Silver City, N.M., December 12, 2019 – The Gila National Forest will be conducting an orientation and training session for the GilaSouthwest Firefighter (SWFF) recruitment program for the 2020 wildland fire season. To be accepted into the program, candidates must meet all of the attendance requirements, successfully complete a 40-hour training course and pass a Work Capacity Test. 

The SWFF program has a long and distinguished history in the southwest. SWFF crews are mobilized to wildland fires on the Gila National Forest and across the nation.  Individuals signed up with SWFF have also filled temporary positions on engines and suppression crews for local ranger districts. Strong work ethics and pride in a job well done keep SWFF crews in use each fire season. Crew members can expect to be called to duty frequently. 

To qualify for the SWFF recruitment program, candidates MUST attend the introductory session on January 8 or January 15, 2020from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grant County Business and Conference Center, 3031 US Highway 180, Silver City, NM.

Candidates must also pass the Work Capacity Test, which involves walking three miles with a 45-pound pack in 46 minutes.  Good physical fitness is a critical factor in passing this test and it is advised that individuals begin a fitness regimen immediately to prepare for the arduous fitness test.  Work Capacity Testing will be administered at Fox Field, February 15 and February 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. for all Southwest Firefighter candidates. 

Candidates must also attend all sessions of the 40-hour class March 23-27, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., also at the Grant County Business and Conference Center. A refresher class for returning firefighters will be held March 23, 2020.   Application packets for SWFF Crew, Airtanker Base, and the Fire Cache will NOT be available before the mandatory meetings.  They will be given out at the mandatory meetings.  All paperwork must be completed and returned no later than March 27, 2020.  Candidates MUST bring the following documents to the first day of training or refresher, whichever pertains to them, to be accepted into the training session: two forms of personal identification, one of which must have a picture.  Personal identification can be current state issued driver’s license, current passport, or social security card.  Additionally, candidates MUST bring their bank account routing information for direct deposit purposes. Direct deposit routing numbers can be found at the bottom of a check or on a bank statement.  Background checks and drug testing may be applied.

If you are interested in the Camp Crew, you must be a minimum of 16 years old and/or a graduating senior in 2020 to be eligible.  Information and dates will be disseminated at a later date for Camp Crew.  Do NOT attend the SWFF Crew Meeting if Camp Crew is your desired position. 

For further information, please contact Gabe Holguin, Gila National Forest Fire Staff Officer, at 575-388-8233, or Leroy Holguin, Forest Fire Planner at 575-388-8450.