 |
|
|
 |
|
English > Fighting Fires > Smokejumpers > About Modern Day Smokejumpers
 One of the most glamorous, exciting, and physically challenging jobs is smokejumping. When a wildfire starts in a remote area, smokejumpers are the first ones there; they parachute down near the fire, and immediately begin fighting it.
Approximately 400 smokejumpers are currently stationed throughout the West. Three-quarters of them work for the Forest Service and are based in Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. The Bureau of Land Management in Alaska and Idaho employs the rest.
 Before smokejumpers are allowed to parachute to their first fire, they undergo rigorous paramilitary training and physical conditioning. The basic requirements for becoming a smokejumper are one year of firefighting experience and passing a physical test that includes 7 pullups, 25 pushups, and 45 situps.
Smokejumpers are paid well. In a six-month fire season, one can earn $14,000, and with overtime and hazardous pay for jumping it is possible to earn double that amount.
At the end of the 1998 fire season, more than 250,000 successful jumps had been logged. There have been three fatalities during descent, although smokejumpers have been killed while fighting wildfires (see The Mann Gulch Fire).
© ThinkQuest Team C0119184 :: Credits & Sources
|
|
|
|
|
