The South Dakota State Handcrew program currently consists of the Black Hats Type 2IA Handcrew and the Bear Mountain Wildland Fire Suppression Module.
Duties
Responding to wildland fires, participating in prescribed burns, hazardous wildland fuels mitigation projects, and providing natural disaster relief in the Black Hills response area and nationally.
Expectations
- High level of mental and physical fitness
- Professionalism
- Positive attitude through long hours and difficult conditions
- Self- motivation and diligence
What to Expect
- Daily fuels mitigation work while being on call for local fires during the workday
- Daily PT to maintain fire ready physical fitness
- Traveling and working nationally for up to 21 days in remote areas, with the potential of spiking out in sleeping bags and tents with no phone service or facilities
- Working and driving in adverse conditions, such as extreme heat and cold, rough terrain, and for up to 72 hours straight
- Being on 1 hour call back 24/7 for the extent of fire season, May-November (subject to extension), unless requested unavailability
- Weekend staffing and overtime for periods of high fire danger
- Close camaraderie with the crew with prolonged exposure to different personalities
Crew Physical Training (PT) Test
- 3 Mile Run
- Maximum plank
- Push-ups
- Pull-ups
- Squats with 45 pounds
Deployments
Hiring
Seasonal firefighters are hired in the spring of each year. The number of positions available each spring is dependent on the number of seasonal crew members who remained with the crew through the winter months. Check out the Seasonal Hiring page to see if there are available positions!
Training Requirements
To be certified for line duty on a wildland fire, all firefighters must have successfully completed the (NWCG) S-130/S-190/L-180 courses for beginning firefighters, as well as the (FEMA Incident Command System) ICS-100 and IS-700 courses.
It is also highly recommended that the ICS-200 and IS-800 courses be completed. Individuals who complete the above courses will be able to print completion certificates once each course has been finished. If hired, a copy of each certificate will be required to begin employment.