Los Padres National Forest officials announced Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, that they are seeking highly motivated females to attend an introductory fire training camp designed to train entry level firefighters. Individuals selected for the program will be introduced to and gain basic knowledge of the Incident Management, firefighting techniques, suppression equipment, safety, strategy and tactics, as well as fire behavior.

Field exercises will be part of this valuable hands-on training. Participants will also receive leadership and career development training.

The Women in Wildfire Basic Training Camp will begin Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, and conclude Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. This five day, four night Camp will be hosted in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Full attendance is mandatory. If selected, participants will be paid for the training and physical fitness test portion of the camp. Participants will stay in cabins, and meals will be provided throughout the week.

Participants of the program will be highly competitive for wildland firefighter positions upon completion of the training camp. These entry-level positions provide support to wildland fire operations over the summer.

Firefighters safely engage in wildland fire suppression and emergency response operation activities. They travel and work up to 14 and possibly 21 day assignments, including out of the state.

The work consists of hiking, carrying heavy equipment, operating fire apparatus, working near heavy machinery and using hand tools such as shovels, Pulaskis and chainsaws, sometimes in highly stressful situations. Career wildland firefighters lead fire and aviation management programs.

For more information, please click here or select the following link: Women In Wildfire Training Camp outreach and application. 

You can also contact Julissa Gonzalez at 805.680.4559 or lpf.recruitment@gmail.com.

— Jennifer Gray represents Los Padres National Forest.