October 9, 2018 — BASTROP, Texas — Firefighters from across
the country will attend the 21st Annual Capital Area Interagency
Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, Oct. 11-24, 2018 at the Camp Swift
National Guard facility in Bastrop, Texas.
Managed as an actual wildfire incident, the academy is
operated using the Incident Command System (ICS) and students earn National
Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training qualifications. A total of 32 classes
are offered this year ranging from entry level, to refresher, to advanced
courses. Topics include leadership skills, fire suppression tactics, crew and
engine boss instruction, wildland fire behavior, heavy equipment, basic air
operations and helicopter crew member training.
“TFS is proud to work with local, state and federal
cooperators to support firefighters across the state,” said Michael Geesling,
chief response training coordinator for Texas A&M Forest Service. “The
wildfire academy provides critical firefighter training so they can better
serve their local communities.”
Tuition assistance is provided for eligible fire departments
through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department (VFD)
Assistance Program and the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). Firefighters
from volunteer fire departments can benefit from the tuition assistance made
available to attend the academy.
“They rely on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance funding
to attend the wildfire academy. Otherwise, they might not be able to attend on
their own. It’s a cost-effective opportunity to meet these firefighters’
needs,” said Geesling.
Texas A&M Forest Service and statewide fire departments
have reported over 8,300 wildfires in 2018 burning more than 523,000 acres in
Texas.
“During the past 30 years, we are seeing larger and longer
duration wildfires,” said Fire Chief Mark Stanford, associate director, Forest
Resource Protection, Texas A&M Forest Service. “This requires more
personnel and resources to protect the citizens of Texas. Our academies are
recognized throughout the U.S. and offer quality training for new and
experienced wildland firefighters.”
The 16th annual Wildland Firefighter Memorial
Service will be held on Friday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. The service recognizes
firefighters who have died in the line of duty battling wildland fires.
Academy partners include the Texas Army National Guard, U.S.
Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy and the Texas Wildfire Association.
Additional academy information is available at the Texas
Interagency Coordination Center (TICC) webpage: ticc.tamu.edu.
State and local officials will be available for media
interviews at the memorial service on Oct. 12. Members of the media are welcome
to tour the academy on Oct. 22, 2018. To attend these events, please make prior
arrangements with Public Information Officer Kari Hines, khines@tfs.tamu.edu,
(512) 375-0354.