Wildland Firefighting

Wildland Firefighting Associate of Science

This degree is designed for people wanting to enter or enhance their career in a state or federal wildland firefighting agency. The course material is linked with the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group certification process. Additional coursework is designed to meet or exceed the National Fire Protection Association’s 1051 Standard on Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. The elective material is designed to allow a student to obtain some degree of specialization that may tailor a student’s education to qualify for supervisor positions in a wildland organization. Students may be placed in paramilitary and physically demanding environments designed to introduce the student to the job tasks and skills required to operate in the wildland fire services. Career Opportunities include the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Discharged military service personnel can use their military service time towards their career in the Forest Service or the BLM. Upon completion of graduation requirements and the required degree courses with at least a “C” or “P” grade in each course, the student will be eligible for an Associate of Science Degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

• 1. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to analyze the impact of a public information officer’s role on the effectiveness of incident management and organizational response.

• 2. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to evaluate various incident scenarios to determine the most effective communication strategies employed by public information officers.

• 3. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to assess the role of the public information officer in an overall incident organization.

• 4. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to design comprehensive planning section objectives that align with strategic goals and stakeholder needs in a variety of incident contexts.

• 5. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to synthesize information from multiple sources to create a cohesive public information strategy that enhances situational awareness and community trust during incidents.

• 4. Describe the role of the public information officer in overall incident organization.

• 5. Compose planning section written objectives.

Program Requirements