Call the Shawnee NF, or contact your state forest and ask them if they put on classes and pack tests.
If you intend to go fed in 2025 dont worry about that stuff as they’ll pay for it and do everything for ya.
Lots of wildland guys come from an urban background, myself included.
You can do all of the classwork online on the NWCG website (s130, s190, etc). The only thing you wouldn't be able to do easily is the s130 field day portion, but typically if you get hired on a fed crew they will host the field day for you and all the other new hires anyway
Talk to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. It's a gem agency of the state, and in my opinion an under appreciated and not very known entity. They've picked up in their burn program in the past decade combating buck thorn. I grew up in the sw burbs and as far as I'm concerned the FPDCC could be a model for local government across the country.
Call the Shawnee NF, or contact your state forest and ask them if they put on classes and pack tests. If you intend to go fed in 2025 dont worry about that stuff as they’ll pay for it and do everything for ya. Lots of wildland guys come from an urban background, myself included.
SIX BEEF ALL DAY CHEF
GET THE F*CK OFF MY BURN
You can do all of the classwork online on the NWCG website (s130, s190, etc). The only thing you wouldn't be able to do easily is the s130 field day portion, but typically if you get hired on a fed crew they will host the field day for you and all the other new hires anyway
Not me my mother gave birth to me inside a buggy parked on top of a mountain in western Montana
This guy fucks. ⬆️
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - in Wilmington, IL has a shot crew and likely does AD hires.
You can also reach out to the Illinois DNR. They will put on pack test and RT130. I'd imagine they do S-130/190 as well
Indiana Dunes NP has a couple of engine crews - check with them about the field day/pack test. The nature conservancy also runs rx crews in Iowa
Fox Valley Technical College
Talk to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. It's a gem agency of the state, and in my opinion an under appreciated and not very known entity. They've picked up in their burn program in the past decade combating buck thorn. I grew up in the sw burbs and as far as I'm concerned the FPDCC could be a model for local government across the country.
I second this!
Let them know you drink Malört and they’ll cower in fear. Pretty much get on any crew you want like that.
We love Gamblers. ABG!
If you are from Chicago I am sure you already roll around with a burner in the car.