Watch final recap video below – Students reported that the academy was a challenging but rewarding experience and they feel much more confident as engine operators.
2023 Alaska Engine Academy graduates in Palmer, Alaska with Pioneer Peak in the background. 
2023 Alaska Engine Academy cadre in Palmer, Alaska with Pioneer Peak in the background. 
2023 Alaska Engine Academy students on the Wasilla side of Hatcher’s Pass. 
2023 Alaska Engine Academy students on the Wasilla side of Hatcher’s Pass. 
2023 Alaska Engine Academy students on the Wasilla side of Hatcher’s Pass. 
A few of DOF’s type 6 and type 4 engines on the Wasilla side of Hatcher’s Pass.
With the goal of training confident and capable wildfire engine operators, the 2023 Alaska Engine Academy recently took place in Palmer. For eight days, sixteen firefighters from across Alaska focused on emergency driving skills, engine operations, and other duties central to fire suppression missions. The top two students from the previous year’s academy were invited back this year to teach. With a cadre of nine wildland tactical engine operators leading the academy, less experienced firefighters quickly gained the skills and confidence needed to be effective and safe engine operators.
The objective is to provide our students with the skills necessary to be proficient and safe engine and fire apparatus operators.
Brian Carver – 2023 AKEA Incident Commander
Successful operation of wildland fire engines presents many challenges. Even for the best firefighters, smoke obscures visibility and access is often on difficult and rough terrain. Engine rollovers are a constant watchout due to additional weight, which influences the handling and braking characteristics in unexpected ways. When a tactical wildland firefight is underway, both homeowners and crew members rely on Engine Bosses to operate safely and effectively.
This academy has been one of the more exhausting fire classes I’ve ever taken.
Kristian Knutson – 2023 AKEA Student, former Pioneer Peak Hot Shot and DOF’s Prevention Lead
Wildland fire training days were long and focused on engine operations, pump and hose hydraulics, water and foam systems, as well as field and seasonal maintenance of the various engine types which constitute the state fleet. The course completed with a fleet drive to Hatcher Pass on a scenic spring day that provided a great photo op. Students reported that the academy was a challenging but rewarding experience and the feel much more confident behind the wheel after the training.
Graduates of the 2023 Alaska Engine Academy
| Jenny Moser | WFRT III | Copper River |
| Andrew Shields | WFRT II | Kenai Area |
| Thomas Ervin | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
| Samuel Henry | EFF | Delta Area |
| Andrew Coulter | WFRT II | Copper River |
| Kristian Knutson | WRFT 4 | Mat-Su Area |
| Tyler Nasti | WFRT 3 | Mat-Su Area |
| Kevin Lankford | WFRT 3 | Mat-Su Area |
| Ian Baker | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
| Lisa Eichel | Engine Senior FF | AK-CGF Chugach National Forest |
| Priscilla Turpin | EFF | Fairbanks Area |
| Jon Cox | EFF+ | Copper River |
| Shane Semenuk | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
| Zak Overmyer | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
| Kenneth Bannon | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
| Aisake Finau | WFRT 2 | Mat-Su Area |
History of the Alaska Engine Academy
As compiled by the AKEA Cadre 2007-2023
2007 – Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Mike Bobo (DAS), Brian Carver (MSS) and Bruce Swaim (DAS) were selected to attend the Southwest Engine Academy in Arizona to shadow and develop a statewide training program for the Division of Forestry. The 1st Academy was labelled as a workshop and consisted of a 5 day program. Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Brian Carver (MSS), John Gardner (DAS) and Bruce Swaim (DAS) were the instructors. Chris Andersen (MSS), Dave Dolfi (MSS), Rob Larson (MSS) and Cal Maki (MSS) were coaches. Zane Brown (FAS) and CJ Center (MSS) were the top 2 students; both were invited to return as coaches.
