA Jamie L. Whitten Building patio. The booth, displaying equipment and tools commonly used by firefighters and pictures and video from Weber Basin’s previous fire season, was popular with USDA staff and visitors.
Page 14
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Centennial Job Corps Students on the Right Track for Futures in Fire Management Mike Towers, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Boise National Forest-Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
The 2015 wildland firefighting season was a successful and rewarding year for the Centennial Job Corps fire program. Students worked as firefighters in an organized 20 person fire crew, in an organized camp crew module, and in dispatch. Each function provided them with experiences that may lead to future fire positions.
CENTENNIAL JOB CORPS FACTS Students: 262 Employees: 68 National Forest: Boise National Forest Program Year 2014 Graduate Placement Rate: 80.31% Career Technical Training
Computer Technician Culinary Arts Electrical Facilities Maintenance Nurse Assistant Home Health Aide Office Administration Union Carpentry Union Painting Union Plastering Welding
This year was a very busy fire season which began on the Bureau of Land Management Boise District’s Poison Fire and ended at the Tepee Fire on the Payette National Forest. The unique opportunity for the students to work as crewmembers on other professional crews, such as with Crew 3 and Boise Interagency Hotshot Crew, added to the experience gained. The new camp crew structure, which included the hiring of three camp crew bosses provided the camp crew students improved learning opportunities and exposure to exceptional crew leadership. In addition, seven firefighters from the 2013/2014 fire program were hired as seasonal firefighters for three different agencies in three different Forest Service regions. We are extremely proud of these firefighters. They are living proof that hard work, dedication, and a willingness to succeed can lead to excellent and fulfilling career opportunities. The Centennial Job Corps Fire Program is on the right track for students to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities in a variety of different fire management elements. This has clearly led to opportunities for them to build their resumes for future career opportunities in fire management. I am very proud of their work, and the program accomplishments this year!
2015 Fire Crew 8 Training— Type 2 Initial Attack
S-130 Firefighter Training S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior I-100 Introduction to ICS L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service IS-700 NIMS an Introduction PMS 475 Basic land Navigation Mutual Respect Conducts and Ethics Hazmat/Hazwoper Blood Borne Pathogens S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
Fire Line Construction
Direct and Indirect Progressive and Leapfrog Tool Selection Maps, Compasses, & GPS Latitude and longitude Township, range, and section Maps, Compasses GPS Pace count and cross- country travel
Helicopter Operations
Briefings and emergency procedures Loading and unloading of personnel Fire and personal equipment preparation for flight Cargo net building and sling load operations Aircraft typing Type 2 helicopter orientation with Lucky Peak Rappel Crew
Safety
Proper use of all PPE Conducted appropriate JHA and tailgate safety sessions Reviewed Facilitative Learning Analyses and Lessons Learned Mitigation for heat-related injuries briefings
Medical Response
Scenarios and medical equipment use (SKED, backboard, Kendrick Traction Device, trauma kit, oxygen, 10-man first aid kit) Cross training with Lucky Peak Rappel Crew, equipment, and personnel
Page 15
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Boxelder Job Corps Crew 15’s 2015 Fire Hours Increase 278% from the 2014 Season Robert Cota, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Black Hills National Forest-Boxelder Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
RAWS FIRE & MT. ADAMS COMPLEX 14 Days—235 Hours Crew 15 supported the Black Hills Type 2 crew with trucks, equipment, and wildland firefighters.
CATERING UNIT PLACEMENTS Four Boxelder Job Corps graduates were accepted into the Schenck Job Corps Advanced Wildland Firefighting program.
Nakala Williams Adam Skillman James Damron Nathaniel Gibson
One Boxelder Job Corps student was accepted into the Schenck Job Corps Advanced Forestry program.
Nathaniel Gibson
Boxelder Job Corps Center deploys the only mobile catering unit in the nation. This unit is available to be dispatched for Type 3 wildland fires and is operated and maintained by the Boxelder Job Corps culinary arts trade. Each year it is used to support the Black Hills Interagency Fire School and in April 2015, the mobile catering unit deployed for 3 days on the Coldbrook Fire where it prepared and served three meals a day to 150 firefighters.
