A statewide program aimed at getting veterans back into the workforce through wildland firefighting is now open to non-veterans.
The Returning Heroes Wildland Firefighter Program was initially signed into legislation to help veterans transition back into civilian life, by providing them with a job similar to the comradery and team aspect that they’re used to.
Now, people as young as 18 years of age can experience the same thing and become a wildland firefighter.
“We kind of were under the belief that this is something that is a great conduit into this type of career field. It was very easy to say not only does this benefit the veteran community, but the overall community, as well as a starting point of a career within wildland fire, forestry and range management, whatever the interest that might be spawned from this program,” said Greg Hesch, Crew Supervisor of the Returning Heroes Wildland Firefighter Program.