SW Alaska News

From March 11, 2023 post.

Sign up for Basic Wildland Firefighter classes that are occurring across the state this spring. Share this post if you or someone in the Kenai, Soldotna and Homer areas is interested in the required training to become a wildland firefighter. Join the team of wildland firefighters working to protect the Last Frontier!

Who is usually interested in seasonal wildland firefighting?  People who like to travel. People tired of the 9-5 who want the freedom to do anything in the winter.  Students who need money for college.  Service minded people who want to protect Alaska and Alaskans. People who want to work with similarly minded people under the midnight sun in the Last Frontier.

About this class: What is it and who usually takes it?The Red Card Class - also referred to as "S-130/S-190/L-180" - will launch you into an exciting career in wildland fire!! This is your chance to push yourself, learn new skills, and help your community.

Not all of those interested in #firejobs need this class. There are still many Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection jobs available for interested applications that do not require physically working on the fireline. New jobs are added weekly and the complete list is here  http://www.forestry.alaska.gov/training/recruitment.

An up to date class and refresher list is below and also online at our statewide fire blog www.AKFireInfo.com. We post important information on training, refreshers, burn permits, and initial attack fire information throughout the year.

The instructor facilitated online "Red Card Class" for those in the Kenai is scheduled for April 21-23 and April 28-39th. The required field day for the Kenai is April 30th. Scan the QRS code on the attached flyer to register or go online to www.forestry.alaska.gov/training. 

Those who want to be wildland fire crew members, hot shots, smoke jumpers, helicopter support personnel, EMTs or fireline paramedics, and other front line wildland firefighters are required to take this "Red Card Class". It's a rite of passage nationwide so help us spread the word by sharing this post. You need not have Alaskan residency to join the summer wildland firefighting team. 

A complete list of statewide classes and wildland refresher courses is listed below:

 Refresher RT-130 & Basic Wildland Firefighter training S130/190/L180 schedule is online and will be updated at www.akfireinfo.com. Here is the current list of dates and deadlines. Please share!

 Mat-Su Red Card Class• March 6-10, Chugiak Class. Registration closed Feb 26• April 3-7, Palmer Class. Registration deadline Mar 26• Field Day: April 7• Contact: 907-761-6340

 Fairbanks & Delta Red Card Class• April 1-2 and 8-9• Field Day: May 13• Contact: brittany.stillie@alaska.gov

 Copper River Red Card Class• April 22-23, 29-30• Field Day: May 6, weather dependent• Contact: Josh Sutherland: (907) 822-8673 joshua.sutherland@alaska.gov

 Kenai Red Card Class• April 21-23, 28-30• Field Day: April 30• Contact: (970) 619-0441 kyle.mcnally@alaska.gov

 Homer Red Card Class• April 21-23, 28-30• Field Day: April 30• Contact: (907) 235-7734 Jacob.oberholtzer@alaska.gov

----- RT-130 Mandatory Annual Wildland Fire Refresher -----

 Mat Su Fireline Safety Refresher RT-130 • April 8 w/pack test and Fire Shelter Deployment (FSD)• April 13 w/pack test and FSD• April 15 virtual • April 22 w/pack test and FSD• April 29 w/pack test and FSD• May 6 w/pack test and FSD• Contact: 907-761-6340

 Fairbanks & Delta Refresher Fireline Safety Refresher RT-130• Every Tues night 6pm-10pm, March 28 – June 6• EFF Pack Test and FSD – May 6, 20 and June 3• Contact: brittany.stillie@alaska.gov

 Glennallen Fireline Safety Refresher RT-130 • Every Saturday in April from 10:00am – 2:00pm• EFF Pack Test and Fire Shelter Deployment (FSD) – Every Saturday in April, following the Refresher• Strelna Refresher and Pack Test – TBD• Contact: (907) 822-8673 joshua.sutherland@alaska.gov

 Kenai/Soldotna/Homer Refreshers – 12:30- 4:30pm, March 16, 30, April 20• EFF Pack Test and Fire Shelter Deployment (FSD) – Call to schedule• Contact: (970) 619-0441 kyle.mcnally@alaska.gov

 Tok Fireline Safety Refresher RT-130 • TBD

Read entire #firepotentialoutlook for the 2023 season http://ow.ly/KwiP50N6Hue#2023AlaskaFireSeason #wildlandfiretraining

Original source can be found here.