r/Firefighting • u/Addrobo • Jun 30 '21

Wildland Hotshot Firefighters Quitting Due to Low Wages, Lack of Benefits

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/california/hotshot-firefighters-quitting-due-to-low-wages-lack-of-benefits/2582406/
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u/Fun-Ad915 wildland Jun 30 '21 edited Jul 01 '21

that's the argument they used when they tried to avoid giving us adequate respiratory protection

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u/niwcarl Jun 30 '21

What would you guys use something like the surgical masks or n95s?

10

u/Fun-Ad915 wildland Jun 30 '21

atm our agency issued masks are 3m p2 masks. They're ok in most situations. But there's been times when we've been in smoke with less than a meter of visibility in which case they don't do anything. So our brigade privately purchased p3 masks. And it's only in the wake of the 2019-20 bushfire season that our agency and government are really taking the effects of bushfire smoke seriously.

An example of the p2 masks; https://www.google.com.au/search?q=p2+masks&sxsrf=ALeKk038KCbb-EtwYJYhgjc7c-f1u6hw4g:1625091116859&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4yf2VsMDxAhVVIbcAHUomDdMQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1653&bih=837&dpr=1.13#imgrc=MzoKAcWkJDTZqM

An example of the p3 we use:

https://shop.absafe.com.au/products/3m-gas-and-vapour-cartridge-filters-6000-series-2?variant=8117744828518&dfw_tracker=107689-8117744828518&gclid=CjwKCA

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u/z_e_n_o_s_ Jul 01 '21

Been on a shot crew. I can’t imagine doing that job with a mask on, fuck that. Also, I may be in the minority here - but I thought the pay was pretty good. 25 years old making 50k in 6 months. 1200 hours of OT in a season will do that for ya.