First responders attend East Texas wildland fire academy
Training focuses on skills and interagency coordination
More than 200 emergency responders attended the 26th annual East Texas Wildfire and Incident Management Academy at Angelina College in Lufkin from May 13-21.
Instructors from Texas A&M Forest Service, state and federal agencies taught classes to first responders seeking to increase their knowledge, skills and interagency coordination to combat wildfires and manage common complex large-scale disasters in Texas and other states.
The East Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is held annually in East Texas as a joint effort by Texas emergency response agencies to provide training to all levels of firefighters and incident managers.
Academy students represented emergency response backgrounds, including paid and volunteer fire departments, state and federal agencies in Texas and other first responders from four additional states.
“Training is critical for Texas A&M Forest Service and all Texas emergency response agencies to ensure we are equipped to respond to a wide range of disasters and are coordinated in our response efforts,” said Meredith McNeil, Texas A&M Forest Service training program leader.
“Additionally, continuing education and training are essential for first responders to meet certification requirements, expand their expertise and remain current in emergency response techniques.”
Course offers options to build skills
The academy offered 15 course options, including instruction on fire behavior, equipment operations, air operations and incident leadership situations.
Texas A&M Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other state and local cooperators provided instruction for the academy’s classes.
Academy attendees finished their training for the week by participating in the Firing Operations Course, which was a conducted 40-acre prescribed fire at Needmore Point on Lake Sam Rayburn. This course and associated prescribed fire introduced the roles and responsibilities of a firing boss and other personnel who engage in firing operations. A prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists to maintain healthy and resilient landscapes.
Texas A&M Forest Service reimburses qualifying fire departments to attend the academy through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, HB2604, and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.
“I’m passionate about protecting natural resources, supporting my community during emergencies, and being part of a strong, team-oriented environment,” said Kaylie Wheeler, Davy Crockett National Forest. “This academy is a valuable opportunity for me to learn from experienced professionals, improve my physical and mental readiness, and prepare for a long career in wildland fire service.”
Texas A&M Forest Service also hosts additional internal and external nationally accredited wildfire and incident management training throughout the state, including the Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, all-hazard incident management training and wildland fire training.
Learn more about Texas A&M Forest Service Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academies and other training opportunities at https://ticc.tamu.edu/Training/default.aspx.
