The Forest Protection Unit of the Maine Forest Service is conducting the 13th Annual Maine State Wildland Fire Training Academy during the weekends of June 6-7 and June 13-14 20-15.
The Academy will hold 3 equipment operations classes; one in each region.
*S-130, S-190 and L-180, the basic courses needed to become certified as a wildland firefighter, will not be offered in this year’s Academy.
These courses will instead be offered regionally.
Please contact your local district ranger to find a course near you.
Course Offerings:
S-211 PORTABLE PUMPS AND WATER USE
Dates: This two day course will be held June 6-7, 2015
Course Description: This course consists of three skill areas: Supply, delivery, and
the application of water. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of
correct water use, basic hydraulics, and equipment care. The field exercise requires
set up, operation, and maintenance of pump equipment. To receive credit for this
course, students must have field work observed and approved, and take a closed
book written examination.
Class limit: 24
Course Hours: 16
Course Fee: FREE
Location: Maine Forest Service; Old Town
S-212 WILDLAND FIRE CHAIN SAWS
Dates: This three day course will be held June 6-7 (all students)
& June 13-14, 2015 (1/2 of the class on each day)
Course Description: The course lessons provide introduction to the function,
maintenance and use of internal combustion engine powered chain saws, and their
tactical wildland fire application. Field exercises support entry level training for
firefighters with little or no previous experience in operating a chain saw, providing
hands-on cutting experience in surroundings similar to fireline situations. This
course requires the student to complete a pre-course reading assignment at:
http://training.nwcg.gov/pre-courses/s212/S212PreCcourseWork.pdf See list of
required equipment on following page:
13th Annual Maine State Wildland Fire Training AcademyStudents must supply the following equipment:
Chain Saw in good condition, with tool kit, and extra chain. Chain saw must have a functioning chain break, bumper spikes, and approved
spark arrestor.
Fuel, bar oil
Approved chain saw chaps for leg protection
Safety Glasses
lace-up leather boots
ear protection (preferably an approved chainsaw helmet)
leather work gloves
hardhat
Long sleeve shirt and pants, sunscreen and insect repellant
You will be informed the first day of class when to wear these items. All saws will be inspected by instructors prior to being used.
Prerequisites: Qualified as a firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) or with permission of the instructor.
Class limit: 16 (no more than 3 applicants per agency)
Course Hours: 24
Course Fee: FREE
Location: Maine Forest Service; Bolton Hill
ENOP ENGINE OPERATOR AND WILDLAND FIRE
TACTICS:
Dates: This two day class will be held June 6-7, 2015
Course Description: The Engine Operator course addresses the
standards, procedures, and techniques to be an engine operator on
a wildland or prescribed fire. This class consists of classroom and
field exercises. The wildland fire tactic course uses classroom led
discussion and wildland fire scenarios to demonstrate safe and
effective tactics.
Class limit: 24
Course Hours: 16
Course Fee: FREE
Location: Maine Forest Service; Ashland
Additional Academy Information:
Lodging: Lodging is not available for students. Students must either commute or be responsible for their own lodging.
Meals: Meals are on your own. There will be a 15 minute break in the morning and afternoon and a 1
hour lunch break. Please plan accordingly.
Attendance: In order to receive a course completion certificate, students must attend and successfully
complete all course requirements.
Fitness Testing: Each region will provide an opportunity for those wishing to be “red-carded” to complete the “work capacity” fitness test either during the Wildland Fire Training Academy or at some other time. Please contact your region for fitness testing dates.
Becoming “red carded”: Individuals wishing to become “red-carded”, to work on wildland fire incidents nationally, must
meet the following requirements.
Complete S-130; Basic Wildland Firefighter Training
Complete S-190; Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
Complete L-180; Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
Complete I-100; Introduction to ICS (available on-line at: http://training.nwcg.gov/courses/i100.html )
Complete IS-700; Introduction to NIMS (available on-line at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/is/is700a.asp )
Complete the work capacity fitness test
Submit application to district ranger with required documentation (contact your district ranger’s office)
To Register go here: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_protection/downloads/2015_mswta_announcement.pdf
