For the first time in its history, the national Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program is providing training in the eastern United States, and it is doing so at the Auburn University Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center in Andalusia. The training course, also known as WFAP, dates back to 1989 and is traditionally held in Sacramento, California.
WFAP has trained more than 2,000 apprentices in wildland firefighting and prepared them for a future as fire managers. Wildland firefighters are dispatched to fight wildfires in national forests throughout the nation, including Alabama’s four national forests—Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee.
In early February, 48 wildland firefighter apprentices gathered for the first WFAP academy at Auburn’s Dixon Center. They attended classes about fire behavior, fire suppression tactics, weather, safety, leadership, risk management and incident command all taught by seasoned fire experts. Firefighter apprentices also gained hands-on field experience with situational awareness and tactical decision making, while practicing safety and teamwork skills. The next academy will be held in March.
“The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program develops our future fire and aviation managers in an innovative and unique educational experience, combining classroom and field based hands-on education at the Dixon Center,” said Heath Cota, director of WFAP. Participating agencies include the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Dixon Center’s 5,300-plus acres features fresh water springs, longleaf pine forests, cypress swamps, frontage along the Conecuh River and the national forest. According to Dixon Center Director Joel Martin, this mix of diverse ecosystems makes the location an excellent outdoor learning environment for forestry and natural resources management.
From OANow.com: https://www.oanow.com/news/fighting-fire-with-fire-au-s-dixon-center-chosen-for/article_34159fe2-1526-11e8-9c2c-5b67e2799564.html