William Pfiester
Missoula,MT
Summary
Dynamic Forestry Technician with extensive experience in smokejumping operations at U.S. Forest Service. Proven expertise in fireline construction and chainsaw maintenance, coupled with strong leadership in high-pressure environments. Committed to operational excellence and safety, consistently exceeding performance expectations while fostering team collaboration and effective communication.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Firefighter), GS-06-0462 (18-8)
U.S. Forest Service, Region 5 Smokejumpers
Redding, CA
02.2022 - Current
- Supported Operations Department tasks in Operations Box, including daily roll call, staffing logs, fire reports, afternoon weather briefings, and other administrative duties.
- Executed aircraft procedures, parachute flight manipulation, and annual proficiency jumps, completing 5 operational fire jumps in 2022, supporting Alaska Smokejumper Base personnel in Fairbanks, assisting Redding and Missoula module assignments on Quemado Ranger District at preparedness level 5, and serving as Crew Boss Trainee on Turkey Fire in Gila National Forest.
- Maintained and repaired chainsaws and tools, ensuring readiness of saw boxes for fire operations.
- Assisted Loft and Para-Cargo departments with parachute rigging and sewing projects.
- Committed over 40 hours weekly to enhance team operations.
- Fulfilled staffing needs by consistently working 40+ hours each week.
- Supervisor (Assistant Operations Manager) Mathew Weston: 530-917-0417.
Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Firefighter), GS-05-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Grangeville Air Center
Grangeville, ID
05.2020 - 10.2021
- Completed late refresher for Grangeville Smokejumper Program, enhancing skills in proficiency jumps, flight patterns, jump partner and stick configuration, letdown and malfunction procedures, and tree climbing, ensuring readiness for fire operations.
- Supported Grand Junction Base and Redding Base through personnel boost assignments at start of 2021 season, including operational fire jump on Tangle Blue Fire, Type 4 complexity fire in Shasta-Trinity Alps out of RDD Base.
- Improved loft manufacturing work through sewing stuff sack production and equipment repairs, while working more than 40 hours per week.
- Maintained consistent 40-hour work schedule to support operational readiness and meet fire response demands.
- Supervisor, Operations Manager Ward Scanson: 406-223-7810.
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-04-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Bitterroot Interagency Hotshot Crew
Darby, MT
04.2019 - 10.2019
- Worked on Type 1, 20-person hand crew for first season, following strict standard operating procedures and intensive physical training.
- Assisted primary saw team with fire assignments, thinning projects, and falling projects.
- Supported Bitterroot IHC crew by conducting daily vehicle inspections and maintaining crew carriers to ensure operational readiness.
- Served as primary saw on Chuckegg Fire in Alberta, Canada, helping construct indirect and direct saw line, mitigate hazard trees, and complete mop up operations.
- Acquired hands-on experience in tundra and black/white spruce boreal forests during Klutina Fire in Alaska, enhancing fire management skills.
- Helped construct direct saw hot line and build helispot for sling loads, spike camp, and approved med-evac site on Horsefly Fire near Lincoln, MT.
- Contributed to night shift back burn operations on North Hills Fire to protect structures in wildland-urban interface.
- Supervisor (Superintendent): Cache Gibbons, 406-821-4276.
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-04-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Seeley Lake Ranger District
Seeley Lake, MT
05.2018 - 10.2018
- Gained larger leadership role and increased responsibilities as returning crewmember in second season with Seeley Lake Ranger District.
- Led a squad as a Firefighter Type 1 during assignments to the Dollar Ridge Fire and Gold Hill Fire, providing clear guidance on daily tasks and managing fire suppression activities.
- Acted as squad boss during severity assignment to Sierra Vista, AZ on Type-6 Engine, enhancing experience with Type-6 pump and hose lays.
- In the fall season, I added to my prescribed burning experience by participating in five RX burns on the Seeley and Nine Mile Districts, one of which I acted as holding boss trainee. For the rest of the Rx burns I acted as a lighter involved with coordinated ignition operations, a holder maintaining communication and secure control line, preburn set up with hose lays, and post burn with mop up activities.
- Led various district projects, including line prep for Rx units, road clearing, and thinning projects.
- Tasked with managing fuel for the district, including fuel inventories, organizing the fuel shed, and delivering fuels for operations.
- My Faller 2 qualification was completed this season building on my previous saw skills in traditional cuts as well as quarter cuts with a final evaluation from direct supervisor Cy Hanson.
- Worked over 40 hours weekly to support district operations.
- Supervisor (Engine-Captain) Cy Hanson: 406-396-7170.
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-03-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Seeley Lake Ranger District
Seeley Lake, MT
05.2017 - 08.2017
- This season I joined the Seeley lake Ranger District to gain a more diverse skill set in the field of wildland firefighting. I worked with Type-6 and Type-4 Engines, their daily maintenance and weekly inventories, and took part in fire line operations on the Rice Ridge Fire. I also gained valuable experience in how standard operating procedures are carried out daily in a Forest Service District.
- I stepped up this season by completing my Firefighter 1 Task Book and becoming certified as a FTTI/Squad Boss. I acted as squad boss on two crew assignments this season with the Lolo Regular Type II IA hand crew on The Clear Creek 2 Fire in MT, the Brooklyn Fire in AZ, and the Sunrise Fire in MT with complexities of 4,2,and 1 respectively.
- Directed squad, maintained communication with crew and fire resources, and managed daily refurbishing tasks to support crew needs and relay messages to supply in fire camps.
- Contributed 40 hours weekly to sustain operational readiness and support firefighting efforts.
- Supervisor (Engine Captain) Chad Burnett: 406-540-3288.
