Forest Fire Fighting Quebec

[freck]

Have any of you from out west had any experience with Quebec forestry? Do you have to speak French to get on with an intermediate? Just curious about how reciprocal they are with out of province hiring.

[transientorque2]

Intermediate Yes. Medium No.

[Zoltar]

In mediums they'll put in a translator to help out with the radio work. If you're bilingual you should be able to manage the comms by yourself in an Astar but if you're not it'd just be dangerous and stressful for yourself and the other machines working alongside.

[Iceman]

I don't speak French but have flown Astar on fires for SOPFEU in northern Quebec and had very little problem. They used to put the the machines and crew from out west in their own camps, not sure if that's still the case.

[MEOB]

If its a busy fire season they will hire anyone. Ive been on a few busy fires in Quebec while working for a Quebec company. I don't speak a word of french and to be quite honest with you its down right scary cause you won't have a clue whats happening or where the **** everyone is. They will usually try to find some one to dispatch or be around dispatch that is bilingual so you'll have half a clue but once out on the fire dealing with the other air crew is hateful and dangerous.

[Tree Top]

I've fought fires throughout Quebec, for me it was easy because I'm bilingual but having said that normally if their hiring out of province it's because it's burning pretty good...........so they would usually have crews from out of province also. I've had nothing but positive experiences dealing with SOPFEW, yes there is a language barrier at times but from what I have experienced they always try and accommodate you with english speaking crews if available, on many occasions I was asked to be a liaison for flight crews from eastern and western Canada and we all worked well. The fire crews from Quebec are good people based on my personal experience, I guess if your don't speak french it can be a bit overwhelming especially if you show up with a negative attitude toward the language issues. Freck you do not have to speak french in order to get hired on and anyone who says you do is full of Shiat.