Day One at Az Wildfire Incident Management Academy
Incident: Az Wildfire Incident Management Academy Wildfire
Released: 3/13/2010
PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Training began today at the eighth annual Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Approximately 900 students, instructors and staff are involved in training March 13-19 to prepare for the 2010 fire season.
The academy is managed under the Incident Command System like a typical event with check-in, morning briefings and planning meetings. Academy students include firefighters in federal, state, local and volunteer departments from 20 states and Canada. This year, 100 students are enrolled in Basic Firefighter training designed for all entry level firefighters. Various field exercises are held throughout the week to reinforce material learned in the classroom.
Don Howard, Incident Commander for the academy said, "Today is day one of what is going to be a very busy week. We look forward to another great year at the academy."
The Arizona Wildfire Academy is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing professional and safe responses in the wildland environment by offering training and education that meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards. It began in 2003 with 426 students and has grown to 780 students this year.
For additional information please call the Information Center between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 928-777-3473.
