T he structure of the Redding crew enables individual crewmembers to supervise a Type 1 hotshot crew in the squad leader role. This provides an opportunity to observe and evaluate various levels of performance among peers and to understand crew production. This increases self confidence and leadership abilities, important qualities with which crewmembers return to their home units. This enhances career progression to greater responsibilities. T he primary objective of fire suppression assignments is to provide the detailer with a wide range of fire experience.
Emphasis is placed on assigning the crew to as many large fires as possible.
T he actual number of fires the crew is dispatched to varies from year to year. Generally one season on this crew would be equivalent to five seasons of experience on a district suppression crew. These assignments are normally under adverse conditions and extremely hazardous situations. T his crew has been assigned to hundreds of major campaign fire assignments since its inception in 1967. These assignments have taken place in 16 states, including Alaska, and have also included three assignments to Canada.