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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation will be accepting applications for the Cherokee Nation Fire Dancers. The Cherokee Nation Fire Dancers are firefighters employed as contracted labor by the U.S. Forest Service in the suppression of wildfires across the United States. This is not regular full-time employment but strictly an on-call basis throughout the fire season.

"We prepare the firefighters at the beginning of every year, schedule testing, training, and coordinate fire crews once we receive a fire call, which comes from the U.S. Forest Service Dispatch Office in Hot Springs, Arkansas," said Leroy Wolf Cherokee Nation compliance officer and firefighter coordinator. "Work depends on the fire season."

To apply for the Cherokee Nation Fire Dancers applicants must be at least eighteen years old, have proof of membership from a federally recognized tribe, fill out a firefighter application and include supporting documentation (i.e., photocopy of drivers license or State issued I.D.), have Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card, Social Security Card, provide proof of recent medical exam prior to taking the Pack Test, must be able to pass the Pack Test, and must attend and pass the Basic Firefighting Courses.

An individual must first pass the Pack Test to be eligible to attend the Basic Firefighting Courses. The Pack Test consists of walking a distance of three miles wearing a 45-pound pack vest, and will be administered by the Cherokee Nation in January 2003.

If you are interested in applying for the Cherokee Nation Fire Dancers, please contact Mike Weaver, phone: 918-456-0671 or 1-800-256-0671 (ext.2334) or LeRoy Wolf, use (ext.2335).