I was a FFT2 on the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Management Crew in 1985-86. I had an amazing experience working with people my age and learning something new every day from my squad leaders and crew boss. The comradery was on point and the friends I made on the crew all had the same sense of adventure. My second season on the Type 2 crew I was approached by my crew boss and asked if I wanted to work on a Hot Shot Crew. I said yes and was referred to the Mendocino Hot Shot Crew. The spring of 1987 I reported for duty in Stonyford California.

How did it feel when you were new? I was the new guy on the crew trying to fit in on the seasoned Mendocino Hot Shot crew. Everyone had a daily duty and a position on the crew. My daily duty was Water Boy--I made sure I filled the water cooler up with fresh water and ice before work, on my own time.

My position on the crew was “Bitch Rake” and I was the guy who carried a small rake in the mix of hand tools. When digging Fireline, a crewmember would yell “Bitch Rake” and I would yell back “Bitch Rake,” while coming to rake out the leaves, or needle cast from the line.

I was the rooky and the lowest person on the totem pole. The first two weeks I got no respect from the seasoned Hot Shots, but after I showed them I could out PT them on runs, pull ups, and sit ups I earned respect. I was now treated like a crewmember and felt like I was part of the crew, but that didn’t change my position and duties on the crew.

My second season I was promoted to Quality control and became the crew bus driver.

Who has Crew Cohesion stories to share?