Last updated: April 14, 2020
Article
Faces of Fire: Veterans Continue Their Service in Grand Canyon National Park’s Fire and Aviation Program
Veterans and firefighters often share similar values and a common mission of service. Working in fire and aviation management can offer veterans the camaraderie, teamwork, and a sense of belonging and purpose that many veterans miss from there active duty time.
“We have an exceptional fire team here at Grand Canyon National Park,” said Deputy Fire Management Officer Chris Marks. “Our staff comes to us from a variety of backgrounds and I have found that veterans are often a great fit for the types of work that we do.”
Stephanie Cruz, a U.S. Air Force veteran, currently works as a fire and aviation budget analyst at the park.
“Working in fire and aviation has been more challenging and rewarding than any other civilian job that I have had,” said Cruz. “I like that no day is ever the same and there is always something new being thrown at you. The multitasking that I did in the military helped me prepare for this career and its challenges.”
Cruz began her fire career in 2012 when she accepted an emergency hire position as a fire program assistant with Grand Canyon National Park’s fire program. From there she moved into the fire business manager position and eventually was promoted into the park’s full-time fire and aviation budget analyst.
“I love my job, helping fire managers get the most out of their money, making sure they have enough funding for their employees to work” said Cruz. “Now that I am in fire I will always stick with fire.”
Kacie Dodds, a U.S. Army Veteran, is a lead forestry technician at the park.
After getting out of the Army Dodds took an internship position with the California Conservation Corps in Ukiah, California, building roads and trails and conducting salmon habitat restoration projects. While in the California Conservation Corps, Dodds went through a core training for wildland firefighting.
“My grandpa was a captain at the Ukiah Valley Fire District and my dad was a volunteer paramedic firefighter,” said Dodds. “I was inspired by my dad and grandpa but structural fire was never quite the right fit. When the training introduced me to wildland fire I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
Dodds found the transition from military to fire an easy one. “I enjoy the structured work-environment that both the military and the fire career paths provide,” added Dodds. “It takes a lot of the guesswork out of things. I know what to do, what is expected, and how to get it done.”
After her stint with the California Conservation Corps, Dodds worked for the Mendocino National Forest in northwestern California as a seasonal firefighter. She later worked as a seasonal engine crew member at Grand Canyon National Park. In 2017 she was promoted to senior firefighter and just this last year she was hired into her first permanent position as an assistant engine captain at the park. In her current position Dodds runs one of the park’s type 6 engines as an engine boss and travels across the region to help with incidents where needed.
“I love my job, but one of the most fulfilling things that I do is an added duty,” noted Dodds.
Dodds serves as a member of the National Park Service Fire and Aviation Honor Guard, a select group of park service employees who deploy for line-of-duty deaths. The honor guard immediately takes over honor watch stays with the deceased 24 hours a day until a memorial occurs and then they provide funeral honors at the ceremony of the fallen comrade.
“This work can be emotionally taxing, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives,” said Dodds. “It is really powerful to assist these families in their time of need and honor our fallen firefighters.”
Cruz and Dodds are just two of the many veterans who work in fire and aviation management and in many other positions across the National Park Service.
Veterans who are interested in becoming a federal employee can visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/ which provides detailed information to veterans, transitioning service members, and their families, including: veteran’s preference eligibility, special veteran appointing authorities, and other veteran related topics. To learn about and apply to federal job opportunities visit https://www.usajobs.gov/.