Wildland Fire Management

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Wildland Fire Management program covers the fundamentals of basic wildland firefighting, fire management and safety.     

The program prepares students for entry-level positions in the wildland firefighting profession and is designed to provide students who are interested in careers in emergency and natural resource management with the knowledge, communication, and critical thinking skills necessary for success in the field.

Subjects covered are varied and include wildland fire fundamentals, leadership skills, fire behavior, meteorology, basic aviation, pumps and water hydraulics, incident command system, communications, ignition methods, and organizational management related to wildland fire emergency services.  Program instructors contribute up-do-date industry expertise, and three credit internships are also available in the summer months with wildland fire agencies to enhance the student's field knowledge and practical experiences.  

Students successfully completing the program are eligible for industry certification. The wildland fire courses presented meet National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) standards and are accepted by federal, state, and local agencies with wildland fire management jurisdictions. This degree provides graduates with a competitive advantage in gaining employment with the wildland fire service and land management career markets. Students with this AAS in Wildland Fire Management combined with industry certification will be highly competitive for employment and future promotional opportunities in this field. 

Special Requirements

Wildland Fire operations are rigorous in nature and some of the field training is arduous in order to simulate actual fire scene environments. Students are responsible for providing their own boots and gloves that meet NWCG requirements for personal protective equipment.

Contact Information

Office of Student Services
WCCC, Bishop B102
2508 Blichmann Avenue
970.255.2670

FSWM 100 Introduction to Wildland Fire Basic Fire Guard School5 Credits

Instruction in the primary environmental factors that affect the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training classes: S-110, S-130, S-190, I-100, L-180, and FEMA IS-700.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 103 Expanded Dispatch Recorder1 Credit

The structure of an expanded dispatch organization and how to effectively perform within that organization. Students will develop a working knowledge of the purpose and process of completing the resource order and other dispatch forms and learn established dispatch procedures. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Group Firefighting Training classes: D-110.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 141 Introduction to Incident Information2 Credits

Cognitive material and skills needed to become type 3 information officers (IOF3). The course covers all aspects of establishing and maintaining an incident information operation, communicating with internal and external audiences to handling special situations. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class S-203.

FSWM 142 Portable Pumps and Water Use2 Credits

Introduction to the three areas of supply, delivery, and application of water. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of correct water use, basic hydraulics, and equipment care. Modules support required set up, operation, and maintenance of pump equipment. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training classes: S-211.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 143 Wildfire Chainsaws3 Credits

Introduction to the function, maintenance, and use of internal combustion, engine-powered chainsaws and their tactical wildland fire applications. Modules support entry-level training for firefighters with little or no previous experience in chainsaw operation and provides hands-on cutting in situations similar to firelines. Course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-212.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 144 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface2 Credits

Emphasizes the tactical decisions made by structure and wildland firefighters when confronting fire that threatens life, property, and improvements in the wildland/urban interface. Instructional units include interface awareness, size up, initial strategy and incident action plan, structure triage, structure protection tactics, incident action plan assessment and update, follow up and public relations, and firefighter safety in the interface. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-215.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 147 Ignition Operations2 Credits

Training in the functional roles and responsibilities connected with firing operations. The course covers planning, ignition procedures and techniques, and equipment applicable to wildland and prescribed fire. This course also addresses the role of the ignition specialist or firing boss as the organization manages escalation from a non-complex to a complex situation. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-234.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 148 Status/Check-In Recorder1 Credit

Introduces students to the tools and techniques used to perform duties of status check-in recorder (SCKN). The course provides an overview of what a student can expect if dispatched to an incident. Each student will need access to a computer that has the most current incident automation software. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training Program class S-248.

FSWM 149 Interagency Incident Business Operations1 Credit

Training needs of all positions involving interagency incident business management. Provides basic policy and direction for incident business management. Consists of curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-260.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 151 Basic Air Operations1 Credit

Covers aircraft types and capabilities, aviation management and safety for flying in and working with agency aircraft, tactical and logistical uses of aircraft, and requirements for helicopter take-off and landing areas. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-270.

FSWM 152 Helicopter Crew Member2 Credits

Proficiency in all areas of the tactical and logistical use of helicopters to achieve efficiency and standardization. Topics include: aviation safety, aircraft capabilities and limitations, aviation life support equipment, aviation mishap reporting, pre-flight checklist and briefing/debriefing, aviation transportation of hazardous materials, crash survival, helicopter operations, helicopter field exercise. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class S-271.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 153 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior2 Credits

Prepares the prospective supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training class: S-290.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 154 Wildland Fire Origin & Cause Determination2 Credits

Knowledge and skills for the Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination Investigator (INVF). Concepts will help an INVF perform at a nationally acceptable level without regard to geographic boundaries. Course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class FI-210.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

FSWM 155 Initial Attack Incident Commander/Basic Incident Command System3 Credits

Required training for an ICT4 qualification. Course topics include Incident Command organization, functions and responsibilities, readiness, mobilization, size-up, planning, resource ordering, deployment, objectives, strategy, tactics, containment, administrative responsibilities, and post-incident evaluation. This course consists of the curriculum in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training classes S-200 and I-200.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 156 Firefighter Type 1 and Fire Line Leadership3 Credits

Required training for Firefighter Type 1 qualification. Topics include fireline reference materials, communications, tactical decision making, leadership values and principles, transition challenges for new leaders, situational leadership, team cohesion factors, and ethical decision making. This course consists of the curriculum in the National Wildfire Coordination Group S-131 and L-280 courses.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 162 Advanced Firefighter Position Task Book3 Credits

Documentation processes for the recording of routine and special activities in the field. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program to include not less than 135 hours of documented activities.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 196 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

FSWM 200 Extended Attack Incident Commander1 Credit

Covers the training needs of the incident commander type 3 (CT3). The six instructional units cover Information Gathering, Planning, Supporting Organization, Operations, Transitioning, and Demobilization/Administrative Requirement. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class S-300.

FSWM 204 Medical Unit Leader1 Credit

Covers the skills and information needed to perform in the role of medical unit leader (MEDL). This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class S-359.

FSWM 243 Fire Engine Operator3 Credits

Performance proficiency in the duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB) to include: engine crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire size up considerations, tactics and wildland-urban interface. This course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training classes: S-231.

Prerequisites: FSWM 100 and FSWM 156.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

Fees: Yes.

FSWM 244 Wildland Training for Structural Fire Fighters2 Credits

Preparation for the training requirements outlined in the Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide and the Positions Task Books (PTB). Course consists of the curriculum and activities included in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighting Training program class S-330.

Prerequisites: FSWM 100.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

FSWM 278 Supervised Work Experience1-3 Credits

Practical experience at an advanced level, demonstrating proficiency in wildland fire management tasks and assignments. Students will work under the immediate supervision of experienced field personnel with the direct guidance of the coordinator. Students will work on actual wildland fires, at stations and fire project/resource management sites related to their career fields. Includes travel to wildland fire locations.

Prerequisites: FSWM 100.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.

FSWM 296 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

FSWM 299 Internship1-3 Credits

Supplemental course work with practical hands-on work experience related to wildland fire management. Students will work under the immediate supervision of an industry professional at a selected agency location. Students will work on actual wildland fires, at stations and fire project/resource management sites related to their career fields. Includes travel to wildland fire locations.

Prerequisites: FSWM 100.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.