The Black Hills crew deployed to Washington state to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest where it was assigned to the Horseshoe Fire. While on standby on day one, the crew responded to a new start that became the Raws Fire, where it worked for four days. On day five, the Black Hills crew hiked three miles up into the Mt. Adams Wilderness and spiked out in the black of the Horseshoe Fire. Several new starts, triggered by lightening in the vicinity of the Horseshoe Fire, prompted the crew to transition to the Mt. Adams Complex where it worked for the remainder of the assignment.
BLACK ELK WILDERNESS & NORBECK WILDLIFE PRESERVE 5 Days—46 Hours-10 Students Firefighting students worked 5 days in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and the Black Elk Wilderness, both on the Black Hills National Forest, assisting the south zone trails crew. Students cleared brush and trees, cleaned up, and constructed water bars and used natural materials to enhance erosion resistance of a stream bed.
Two Boxelder Job Corps graduates accepted career firefighting positions with the U.S. Forest Service under the Public Lands Corps hiring authority.
ALASKA-SOCKEYE & SPICER CREEK FIRES
21 Days—315 Hours
Charles Boyles, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest David Little, Black Hills National Forest
Boxelder graduate Michael Nordeng accepted a position as a 1039 wildland firefighter on the Olympic National Forest.
Crew 15 provided students Tyler Vickers and James Damron to the Tatanka Interagency Hotshot Crew that was ordered up for a 21 day assignment in Alaska. Tyler and James worked on structure preparation, line construction and firing operations.
CAMP CREWS Boxelder Job Corps Center deployed two camp crews in support of wildland fire incidents. Crew 1 reported twice, for a total of 14 days, for the Cornet and Grizzly Bear Complex fires. Crew 2 was deployed to the Eagle/Grizzly Bear complex for an extended 26 day assignment.
BUCKHORN SADDLE FIRE 10 Days—165 Hours-10 Students Crew 15 deployed on a type 2 assignment in western Montana on the Bitterroot National Forest, where it mopped up and gridded for spot fires and patrolled the Sula District for four days.
JAY FIRE
BUCK CREEK FIRE
2 Days-18 Hours- 7 Students
4 Days-66 Hours-10 Students
Crew 15 dispatched to lightening strike fire in Vanocker Canyon on the Black Hills National Forest.
Crew 15 left the Buckhorn Saddle Fire to respond to a new start, also on the Bitterroot, working on the Buck Creek Fire for four days.
Page 16
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Anaconda Job Corps Camp Crew is the Backbone of Scotchmans Gulch Fire Incident Command Post Breanna Mae Thomasson, Fire Prevention Technician, Gallatin National Forest, Big Timber Ranger District
each specifically chosen through an application process and must complete paperwork, get their red card, attend an annual refresher, and complete classes through FEMA to have the opportunity to work in Anaconda Job Corps Camp Crew at the Scotchmans Gulch Fire. fire camps. “This is a once in a lifetime The Anaconda Job Corps Civiliza- chance for them,” said Mona Fergeson, Crew Boss for the tion Conservation Center JCCCC crew. It gives them a (JCCCC) camp crew has set up chance to earn money for rent yurts and tents, filled in pot or a car when they go out on holes and gopher holes to mititheir own. This experience gives gate safety hazards, helped with them a chance to grow in skills food delivery along with organizthat increase their employment ing, managing, and helping deoptions. They can practice skills liver supplies to our crews on of their trades, improve their life the fire line. The Anaconda Job skills, practice time manageCorps camp crew of 10 has ment and be responsible for been the behind-the scenesthemselves. “I love it. We’re backbone of Scotchmans Gulch working a lot and I like good Fire ICP. For these efforts, they hard work,” said Aaron Schaack, should be commended. Anacona 17 year old crewmember with da JCCCC crewmembers are
aspirations of becoming a brick layer or going into the Marines. Job Corps itself is an opportunity for this crew. They can choose between seven different trades: painting, brick laying, carpentry, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment mechanic, welding, and culinary arts. “It’s one heck of a job hookup,” said 17 year old Trevor Gerwig, when asked what job corps was to him. Trevor already has a commitment to join the Marines once he is 18. With the training provided, participants can have a chance to earn a high school diploma, GED, CDL, and many other certifications. Skyler Hawkins, 18 years old, has big plans of becoming a heavy equipment operator and earning his CDL, said “[Job Corps] gives you another chance for a diploma and a good career.” Not only does Job Corps provide the prospect for these youth to be able to earn many different certifica-
Centennial Job Corps Camp Crew Mobilization Mike Towers, Job Corps Forest Area Fire Management Officer, Boise National Forest-Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
The Centennial Job Corps fire camp crew had a busy season in 2015, responding to 10 incidents and working 73 days. The crew was initially mobilized in May to support the Boise County Simulation Exercises at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), There, the crew assisted with the mobilization of Australian and New Zealand firefighters. Over 100 emergency responders attended the simulation. The camp crew finished the season in September where it catered the Australian and New Zealand firefighter close-out banquet. NIFC Assistant National Director of Operations Kim Christensen recognized Centennial students for their mission achievements in supporting wildland firefighters.
