Posted on Oct 20, 2020
Will a BS in Wildfire Sciences help me get on a fire team?
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I am currently enrolled at my local Junior College and am going to take classes towards an AS in Fire Sciences so I can be a fire fighter in my city. I have learned that my AS can be transferred to a 4 year University to get a BS in Wildfire Sciences. If I were to persue that, would it help improve my chances on getting on a National Guard Firefighting Team, possibly even an Aviation Unit? I know who to talk to about dropping a packet, but I don't actually know anyone that does those kinds of things to ask.
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 4
Go find your local NG firefighting team and ask them what they are looking for.
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You are really asking several questions and not very good. Not much of a packet needed to fight fires with the NG, more of right time, right place. Aviation, like to be a pilot? They still have high school to flight school so a BS is not necessarily required. Please give it some thought to what you really asking so we can better help and answer.
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I don't know if you necessarily need all that. My experience was this. I enrolled in a basic wildland firefighting course at the local college and was immediately placed on a hotshot crew. I think all situations are different. I don't know enough to speak intelligently about how the NG operates. I would assume it is a secondary duty during wildfire season. I would believe that different national guard units are trained in wildland firefighting to include some of the aviation units. Then they go do their regular missions after fire season is over. I would research into NG units that have done that mission and ask them. You pursuing a degree in fire science and having experience in it at some point should always help you in achieving your goals further in whatever fire service you choose. Best of luck in your future endeavors
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Thank you very much GySgt! If a similar process is possible in the NG then I will attempt to get on a crew as soon as I qualify and work towards the BS on the side. My local JC offers just the academy portion, however with my JST I only need to take a semester or 2 of GE credits to get a complete AS. Since I am currently on orders with my state for another year and all in person courses like the firefighting courses are closed due to COVID-19, I decided to just take the entire Fire Sciences Program and do all the GE online after I get off duty everyday.
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