BLM fire training
At the College of Eastern Idaho, 37 Wildland firefighter trainees got some hands on experience at the Basic Fire School.
The course gives future Wildland firefighters a chance to learn how to use standard fire fighting equipment. Trainees practice drills, and learn the essential skills needed to safely fight wildfires.
BLM Fire Information Officer, Kelsey Griffee said, “For most of them this is their first experience with Wildland firefighting, and they don’t know the tools that we use. They have been learning about them in the classroom and how we fight fires, but they haven’t actually actually got the chance to touch the tools, work with the pumps, or get on an engine yet- today is that first experience.”
The BLM is to help the public, and to protect our natural resources.
“It’s protecting our natural resources, and it’s protecting private property and homes even when they are in the mountains. ya know, it’s something that we all use… the land and it’s something that is important to all of us and all of our well being.” said Trainee Grace Youts.
Wildland firefighters are seasonal, and can get called out to work a 16 hour day for up to 14 days straight.
Dozer Support specialist, Bruno Gutierrez , is hoping to gain more endurance with the program. “W ith this training i’m hoping to get more knowledge about what we need to do – safety is a big thing with us. Noticing, figuring out hazards, and making sure we all come back home safe.”
Griffee says, “For some, they could end up making this a career, some are paying for college, for others they are getting experience because they want to go into structure fire fighting eventually. It’s a pretty exciting time for a lot of people as they figure out what they want to do in their career.”
This specialized training gives those interested in firefighting a chance to discover what area they want to focus their career on.
BLM trainees take classes on fire behavior, weather, safety and leadership. Students complete 40 hours of classroom instruction and need to pass an exam to be qualified.
