Can I sign-up in more than one zone?
An owner signs up all equipment in one zone.
What if I miss the sign-up dates?
Spring sign-ups happen before equipment
is needed and when dispatchers are not as busy with dispatching.
We urge you to contact your local Dispatch Center for inspection
dates and deadlines early in the year. Some, not all, Dispatch
Centers maintain a list of resource names/companies to call
upon in the event all the signed up equipment has been exhausted.
Can I sign up to only fight fires for a specific
agency?
No, the agreement is an Interagency agreement. However,
by signing up, there is no obligation for you to respond.
Why can't I just sign up at the
fire?
This is a complex process and in an emergency
situation there may not be adequate personnel on site to
handle the administrative paperwork or to complete inspections.
Sign up procedures are in place. Please do not arrive at
an active fire site. It may add to the already unsafe situation.
What are my work hours?
Some general guidelines are provided here. Note that the answer
may be even more specific with different situations and should
be discussed with the agency procurement officer.
Driving Operations:
No driver will drive more than ten hours (behind
the wheel) within any duty day. Multiple drivers in a single
vehicle may drive up to the duty day limit as long as no one
person exceeds the ten hour limitation.
A driver will only drive if he/she had at
least eight consecutive hours off duty before beginning a
shift. Exceptions apply only to immediate and critical needs
for suppression objectives or for firefighter and public safety.
The Work-rest Guidelines have not changed.
The 2:1 work to rest ratio is still valid and will be followed.
The guidelines state that for every two hours worked, one
hour of rest will be provided to incident personnel. In
addition, two days of rest and recuperation (R&R) are
equired after 14 working days.
However, flexibility to exceed the guidelines is allowed
when warranted under specific circumstances. Narrow exemptions
will be granted by agreement of the incident management
personnel and the responsible agency administrator.
Work-Rest Guidelines apply to all federal wildland firefighting
agencies, state personnel and cooperators.
Why do I have to sign up every year?
For the contractor, your needs, location
and equipment may change. For the government, rates and
requirements may change from year to year.
Do I need to sign up with the State
and other Agencies?
No. All signed up equipment may
be utilized by by the State and other Agencies.
How quickly will I get paid after I work on a fire?
Typically, you can expect payment within 30 days.
Does the government take out income taxes before paying
me?
It is the contractors' responsibility to take out taxes for
employees.
Do I have to be part of an organization, association,
or union before I can get an assignment?
No, anyone who completes the sign up process, inspection process
and safety training is eligible.
What if I signed up in the spring
and then I buy a new piece of equipment I want on agreement?
New equipment may be added to a resource list that some
Dispatch Centers maintain in the event that the already
signed up equipment has been exhausted.
How will I be notified of an assignment?
You will receive a call from Dispatch.
How will I know fires are burning?
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