Jess McLean's career as a firefighter began with volunteer and paid-call work. He moved to the U.S. Forest Service and worked there for seven years. Although he had designs on a career in the fire service, he relished working in the outdoors and the opportunities to teach that the Forest Service offered. Jess also gave back off duty, volunteering every year for Beaumont's Relay for Life cancer walk. Jess McLean was one of five firefighters who lost their lives battling the deadly Esperanza Fire in Riverside County.