Summer Jobs - Forest Fire Fighter

I posted about my daughter Kate, the other day and her summer job as a camp counselor.

Today is Ben's 15 minutes of fame. This summer he is out with a forest fire fighting crew.  I had issues with this summer job choice at first with the danger aspect.  He is 21 and will be a senior in college this fall. He is an adult. This is a unique summer job that he had the opportunity to do.

Here he is minus his hardhat and pulaski that he carries.

Ben often works a 14 hour day. His crew can work for a two week stretch and then he is off for 48 hours. It is hot and hard work. He carries at least a 20 pound pack when he works. They get up at 4:30 or 5:30 in the morning to start their day after sleeping under the stars each night. (Some crews all carry small tents with them.  Ben's crew for the most part sleeps under the stars).  They feed them really well for their dinner meal.  The meal is usually catered and last week he had steak one night and cornish game hens the next. I think they need all those calories and hearty meals with their hard physical days.

I am SUPER proud of Ben. It is hard work, but he is enjoying the challenge and being outdoors. He is learning a ton. His first fire he was on the lodgepole fire in Idaho doing mop up. He is out on another call now, in Eastern Oregon.

He has been really good about calling each night and setting my mind at ease with his safety. It is interesting to hear what they do and so far each day differs.

I have also paid more attention than ever to forest fire information. Oregon had over 10,000 lightning strike in a 24 hour period the other day! It is also mind boggling the number of crews out fighting fires during the summer.  I am a walking encyclopedia of forest fire facts. 

I am hoping I can have both kids home for a wee bit this summer before they head back to college in September.  Camp counselor and forest fire fighter...good kids.

Comments

[Doreen]

Can't thank all the firefighters here in Oregon enough including Ben. You must be bursting in pride seeing him grow into such a wonderful young man! Looks like Kate is having the time of her life now too.....Good job Mom :-)
Two great kids!!
Hope you can spend some time with them both home soon!
PS Thanks for the info on Forest Fires. I think most people have no idea including me.

[Beth]

OK, it's official. You must move to the East Coast where we don't get forest fires (at least I think we don't) just the occasional hurricane. Your son is a hero out there, but I guess you already knew that.~~XXOO, Beth

[Heidi@TheMerryMagpieVintage]

We here in Colorado LOVE our forest firefighters! We're so grateful for the hard, hard job they do and for their courage and bravery.

[Janet Johnson]

Kids really know how to worry us even when they are doing wonderful, brave things. Your baby boy is growing up!
Hope they don't have to use plastic forks and knives to eat their cornish game hens.

[Musings from Kim K.]

Definitely something to be very very proud of. I'd be worried sick. It must be nice to be able to communicate regularly. What a brave courageous son you have!

[Linda]

You are right to be proud! And he has your smile too :)

[Shara]

What a fine young man he has turned into - I know you are proud! I cannot imagine all the hard work he has done. He will have to have some rest time before he goes back to school. Until then, I will pray for him to stay safe and sound.

[diane c]

So nice to hear about your Ben and his job. May he stay safe as he helps fight those fires. I'll pray for that!

[Perfectlyprintedblogspt .com]

So grateful for your son's work with the summer fire crew!! He must be so strong fighting wildfires is such a hard job! One summer as a young girl i flew into Twin Falls Idaho and as I got off the plane I saw crew of fire fighters getting off another plane with all their gear, their faces covered in soot and so tired looking.... I don't think I'll ever forget that...so impressed with them!

[Sheryl Remy]

First responders like Ben are truly special people. They are brave, dedicated and in touch with the importance of life. As terrifying as it is to their loved ones to see them go into action the world needs them. Thank you Ben.
Sheryl

[Erica]

Scary work! You seem to be handling the danger factor pretty well. I'm so glad he is calling you every night! I would be a constant wreck.

I agree......AWESOME kids :-)

Erica

[Annette]

You have raised wonderful young people. Both are serving others. I think I would be a bit a of a wreck with a son fighting forest fires!! He is very courageous and I am so grateful to people like Ben for keeping others safe. What a dear to also let you know he is OK at night. You deserve to be very proud of your kids!!

[Kathy]

Oh my goodness, exciting for Ben and scary for you! Thank goodness we have brave young men and women to take on that challenge. Bravo for Ben!

[Marci]

I love your blog posts about estate sales and crafting but I always enjoy hearing a little about your kids too (a mom thing, right?) You and Tom obviously raised some great well rounded kids and you should be very proud. Thanks for sharing that snippet of personal life :)

[barbara]

They ARE good kids! Ben's job sounds very interesting (and nerve wracking for a mom!) Hope you all get some down time together.