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Fightin' the blaze down under
oneeyedjack909
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm a wildland firefighter and I was thinking it would be cool to fight fires in Australia since their fire season is on while ours is off. I think it would be fun, Unfortunately I have no idea how to go about this. What kind of visas would I need. Would I need new training or anything? How and who do I apply with? Where do the fires burn mostly in Australia? Fires are kind of regional around here is it the same over there?
I know theres some Aussies on here so I was hoping you could help out. Thanks
Edit: Also what's a good wage to ask for as a basic wildland firefighter/EMT basic down under?
I know theres some Aussies on here so I was hoping you could help out. Thanks
Edit: Also what's a good wage to ask for as a basic wildland firefighter/EMT basic down under?
"A mans first duty is to his conscience and honor"- Mark Twain
"Those who are willing to give up essential liberties for a little safety diserve neither liberty nor safety"-Benjamin Franklin
"Those who are willing to give up essential liberties for a little safety diserve neither liberty nor safety"-Benjamin Franklin
oneeyedjack909 on
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Posts
you
fucking
serious
But yeah, I'm sure they have their own training requirements so you'd be starting from the bottom. Plus, you know, what Wylderneedshelp said.
Don't worry, the western US will be ablaze before you know it. Eastern Oregon is hot and rugged, if that's your thing.
"Those who are willing to give up essential liberties for a little safety diserve neither liberty nor safety"-Benjamin Franklin
Unless he's just ticked that the OP seems kind of clueless about Australian wildfires when they've been talking about them on every news channel for a week now.
Fun? I think thats pretty pathetic. Do you know how big those fires are? 181 people have already died. Many more left without homes. I hope you're are wanting to volunteer so that you can help out, and not just because you think it would be 'fun'.
I'm not belittling the deaths of 181 people and I'm well aware of the danger and shitty nature of being a firefighter because I FUCKING AM ONE. I'm truly sorry for those people but firefighting is a job I enjoy and am good at. And yes it's also a lot of fun, which is good since there's a lot of suck to it. If I wasn't looking to help out I wouldn't have chosen to do this.
"Those who are willing to give up essential liberties for a little safety diserve neither liberty nor safety"-Benjamin Franklin
Here are some links I don't know if they will be helpful I am not Australian. but they at least can get you in touch with the right people.
http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1004
http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/join_us/how_to_become_a_volunteer.jsp
Those are the New South Wales and the South Australian fire services, since the fires over here at the moment are in Victoria then you probably want:
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/joining/volunteering/index.htm
There's a tab there for "lateral entry" which sounds like what you might be looking for, being a firefighter already. It says there are no positions currently vacant but I'm assuming that's for a lateral career move, rather than a volunteer stint.
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/joining/lateral_entry/conditions_employment.htm
So, somewhere between $50k and $60k.
I know that the US is currently aiding Australian fire services by sending expert crews to aid with secondary hazards - such as ruptured gas-pipes and downed electrical wires. If you have any specialties like that, you'll probably find it much easier. Your fire service may be looking for volunteers.
If you're just a grunt, I can only imagine that it'll be much more difficult. As I am sure you know, it's highly important for emergency services to a) know exactly who is working for them, b) that those people working for them are trained in the specifics of the service (ie, people who are able to legally drive in the country), c) that their legal status is clearly defined (no country wants a foreign national dead on their soil).
I'm sure you only want to help and that you've only phrased your request poorly, but I am also highly dubious that an emergency-relief system currently pushed to breaking point by the worst fire-season in the nation's history - one in which over 150 people have died, and entire towns have been wiped off the map - will give two shits about some cowboy looking for "fun".
Talk this through with your superiors (maybe even your union). They'll help you determine if your skills are required by the Australian services. They'll also be able to point you in the direction of any other exchange programs that are not necessarily related to the current disaster.
to fight some of the deadliest fires in existance
because you think it will be "fun"
People die, firefighters die, you could die
Unless you have other reasons they probably wouldn't let you stay anyway, just join your local fire service
The next person who can't read the first goddamn sentence of the OP is getting an infraction.
And, as someone mentioned above, it would probably be good to make sure you are able to drive here - both legally, and actually dealing with driving on the other side of the road.
Here's an article that describes the arrangements a little.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/01/24/1833125.htm
They've been deliberating over calling up more internationals, but as far as I know the only Americans here at the moment are a few specialists in coordinating aircraft etc.
I'm not sure you realise how poorly the tone of his original post goes over with aussies right now*. Hell, ever. With anyone. I completely understand what he's about and I still want to hit him with a stick for the cavalier attitude and rampant insensitivity. 'Cowboy' doesn't quite cover it
But yes, involvement with an exchange program among professional firefighters is the way to go. You're certainly not going to get a visa and contacts who will accept your services any other way. This isn't the third world.
*Especially since its becoming common knowledge that a not-insignificant portion of the people who are super-keen about fighting fires turn out to actually be firebugs...
The fact that a lot of us are somewhat pyromaniacle is what draws us to the career in the first place, but we get our kicks knocking them down rather than starting them up, and the rescue part of it is pretty rewarding too. Most of us tend to have a side that we keep away from the public, because, well, once you've seen fatalities, you either a) learn to deal with it because it's part of the job or b) quit. We risk our physical and mental health to help others, always knowing that the next call could be the one where we get hurt (physically or mentally)
Excuse us if sometimes we come off as being callous or insensitive at times, it's just a by-product of our adapted nature.
As for Jack's original question, I would recommend you contact your State's wildland firefighting agency (either through the company you contract with or the county if you're a government worker) and inquire as to if they have an exchange program.
I think it should be pretty clear to anyone how Aussies feel about someone wanting to come to help.