The Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) - NPS crew is generally housed in the frontcountry, and may stay in a cabin or airbnb rather than camping in tents. They can bring a few more creature comforts like a full-sized pillow, camp chair, or some games to play with the crew.
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These crews will use the same gear as conservation crews; use the frontcountry or backcountry crew gear list as needed for the bulk of your gear.

Fire Boot Requirements

Fire boots are an important part of your PPE, and the only piece that we ask you to supply yourself. Below is the text of the regulations and some examples of compliant boots; if you are at all unsure, PLEASE send us a link before you buy so that we can confirm they fit the requirements.
"Personnel assigned to wildland fires must wear a minimum of 8-inch high, lace type exterior leather work boots with lug melt-resistant soles. The 8-inch height requirement is measured from the bottom of the boot’s heel to the top of the boot."
​- National Interagency Fire Center, Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations
We will provide a $200 stipend to assist with fire boot purchase. You must provide a receipt, uploaded to your SilkRoad Onboarding account, to receive this reimbursement. The money will be added to your first paycheck.

Considerations:

  • Look for boots that are NFPA 1977 certified
  • Vibram soles are a safe bet with the regulations, but some non-Vibram brands can work.
  • Logger heels may not be very helpful in the East - try a few on and see what is comfy for you.
  • Some boots have a longer lead time - call to see if they are in stock before you order.
  • It may be harder to find boots that fit women's feet. Some companies have women's models, and several female members liked the Scarpa Fuego.
  • These boots are often very stiff! Particularly the Danners and the custom boots (Whites/Nicks/JKs). Be aware and plan ahead to break them in.
  • Ad Tec is the cheapest (~$150), the hiking-style boots are middle of the road (~$350), and the custom work boots are usually the most pricey (~$500+). Look around different sites to find deals!
  • The work boot style can often be re-soled, so they may last longer than hiking-style boots.

Examples:
We do not recommend your service boots for this crew. Even if they meet the requirements on paper, they are not built for fire and tend to fall apart quickly in a wildland fire setting.
Buy early and take time to break in your boots!
If your feet aren't comfy, try using a good insole before considering different boots