Wildland Fire Advancement

Students successfully completing the outlined course of study for the Wildland Fire Advancement Program will be prepared for workforce advancement as an advanced firefighter forestry technician or fuels reduction crewmember. Students will learn how to apply and initiate wildland firefighting fundamentals, risk management, wildland fire behavior, human factors effecting human performance, chainsaw operations, hand tool use, prescribed fire and fuels reduction operations and federal physical readiness standards. Training will require arduous working conditions similar to those performed as a wildland firefighter. 
Upon completion of this program students will have the NWCG course work necessary for the competitive advancement to a permanent GS-5 senior firefighter position in the Federal fire service. This academy will focus on principals of leadership, command and control, operational tactics and intermediate fire behavior. Students will be expected to operate in a physically demanding work place like environment where safety and skills are emphasized. Due to the requirements for federal and state employment both physical and other applicable prerequisites may be required.

Anticipate 10 completers annually.

The Reedley College Wildland Fire Advancement Program is a stackable certificate that builds on the Wildland Fire School Fundamentals Academy coursework and Forestry Technician, Fire suppression Certificate. In addition, the program offers a pathway for industry professionals that are seeking advancement training to enter in to the program utilizing coursework and work experience equivalencies. This course prepares students for advancement in the wildland fire service. Upon completion of this course students will have the NWCG course work necessary for the competitive advancement to a permanent GS-5 senior firefighter position in the Federal fire service. This academy will focus on principals of leadership, command and control, operational tactics and intermediate fire behavior. Topics covered in the he Wildland Fire Advancement Program will include:

• Applied Followership and Leadership
• Supervision of small firefighting elements (5-person squad)
• Communication and briefings
• Initial attack command and strategies
• Physical conditioning
• Essential safety practices
• Aviation coordination for suppression and logistics
• Decision making and readiness
• Applied prescribed fire and fuels strategies 

 
Attendance of the Wildland Fire School Advancement Course requires that students have previous work experience in the field of wildland fire. This ensures that student will have the necessary context to be successful with advancement topics. By holding this Wildland Fire Advancement course during the second nine weeks of the fall semester it allows students who are pursuing work experience in fire to complete their field season prior to returning to school.

The program offers a pathway for industry professionals that are seeking advancement training to enter in to the program utilizing coursework and work experience equivalencies.