Schenck's Type II Fire Crew meets the National Director of US Forest Service Job Corps Tony Dixon (standing front row) after returning from fighting the Lost Cove Fire.

On June 17, ten students from Schenck’s type II fire crew returned to Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center after spending a week in the Grandfather Ranger District in Marion, North Carolina.  The students spent the week fighting the Lost Cove Fire, which had started that Monday due to lightning.  After reporting to the site, Schenck’s type II fire crewmembers went to initial attack on the fire and contained the fire with control lines.  They then built contingency lines and conducted project work as well.

The incident commander of the Lost Cove Fire, Ms. Marstan, was pleased with the work of Schenck’s type II fire crew, commenting that the crew performed the work in a very safe manner, even in very steep terrain.  The incident commander would like Schenck Job Corps to continue training and developing more students so that they can utilize these students in fighting other fires as well. 

At this time, Schenck Job Corps has 25 type II fire crewmembers.  Students on the type II fire crew volunteer for this duty and come from various vocational trades at the center.  Students that are members of the type II fire crew are eligible to go out on wildfire assignments, prescribed burns, and all-risk assignments throughout the year.