Two years ago, the National Fire Academy (NFA) began hosting Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190) and Wildland Firefighter Training (S-130) in a computer-driven, online format through www.nfaonline.dhs.gov. In partnership with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and the National Association of State Foresters, these NFA courses allow structural fire departments to obtain the training necessary for safe operations in the wildland-urban interface. If your department responds to any type of vegetation fires, the safety of your firefighters may depend on this education. These courses are free and are specifically designed so that structural fire departments with limited resources can take advantage of these opportunities.

As a structural firefighter and the wildland coordinator for the Pigeon Forge Fire Department in East Tennessee, I began investigating the process for getting firefighters trained using this educational tool. Our department has a significant amount of wildland-urban interface, which demands that our firefighters develop skills consistent with structural firefighting and wildland fire suppression. Even with the obvious need, it has taken almost a year of planning, coordination, and focused efforts to get this system in place. It is not as easy as just having firefighters sit down at a computer and start taking classes. It may take time for your department to gather enough resources, momentum, and awareness to accept this training challenge.

As firefighters within our department took these classes, they developed some information, which may help other fire departments engage in this type of training. Here are some tips that might help your organization plan, prepare, and deliver a successful wildland fire training program.