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NWTF Fallers come mainly from the commercial timber industry throughout the Western United States, working on logging jobs as their primary source of employment. During fire season many Fallers become seasonally unemployed when the forests are closed due to high fire danger or actively burning forest fires. |
Northwest Timber Fallers each year opens its roster to recruit new Fallers. Our recruitment period ends prior to the beginning of fire season, and only re-opens after fire season ends. We do this to allow ample time to fully verify each Faller applicant’s background and employment history before any employment offer is made.
Northwest Timber Fallers hires only the most experienced, capable and professional commercial timber Fallers in the industry. Because we do this, we have no "second string Fallers."
If you qualify and are hired by NWTF you will be working with the best Fallers in the industry. And, you will be working for a company that values your experience and skills and pays you for it with respect and fair wages, high quality training, opportunities for advancement and most of all, challenging, rewarding work.
Once a Faller joins the team, all training and testing is completed and all equipment is readied and dispersed to Fallers BEFORE fire season begins. This way, NWTF provides each Agency with a Faller roster of the highest caliber who are fully trained, equipped and staged for fire dispatch when emergencies occur.
NWTF does not hire new Fallers in the midst of fire season.
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To qualify for the NWTF roster you must have:
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At least five (5) years of recent, verifiable experience in the logging industry as a commercial timber faller. Fallers with longer experience histories receive strongest consideration. |
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Your own falling equipment including exterior, 3/4 to full length chaps (no rips or tears), boots, two chainsaw powerheads with sufficient cc capacity to carry chain on at least a 32" & 42" in length bar; sufficient bars in assorted length (with a minimum of one 32" AND 42" bar); necessary maintenance tools, extra chain, fuel, bar oil. |
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The ability to successfully complete the Work Capacity Fitness Test at the Arduous Level (complete 3 miles in 45 minutes with a 45 lb pack). |
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The ability to complete basic fire fighting training courses (I-100, S-130 & S-190) & CPR/First Aid courses. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of these training courses. |
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What do Northwest Timber Fallers say?
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Up until the time that I began working for NWTF in 2002 getting on a fire was just a hit and miss thing, but since then I have had to really plan my summer months around fire season with all the fire assignment opportunities.The respect and appreciation that these folks have shown for my efforts and skills as a timber faller of 19 years has been a real boost, since jobs have become harder and harder to come by.
The opportunity to work for such a well recognized, organized, and setting-the-new-standard kind of company during fire season instead of maybe being on hoot owl or shut down completely has been a blessing to me and my family. The other fallers and fire personnel I have met and worked with through NWTF has been great experience. The pay is good and the staff is always looking out for their fallers’ best interests and safety. In a nut shell, I’ve met life long friends, have fun doing what I love to do, and get paid very well for it.
Rob McKenzie |
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I feel it’s a privilege to work for a well-respected company like Northwest Timber Fallers. NWTF appreciates the fallers who work for them and treats them with respect. I’m glad to have the opportunity to get on fires as it wasn’t happening with my individual agency EERA. I like being part of a team and having support when I need it. When I get dispatched to a fire, I see that NWTF is well known and the agencies like dealing with our company.
Jerry Sorensen |
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In 2000 I was laid off because the helicopter I was cutting timber for went on a local fire. I was signed up for fire but never got a call. After many unsuccessful attempts to get work on the fire, my wife (Shari Downhill) looked into the matter and eventually I got work. We met several other fallers who had the same problem and decided to do
something about it. The result is N.W.T.F. Our company provides agencies with highly skilled fallers and we provide fallers with fire training, good pay, and an opportunity to go on fires if and when they need the work in the summer.
A lot of fallers find fire work to be a refreshing change from logging. You travel to a lot of places you would never get to see otherwise and meet people from all over the world. While the work can be very hot and dangerous it is very rewarding and usually very much appreciated. More often than not you will meet a few people who want to learn a little from you and may have a few tricks of their own to share.To sum it up, I find falling on fire assignments to be a very positive experience and enjoy it a great deal.
Ken Downhill |
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I get to use my many years of timber cutting experience to assist in the wildland firefighting effort. I enjoy being part of NWTF because of their high standards and expectations of their employees. This assures a high level of professionalism from fallers that have been sorely needed on the fireline for a long time.
Steve Wright |
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