Required Gear—Issued*
Items Provided by Blackwoods
All personnel will be issued the following required gear (listed below) to ensure safety, compliance, and operational readiness. Each item must be properly maintained and returned at the end of the season. Here are some important things to note:
- All issued gear is required for field deployment.
- You are responsible for the proper care of your gear throughout the season.
- *Boots must be purchased independently—they are not provided!
- If you have any questions about gear requirements or replacements, please contact our team.
Fire Gear
- Fire Helmet (Plastic, Class B, ANSI Z89.1, 1986, with chin strap)
- Fire Shelter (New generation, serviceable, stays with rig/team)
- Shroud (Flame-resistant face and neck protection)
- Headlamp (With batteries, included with climbing helmet)
- Eye Protection (Meets ANSI Z87 standards, latest edition)
- Hearing Protection
- Fire Gloves (Heavy-duty leather gloves)
- Fire Tool (Standard issue for all field personnel)
- Lighter (Fire-starting tool, provided for field use)
- Tourniquet (Issued for emergency medical use)
Required Clothing
- Nomex Shirts (x2) (Flame-resistant, required for all personnel)
- Nomex Pants (x2) (Flame-resistant, required for all personnel)
- Tee Shirts (x4) (Blackwoods-branded, provided to all personnel)
- Fleece Hoodie (Cold weather protection)
- Baseball Cap (Standard issue)
- Knit Cap (Beanie) (Cold weather protection)
- Bandana (Multi-purpose protection)
Documentation & Personal Equipment
- IRPG (Incident Response Pocket Guide) (Standard field reference guide)
- SOAP Notebook (For documentation and reports)
- Lined Notebook (For personal or operational notes)
- Pens (Multiple provided for documentation use)
UTV & Rescue Gear
For designated personnel only.
- ODOT-Approved UTV Helmet
- Climbing Gloves (Issued for rope rescue personnel)
- Carabiner (Rescue-rated, issued as required)
- Tourniquet (x2) (Required for EMS and rescue personnel)
- Self-Purchase Required: Boots
- Self-Purchase Requored: Wildland Fire Boots – Must be all-leather, lace-up, minimum 8” height, Vibram soles (NFPA-compliant recommended).
Required Gear—Personal
Items You'll Need to Provide
This list includes required and recommended items for training, deployment, and personal comfort. Here are some important things to note:
- Firefighting gear and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required—make sure you have everything before deployment.
- Pack smart—you’ll be outdoors for extended periods with limited access to amenities.
- Comfort matters—small personal items can make a big difference in morale during long assignments.
Primary Camping Gear
- Tent – Durable, easy to set up, and weather-resistant (this will be your summer home).
- Sleeping Bag – Suitable for both hot and cold nights.
- Pillow – A real one for better comfort.
- Sleeping Pad and/or Cot – Provides the most comfort but takes up space.
- Camping Chair – Compact, durable, and comfortable.
Personal Clothing
Laundry services are not guaranteed!
- 7-10 pairs of underwear (Change daily!)
- 7-10 pairs of boot socks (Change daily! Wool/synthetic preferred.)
- 1-2 Comfortable Outfits (For off-duty or town visits.)
- Pajamas (Whatever that means to you.)
- Swimsuit (Swimming opportunities may arise!)
- Towel (Disposable ones are sometimes provided at fire camps.)
- Workout Clothes (We encourage strength training.)
- Tennis Shoes & Socks (For cardio training and daily wear.)
- Coat (It does rain on some fires.)
- Gloves & Beanie (Mornings can be cold.)
Fire / EMS Gear
- Wildland Fire Boots (Required!) – All leather, lace-up, 8”+ height, Vibram soles (NFPA-approved recommended).
- Tee Shirt (Provided) – Includes the Blackwoods logo.
- Nomex Shirt (Provided) – Or you can buy your own (NFPA 1977 compliant).
- Nomex Pants (Provided) – Or you can buy your own (NFPA 1977 compliant).
- Watch – Required for EMS personnel.
- Knife or Multitool – For personal use.
Personal Items
- Sunglasses – We provide driving glasses, but personal ones may be useful.
- Book or Study Material – For downtime or certification studies.
- Personal Entertainment – Music, games, or hobbies to avoid boredom.
- Phone Charging Cord & Portable Charger – Keep your phone powered up.
- Water Bottle (Required) – Stay hydrated!
- Coffee Mug – For those early mornings.
- Mesh Laundry Bag – For organizing clothes and laundry.
Toiletries
Showers are a luxury! Be prepared.
- Tactical Flip-Flops (For shower use.)
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Soap & Razor
- Face Wash
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body/Baby Wipes (For quick cleaning when showers aren’t available.)
- Dry Shampoo (If water is scarce.)
- Hairbrush & Hair Ties
- Lotion (For dry conditions.)
- Tweezers & Nail Clippers
- Q-Tips & Boot Powder (To keep your feet dry and comfortable.)
- Feminine Hygiene Products (If applicable.)