I have followed John Burke's advice/info on this thread. He was also kind enough to answer a PM or two that I sent a couple years ago.
Starting my second contract fire season soon.
JB is spot-on.
Public Thank you JB.
To everyone else: like any business, it can be a right place at the right time situation when getting hired. Personally, I laid the groundwork with an operator for almost two years prior to being hired. I refer to the contracting end of things and not a direct government employee situation. ymmv
Good luck.