Caroline Heitman

120 day detail GS-0462-05/2

Hours per week: 40+

Supervisor: Rachel Simpson OK to Contact:Yes

Contact: Rachel.Simpson@usda.gov (406) 829-7050

• I spent 6 weeks working as a dispatcher before alternating for the Lolo Interagency Hotshots for the remaining 12 weeks of detail
• As a dispatcher, tracked resources using dispatch software, communicated with incident commanders, duty officers, and ground resources to ensure firefighter safety
• As a hotshot, served as a lookout for the crew monitoring fire behavior and crew safety
• Led and coordinated sling missions on wildfires for backhaul and resupply via spike camp
• Trained HECM trainees in helispot, sling load, and backhaul operations
• Used various handtools (pulaski, scrapes, rogue hoes) to construct handline
• Monitored, recorded and distributed weather information via radio
• Assisted in complex firing operations

Lolo IHC Supervisor: Shawn Faiella

Contact: Shawn.Faiella@usda.gov (406) 829-7000

GS-0462-05/1

Hours per Week: 40+

Supervisor: William Livingston OK to Contact: Yes

Contact: William.Livingston@usda.gov (208) 993-0225

• Led a squad of firefighters to suppress wildfires in small teams of 2-8 in remote locations
• Constructed helispots, coordinated sling load/backhaul missions, loaded helicopter cargo, manifested crew shuttles, gave helicopter safety briefings
• Directed complex wildfire suppression operations by coordinating aerial and ground assets, ensuring safe and efficient containment strategies during dynamic emergency response environments
• Commanded Type 5 incidents with engines, helicopters, and fellow firefighters under my span of control
• Aerially inserted to remote wilderness fires, then led and coordinated extrication and packout logistics
• As a qualified feller, assessed and removed hazard trees, cut brush, bucked logs, and repaired chainsaws in the field
• Participated in mop up operations, operated pumps, and facilitated hose lays to suppress wildfires
• Participated in Rx fire operations on the Salmon Challis NF and Sumter NF
• Coordinated helicopter bucket drops to assist in fire suppression efforts

04/2024-10/204 GW-0462-04

03/2023- 09/2023 GW-0462-03/2

05/2022-09/2022 GW-0462-03

• Served two seasons as a Sawyer and one season as an FFT1 trainee
• As a member of a saw team, I assessed and felled hazard trees, bucked logs, and cut brush to construct fireline in diverse fuel components
• Coordinated with swamper to ensure team safety while working at a high operational tempo
• Scouted potential fire containment lines
• Managed resources as a holding boss on wildfire backburns
• Delivered comprehensive safety briefings
• Communicated timely tactical updates maintained radio contact with adjacent resources and supervisors
• Served as a lookout on wildfires at both a crew and division capacity
• Worked independently as an interior hand igniter at the direction of a qualified firing boss
• Independently led small teams of 3-5 firefighters while successfully maintaining awareness of the squad's fatigue load and evolving safety considerations
• Participated in mop up activities on wildfires including use of water, operating a pump, conducting hoselays
• Conducted hand ignition operations on complex Wildfires and Rx Fires
• Dug with various hand tools including Pulaskis, rogue hoes, and rhinos to construct fireline and prevent wildfire spread
• Worked in large teams to construct direct and indirect, underslung and overslung fireline in a variety of fuel types and topography in response to rapidly evolving fire behavior, weather, topography, and fuels