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
Missoula, MT
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Led hotline cutting and hazard tree falling operations as lead sawyer during multiple fire assignments of varying complexities, enhancing crew's operational capabilities.
- Oversaw maintenance of chainsaws for crew during thinning projects and fire assignments, ensuring tools were operational and ready for use.
- Initiated Faller 2 Task Book under supervision of Milo Nyseth, advancing professional development in faller operations.
- Committed to over 40 hours each week to support crew operations.
- Supervisor (Crewboss) Adam Babbitt: 406-370-0718.
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
Missoula, MT
05.2015 - 12.2015
- Led training for first-year firefighters in mop-up techniques, fireline construction with hand tools and chainsaws, implementing progressive hoselays, and conducting daily maintenance of equipment and vehicles.
- Executed prescribed burning projects by digging fireline and cutting fuel breaks, contributing to successful fire management efforts.
- Drove crew carrier for fire assignments and forest projects, facilitating timely transportation and operational readiness.
- Worked over 40 hours weekly on fire assignments and forest projects.
- Supervisor (Crewboss) Adam Babbitt: 406-370-0718.
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
Missoula, MT
05.2014 - 12.2014
- Gained chainsaw experience through thinning, slashing, production cutting, hand pile cutting, and hotline cutting projects, leading to the opening of the Firefighter Type 1 Task Book this season.
- Collected and recorded weather data during lookout duties, observing fire behavior and effectively communicating critical information to the squad boss on fire assignments.
- Worked over 40 hours weekly to support team operations and ensure effective crew readiness.
- In my second year with Grayback Forestry I successfully completed the S-212 course and received my Faller 3 basic certification.
- Supervisor (Crewboss) Adam Babbitt: 406-370-0718.
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
Missoula, MT
05.2013 - 12.2013
- Worked on 20 person Type II IA hand crew out of Medford, OR Grayback Forestry Base.
- Acquired fire suppression skills, including progressive digging and cutting saw-line, mop up, and progressive hose lays to enhance firefighting capabilities.
- Executed project tasks for prescribed burn units, including line digging, hand piling, and chipping to ensure operational readiness.
- Conducted seasonal maintenance tasks, including winterizing chainsaws, checking in and cleaning nomex gear, and inspecting work vehicles to support team operations.
- Demonstrated commitment by consistently working 40+ hours each week.
- Supervisor (Base Manager) Wayne Turnupseed: 406-830-8739.
Trail Laborer (Crewmember)
Montana Conservation Corps
Missoula, MT
05.2012 - 11.2012
- Completed an important four hitch trail construction project in Blodgett Canyon in the Bitterroot National Forest. I helped in rebuilding trail switchbacks on Blodgett Pass with use of sledgehammers, pins and feathers, block and tackle, Poinjar (rock drill), rock bars, and explosives.
- Second season on trail crew managed tool and vehicle upkeep and maintenance responsibilities.
- Assisted and led volunteer noxious weed identification event on Mt. Sentinel with local high school students.
- Worked over 40 hours weekly managing various tasks.
- Supervisor (Crew Leader) Courtney Wall: 406-880-1927.
Trail Laborer (Crewmember)
Montana Conservation Corps
Missoula, MT
05.2011 - 11.2011
- Crewmember on seven person trail crew in the Western Wildland Region. Completed Federal and State sponsored trail construction and maintenance projects in various environments including wilderness and front country.
- Executed trail construction projects, including rebuilding switchbacks, check steps, bridges, water bars, and rerouting sections of trail to enhance trail accessibility.
- Executed trail maintenance projects over 40 hours each week.
- I was properly trained in the use and maintenance of hand tools including chainsaws, crosscut saws, single/double bit axes, shovels, picks, rock bars, and Poinjar (rock drill), pick mattock, pulaskies, block and tackle, brush saw, silky saw, and hammer and chisel.
- Volunteered with local organizations such as PEAS Farm and participated in city council meetings to strengthen community engagement.
- Weatherized low income homes in communities throughout Montana in Havre, Great Falls, and the Missoula area.
- Supervisor (Crew Leader) Katherine Bicking: 978-886-0851.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Resource Conservation, Wildland Fire Sciences & Management and Wilderness Studies
University of Montana
Missoula, MT05-2018
Skills
- Smokejumping operations
- Wildland fire behavior
- Fireline safety protocols
- Fireline construction
- Prescribed burn operations
- Chainsaw maintenance
- Parachute rigging
Certification
- EMT: Certified from Aerie Backcountry Medicine and NREMT in 2024.
- Incident Commander Type 5: Qualified in 2022.
- Firefighter Type 2: Qualified in 2013.
- Firefighter Type 1: Qualified in 2017.
- Smokejumper Qualified June 2020.
Timeline
Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Firefighter), GS-06-0462 (18-8)
U.S. Forest Service, Region 5 Smokejumpers
02.2022 - Current
Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Firefighter), GS-05-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Grangeville Air Center
05.2020 - 10.2021
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-04-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Bitterroot Interagency Hotshot Crew
04.2019 - 10.2019
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-04-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Seeley Lake Ranger District
05.2018 - 10.2018
Forestry Technician (Firefighter), GS-03-0462
U.S. Forest Service, Seeley Lake Ranger District
05.2017 - 08.2017
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
05.2016 - 08.2016
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
05.2015 - 12.2015
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
05.2014 - 12.2014
Wildland Firefighter (Crewmember)
Grayback Forestry Inc.
05.2013 - 12.2013
Trail Laborer (Crewmember)
Montana Conservation Corps
05.2012 - 11.2012
Trail Laborer (Crewmember)
Montana Conservation Corps
05.2011 - 11.2011
Bachelor of Science - Resource Conservation, Wildland Fire Sciences & Management and Wilderness Studies
University of Montana