2008 – Zane Brown (FAS), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS) and Don York (TAS) attended the Engine Academy in San Bernardino California. Larson shadowed the cadre while the other 3 attended as students. The 2008 AKEA was bumped to 7days. The 2008 AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen (MSS), Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Zane Brown (FAS, Brian Carver (MSS), Dave Dolfi (MSS), Derek Kohler (DAS), Rob Larson (MSS) and Cal Maki (MSS). Abe Davis (MSS) and Nate Zalewski (FAS) were top students and were invited back to assist.
2009 – Abe Davis(MSS) and Nate Zalewski(FAS) attended the San Bernardino Academy. The 2009 AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen(MSS), Phil Blydenburgh(MSS), Zane Brown(FAS), Brian Carver(MSS), Ken Cruikshanks(ER Shop), Abe Davis(MSS, Dave Dolfi(MSS), John Gardner(DAS), Rob Larson(MSS), Cal Maki(MSS) and Nate Zalewski(FAS). Nate Blydenburgh (MSS) and Justin Gilbert (USFS) were top students and invited back as coaches.
2010 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen(MSS), Nate Blydenburgh(MSS), Phil Blydenburgh(MSS), Zane Brown(FAS), Brian Carver(MSS), Ken Cruikshanks(ER Shop), Abe Davis(MSS), Dave Dolfi(MSS), John Gardner(DAS), Mark Hildreth(DOT), Justin Gilbert(USFS), Rob Larson(MSS) and Cal Maki(MSS). Nikos Parse (KKS) and Peter Bengtson (DAS) were top students and invited back as coaches.
2012 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen(MSS), Peter Bengtson (DAS), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Brian Carver (MSS), Abe Davis (MSS), John Gardner (DAS), Mark Hildreth (DOT), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS), Nicos Parse (KKS) and Nate Zalewski (FAS). Matt Snyder (FAS) and Chris Chester (CRS VFD) were the top 2 students; neither was able to return to assist.
2013 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen (MSS), Peter Bengtson (DAS), Colin Bloxom (ER Shop), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Zane Brown (FAS), Brian Carver (MSS), Abe Davis (MSS), John Gardner (DAS), Mark Hildreth (DOT), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS) and Nikos Parse (KKS). Top students were Matthieu Alexander (KKS) and Peter Talus (TAS). Both were invited back as coaches.
2014 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen (MSS), Peter Bengtson (DAS), Colin Bloxum (ERS), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Brian Carver (MSS), Abe Davis (MSS), John Gardner (DAS), Mark Hildreth (DOT), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS), Nikos Parse (KKS), Peter Talus (TAS) and Nate Zalewski (FAS). Matthew Churchill (Alberta, Canada) and Brandon Goentzel (MSS) were the top students.
2015 – Year off due to yearly rotation with other training.
2016 – AKEA was cancelled due to the inability to acquire the necessary instructors.
2017 – Year off due to yearly rotation with other training.
2018 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen (MSS), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Phil Blydenburgh (MSS), Zane Brown (FAS), Teo Fusco (FAS), Trevor Kauffman (MSS), Nikos Kilcher (KKS), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS), and Peter Talus (TAS). Kyle McNally (KKS) and Zach Fleming (MSS) were the top students.
2020 – Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 – AKEA cadre consisted of Chris Andersen (MSS), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Zane Brown (FAS), Brian Carver (MSS), Teo Fusco (FAS), John Gardner (DAS), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS), Kyle McNally (KKS), and Andres Orozco (SWS). Top students were Thomas DeLong (KKS) and Matt Finn (DAS).
2022 – Year off due to yearly rotation with other training.
2023 – AKEA cadre consisted of Brian Carver (MSS), Chris Andersen (MSS), Nate Blydenburgh (MSS), Zane Brown (FAS), Teo Fusco (FAS), Rob Larson (MSS), Cal Maki (MSS), and Thomas DeLong (KKS). Academy Coordinator & Lead Driving Instructor Nate Zalewski, Kelly Gisolo (Statewide Training) as co-Academy Coordinator. Top students were Shane Semenuk (MSS) and Zak Overmyer (MSS). Both top students have been invited to serve on the 2025 AKEA cadre.
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), recruitment, Training
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 