Forestry Technician-Fire Suppression

College needs Consortium Endorsement to attach in COC

(Formerly Forestry Technician - Firefighting Emphasis)

Students successfully completing the outlined course of study will be prepared to enter the workforce as an entry-level forestry technician, wildland firefighter or fuels reduction crewmember. Students will receive instruction in the areas of wildland firefighting fundamentals, risk management, wildland fire behavior, human factors effecting human performance, chainsaw operations, chainsaw and 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. In addition, students who complete the course will receive all of the essential certificates required from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group for employment into the wildland fire service. Students will be expected to operate in a physically demanding workplace 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. Highly recommended students will also have the exclusive opportunity for immediate job placement with local National Forest Organized Wildland Fire Crews.

Anticipate 20 annual completers.

The ForestryTechnician Fire Suppression Program (FTFS) trains students for the wildlandfire suppression and fuels reduction service. Students who complete theWildland Fire School Fundamentals course, as a core program requirement, willbe fully qualified to fill the position as a Federal wildland firefighter underthe National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Standards. The Academy(block) training approach for this program is rooted in its field-based lessonswhere the students are first trained in the classroom then are prepared withmastery skill repetition in the wildland environment that mimics fire-basedscenarios and incorporates proficiency drills. 60-70 percent of the traininghours will be in the field utilizing the forest at Sequoia Lakes, SierraNational Forest and various cooperative local agency projects. The programmodification allows for improved student success through better preparednessand introduction concepts during the previous semester coursework. Topicscovered in the FTFS Program will include:

• Leadership, followership anddiscipline

• Communication and briefings

• Incident command and strategies

• Leadership, followership anddiscipline

• Suppression strategies andtactics

• Tool and equipment proficiencies

• Physical conditioning

• Essential safety practices

• Decision making and readiness

Applied prescribed fire and fuels strategies

This proposed program is in line with the Master Plan at Reedley College. 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.