The new camp crew structure, which included the hiring of three camp crew bosses, provided the camp crew’s students improved learning opportunities.
tions, but the program “prepares you for a trade and gives you a future.” Aaron Schaack said; they are all given the chance to start over and become employable adults. The Anaconda JCCCC crews training shines through in their hard work and easy going attitudes here at IC where staff have found it is a pleasure to be able to work with Anaconda’s enthusiastic, resilient, and reliable students to form an absolutely incredible team that has done an amazing job here.
“This experience gives them a chance to grow in skills that increase their employment options.” —Mona Fergeson, Crew Boss, Anaconda Job Corps Camp Crew
Page 17
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
An Experience I Won’t Soon Forget– A Season on the Davidson River Initial Attack Crew Victoria Becerra, Engine Crew Staff, Fremont-Winema National Forest
Hello, my name is Victoria N. Becerra, and I’m a graduate of the Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Advanced Fire Management program, along with its associated crew known as Davidson River Initial Attack Crew.
I was challenged physically from my first day of training. What was the most challenging was feeling that I would somehow have to prove that I could keep up with my brethren, if not ahead.
I received more than what I expected from this program. I applied to the program because I wanted to gain experience in wildland firefighting, improve my physical fitness, and gain a foundation for a career, as well as having the freedom to make mistakes that I could continually learn from in a safe environment.
“I believe the guidance and support of my instructors gave me the confidence to seek out opportunities and begin a successful career in the U.S. Forest Service.”
As a member of the Davidson River crew, I received a substantial amount of training that is critical for every entry-firefighter, but also received training beyond that. I enjoyed the extra classes that my instructors made time for even though they weren’t required by the position task book. Those classes have given me an outstanding foundation and also allow me to demonstrate what I’ve learned when the opportunity arises.
My fellow crew members motivated me to keep going because of my struggles to be just like them. Physical training was stressful at times, but it prepared me for when I will be physically challenged as a wildland firefighter. I know I’ve hardened mentally because of it, and I’m grateful. I appreciate the fact that my classes included extensive hands-on training, during which I was encouraged to ask questions about potential firefighting scenarios. To me, that provided a learning experience that was interactive, interesting, and fun.
Learning didn’t stop. Even two weeks prior to leaving the crew, I was still learning firefighting skills to either fill in gaps or polish what I had previously learned.
I believe the guidance and support of my instructors gave me the confidence to seek out opportunities and begin a successful career in the U.S. Forest Service.
Before joining the Davidson River crew, I didn’t know what I wanted to do in the fire world. I knew I wanted to become a wildland firefighter, but I didn’t think beyond that goal. When the crew started traveling to different national forests, I met a diverse group of wildland firefighters, and it opened my eyes to a wide variety of careers. I talked to different resource crewmembers, single resource bosses, and fire management personnel.
The Schenck Job Corps Advanced Fire Management program has given me an experience I won’t soon forget. What makes the program exceptional is the commitment of the staff members who make it all possible. They have the passion and patience to give time to each individual student while passing on invaluable experience and teaching a new generation of professional firefighters.
Davidson River Initial Attack Crew 2015 Job Placements Anthony Conte, Superintendent, Davidson River Initial Attack Crew-Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Name Davidson River Initial Attack Crew’s 2015 fire season was successful and productive. The crew participated in wildfire and prescribed fire operations, as well as hazardous fuel reduction projects and various types of project work throughout Forest Service Region 8. The crew went available on January 14, 2015, and worked a total of eight wildfire and 42 prescribed fire assignments throughout the southern region. By the end of April, the crew scaled down to a module and by mid-May, the crew was ready to shut down for the year. The summer months were spent on training assignments, single resource assignments and preparation for the new crew to arrive. The primary mission of Davidson River is to train entry level firefighters and assist them with pursuing entry level jobs within the U.S. Forest Service. The chart to the left features 2015 crew member job placements.
