The Ruby Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) is looking for qualified, highly motivated, physically fit personnel to join our elite fire fighting team. The 2009 Fire Season was our ninth season as an established Hotshot Crew. Nine years in which we have built a foundation of high standards. There was a strong core of returning personnel for the 2009 season. We expect the same for 2010. However, there will be a few positions open for the 2010 season both permanent and seasonal.

Ruby Mountain Hotshot Promotional Video

^{Front Row, Left to Right: Zach VanAbbema, Jarod Stefl, Jeffrey Priebe, Steven Spellberg, Tim Hanson, Matt Score and Josh Jeanneret. 
Back Row, Left to Right: Alex Lemelin, Nolan Riley, Craig Cunningham, Matt Fogarty, Gabriel Donaldson, Gunnar Cahall and Rick Fowler.
Detailers not included in Crew Picture.}

Ruby Mountain IHC Teams Archives 2001-2009

Job Openings/Applications

Interested applicants should apply by clicking on this link: Applying for Jobs with BLM Nevada Fire and Aviation. Interested applicants should expect vacancies to be listed on USAJOBS near the end of December. The hiring lists should be closed around the first part of January and interviews will begin shortly thereafter. Those interested in a position or needing further assistance should call 775-738-4516 (Assistant Superintendent Desk) or 775-738-4518 (Superintendent Desk).

We encourage those needing further information on the crew and application process to begin establishing contact with the Superintendent or Assistant during the fall months and emails are always welcome (see below for more contact information).

Contacts

Superintendent - (Acting) Gabriel Donaldson
Phone: 775-738-4518
Cell: 775-934-0843
E-mail: Gabriel_Donaldson@nv.blm.gov

Assistant Superintendent - Craig Cunningham
Phone: 775-738-4516
Cell:  775-934-7935
E-mail: William_Cunningham@nv.blm.gov

Squad Boss Desk/Hiring Number
Phone: 775-738-4668
Fax: 775-738-4521

For information about the City of Elko and Elko County visit these links:
www.ci.elko.nv.us - City of Elko 
www.elkonevada.com - Elko Nevada Chamber of Commerce
www.rubymountains.net - Ruby Mountain Recreation Information

2009 Season Summary

Despite a slower fire season Ruby Mountain IHC spent 66 days assigned to incidents, completing 3 full 14 day tours. The crew drove 50,199 miles, spent a full month on local and neighboring district projects, mechanically treating over 200 acres, and utilizing firing methods to treat approximately 50 acres. Ruby Mountain IHC initial attacked (6) Type 3 fires, (2) Type 4 fires and (3) Type 5 Fires as well as being assigned to three highly complex incidents; the Station Fire (Type 1), Tumblebug Complex (Type 2) and Hoyt Fire (Type 2). We averaged 19 individuals per incident hosting as many as 22 with additional detailers. 19 Position Task Books were initiated with 10 being completed year to date.

During the 2009 season we were able to host or accommodate enrollment into the following classes: Ignition Operations (S-234), Air Operations (S-270), Crew Boss (S-230), Initial Attack Incident Commander (S-200), Portable Pumps (S-211), Advanced Firefighter (S-131), Facilitative Instructor (M-410), Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390), Fire line Leadership (L-380), Introduction to Fire Effects (RX-310). We have tentative plans to coordinate Fire Operations in the Urban Interface (S- 270) and Incident Business Management (S-260) by the end of the year. Total crew hours spent training to date is approximately 3,000.

Ruby Mountain IHC hosted over 20 detailers throughout the 2009 fire season. Detailers came from neighboring districts (Twin Falls, Winnemucca and Ely) as well as a handful of local detailers extracted from engines, the Eastern Nevada Agency and Helitack. One Ruby Mountain employee successfully completed Rookie Training with the Boise Smokejumpers and remained employed by Boise as an extended detailer for the summer. We also accommodated other outgoing opportunities to pursue position task book completion and career enrichment.

Housing/Facilities

The Ruby Mountain Hotshots will have permanent barracks, training facilities, crew area, as well as other amenities in the near future. For the 2010 season housing will be provided to crew members from outside the local area. In 2010 the housing fee will be approximately $70 per pay period. The rate will be comparable to the 2009 season. For 2009, the training facilities and crew area were provided by the Elko Fire Department and will be utilized again for 2010.

_{^{Watering Hole on Division Papa Reconnaissance-Siskiyou Complex, Northern California}}

Physical Training

All personnel who participate on Type I Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) assignments must meet the fitness standards listed below. Personnel must meet all standards during the same attempt. The crew will be participating in the “Fitness Challenge” in 2010. The Fitness Challenge is a competition created by the Navy SEALs and has recently been voluntarily adopted by many BLM personnel. To achieve a perfect score on the Fitness Challenge an individual must run an 8:00 minute 1.5 mile, do 120 push-ups in 3:00 minutes without breaking form, do 150 sit-ups in 3:00.00 minutes without breaking form and complete 25 pull-ups.

For information on the Fitness Challenge go to: www.blm.gov/nifc/st/en/prog/fire/fireops/fitness_challenge.html 

Ruby Mountain’s Standards

Ruby Mountain IHC adheres to strict Physical Training (PT) standards and places great emphasis on team building exercises and drills. NO ONE ON RUBY MOUNTAIN IHC IS DONE WITH PT UNTIL EVERYONE IS DONE! While the “Typical Workouts” listed below might be used, we generally use those workouts as a default. In reality one can expect to participate in long duration hikes with practical drills built in, run repeats Bullion hill or participate in timed “gear up” drills. The Ruby Mountain overhead believes that team building and practical drills can be coupled with regular PT routines to achieve a more relevant physical product. We will strive to make daily fitness routines physically and mentally demanding at every opportunity and expect all Ruby Mountain employees to place a high level of value on Physical Training maintaining a highly competitive and motivated spirit.

It is highly recommended that all tentatively hired employees begin physical preparation as soon as possible for the upcoming season. Two-A-Days is meant to enhance the physical foundation one spends building during the winter, and will be very uncomfortable to those who show up unfit.

Required Exercise Performance (The crew will strive to beat last year’s averages):

1½ Mile run 10:30 Min. or less (Crew Averages 9:38.00 Min)
Sit-ups 45 in 60 Sec. (Crew Averages 54)
Push-ups 30 in 60 Sec. (Crew Averages 56)
Pull-ups 7 for all body weights (Crew Averages 15)