The Mat-Su and Kenai Division of Forestry branches will be offering basic wildland firefighter training in the coming months.
Assistant Fire Management Officer Phil Blydenburgh in Mat-Su…
Blydenburgh: “It’s about a 40 hour course that just goes over some of the entry level tactics, terminology, and fire behavior and things to expect when coming on board. Kind of prepares you for coming on as an entry level firefighter with a hand crew or an engine crew. We try to have our instructors that are leading the course and helping to teach in the units from each aspect, hand crews, hotshot crews, engine crews, so there’s subject matter experts in each of those areas.”
Graduates will receive a National “Red Card”.
Those interested must be at least 18 years-old and be available for the intensive one week courses, which will be offered March 9-13 and April 6-10 in Palmer.
The basic wildland training for the Kenai/Kodiak office located just outside of Soldotna has not been scheduled yet but Howard Kent said they will likely be at the end of April or beginning of May.
The classes are free but those interested are encouraged to reserve a spot.
To register for the Palmer courses, call (907) 761-6300 or email [email protected]