Position
State
David Little
Crew
SD
Beau Vivant
Location Black Hills NF
Engine
SD
Black Hills NF
Warren Baxter
IHC
CA
Six Rivers NF, Smith River Hotshots
Edwin Baxter
IHC
CA
Six Rivers NF, Smith River Hotshots
Randall Poynter
Engine
MN
Chippewa NF
Victoria Becerra
Engine
OR
Fremont-Winema NF
Kyle Costa
Engine
WY
Uinta Wasatch Cache NF
Jason Mitchell
Training
CA
Detail to WFTC through (PLC)
Paul Grigg
Engine
CO
San Isabel NF
Bryan Bohannon
Crew
ID
Boise NF
Jordan Kracjirik
Engine
WA
Olympic NF
Michael Nordeng
Engine
WA
Olympic NF
Luis Duran Nikisha Luke
Crew
ID
Boise NF
Dispatch
CA
CA Interagency Communication Center, BLM
Page 18
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Photographs of the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers’ 2015 Fire Season
(L-R) Frenchburg Job Corps wildland firefighters, the “Frenchburg Firebirds,” Ansel Cole and Joseph Powell, crew boss Brad Adkins, and students Catherine Oxley and Jazrielle Wilson deployed on April 21, 2016, on a 14 day detail to the Silver Mine Fire in Hot Springs, N.C. Photo courtesy of Brad Atkins.
(L-R) Weber Basin graduate Dejen Dirar and advanced firefighting student Musa Abdallah on the Broads Fork Fire, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Photo courtesy of Brandon Everett.
Great Onyx Job Corps firefighter Don’Quise Burnam works on the Buffalo Trail Prescribed Burn on the Land Between the Lakes. Photo courtesy of Kiela Hall.
Pine Knot Job Corps firefighter Michael Jackson on the Indian Knob RX, Daniel Boone National Forest. Photo courtesy Jamie Tyson.
Cass Job Corps Wildand Fire Crew (L-R) Back row standing: Jeff Organ, David Brinkley, Jorden Della Cruz, Steven Ward, Darius Barnes, Tim Curry, Nash ton Snare, Nicholas Henson, Syr Jonathon Duncan, Daniella Mcintoosh, Nicholas Watson, Greg Pleasant, Christopher Hamilton, and James Tillison. Front row knelling: Darian Hill , Aaron Young, Darnel Fryer, Kourtney Burns, Dustin Jones, and Derrick Holdstock. Photo courtesy of Cass Job Corps.
In February 2015, Davidson River Initial Attack crew member Victoria Becerra worked on rehabilitating the 151 old earthen entrenchments, originally constructed in February 1864 by Confederate forces, on the Osceola National Forest. Photo courtesy of Davidson River Initial Attack Crew.
Frenchburg Job Corps staff member Tony Barnhard (L) watches Guard School students digging line on a field exercise. Photo courtesy of Nathan Talley.
Page 19
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
Hard Work Pays Off - Students from Blackwell Job Corps Center Fight Wildland Fires Out West Hilary Markin, Public Affairs Officer, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
This summer more than 300 fire personnel have been dispatched from the Wisconsin Interagency Coordination Center that is managed by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. These fire personnel have been mobilized to Alaska, Montana, California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. Many of them supporting these efforts on multiple deployments.
Blackwell Job Corps wildland firefighter, David Rutecki, prepares to help initiate a large burn out on the Limebelt Fire in Washington. Photo courtesy of Blackwell Job Corps.
Four students from the Blackwell Job Corps Center in Wisconsin put their training to the test in August as members of a Wisconsin Interagency Crew that was dispatched to Washington to assist with wildland fires. They were part of a 20-person interagency crew of employees from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The crew was extremely busy and participated in the suppression of four separate fires, ending with the Okanagan Complex near Conconully, Washington. During their 21-day assignment the crew was involved with initial attack, burn out operations, structure triage and protection, hose lays, line construction, and mop-up. They worked with the OkanaganWenatchee National Forest, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and a multitude of other resources from Washington and from around the country. The crew camped in a variety of locations, such as, the banks of the Columbia River in Roosevelt, Chelan Falls Town Park, Oroville school gymnasium and Conconully State Park.
