Wildland Fire Science

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 be able 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 fire fighter 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.

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The Reedley College AS Degree in Wildland Fire Science is a stackable program that builds on the progressive knowledge acquired from program coursework and certificates. 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 a seamless advancement into the wildland fire service. Upon completion of this degree program students will have the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) course work necessary for the competitive advancement to a permanent GS-5 senior fire fighter position in the Federal fire service. This academy will focus on fire suppression Tactics and skills, principals of leadership, command and control, operational tactics and intermediate fir behavior. Topics covered in the Wildland Fire Science Program will include:

• Fire behavior and Fire weather assessment
• Applied Followership and Leadership
• Small unit leadership skills
• 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 

 
An addition to college coursework students will be required to have work experience in the field of wildland fire. This ensures that students will have the necessary context to be successful with advancement fire topic as they progress through the program. Scheduling of the Wildland Fire course work is centered around prospective fire season work schedules which allows students who are pursuing work experience in fire to complete their field season prior to returning to school.
 
The Wildland Fire Science Program is targeted for students who are interested in pursuing jobs in the field of wildland fire suppression and fuels management.  This program is the pathway foundation for CTE training and degree programs specializing in wildland fire suppression and fuels management under the Natural Resource department. With the addition of this program students will have guided pathway options to earn:

• 1 Semester- Basic training requirements for federal employment in the Wildland Fire service
• 1 year- Certificate of Completion-Forestry Technician Fire Suppression
• 2 year- Certificate of Completion-Wildland Fire Advancement
• 2 year-Certificate of Achievement – Integrated Fuels Management
• 2 year- AS Degree in Wildland Fire Science (Proposed).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program students will be able to:

·        Apply the fundamental and intermediate wildland fire principals surrounding safety, operational engagement and risk management.

·        Initiate and develop safe efficient line construction tactics and knowledge of fundamental fire behavior factors including fuels, topography and weather.

·        Develop communication protocols by effectively utilizing programable radio systems, formalized briefings and other non-verbal methods.

·        Initiate the use of the incident command structure to manage span of control and incident organization.

·        Apply a working knowledge of the factors effecting human performance in high risk environments.

·        Track and document appropriate use and maintenance of wildland fire hand tools and power tools.

·        Utilize the fundamentals of prescribed fire and fuels reduction operations and the associated tactics and equipment.

·        Proficiently utilize chainsaws to cut trees, brush and other vegetation for fire line construction and fuels management projects.

This proposed AS Degree is in line with the Master Plan at Reedley Collège.  Also, it matches the State Center Community College Districts Master Plan Goal 4 of Economic and Workforce Development by offering access to quality career technical programs.
 
Currently the Natural Resources Wildland Fire Program consists of a strong Wildland Fire Technician CTE pathway. There has been an increased need to advance the preparedness of the students in the field of wildland fire and fuels management to better meet the need of the industry beyond the basic suppression training. There is currently a large demand for technically skilled suppression and fuels reduction crewmembers within federal fire service as well as in state and local conservation corps and utility forestry. There is currently a large demand for technicians statewide.
 
The Natural Resources Wildland Fire Program utilizes the college’s program review process for program monitoring and improvement. In addition to the program review process, the program meets at least twice annually with its industry-based advisory committee to discuss the enhancement of the instructional program and industry/workplace needs.  Often discussions focus on forestry and technician needs and the skills students need to attain to obtain gainful employment.
 
The knowledge and expertise of industry partners and advisory committee members was utilized to develop this course.  Members are critical in expressing industry needs and trends and helping to steer the direction the program should take.