Applying innovative science and technology to on-the-ground natural resource management

Navigation Areas > Who We Are > Staff > Fire Qualifications

Name: Ann Hadlow
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Phone: 406-243-6244
Email:

Go Back

Ann Hadlow is a Graduate Research Assistant at National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana.

PROFILE
I became interested in wildland fire while attending school for a degree in soil chemistry at Colorado State University.  Through a CSU student outreach in the spring of 2000, I accepted a position working on-call for a fire crew in Larimer County, Colorado.  We responded as an engine crew on both type 3 and 6 engines, and as an initial attack hand crew.  After graduating from CSU with a Bachelor of Science in 2001, I accepted a job as a crew member on a type 3 wildland fire engine in Sedona, Arizona, for the U.S. Forest Service.  In 2002 I was hired by the Blue Ridge Interagency Hotshots in Happy Jack, Arizona, where I remained for the 2003 fire season.  In April of 2004 I was hired as a permanent crew member on the Alpine Hotshot Crew in Estes Park, Colorado.  I remained with the Alpine Hotshots in 2005 as a lead crew member, and resigned in March 2006 to accept a position with the McCall smokejumpers for the 2006 fire season.  In the fall of 2006 I began a master's program at the University of Montana through a partnership with the National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis.  I again worked with the McCall smokejumpers during the 2007 fire season, where I will continue to improve my skills as a wildland firefighter, fire manager, and smokejumper.  This fall, I have resumed my research with the University of Montana and plan to graduate with a Masters of Forestry in May 2008.   In the future I will to continue to push myself both mentally and physically to become a well-rounded, knowledgeable wildland firefighter.

EDUCATION
University of Montana, August 2006- current* - Candidate for Masters of Forestry, *anticipated graduation May 2007
Colorado State University, August 1998- May 2001 - Bachelor of Science, Crop and Soil sciences
Colorado Mountain College, January 1997- May 1997
University of Colorado, Boulder, August 1995- December 1996
North Allegheny High School, Pittsburgh, PA - Graduated in 1995

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• GIS and remote sensing in prescribed and wildland fire environments
• Water balance of live fuels and corresponding fire effects.
• Promoting advanced education opportunities for wildland firefighters

WORK EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant; National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis- August 2006-May 2006/ August 2007- current

• Performed graduate level research regarding plant physiology and fire behavior.
• Attended graduate level forestry and plant biology classes.
• Gained experience in GIS and remote sensing programs and techniques.

Forestry Technician (Smokejumper); US Forest Service, McCall, ID- May 2006-August 2006/ May 2007-August 2007

• Successfully Completed 5 week rookie training program and 2 week smokejumper refresher
• Gained experience on initial and extended attack fires in diverse fuel types.
• Gained experience performing parachute jumps in various conditions and terrain for fire suppression and management purposes.

Forestry Technician (Hotshot handcrew); National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park- May 2004 -April 2006

• Managed squad of 8 on 20 person hotshot crew during wildland fires
• Assisted in control of wildland fires
• Implemented burn plans on prescribed wildland fires
• Observed and monitored fire effects on prescribed wildland fires

Operations Manager; Discovery Science Center- May 1998- January 2006

• Managed employees and maintained science-based museum exhibits
• Organized and taught elementary school science classes involving astronomy, geology, biology, and chemistry
• Assisted in grant writing and fundraising

Forestry Technician (Hotshot handcrew); US Forest Service, Happy Jack, AZ- April 2002-October 2002/ April 2003-October 2003

• Assisted in control of wildland fires on 20-person hotshot hand crew
• Gained experience wildland fire suppression and  prescribed burn techniques
• Worked on thinning project in ponderosa pine forest

Forestry Technician (Wildland engine); US Forest Service, Sedona, AZ- May 2001-October 2001

• Assisted in control of fires on wildland fire engine
• Worked on thinning project in juniper fuel type
• Assisted lead fuels technician measuring and recording fuel loading in Oak Creek Canyon

Wildland Firefighter; Larimer County, Fort Collins, CO- May 2000- Sept. 2000

• Assisted in wildland fire suppression on type 3 and type 6 engines and on-call handcrew
• Gained experience in use and maintenance of various suppression tools including handtools, pumps, drip torches, and chainsaws.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Red Card:

CRWB- Crew Boss
ICT5- Incident Commander Type 5
FALB- Faller B
FFT1- Firefighter type 1/ Squad Boss
HELR- Heli Long Line/ Remote Hook Spc.

Medical:

CPR for the Professional Rescuer: Expires 05/2008
Outdoor Emergency Care Technician (national ski patrol) 2001-current

OTHER VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

• The Mission Homeless Shelter:  staff and client support- December 2003- April 2006
• Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol:  Assist in backcountry search and rescue, teacher for avalanche level 1 and mountain travel and rescue courses.  - January 2000-April 2006
• Turning Point: Mentor for at-risk youth- June 2000-May 2002