The Alaska Division of Forestry will be holding wildland firefighting training classes at different locations around the state in April and May.
The classes are for veteran firefighters who already have a Red Card, as well as rookie firefighters looking to begin a career in wildland firefighting. Classes are scheduled at Area Forestry offices in and around the communities of Copper Center, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Palmer, Soldotna and Tok (see attached flyers for schedule of classes).
Participants take a Work Capacity (Pack) Test at the Division of Forestry’s Fairbanks Area office. Firefighters must complete a 3-mile walk in 45 minutes or less carrying a 45-pound pack to qualify as an emergency firefighter.
Firefighters who already possess a Red Card or have received one in the last five years must take a four-hour Fireline Safety Refresher class and pass a Work Capacity (Pack) Test to be re-certified. The Pack Test consists of walking 3 miles in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Firefighters looking to obtain a Red Card to be eligible to work on a fire crew must complete a 40-hour basic firefighting (Red Card) class and pass the Pack Test. Topics covered in the Red Card class include fireline safety, fire behavior, radio communications, fire business management, use of chainsaws, pumps and other firefighting tools and firefighting strategy and tactics.
All Refresher and Red Card classes are free and students must be at least 18 years of age to qualify. Attendance is mandatory at each session of the class to gain certification.
Upon completion of the Red Card class and fitness test, firefighters will receive a Red Card with a national qualification of Firefighter 2 that will allow them to work as an Emergency Firefighter (EFF) or apply for a local wildland fire crew in Alaska and the Lower 48.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 