Anyone else have their red card?

[FLMountainMan]

Originally Posted by JetBlast

I have one. I am a certified Wildland Firefighter/Firefighter-1 for the state of Maryland. I am also on the Red Cross database for emergency wildland firefighters to be deployed if needed (I almost got sent to California a few months back).

Wildland firefighting is much more demanding than structural work, especially considering that if there is a flashover of any type you probably won't have an escape. It is more physically demanding as well, considering that if you stop during a firestorm, you die. I would definitely encourage taking the course though, I learned a good deal.


How long ago did you get it? Have you been deployed at any time?

 

[JetBlast]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

How long ago did you get it? Have you been deployed at any time?

I got it just over a year ago. I have been deployed on brush fires in our area but nothing similar to the California fires. Friends of mine have been and said it was an absolute hell, but I would want to go relieve anyone who may be out there if anything. I have been involved in flashovers and potentially catastrophic situations in building fires, but photos like these from The Big Picture are absolutely astounding-

Knowing the risks involved with wildland firefighting I really have no desire to actually have to be in the middle of stuff like that but I feel as though it is my duty to do so. Know what you are getting yourself into; the class may be a good time but actually being on the front lines is a whole different animal. As far as I'm concerned anyone who is capable of it should do it, but to quote my friend in California- "You better be at peace with your God when you walk into this kind of fire."