Free basic training to be a wildland firefighter will be offered through the Soldotna Division of Forestry office beginning April 22.
Local fire suppression foreman Patrick Quiner…
Quiner: “So we cover introduction to wildland fire behavior, human factors which is a study of why we do what we do, some decision making, and then the basic firefighter training as in the nuts and bolts of putting fires out.”
Full attendance of those classes is mandatory to pass the course. Upon completion, students will receive the nationally recognized Red card, which identifies cardholders as rated as the basic Type II firefighter.
That means a wildland firefighter trained in Alaska can be sent to any of the Lower 48 states to assist crews combat wildfires.
Quiner says really the only requirement to take the training is that individuals must be available for the five day training and be a minimum of 18-years-old as of May 1.
Quiner: “Obviously we would prefer people that are in decent physical shape but that is something that can be improved on.”
The training ranges from April 22 -24, and April 29 – May 1 with times of classes as follows: 6-10 p.m. on 4/22 and 4/29 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on 4/23, 4/24, 4/30 and 5/1.
For more information about the training contact Steve Scales at 260-4214 or Patrick Quiner at 260-4270.