Typically, fire assignments are for 14 days plus travel and require working up to 16-hour days in harsh conditions includ-
said Lee Jensen, Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Job Corps Fire Program, who was part of the crew. “We train really hard to prepare ourselves for these conditions, and it is something I work hard to instill in the Blackwell Job Corps students participating in the wildland firefighter program.” “The guys from Blackwell came well prepared and did really well for their first time out, especially given the critical fire behavior
“As far as fire assignments go, these (Blackwell) guys got a lot of exposure to just about everything that you’re going to see and work with out on the fire line,” said Chris Geidel, Engine Operator on the Great Divide District of the ChequamegonNicolet National Forest who served as the crew boss for the Wisconsin Interagency Crew. The crew was working daily with and around helicopters, air tankers, Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATS), super scoopers, bull dozers and engines of every kind. "It was a great experience being able to travel the country, see new things, and meet new people. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to save houses for families,” said Ja-Won Barnett, one of the Blackwell Job Corps wildland firefighters who was on the crew. “Just knowing that I'm doing something that matters has been a life-changing experience."
(L-R) Blackwell Job Corps fire crew Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Job Corps Assistant Fire Management Officer Lee Jensen and crew members David Rutecki, Adam Edwards, Jeremiah Bridges and JaWon Barnett, pause for a moment after prepping an indirect fire line on the Wolverine Fire in Washington. Photo courtesy of Blackwell Job Corps.
ing the smoke from the fires, heat, altitude, mountainous terrain, and sleeping in tents. “These conditions put a lot of physical strain on us as wildland fire fighters, and the dynamic fire conditions that put a lot of mental strain on us as well,”
Click on link below to watch the Blackwell Job Corps firefighters in action! http://www.wjfw.com/stories.html?sku=20150803174250&display=video http://www.wjfw.com/stories.html?sku=20150618225955
that we were working in,” said Geidel. The Forest Service started the wildland firefighter training program at Blackwell in October of 2014. As of October 2015, 18 students have been certified as Wildland Firefighters and 60 are participants in the program, working towards their certification. In addition, nine students have found volunteer or permanent jobs as firefighters after graduating from Blackwell.
Page 20
Center
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
JCCCC Fire Program Contacts (as of 8/16/2016) Center Director JCCCC POC/JCFAFMO Forest FMO/POC
Regional POC
Anaconda Region 1 Beaverhead N.F.
Ray Ryan 406-563-8712 - O
Wyatt Palin - JCFAFMO 406-563-8711 - O
Mike Goicoechea 406-683-3955 - O 406-369-3712 - C
Steve Zachry 406-329-3422 - O 406-552-2585 - C
Angell Region 6 Siuslaw N.F.
John Booker 541-547-5616 - O 541-519-1614 - C
Jothan McGaughey - JCFAFMO 304-704-9195 - C
Dan Eddy 541-750-7026 - O 541-207-2846 - C
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Blackwell Region 9 ChequamegonNicolet N.F.
Richard Lassiter - CD 715-674-7649 - O Michael Schenk - DCD 715-674-7659 - O 715-889-4190 - C
Lee Jensen - JCFAFMO 715-674-7317 - O 715-401-3005 - C
Jim Grant 715-362-1341 - O 715-493-9137 - C
Beth Jablonski 414-297-3456 - O 262-385-8520 - C
Boxelder Region 2 Black Hills N.F.
Michael Deveraux 605-348-3636 Ext. 1142601 - O 605-786-3941 - C
Robert Cota - JCFAFMO 605-348-3636 ext 1142682 - O 605-639-1309 - C
Todd Pechota 605-673-9280 - O 605-673-1137 - C
Scott McDermid 303-275-5758 - O 970-799-1175 - C
Cass Dan Crow Region 8 479-667-0301 - O Ozark St. Francis N.F. 606-515-3104 - C
Dustin Jones 479-667-0910 - O 479-209-5753 - C
Mark Morales 479-964-7219 - O 479-964-5493 - C
Centennial Region 4 Boise N.F.
