Sammy the Firefighter Extreme: The Job Where You Jump from a Plane to Fight Fires

A magazine feature as part of a series on extraordinary jobs presents the role of the Smokejumper, which involves parachuting from an aircraft to fight fires in remote areas. The article details the fitness requirements, training, and salary in the US, but does not include interviews with firefighters.

A Calcalist magazine feature presents the role of the Smokejumper – a parachuting firefighter, as part of a series on extraordinary jobs. The role involves jumping from a plane at an altitude of about 900 meters to fight forest fires in remote areas inaccessible by road. The main advantage is rapid response, allowing fires to be extinguished at an early stage and preventing their spread. The job requires high physical fitness, extensive firefighting knowledge, and the ability to endure extreme terrain conditions. To be accepted, intensive training is required, including rigorous fitness tests such as running 2.4 km in under 10 minutes and 47 seconds and walking with a 50 kg load. Salary in the US ranges from $27.63 per hour at grade 6 to about $92,000 per year in Alaska, depending on grade and seniority. The article notes that this is a physically and mentally demanding role, but does not include interviews with actual firefighters.