Fighting wildland fires is dynamic and physically demanding work. It is both challenging and deeply rewarding. In this program, you will learn and use vital skills to manage and combat wildland fires to include prescribed fire and fuels reduction activities. The potential for wildfire and high-value losses in Cuba and the surrounding area is great. The Department’s service area is sandwiched between National Forest and Wilderness Area, public access and leased BLM lands, Tribal lands, and private property. Recent indicators across the local space of 19,200 acres include a consistently high number of abandoned campfires in the neighboring forest, accumulating fuelwood in wilderness areas, lower than average precipitation, uncontrolled ranchland and pile burning activities, unpredictable oil and gasworks, and regular lightning strikes. The Cuba Wildland Firefighter Program provides civilian volunteers with training and opportunities to support live wildland fire events in New Mexico, as well as other states if the need arises. Once credentialed with Cuba Fire as a volunteer, wildland firefighters can be qualified to be paid crew members with other agencies such as New Mexico State Forestry, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management which means they can be called upon or hired during an actual wildland emergency in other areas. | Requirements: To be eligible to participate, you are required to meet the following criteria: - Submit a completed Cuba Fire Volunteer application. - Live in Cuba or the surrounding area. While fire emergencies can happen anywhere, participants must report to the Cuba Fire Station to be dispatched to assignments. - Be able to remain on fire assignments for an extended period of time, and be available at short notice (within two hours). Due to the unpredictable nature of wildfire emergencies, involvement can be year-round and does not conform to a set schedule. - Have the physical capacity to work for an extended period of time as needed. An example would be working for approximately 16 hours per day for 14 consecutive days on major fire events. - Have the physical capacity to perform duties in steep and/or rugged terrain under adverse weather conditions, while carrying a pack weighing up to 45 pounds. - Complete the required S130/190 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting training and annual physical fitness evaluation (pack test). | Categories: Firefighter