spotter n.— «Cal Fire blamed the delay on a shortage of military helicopter managers, better known as spotters—trained wild-land firefighters who help military pilots position water drops and communicate with firefighters in the air and...
spike out v. phr.— «If travel time to the side (or flank) of the fire where firefighters are assigned, they could be asked to “spike out” which means sleep in place rather than in the camp.» —“Release No. 0303.07: The...
coyote camp n.—Gloss: an improvised place near the site of a forest fire where firefighters have chosen to sleep. «If travel time to the side (or flank) of the fire where firefighters are assigned, they could be asked to “spike...
Bambi Bucket n.— Note: Appears to be a trade name. «Inter-Island employees…helped firefighters attach to the chopper a 144-gallon Bambi Bucket, which hangs suspended from the aircraft after it lifts off.…D’Attilio hovered over...
Kelly shift n.— «Under what is known as the “Kelly shift,” adopted by the Fire Department in 1969, firefighters worked a 27-day rotation consisting of one 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off. After repeating that cycle...
Kelly time n.— «My department uses the phrase kelly time. FLSA allows firefighters to work up to 204 hours within a 28 day period without requiring the employer to pay overtime. Anything over 204 must be paid at time and one half. All...