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Captain's blog

Boots

1/29/2025

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Boots are one of the biggest purchases new wildland firefighters will make. What brand? What style? What are the requirements? There is a lot that goes into making a decision about your boots. You should talk with wildland firefighters who have been out on the line for a few years. Crews might like the traditional wildland boot. Engines may prefer the hiking boot style.

With so many options you'll need to know a few things. First, be sure to understand how you want or should "fit" your boots. Do you want a snug toe box? Do you want the traditional toe gap? Second, what is your width? Have you tried other widths before? Third, do you require any sort of arch support? Fourth, do you require a specialty sole insert? Fifth, what is your plan for socks?

If possible, go out and try on the different styles of boots and from a few different brands. Spend some time at the store and become familiar with different fittings and widths. Be sure to wear the socks that you intend to work in.

The file found below is a spreadsheet of boots that I have been compiling over the last two seasons. It isn't complete but will give you a sense of the price ranges and styles. Visit the manufacturer's website to see all of the details for any given boot.

boot_comparisons_2025.xlsx
File Size: 14 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File

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Hiring

1/29/2025

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             SITPA seeks to hire individuals for both entry level and experienced positions. We are always looking for firefighters that have a natural drive with a team mentality. We focus on our firefighters with efforts towards work/life balance and a commitment to ensuring that our people come first. We can only fight wildland fires if will have and maintain a strong team.
            Firefighters with experience can hone their skills and advance along several pathways. Options for advancement in Single Resource/Engine Boss spots as well in leadership/command positions or heavy equipment operations. We make use of prior fire and military experience. We also utilize EMS and college graduates from ecology and fire science programs. We encourage continuing education and provide numerous opportunities to take classes that focus on training in new or advanced areas within the wildland fire world. Firefighters that have left us have gone on to careers as Hotshots, Smoke Jumpers, and nurses.
            New and beginner firefighters have a lot of opportunities available to them at SITPA. We train all firefighters so that they have basic knowledge of the expectations of wildland firefighting. From there we go into the field. We provide in-depth training for chainsaws and line operations. And then… fire season is in full swing. Long days and direct hands-on experience allow new firefighters to quickly gain the skills to operate safely while working on a wildfire. As new firefighters work with seasoned firefighters, bonds are built and little teams come together to help the overall efforts of the crew. As time and fires continue, working together becomes seamless as everyone develops a sense of their place and what they need to do.
            Watching new firefighters progress through their first and second and third seasons, the older firefighters see a progression of skills and abilities that ensures that the continued operations will carry on. Development of firefighters takes time and effort, but it pays off when folks are able to operate on their own and with small teams to perform and complete tasks.
            SITPA works towards this overarching goal. We give people the tools to advance and become a part of our strong team and earn their place within our historic agency.
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    Brian Tierney

    ENGB, ICT4(t), NRP.
    ​16 years of experience.

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Southern idaho timber protective association (SITPA)

555 Dienhard Ln
McCall, ID 83638

(208) 634-2268
www.sitpa.org
​[email protected]

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Burn Permits FAQ's
  • SITPA Internal
  • Employment
  • Board of Directors
  • Membership
  • SITPA Maps
  • Online Application
  • History & Photos & Videos
  • Captain's Blog