LUFKIN, Texas
– More than 200 emergency responders will attend the 21st Annual East Texas
Wildfire and Incident Management Academy over the next two weeks to improve
their knowledge and skills for combating wildfires and managing the complex,
large scale disasters that often occur in Texas.
The East Texas
Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is held each year in Lufkin
as a joint effort by Texas emergency response agencies to provide training to
all levels of firefighters and incident managers. Students come from various
backgrounds including paid and volunteer fire departments, various state and
federal agencies in Texas, and others from around the nation. The classes have
an emphasis on entry level and intermediate training in wildfire suppression.
“The training
academy allows wildland firefighting professionals from across the state the
opportunity to develop the skills needed to keep Texas’ communities safe from
wildfire. Courses are accredited by the National Wildfire Coordination Group
and are recognized by all local, state and federal wildfire agencies,” said Weldon
Dent, a Public Information Officer with Texas A&M Forest Service. “Academy
courses are structured around the Incident Command System, allowing students
and instructors to better familiarize themselves with the command framework
used to manage large scale disasters and events.”
Currently, 230
students are set to attend one or more of the 18 classes, each ranging from one
to five days. Students from 10 states, including Texas, will be able to learn
from Texas A&M Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other state and
local cooperators.
The tuition
cost to attend the academy is $55 to $275 depending on the course. Texas
A&M Forest Service provides reimbursement to qualifying fire departments through
the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (HB2604) and Texas
Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS).
The East Texas
Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is taking place May 15–24 at
Angelina College in Lufkin. Students can check-in at room 221 of the Science
and Math building. Meals and lodging are off campus and not included in the
cost of academy courses.
For more
information on classes go to the Texas Interagency Coordination Center
website at http://ticc.tamu.edu/Training/training.htm or contact the Academy
Registrar at 979-458-7330. Media outlets can also contact Public Information
Officer, Andy McCrady, for interviews or to attend as a guest.
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Editor’s note:
Members
of the media are invited to visit the academy on Media Days, May 22 and 23.
On these days, you will be able to view the field training sections of several
wildland firefighting classes. Techniques being demonstrated may include use of
portable pumps, fire engines, dozers and handline construction. If you would
like to attend, please contact Public Information Officer Andy McCrady at (936)
689-9393 orwmccrady@tfs.tamu.edu. You will need to
wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. You are also encouraged to arrive at the
academy at 7:30 a.m. to witness the morning briefing.
Contacts:
Meredith McNeil, Academy Registrar Andy
McCrady, Public Information Officer
(979) 458-7330, mmcneil@tfs.tamu.edu (936)
689-9393, wmccrady@tfs.tamu.edu