Michelle Woods 208-442-4520 - O 208-695-7368 - C
Mike Towers - JCFAFMO 208-373-4165 - O SO 208-442-4518 - O JC 541-848-8431 - C
Bobby Shindelar 208-373-4176 - O 208-994-8701 - C
Matt Nielsen 801-625-5403 - O 801-388-6901 - C
Collbran Region 2 GMUG N. F.
Gove Aker 970-487-2030 - O
Patrick Owens - JCFAFMO 970-487-2042 - O 970-644-1039 - C
Clay Fowler 970-874-6619 - O 970-712-4266 - C
Scott McDermid 303-275-5758 - O 970-799-1175 - C
Columbia Basin Region 6 OkanoganWenatchee N.F. Curlew Region 6 Colville N.F.
Karl Lester 509-793-1625 - O 509-989-6985 - C
Robert Kephart - JCFAFMO 509-664-9392 - O 541-279-3714 - C
Jason Heinz 509-664-9235 - O 509-670-7195 - C
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Eric Bracken 509-779-0645 - O 509-207-0677 - C
Travas Fandrey - JCFAFMO 509-779-0631 - O 509-207-9882 - C
Tim Sampson 509-684-7222 - O 509-690-2063 - C
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Flatwoods David Scholes Region 8 276-395-8405 - O George Washington- 276-395-4810 - C Jefferson N.F.
Chris Barker 276-395-8418 - O
Kyle Smith 540-265-5205 - O Terry Adams 276-328-2931 - O
Fort Simcoe Region 6 OkanoganWenatchee N.F. Frenchburg Region 8 Daniel Boone N.F.
Bradley Hill 509-874-8901 - O 509-314-1088 - C
Robert Kephart - JCFAFMO 509-664-9392 - O 541-279-3714 - C
Jason Heinz 509-664-9235 - O 509-670-7195 - C
Ira Young 606-768-7000 - O
Kevin Tomlinson - JCFAFMO
Cordell Taylor 859-745-3192 - O 435-650-0159 - C EJ Bunzendahl 859-745-3148 - O 859-556-2347 - C
Golconda Region 9 Shawnee N.F.
Vacant 618-285-5210 - O 618-201-7736 - C
Stephen Beattie 618-285-5202 - O
Jon Teutrine 618-253-1032 - O 618-841-1533 - C
Great Onyx Region 8 Daniel Boone N.F.
Allen Vaughn 270-286-1006 - O 606-307-1732 - C
Jamie Tyson - JCFAFMO 606-354-4265 - O 859-912-1441 - C
Dennis Wilson 270-924-2070 - O
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Beth Jablonski 414-297-3456 - O 262-385-8520 - C
(Continued on page 19)
Page 21
Center
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
JCCCC Fire Program Contacts (as of 08/16/2016) Center Director JCCCC POC/JCFAFMO Forest FMO/POC
Beth Jablonski Keith Taylor 304-636-2144 Ext. 110 - O 414-297-3456 - O 262-385-8520 - C 304-704-9196 - C Marty Bentley 423-476-9784 - O 428-716-2666 - C
Harpers Ferry Region 9 Monongahela N.F. Jacobs Creek Region 8 Cherokee N.F.
Ralph DiBattista 304-724-3401 - O
Vacant - JCFAFMO 304-724-3459 - O
Terrance Phillips 423-217-6411 - O 423-366-6393 - C
Alice Barnette 423-217-6458 - O 865-243-6222 - C
LBJ Region 8 N.F. of N. Carolina
Arthur Phalo 828-524-1401 - O 828-342-7820 - C
Kent Gibson 828-524-1430 - O
Riva Duncan 828-257-4284 - O 828-778-2063 - C
Mingo Region 9 Mark Twain N.F. Oconaluftee Region 8 N.F. of N. Carolina
Lawrence Ferrell (Acting) 573-222-2649 - O
Russell Harris - JCFAFMO 573-785-1475 - O 573-718-1709 - C Dean Smith 828-497-8037 - O
Jody Eberly 573-341-7493 - O
Jimmy Copeland 828-497-8021 - O
Regional POC
Riva Duncan 828-257-4284 - O 828-778-2063 - C
Ouachita Region 8 Ouachita N.F.
