Smokejumper and Bestselling Author on Parachuting into and Killing Forest Fires--Jason Ramos

01/21/20 • 59 min

My guest today is Jason Ramos, a firefighter currently in his 30th season. He spent over half that time as an air-delivered firefighter. Known as Smokejumpers, these professionals are highly trained and specialized firefighters who can parachute or rappel into a forest fire. They work independently in some of the most difficult terrain imaginable. Jason has over 270 jumps into fires and has also written the leading book on the profession titled "Smokejumper."

In our conversation we talk about what it's like to be in one of these infernos, the traits required of a smokejumper, and dive into some of the tactics and equipment used to put out forest fires. Below are the show notes with the associated time stamps:

Being in a forest fire (minute 03:00)
History of smoke jumping (09:00)
Selection process (12:30)
First fire he jumped into (23:30)
How to kill a fire (28:00)
Mission planning (34:30)
Gear (44:30)
Biggest lessons to pass on (49:00)
Projects working on now (54:00)

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This episode was edited by Trevor Cabler
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Being in a forest fire (minute 03:00)
History of smoke jumping (09:00)
Selection process (12:30)
First fire he jumped into (23:30)
How to kill a fire (28:00)
Mission planning (34:30)
Gear (44:30)
Biggest lessons to pass on (49:00)
Projects working on now (54:00)

Previous Episode

Special End of the Year Q+A with Host Justin "HASARD" Lee

Thanks for the support. It's been 1 year since I started the podcast. Today I'm answering your questions. Below are the top questions along with the timestamps.

What career would I have gone in if flying didn't work out (min 00:30)
How to do well in pilot training (02:30)
Failures in my life (09:30)
How to prep before college (11:00)
Bad habits in flight training (12:30)
Advice for check rides (min 14:00)
Why I started the podcast (15:30)
How to debrief (18:00)
F-35 vs F-16 aircraft (23:45) and (51:30)
How to become a pilot (27:45)
Getting selected for fighters (33:00)
Fighter pilot culture (37:30) and (49:45)
Enlisted (39:00)
Top Gun (40:30)
Medical DQ (41:45)
Tips for general aviation pilots (43:45)
My future career (48:00)
Favorite military experience (52:00)
Succeeding at USAFA (54:00)
Physical and mental training (55:30)

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode

I've also started a monthly newsletter where I send out a few useful or insightful things that have helped me over the last month. You can sign up by clicking here or going to:
https://www.professionalsplaybook.com/newsletter

Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
LinkedIn-- Justin Lee
Facebook--@justinfighterpilot

If you got value from this episode, please give the show a review by tapping here and scrolling to the bottom where it says: "Write a Review." Thanks for the support 👊

Next Episode

Virgin Galactic CEO and Former NASA Chief of Staff on Space Travel in 2020--George Whitesides

My guest today is George Whitesides, who is the CEO and President of Virgin Galactic, the spaceflight company founded by Sir Richard Branson. With Scaled Composites, the company has developed the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles, based on the X Prize-winning SpaceShipOne. In his role, he is responsible for guiding all aspects of the company to commercial operation at Spaceport America.

Prior to Virgin Galactic, he served as Chief of Staff for NASA. Upon departure from the agency he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award the agency confers. He is also a fellow of the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society.

In our conversation we talk about the strengths and weaknesses of NASA, how space exploration is like aviation 100 years ago, and what the future of Virgin Galactic looks like. Below are the show notes and associated time stamps:

Background (minute 02:40)
Strengths and weaknesses of NASA (06:45)
Working with Richard Branson (10:45)
Leadership (15:00)
How they're getting to space (19:00)
Training (24:00)
How space will change our culture (25:00)
Lots of technical questions... (27:00)
Next 5-10 years for VG (37:15)
Aviation 100 years ago (39:15)
SpaceX and Blue Origin (43:30)