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  • NEWSROOM: 22ND ANNUAL WILDFIRE ACADEMY BEGINS THIS WEEK AT CAMP SWIFT

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 9, 2019

    22nd Annual Wildfire Academy begins this week at Camp Swift

    BASTROP, Texas – The 22nd Annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy begins at the Camp Swift National Guard Facility in Bastrop, Texas this week. The academy runs from Oct. 11-23, 2019.

    Each year, firefighters travel across the country to attend this academy to earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training qualifications. A total of 25 classes are available this year, with topics ranging from firefighter training, crew and engine boss training, leadership, wildland fire behavior, air operations and fire suppression tactics.

    “Training is an important part of being prepared for wildfires,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Mark Stanford. “We are glad to be able to work with all of the agencies involved to help train wildland firefighters from around the country, right here in Texas.”

    The mission of the Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is to enhance the wildland firefighters’ knowledge, utilizing NWCG standards, while promoting safe and cost effective operations.

    “The Academy at Camp Swift offers a lot of training in fire and emergency management, having courses that will benefit both new and experienced firefighters,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Response Training Coordinator Jared Karns.

    Training tuition assistance is available to eligible departments through Texas A&M Forest Service under the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (HB 2604) and TIFMAS.

    Academy partners include the Texas Army National Guard, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy and the Texas Wildfire Association.

    The 17th annual Wildland Firefighter Memorial Service will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. The service honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty while fighting wildfires.

    State and local officials will be available for media interviews at the Wildland Firefighter Memorial Service. Members of the media are welcome to tour the academy on Oct. 13 starting at 11:00 a.m. To attend these events, please make prior arrangements with Public Information Officer Kari Hines.

    Additional academy information is available on the Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC) webpage: ticc.tamu.edu.

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    Contact:

    Kari Hines, Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service, khines@tfs.tamu.edu, 512-375-0354

    Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-458-6606
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