Bob Fausti 501-321-3601 - O 501-545-6951 - C
Jeff Organ 501-321-3637 - O
Andy Dyer 501-321-5217 - O 501-574-8757 - C
Pine Knot Region 8 Daniel Boone N.F.
Brandon Pfeilmeier 606-354-4203 - O 609-224-9371 - C
Jamie Tyson - JCFAFMO 606-354-4265 - O 859-912-1441 - C
Cordell Taylor 859-745-3192 - O 435-650-0159 - C EJ Bunzendahl 859-745-3148 - O 859-556-2347 - C
Pine Ridge Region 2 Nebraska N.F.
Tammy Calamari 308-432-8698 - O
Dalynn Parks - JCFAFMO 308-432-0356 - O 308-430-4612 - C
Steve Ipswitch 308-432-0355 - O 605-890-6358 - C
Scott McDermid 303-275-5758 - O 970-799-1175 - C
Schenck Region 8 N. F. of N. Carolina
Tammy Wentland 828-862-6101 - O 801-710-5262 - C
Bill Coates - Acting Crew Supt 828-862-6191 - O 770-688-5721 - C
Riva Duncan 828-257-4284 - O 828-778-2063 - C
Anthony Conte 770-624-4608 - O 770-624-4608 - C
Timber Lake Region 6 Mt. Hood N. F.
Kurt Davis 503-834-3409 - O 503-936-9647 - C
Thomas Dillon 503-630-8726 - O
Debora Roy 503-668-1756 - O 503-970-8672 - C
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Trapper Creek Region 1 Bitteroot N.F.
Chris Feutrier 406-821-2150 - O 406-317-3831 - C
Justin Abbey - JCFAFMO 406-821-2159 - O 406-531-1381 - C
Mark Wilson 406-375-2610 - O 406-360-1154 - C
Steve Zachry 406-329-3422 - O 406-552-2585 - C
Weber Basin Donica Bigelow Region 4 801-476-5930 - O Unita-Wasatch-Cache N.F. 801-391-2693 - C
Brandon Everett - JCFAFMO 801-479-9806 - O 801-643-4466 - C
James Turner 435-755-3627 - O 435-671-2871 - C
Matt Nielsen 801-625-5403 - O 801-388-6901 - C
Wolf Creek Region 6 Umpqua N.F.
Gabe Wishart 541-496-3507 Ext. 8623 - O
Dennis Darling 541-957-3305 - O 541-784-5454 - C
LuAnn Grover 503-808-2333 - O 503-313-2784 - C
Job Corps Fire Program Coordinator
FAM Job Corps Fire Program Coordinator
Sherri Chambers 541-496-8501 O 541-580-1641 - C Eric Bracken 605-673-9304 - O 970-712-4266 - C 605-673-9381 - F Greg Sanders 202-205-1438 - O 540-529-3376 - C 202-205-1401 - F
Job Corps Fire Program Admin Assistant
Raquel Stanton 605-673-9358 - O 303-945-9754 - C 605-673-9381 - F FAM Workforce Program Specialist Michaela Hall 202-205-1558 - O 202-205-1401 - F
Page 22
Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Wildland Fire Program 2015 Annual Report
1964 — 2014 Conserving America’s Natural Resources for 50 Years
Job Corps is the nation’s largest residential, educational, and career technical training program that prepares economically disadvantaged youth, ranging in age from 16 to 24, for productive employment. USDA Forest Service operates 27 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (JCCCCs) with a capacity to house, educate, and train over 4,300 enrollees. Students attend academic and vocational classes and learn critical life skills in preparation for long-term employment, careers in natural resources, continued education or military service. The JCCCCs provide a unique opportunity for at-risk youth to take
control of and steer their lives in a positive direction and contribute to the conservation of the nation’s public natural resources. JCCCCs are associated with national forests or grasslands and are operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service in partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Alicia D. Bennett Public Affairs Officer/Editor USDA Forest Service Job Corps 740 Simms Street Golden, CO 80401 Phone: 303-275-5934 Fax: 303-275-5940 E-mail:
[email protected] Assistant Editors: Program and Policy Analyst Joy Nasados
To subscribe to the Courier, send your e-mail address to:
[email protected] We’re On the Web: http://fsweb.jc.wo.fs.fed.us/
