Frazier Rappellers
|
|
 |
| |
|
Applications for the 2011 Season
are due
no later than January 1, 2011.
Applications are available
online through:
AVUE
Digital Services.
For hiring questions
contact Assistant Base Manager Kelly Rudger at (541) 969-2736
|
Our Base
The Frazier Rappel Base
is one of six Rappel programs in the Pacific Northwest Region. Located
in Oregon, 35 miles west of the city of La Grande, and 18 miles east
of the town of Ukiah on Highway 244, we enjoy all the benefits of
a remote base in beautiful Northeast Oregon. The base is tucked into
the edge of a very scenic meadow, surrounded by Ponderosa Pine, in
the heart of the Blue Mountains. Positioned in the center of the Umatilla
National Forest, we are a Type-1 Crew that staffs a Regional Initial
Attack Helicopter.
Our
Mission
Our mission at the Frazier
Rappel Base is to provide a highly trained and qualified aerial delivered
firefighting force. We will be motivated, safe and professional in
all functions of our job. We will take pride in the growth and development
of our employees and the services we provide. Through our dedication
to moral integrity, work ethic, training, mentorship and leadership,
we will stand together as a High Performance Team now and in the years
to come.
 The
Crew
Our crew consists of :
- One GS-9 Base Manager
- One GS-7/8 Assistant
Manager
- Three GS-6 Lead Crewmembers
- Three GS-5 Senior
Rappellers
- Ten Seasonal Rappellers
We usually try and pick
up 1-2 detailers each season.
Rappelling
Rappelling is a fast and
effective way to get Initial Attack firefighters into remote areas.
Once dispatched, we fly to the location of a wildland fire with a
load of Rappellers on board. At the scene of the fire it is determined
whether there is a place to land nearby or if the fire will need to
be rappelled. Once the decision to rappel is made, the spotter and
pilot set up the hover over the intended spot and the rappellers slide
down the ropes with the help of the Sky Genie (descent device). On
the ground we fight fire like any other initial attack firefighter,
building hand line, cutting saw lines and felling trees. Most often
the fires are small lightning ignited fires taking 2-4 firefighters
1-3 days to put out. The crews are prepared to stay out for multiple
nights, carrying food, water and shelter for an initial 36 hours.
Once the fire is put out, the firefighters pack up their gear and
hike out. The hike is typically out of a wilderness or roadless area
and is often over rough terrain, averaging 2-5 miles to the nearest
pick-up road. The firefighter’s pack is a bulky 80-110 pounds
of rappel gear (rope, harness & flight helmet), initial attack
gear (tools, chainsaw & line pack) as well as food, water and
overnight gear. Due to the standardized training that all Region 6
Rappellers go through, we have the ability to send boosters to any
base in the Region on short notice. A booster is
a fully qualified Rappeller from another base that is temporarily
transferred to a different base or incident to increase the host crew’s
size and capability.
Training
Our seasonal employees
typically start in early May. Upon arrival we begin the 3-4 week
pre-season Rookie Training process consisting of extensive, hands
on, fire and aviation training. Pre-season training consists of
the S-271 Helicopter Crewmember course, chainsaw certification,
radio use and programming, map and compass proficiency, as well
as survival techniques and real world scenario exercises.
Throughout these training
days firefighters will be participating in a rigorous physical fitness
program twice daily. The final portion of Rookie Training consists
of the 5-7 day Rookie Rappel Academy in John Day, OR where trainees
receive standardized training that will allow them to rappel at
any base in the Region. A sharp mind and physically fit individual
is a must. Upon completion of the Academy, rappellers are ready
to start the season and are immediately available for dispatch.
Each spring the returning
crewmembers have opportunities to participate in individual operations
training such as S & I-100 and 200 level courses that meet the
needs of their personal career development. Additionally we try
and get our returnees through some of the Leadership Development
courses that are now available. Throughout the season we are very
pro-active in filling training assignments to employees with open
Task Books.
Fitness
 Physical
fitness is an incredibly important part of a Firefighter’s
job. We require that all employees meet rigorous levels of physical
fitness. We test our firefighters the first day of employment.
Employees are expected
to meet and exceed the following physical fitness standards:
- 1.5 mile run in 11:00
minutes or less
- 25 push-ups in 1 minute
- 7 full extension pull-ups
- 45 sit-ups
- 85 lbs. pack test
over 2 miles in 60 minutes (flat ground)
- 110 lbs. pack test
over typical ground
- Agency 45 lbs. Work
Capacity Test.
Please bare in mind that
these are minimums and are typically exceeded. We maintain our physical
fitness throughout the season by providing time for workouts when
we are not on fires. It is absolutely critical to arrive in good
physical condition and maintain a workout regime during the off-season.
 Recruitment
On average, we hire an
average of three new employees each season. We look for people who
have at least two years experience in firefighting. Individuals
that can live and work well with a diverse group of people under
stressful and physically demanding situations are a must. We are
always looking for people that have skills such as EMT, chainsaw
experience, and IC5.
Applications are available
online through AVUE Digital
Services. We start our selection process in January and like
to have our hiring done by mid-February. Please note that when applying
through AVUE, you must select “Ukiah, OR”
in order for you to show up on our list of applicants. The following
announcement numbers will assist you in applying for our temporary
employment:
Forestry Technician
(Helitack) GS-0462-04
Announcement #: TEMP-OCR-462-4-HLTK
Forestry Technician
(Helitack) GS-0462-05
Announcement #: OCRT-462-5-HELITACK-DT
**This new announcement number is effective
as of October 1st 2010. To qualify as a GS-5 you will need to be
ICT5 qualified.**
Positions on the crew
are quite competitive. Filling out a high quality, thorough, and
timely application is critical. Recommendations from previous employers
are very important to our selection process. We highly encourage
potential applicants to make personal contact with us. Doing so
puts a face with your name and makes our decision process easier.
Contacts
If you would like more information
or have any questions please contact the Frazier Rappell Base at
(541) 427-5320. Address: P.O Box 158 Ukiah, OR 97880.
During
winter months (Dec-Apr.) contact Kelly Rudger at (541) 969-2736,
email: krudger@fs.fed.us
Our
Leadership:
|
