Its not too often you hear about someone who's made a career path from being a front line wildland firefighter, to someone who is dropping fire retardant on wildfires, to someone who is coordinating the whole aviation show as an Air Attack...

That's why we have Zachary Sullivan on the show today - To tell his story of his unique experience of his career path into fire aviation!

"Zachery Sullivan took an unconventional path from being being a wildland firefighter to becoming a tanker pilot. After dropping out of high school, Zachery made a career our of running heavy equipment for various excavation companies in the midwest. In 2003 his career brought him to the Colorado Mountains where he began his introduction to wildland firefighting with a volunteer organization. At age 24 Zachery made a career change from heavy construction to career wildland firefighter in Northern Colorado. 

Since making that leap, Zachery has worked for various municipal, county, and federal agencies over the coarse of the last 18 years. In 2020 Zachery turned his interest from fighting fire on the ground, to becoming a Single Engine Air Tanker pilot for CO Fire Aviation. Most recently Zachery completed the National Aerial Supervision Academy and has begun the path of becoming a qualified Air Attack. 

When Zachery isn't fighting fire he enjoys spending time with his wife Ruby and their 150 pound English Mastiff Maddie... 

Ruby and Zachery can be found at their home in Loveland Colorado or at their property in The Snowy Mountain Range of Wyoming. Zachery is an avid snowmobiler and when the fire season completes; he can be found fly fishing on the Platte River."

To reach out to Zach regarding questions about becoming a pilot, hit him up via email here:

[email protected]

You know the drill...

Stay safe, stay savage...

Enjoy!

------------------

The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following wonderful folks...

Mystery Ranch
Need badass packs? Then look no further than Mystery Ranch!
https://www.mysteryranch.com

Hotshot Brewery
Wanna pick up our Anchor Point Podcast merch or need killer coffee? Hit up Hotshot Brewery!!!
https://www.hotshotbrewing.com

Not sponsors of The Anchor Point Podcast, but great organizations:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org

The Smokey Generation
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org