Wildland Fire Technology
16 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
WFT 040 Firefighter Type 2 (S130)
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This course provides students seeking wildland training and certification at the Type 2 level. This course provides instruction in wildland fire behavior, hazard recognition, human factors in high risk environments, basic incident command system, radio operations, and documentation. Classroom and field exercises prepare students for a position as a Firefighter Type 2 (FF2). This course meets the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) requirements for an S-130 wildfire training course.
WFT 041 Firefighter Type 1 (S131)
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- WFT 040
This course prepares interested students with additional leadership and skills sets needed to make leadership and tactical decisions on wildland fire incidents. This course provides instruction in the Risk Management Process, fireline reference materials, portable fire pump operations, staging area standard operating procedures and practices. Classroom and field exercises will prepare the student for a position as a Firefighter Type 1 (FF1) as recognized by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG).
WFT 042 Portable Pumps and Water Use (S211)
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This course provides students with practical knowledge and skills in the use of portable fire pumps and related equipment during wildland fire incidents. The course consists of three skill areas: supply, delivery, and application of water. Students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of correct water use, basic hydraulics, and equipment care. Field exercises, demonstrations, and evaluations cover set up, operation, and maintenance of pump equipment. This course meets the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) requirements for an S-211 wildfire training course.
WFT 043 Wildland Fire Chain Saws (S212)
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This course provides the basic knowledge, understanding, function, maintenance, and use of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered chain saws. Students also learn about the tactical use of wildland fire chainsaws. Field exercises support entry level training for firefighters with little or no previous experience with operating a chain swam and provide students with hands-on cutting experience in surroundings similar to fireline situations. This is an entry-level course for students interested in wildland fire suppression, and is highly recommended prior to enrolling in the intermediate-level wildland fire-related course. This course meets the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) requirements for an S-212 wildfire training course.
WFT 044 Introduction to ICS (I100)
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This course introduces students to the Incident Command System (ICS-100). The course also provides a basic introduction to wildland fire management (the S-110 wildland fire training course ) and a basic working knowledge of human performance concepts in dynamic and high risk environments (the L-180 wildland fire training course). This course meets the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 045 ICS for Single Resources (I200)
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- WFT 044 or ICS 100 certification from FEMA, NWCG or CSFM (CA State Fire Marshal)
This course is designed to teach students how to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS), and provides training and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS. The course focuses on the implementation of ICS and single resources. Topics include ICS fundamentals review, leadership and management, delegation of authority, management by objectives, ICS functional areas and positions, briefings, organizational flexibility, and transfer of command. This course meets the National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements.
WFT 046 Intermediate ICS (I300)
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 27 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- WFT 045
This course provides description and detail of the Incident Command System (ICS) organization and operations in supervisory roles on expanding or Type 3 incidents. Topics include ICS fundamentals review, incident/event assessment and agency guidance in establishing incident objectives, unified command, incident resource management, planning process, demobilization, transfer of command, and close out. Students are organized into teams for classroom exercises that replicate an incident operation. This course meets National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) requirements.
WFT 047 Advanced ICS (I400)
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- WFT 046
This course provides skills and resources required for advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS) organization and operations. This course expands on ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300 courses and is intended for command and general staff positions. Topics include ICS fundamentals review, major and/or complex incident/event management, area command, and multiagency coordination. Group exercises emphasize advanced ICS concepts. This course meets National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) requirements.
WFT 077 Wildland Fire Academy
- Units
- 16
- Hours
- 189 Lecture, 297 Lab
- Prerequisite
- FTEC 044
- Advisory
- WFT 101, WFT 102, WFT 103
This course is designed for students who want to gain certification as a wildland firefighter through the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG). This course provides training in hand crew formation, fireline construction, and the use of wildland fire equipment. Certification is included in Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (NWCG L-180), Firefighter Training (NWCG S-130), Firefighter Type 1 (NWCG S-131), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (NWCG S-190), Portable Pumps and Water Use (NWCG S-211), Firing Operations (NWCG S-219), Basic Air Operations (NWCG S-270), American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness (FRA) and Hazardous Material Operations (FRO), and California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Firefighter 1B eligible. Students learn about wildland fire crews (engine crews, hand crews, hotshot crews, helitak crews, and smokejumpers), wildland fire behavior, wildland firefighter personal protective equipment, wildland firefighter safety, helicopter safety, dozer safety, wildland fire pumps, and wildland fire tools and firing devices. This course includes arduous physical conditioning including hiking with up to 45 pounds of weight and other strenuous outdoor activities. The academy exceeds the United States Forest Service (USFS) minimum training requirements for an entry-level wildland firefighter for certification purposes.
WFT 078 Wildland Basic Fire Academy
- Units
- 9
- Hours
- 126 Lecture, 108 Lab
- Prerequisite
- FTEC 044
- Advisory
- WFT 101 or WFT 102 or WFT 103 or WFT 104 or WFT 105
This course is designed for students who want to gain basic certification as a wildland firefighter via the acquisition of certificates through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), California State Fire Marshal, and American Heart Association (AHA). This course provides training in hand crew formation, fireline construction, and the use of wildland fire equipment. Students are certified in Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (NWCG L-180), Firefighter Training (NWCG S-130), Firefighter Type 1 (NWCG S-131), Introduction to Wildfire Fire Behavior (NWCG S-190), AHA First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, and California Specialized Training Institute's (CSTI) Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness (FRA) and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations (FRO). Students learn about wildland fire crews (engine crews, hand crews, hotshot crews, helitak crews, and smokejumpers), wildland fire behavior, wildland firefighters' personal protective equipment, wildland firefighter safety, helicopter safety, dozer safety, wildland fire pumps, and wildland fire tools and firing devices. This course includes arduous physical conditioning, including hiking with up to 45 pounds of weight and other strenuous outdoor activities. The academy exceeds the United States Forest Service (USFS) minimum training requirements for an entry-level wildland firefighter for certification purposes.
WFT 101 Wildland Fire Behavior
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to perform mathematical operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages, and read college level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is part of a series of core courses required for the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand basic wildland fire behavior, wildland fire predictions, and wildland fire operation safety. Wildland fire environmental factors and the tools required to monitor weather and fire behavior are discussed as related to wildland fire predictions. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 102 Wildland Firefighter Safety and Survival
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand occupational safety and hazards associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on situational awareness, protective measures, accident avoidance procedures, and the risk management process. Students also review fire ground near misses, entrapments, and fatalities. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 103 Wildland Fire Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is one in a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science Degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand ground and air operations associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on incident command system use, strategy, tactics, hazards, resource typing, management, and safety procedures during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 104 Wildland Fire Investigation, Prevention, and Public Information
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information and skills necessary to understand the roles and functions of a public information officer (PIO, S-203), fire prevention education team member (PETM, P-101), and the wildland fire investigator (INVF, FI-110). Various wildland fire-associated class projects engage students' public speaking, report writing, and presentation skills. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 105 Wildland Fire Logistics, Finance, and Planning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand the responsibilities and functions of the logistics, finance, and planning sections. Emphasis is placed on how the different incident command system sections are organized and utilized during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.
WFT 290 Work Experience Education/Internship for Wildland Fire Technology-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of wildland fire technology and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.