Firefighting corps helps military veterans transition to civilian life

Wildland firefighters monitor a prescribed fire at Monocacy National Battlefield.

NPS

From January through April, 2023, the National Capital Region (NCR) hosted a three-member, Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) crew of wildland firefighters. This crew, however, was unique: all three members were veterans.

Based out of Harpers Ferry, WV and lodging at Catoctin Mountain Park, MD, the crew worked under the NCR Fire and Emergency Management Team. The crew worked on prescribed burns at Monocacy National Battlefield, Prince William Forest Park, and Antietam National Battlefield and helped respond to wildland fires at Fort Washington and Rock Creek Park. They also assisted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with prescribed burns.

Before arriving at Harpers Ferry, all but one of the crewmembers had prior firefighting experience. After completing the 12-week program, the crewmembers walked away with wildland firefighter and basic faller certifications. “I learned a lot and was able to do a lot more working with the National Capital Region,” crew member Cory Spychalski said. Spychalski previously served three deployments in Afghanistan.

According to the ACC, the Veterans Fire Corps program provides veterans the chance to work alongside fellow former servicemembers while gaining important skills to help them transition from military service to civilian service. In addition to the experience, crewmembers earn an AmeriCorps education award and access to professional development opportunities including federal resume writing and USAJobs application consultations.

William Thompson, who served four years in the Navy, came into the program with some prior experience as a shipboard firefighter, but he appreciated the connections the program offered and the opportunities to learn. “Working in this region and being able to network, you learn so many ways to do things,” said Thompson.

Spychalski and Thompson both said they jumped on the opportunity to join a field where they could apply their experiences from the military, and they were grateful for the opportunity to work in a veteran oriented program. "If I could do it again, I would,” Spychalski said. “I would definitely advocate for it. I think it’s good to help veterans transition into similar careers.” Two of the ACC members have already started working with the National Park Service outside of firefighting, while the third is pursuing work in wildland firefighting specifically.