Join Us on the Wildland Fireline
Join Our Rescue Operations Teams
Blackwoods Emergency Resources is a rescue team, starting REMS work for the 2022 fire season. REMS teams are responsible for rescue operations on the wildland fireline. Members of these teams are responsible for rescues and patient care in austere environments utilizing high and low angle rescue. Physical fitness is a must, as team members could be tasked to hike miles down firelines, over mountainous terrain, and extract firefighters to a place where ambulances or helicopters can access them.
One of the most important aspects with being on our team will be your capacity to work well with others during long boring days in the woods. When our call volume (incidents that actually require assistance) is low, a willingness to train and play well with others will make all the difference between good teams with strong esprit de corps and being miserable in the woods.
Team members will be expected to deploy for 14 days at a time with often less than 24 hours notice. There are possibilities for deployments to extend to 21 days. The expected season could run from June to October (or longer).
Open Positions
For more information, please send us an email.
Application Process
Fill Out Employment Forms | Upload Documents
You’ll need to complete the following required employment forms. You will find these in the Apply section below.
- Employment Application
- Signed Liability Waiver
- Upload / Submit Required Documents
- Including Blackout Date Calendar
Interview with Our Hiring Team
Once we receive your completed forms, we will schedule a phone or video interview with our hiring team:
- The interview lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- A team of 2 to 4 people may sit in on the interview, but ideally, only one person will conduct the interview, while the others observe.
Complete Required Wildland Firefighter Training
All wildfire personnel must complete Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) Training, including the following courses:
- ICS 100 – FEMA Online Course
- IS 700 – FEMA Online Course
- S 130 – Online Course + In-person component (we can assist in locating a course)
- S 190 – Online Course
- L 180 – Online Course
- RT 130 (Annual Refresher Training) – Required annually for those previously certified. We will be hosting a class at the academy.
- Current Pack Test (Arduous Level) – 3 miles with 45 lbs. in 45 minutes—opportunities to complete this can be provided.
Attend the Training Academy
Before being hired, applicants should attend our Training Academy, offered in March and June, to complete their task book.
Hiring & Employment Processing
After successfully completing the Training Academy, final hiring decisions will be made. At this stage, new hires will:
- Complete necessary onboarding paperwork, including the I-9 form.
- Receive final instructions for deployment readiness.
📌 Providing all required documents and completing training does not guarantee deployment. Our operations depend on wildfire contracts, which are not guaranteed.
Applicants
Join Our Team for the 2025 Season
Blackwoods Emergency Resources is looking for elite rescue professionals to join our team for the 2025 wildland fire season. As a Rapid Extraction Module (REM) provider, we specialize in technical rescue and emergency medical support in some of the most extreme and remote environments.
Who We Are Looking For
We need highly skilled, team-oriented rescuers who thrive in austere environments and are prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice. Our teams provide life-saving extractions and medical care to wildland firefighters and emergency personnel—hiking miles over rugged terrain, conducting high- and low-angle rescues, and ensuring patient safety in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
What It Takes to Be on Our Team
- Strong Teamwork & Adaptability – We spend long hours in the woods together. Being able to train, collaborate, and maintain high morale is just as important as technical skills.
- Physical & Mental Resilience – This is not a desk job. Expect long hikes, unpredictable conditions, and high-stakes rescues.
- Rapid Deployment Availability – Be ready to mobilize with less than 24 hours’ notice for 14-day deployments, with possible extensions of up to 21 days.
- Commitment to the Season – Our operational window typically runs June through October (or longer, depending on contracts and fire activity).
Why Join Blackwoods Emergency Resources?
🚑 Work alongside elite EMS and rescue professionals
⛰️ Train and operate in challenging, high-impact environments
🔥 Directly contribute to wildland firefighter safety and rescue efforts
💰 Competitive pay, rewarding work, and a strong team culture
If you’re ready for a challenging, rewarding, and high-intensity deployment experience, we want to hear from you!
Requirements
Documents to Include with Your Application
You’ll need to have the the following documents ready to upload (or submit) to complete your application for employment. Providing these documents does not guarantee deployment, but submitting as much as possible upfront will help streamline the hiring process. We understand that some applicants may still be completing certain training requirements—if you have not yet finished a required course, please let us know your expected completion date.
- Passport-style Photo (can be taken on a cell phone with a solid background)
- Government-Issued Photo ID (e.g., Driver’s License)
- Current EMS State License
- Current EMS National Certification
- Current CPR Certification
- UTV License – (Can be obtained online at Ride ATV Oregon)
- Rope Rescue Certification | Rescue 3 International Preferred (Required for REMS Position Only)
If you have not yet obtained these, please contact us—we can help coordinate opportunities to complete or obtain them.
These additional trainings and courses are not required; however, you’ll need to provide documentation if you check them on your application.
🏛️ FEMA EMI Courses
🎓 Wildland Fire Learning Portal Courses
- S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior)
- L-180 (Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service)
- S-130 (Basic Wildland Firefighter Training) – Online component required; we will provide the in-person portion
- RT-130 (Annual Fireline Safety Refresher; first-year applicants are not required to complete this)
- FFT1 (if applicable)
- 🏃 Current Pack Test – Must be at the “arduous” level (3 miles with a 45 lb. pack in under 45 minutes)
Training Academy
About the Academy
The academy is a week-long camp that prepares you for deployment on federal wildfires. This training covers:
- S-130 & Pack Test – Certification & physical fitness test (3 miles with 45 lbs. in 45 minutes)
- RT-130 (Annual Refresher Training) – Required for returning firefighters
- Medical Skills Validation – Includes continuing education (Con-ed)
- Rope Rescue Operations Training – Comprehensive rope skills training
- Navigation & Radio Usage – Field training for essential wildfire skills
What to Expect at Training Camp
- Full Days: Be prepared for long, intense training sessions.
- Outdoor & Warehouse Training: Sessions take place in various locations, including outdoor field training and warehouse-based exercises.
- Multiple Training Locations: Different locations will be used daily to focus on specific skills.
📍 Incident Command: Eugene, OR
Academy Goals
- Training & Certification – Ensure all team members are properly trained.
- Skills Testing – Evaluate competency in required skills.
- Team Dynamics – Develop strong team communication and collaboration.
- Protocol & Company Culture – Understand Blackwoods’ expectations, procedures, and values.
- Performance & Growth – Demonstrate improvement and retention of skills.
Apply Today
I have reviewed the contents of this page, including the requirements section above, and I’m ready to apply.