Northwest Fire/Rescue District
- The Northwest Fire District maintains a Wildland Fire Division to aid in the extinguishment of fires that occur in the Wildland Urban Interface, and in other undeveloped areas within the District. This group is comprised of the Ironwood Hotshots, one Type 6 engine, and four Type 3 engines. During the “normal” fire season (April 1 through September 30), and other times of high fire danger, the District staffs these wildland engines with full time and seasonal employees. The Ironwood Hotshot crew usually starts their season around the first of April, and finishes their season in mid to late October, depending upon fire activity. The District also supports a SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker) Base at the Marana Airport. The Ironwood Hotshots attained full Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) certification in 2009, undergoing a two-day review from representatives of the Southwest Coordinating Group based in Albuquerque. They are the first hotshot crew to be sponsored by a Fire District in Arizona.
- When personnel are not busy with fires in the District, they may be ordered for incidents anywhere in the United States. Last year alone, Northwest Fire units responded to incidents in California, Idaho, Montana, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida—along with several assignments in various part of Arizona. These assignments provide our personnel with on the job training and experience that is extremely valuable to individual career development and aids them in better serving the needs of Northwest Fire District.
- Recruitment for seasonal firefighters typically occurs during the first part of January, and the Wildland training academy is conducted in March. The training provided at the Academy includes daily physical training, and 80 hours of classroom instruction. Wildland firefighting is extremely arduous, and firefighters can expect to encounter extreme fires, rough terrain, smoke filled air, and long shifts of 24 or more hours. Because of these conditions, wildland firefighters must pass a medical physical examination along with the Work Capacity Test, also know as the “Pack Test.” This test consists of a person carrying a 45 pound pack for 3 miles in less than 45 minutes.
