01 December 2020: Wildland Fire, NCWG, Certifications, and Wildland Opportunities

 

In many ways, wildland fires are our bread and butter- with regards to income for our department and in being able to get outside, accomplishing goals through good, hard work, and being with our fire family while doing what we do well. It seems that with each passing year, the wildfire season goes further into fall and starts even before spring starts. Nevertheless, our skills and understanding of essential wildland skills needs to be maintained and grown so we can improve our effectiveness in the field and become better leaders- both in and out of the season.

There are lots of skills-based courses for new understanding as well as refreshers to enable firefighters to keep on top of their old game, but sometimes we have a hard time finding both the content (or online classes) and the master lists of requirements and tasks necessary to complete the certification for wildfire roles. Remember that each step takes time and practice, so if you're just beginning your wildland firefighting journey, focus on the first step- Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2.

Following are links to some of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG, the organization that provides coordination and national leadership to enable successful, safe, and interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial providers and partners) online resources to enable understanding and participation in fire suppression and management activities close to home and further afield.

 

This is the site with requirements and online materials for FFT2 (regular wildland firefighter crew member), a first step for wildland fire fighters and the most basic certification. The local, live class is usually held sometime in March, but much can be done online before or on its own. Check it out and get prepped!

The wildland safety training refresher page, for those who've been previously certified to FFT1 and FFT2. We do this live class generally around the end of February to early March.

For those of us who aspire to being FFT1 (Firefighter Type One or Crew Boss), here're the requirements for that certification. Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to do the class this year, but many of you know how that went last spring... sigh. It's a good place to refresh knowledge gained in the field and in classes over the past couple of years, one way or the other:

Finally, for your viewing pleasure and to add hopes, dreams and vision to your wildland firefighting career adventure collection, here is the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's Position Catalogue. Check out these roles and requirements and get started!

If you have any questions or other ideas that might clarify or help you continue your wildland fire service adventure, contact your Spring City Fire Department lieutenants, captains, chiefs, or the Honorable County Fire Warden Thomas Peterson and his assistant, Jordon Alsop.

Thanks very much for your time and efforts, all!

 

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