Employment Opportunities

***NOTE: We are not hiring FFT2s or FFT1s at this time. Please see below for all open positions***

Engine Captain for the 2027 Fire Season

Western Fire Resources is seeking solid individuals to join our growing company. We are currently seeking Engine Captains for the 2027 fire season and perhaps beyond. At Western Fire, we do things a little differently. While still a call-when-needed VIPR resource, we run consistent engine crews for the entire season. This guarantees cohesive crews that take pride and ownership in their engines. A successful applicant will be assigned to a particular engine, and be assigned 2 firefighters for the entire fire season. 

Speaking of engines, we purchase brand new BFX Fire Apparatus type 6 engines built to the US Forest Service 643U specifications and stocked beyond federal NUS minimums. All engines in the fleet are 2022 or newer. Preventative maintenance, including oil changes, changing fuel, air, and cabin air filters, greasing grease fittings, and rotating tires, is done after each fire assignment, ensuring that they are in top condition when called. Check out the video below to see our engines and equipment.

Our company is 100% employee focused, because we realized long ago that employees are the most important part of our company. Obviously, our engines cannot roll without employees, but more importantly, we will not roll one of our engines without the right employees. Our company reputation is dependent upon having a solid group of firefighters representing us. With zero turnover among our permanent firefighters since 2020, we feel that we have that group assembled, but will need another Captain or 2 to cover expansion.

The following are the details of the position. Please reach out to admin@westernfirellc.com with any questions you may have.

  • Assignment is 10 May 2027 through 15 October 2027, and potentially beyond.
  • Location is Canadian, Texas.
  • Dispatch is out of Region 3.
  • Annual 2-week paid Critical Training beginning in mid-May each year, which includes a Work Capacity Test, RT-130, daily PT, USWFS Fire Fitness Challenge, CPR, First Aid, AED, Stop the Bleed, a leadership guest, and project work.
  • The applicant will be asked to commit for the entire season, which will guarantee him or her the following:
    • a permanent spot on an engine with a consistent engine crew,
    • no crew swaps that leave you waiting for an available engine,
    • option for paid health insurance,
    • guaranteed 16s while on assignments,
    • all PPE provided (including a boot allowance),
    • local lodging while awaiting assignment, if not within commuting distance,
    • weekly paid hours for PT when not on an assignment,
    • Wildland Firefighter Foundation 52 Club membership,
    • inclusion in off-season fuels projects.
        • We provide all required fringe benefits, such as holiday pay, sick leave, annual leave (after 1 year), and Health and Welfare pay if you opt out of the health insurance.
        • We also follow state laws, such as the California and Colorado overtime laws, when working in those states.
        • Hourly pay rate is competitive with most companies, but when factoring in the 16-hour shifts and how fast that allows you to accumulate overtime (up to 72 hours per week), Captains can easily make $6,800 or more pl fringe benefits in a 7-day work week before taxes.
        • Pay (W2) is bi-weekly within 1 week of the end of the previous pay period.
        • Applicant must be professional and safety-conscious, with a strong work ethic, integrity, and initiative.
        • Prior Federal qualification as an ENGB or CRWB will receive preference.
        • Ability to attain a minimum score of 200 points on the BLM Fire Fitness Challenge will receive preference.
        • Region 3 fire experience will receive preference.

        How to Apply

        Submit the following for consideration:

        • All certificates and position task books required for the Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss): Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) | NWCG.
        • All certificates and position task books required for the Engine Boss, Single Resource: Engine Boss, Single Resource | NWCG.
        • Certificates for a current Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher and a current Work Capacity Test at the Arduous level.
        • A current IQCS or IQS Master Record (qualifications will be highly scrutinized).
        • Recent ICS-225s or other personnel performance evaluation forms demonstrating of the principles of duty, respect, and integrity on previous assignments.

        Western Fire Resources is currently seeking an Engine Captain for the 2027 wildfire season. See the Employment section for the vacancy announcement.