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Kimberly Sekorski Becomes Firefighter

Being outdoors is second nature to Kimberly “Kimi” Sekorski. From tree climbing competitions to raising pigs and hens to showing cattle at local fairs, Kimi, a Wamogo High School graduate, experienced the outdoors in every possible way. Going out with her father, she became accomplished at fishing and at hunting deer and pheasant. “I go hunting every chance I get,” she said. After graduating from Paul Smith’s college, she has been training to fight forest fires but with lots of interesting side journeys on the way. She sent this update:

“I just finished up my season. I worked on a Type 6 engine and filled in with hand crews in the area as needed. We had a pretty quiet season in Oregon, as well as most of the country. Just a lot of little fires during lightning bursts. I was able to complete my type 5 Fire Incident Commander training which is awesome. I will be back in John Day, Oregon next year probably April or May. I just accepted a position at the ranger district where I’ve been a seasonal permanent firefighter working as a Senior Firefighter on a type 6 engine. I’m definitely still training to rappel at some point, since getting this permanent job it would not make sense to leave the district any time soon. But a summer long detail on a rappel crew is still in the realm of possibilities.”