BOISE BLM HELITACK
Last Update: March 9, 2009 15:29

The primary goal of the Boise District Fire and Aviation Program is to effectively integrate fire into resource management and provide protection against unacceptable wildfire that could result in the loss of life, property and resource area values. The highest priority in all fire management actions is the safety of fire personnel and the public. Given this priority, the Boise Helitack crew operates under the following premise: The Boise BLM Helitack Crew
puts an emphasis on initial attack fire suppression with the target to provide qualified overhead and firefighters for escalating incidents. The crew provides suppression and support operations for extended attack and large fire operations; along with the fire duties the crew manages miscellaneous helicopter operations and projects in order to accomplish district fire and resource objectives.

There is one Type 2 helicopter with a seventeen-person initial attack module stationed at the Boise Interagency Air Attack Base. Currently, the Boise Helitack Crew operates with a Bell 205++ on an exclusive use 115-day contract and staffs one type six engine.

The Boise Helitack Crew starts in mid May and works until the end of the helicopter contract, typically in mid to late October, with late season work options available in most seasons. Helitack cr ew members are hired as seasonal firefighters not to exceed 1039 hours in one calendar year. Each individual will receive overtime pay for work hours in excess of the scheduled 8 hour daily base and hazard pay while working on active wildland fires. The majority of the crew consists of GS/0455/03-04-05 seasonal fire fighters but there is currently one Permanent Full Time Position, and four Career Seasonal positions established on the crew.

The Boise Helitack Crew believes in providing developmental opportunities for our employees. The crew has been very active in facilitating and accepting fire assignments, training assignments, and details in all aspects of the fire organization.

Each season, the Boise Helitack Crew seeks quality, self motivated and physically fit employees to fill limited positions on the crew who can contribute to a positive work environment with the crew, the Boise BLM District, and other agency cooperators. The individuals should strive to meet or beat the minimum target time of a10:30 in the mile and half run.

Every applicant must have at least one documented season (3-months) of fire fighting experience to be accepted on the helitack crew. Applicants must meet all agency requirements for employment with a primary fire fighting job. Minimum qualification is FFT2. Additional qualifications such as FFT1, ICT5 or ICT4, EMT, FALB, ENOP, ENGB, CRWB, DOZB, TFLD, Class B CDL, HMGB (the old HELM, HELB) and HECM are beneficial for applicants to be competitive during the hiring process.

For more information please go to the Boise District BLM hiring web-site and fill out the interest form and then contact:

Joe Rogan (Helicopter Crew Supervisor)
208-334-1028