FAQ

  • You’ve got options! You can donate time, money, or simply connect us.

    1. Donate Time

      • Volunteer with us. Fill out this volunteer form and we’ll get back to you. Opportunities include: hotshot history collection, fundraising/grant-writing, marketing, event support, volunteer outreach.

    2. Donate Money

      • Become a member: Memberships are what keeps the heartbeat of this organization going.

        BECOME A MEMBER

      • Donate in-kind - Are you a brand or company that supports the work of wildland firefighters and wants to help? Please contact us for opportunities to get involved at our annual conferences and/or fundraisers.

        VISIT CONTACT PAGE

    3. Donate Other Resources

      • Do you know a business, organization, or group who has interests in helping the Hotshot community? We’d love to hear from you.

        VISIT CONTACT PAGE

  • 20-22

  • This can vary by agency/region, however here’s a good idea of assigned roles on the crew:

    1 superintendent

    1 assistant foreman

    3 squad bosses 

    4 sawyers (firefighter who runs the chainsaw)

    4 swampers (assist with felling operations and clearing for sawyer)

    At least 1 emergency medical technician

    For more information on the qualifications required for each Interagency Hotshot Crew, visit https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms200/crews-pms-200

    • Pulaskis

    • Combis/Rhinos

    • Rakes

    • Chainsaws

    • Drip torches - a 1 ¼ gallon stainless steel can with a lighting wick that is used for firing operations.

  • This can vary greatly depending on the type of suppression operations, however it’s very common to carry at least 45-65 pounds every day.

  • This can vary per crew. Items listed below are highly common:

    • Fusees - fire starting devices that look like dynamite. They are used for firing operations and kept in reserve for the rare case the crew needs to burn out a safety zone..

    • Handtool

    • Tool file - for sharpening tools on the fireline

    • At least 1 gallon of water

    • Headlamp

    • Hardhat

    • Backpack with emergency fire shelter

    • Spare radio battery

    • Spare gloves

    • Double A batteries 

    • Enough food for at least 24 hours - typically one “fresh” lunch from fire camp and the rest in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s).

    • Pocket knife, lighter, p-cord

    • Space blanket - in the case of a crew “spike out” aka sleeping near the fireline in a remote area. Also used for shelter during rainstorms.

    • Flagging and fiber tape

    • Gps for navigation

    • IRPG - Incident Response Pocket Guide

    Sawyers: All of the above, plus a chainsaw, safety chaps, and saw tools (scrench, raker gauge/file, felling wedges). 

    Swampers: All of the above, plus a felling pounder, safety chaps, saw tools (scrench, raker gauge/file, felling wedges), and a 2.5 gallon dolmar of fuel.

  • This depends on the operational plan for the day, with common equipment being:

    • 5 gallon cubees - water containers for staying hydrated on the fireline. 

    • 2.5 gallon dolmars - fuel containers that hold saw gas on one side and bar oil on the other. Used for chainsaw operations

    • Drip torches - a 1 ¼ gallon stainless steel can with a lighting wick that is used for firing operations.

    • 5 gallon jerry cans of drip torch fuel

    • Hose, hose fittings, nozzles - depending on operations for the day.

    • Water pumps