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WIldland Fire Science CC
Wildland Fire Department | 3 CC - Certificate of Completion | 1 year
Learn to understand how wildfire behaves, how to prevent or fight it and maintain forests while gaining valuable response and survival skills with Clackamas Community College’s Wildland Fire Science certificate.
The field of wildland firefighting and forestry is one of the most demanding, yet rewarding, lines of work. If you love the outdoors, yearn for adventure and travel, and enjoying working as part of a team, then wildland fire could be for you.
Clackamas Community College Fire Science program provides education and training that can lead to seasonal or permanent employment with state, federal and private contract firefighting or within the timber industry.
There are many career tracks in the field of wildland firefighting and forestry. It's exciting work that requires fundamental survival, safety and firefighting skills.
Wildland Fire Science CC
You will develop some exciting new skills in this program. Among these new skills, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate the basic knowledge of wildland fire behavior
- Recognize situations where safety may be at risk and take appropriate actions
- Work as a wildland firefighter, as a member of a hand crew or engine crew
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic forest management
Careers
The certificate can lead to careers as a:
- wildland firefighter
- forest and conservation technician
- forestry inspector or investigator
- forestry prevention specialist
- independent fire fighting contractor
- employment in the timber industry
Job Market
Search related careers and regional data on wages and job outlook on Career Coach.
- Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG)
- The Oregon Department of Forestry
- The National Forest Service
- The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
Many of our courses carry NWCG certification as well as college credit.
PROGRAM CODE: CC.FSWILDLAND
RELATED INSTRUCTION OUTCOMES
Computation (1 course- MTH-050 Technical Math I or MTH-065 Algebra II)
- Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems.
Communication (1 course- WR-101 Workplace Writing or WR-121Z Composition I)
- Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for professional audiences.
Human Relations (3-4 credits- see catalog for course list)
- Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- evaluate hazards in the wilderness, forest, and fire environments and take appropriate actions to ensure personal safety;
- design a plan appropriate to the fire or incident situation;
- demonstrate safe operation of firefighting tools and equipment;
- execute the plan based on the appropriate strategy, tactics, and incident objectives;
- successfully lead, supervise, and direct personnel at the appropriate level of organization.
Continuing Education for Firefighters
Separate from its degrees and academic certificates, Clackamas Community College also offers re-certification trainings and professional development opportunities for wildland firefighters, forestry workers, public land managers and natural resource field technicians.
Our S courses, other professional workshops and refresher courses will boost your skills and allow you to advance in your profession, available at www.cccwildfire.com.
Continuing Education for Firefighters
Wildland fire refresher training (RT 130) informs wildland firefighters of current issues and the upcoming fire season. This training is required annually by all federal, state and contract firefighters.
Training is provided to recognize and mitigate risk, maintain safe and effective firefighting practices, and reduce accidents and near misses. Clackamas Community College offers a five-hour refresher course each season. The college can arrange courses geared toward agency-specific requirements, such as fireline EMTs.
The Work Capacity (Pack) Test is a yearly requirement for all fireline personnel. We offer the test at all three levels: arduous, moderate and light. As a recognized Public Training Provider, our pack tests are overseen by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
After a safety briefing, participants will carry a weighted vest around the college track, completing three miles in 45 minutes (arduous).
Wildland Fire Science Core Requirements
Complete the following Core Requirements
- BI-103
- General Biology; Plants & the Ecosystem
- 4
- BI-103L
- General Biology; Plants & The Ecosystem Lab
- 0
- FRP-101
- Basic Forest Management
- 3
- FRP-102
- Basic Forest Management Lab
- 1
- FRP-110
- Basic Wildland Fire Investigation (FI-110)
- 1
- FRP-130
- Introduction to Wildland Firefighting (S-130/S-190/ICS-100/IS-700/L-180)
- 2
- FRP-131
- Advanced Firefighter Training (S-131/S-133)
- 1
- FRP-205
- Forest Management Assessments and Inventories
- 3
- FRP-211
- Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211)
- 2
- FRP-243
- Wilderness I: Psychology of Survival
- 3
- FRP-244
- Wilderness II: Basic Land Navigation (S-244)
- 3
- FRP-245
- Wilderness III: Weather of the Northwest
- 2
- FRP-246
- Wilderness IV: Backcountry CPR/First Aid/AED
- 2
- FRP-249
- Followership to Leadership (L-280)
- 2
- FRP-250
- Wilderness VI: Basic Tool Use and Care
- 1
- FRP-270
- Basic Air Operations (S-270)
- 1
- GIS-101
- Principles of Geospatial Technology
- 2
Computation Related Instruction
Complete MTH-050 or MTH-065
- MTH-050
- Technical Mathematics I
- 4
- MTH-065
- Algebra II
- 4
Communication Related Instruction
Complete WR-101 or WR-121Z
- WR-101
- Workplace Writing
- 4
- WR-121Z
- Composition I
- 4
Human Relations Related Instruction
Complete 3-4 credits. See catalog for approved Related Instruction Courses.
Program Electives
Complete 2-3 credits of Wildland Fire Science Program Electives. This may consist of any course with an EMT, FRP, GEO, GIS, or UAS prefix not included in the Wildland Fire Science program.
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Erin Gravelle
Interim Director
Kari Nixon
Administrative Coordinator
Danielle Folliard
Project Coordinator
