AEDC Natural Resource Managers and partnering agency take part in wildland fire training

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  AEDC natural resource managers and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, which provides support to Arnold AFB, participated in a Basic Wildland Firefighting training course at the University of the South in Sewanee.

Represented at the course held Jan. 4-8 were the AEDC Civil Engineering Branch, AEDC contractors for Facility Support Services and TWRA.

Troy Morris, AEDC Natural & Cultural Resources Planner, said AEDC prescribed fire staff appreciates the opportunity to take part in the training hosted by the Environmental Stewardship at University of the South.

"The course is meant to prepare students for careers in forestry and wildland fire management, and it meets National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) certification guidelines for wildland firefighters," he said.

During the course, participants learn about fuels, weather and topography on fire behavior. It also introduces tools and techniques for safely lighting and fighting fires. Other exercises include practicing using fire shelters and personal protective equipment as well as learning about the incident command system or how to respond to planned and unplanned fire events. 

AEDC Natural Resource Manager Shannon Allen stated the hands-on activities and training provided skills that will be beneficial to the base.

"The U.S. Forest Service is the premiere wildland fire agency, so receiving the course from them ensures that AEDC will have high-quality, prescribed fire experts," she said.

The weeklong course was instructed by members of the USFS from Cherokee National Forest and was coordinated by the Air Force Wildland Fire Center. It was set up in part by Kevin Hiers, director of Environmental Stewardship at the University of the South who formerly served as acting chief of the AFWFC at Eglin AFB.

"It's the connection between the AFWFC and the university that made this training possible for the natural resource managers at Arnold AFB," Morris said.

Hiers added the University of the South and AEDC has a long history of collaborating when it comes to topics of natural resources and fire protection.

"As a prior chief of the AFWFC, I'm familiar with Arnold's wildland fire program," he said. "Troy Morris and I began looking for ways to deepen the connection between the two programs and we thought collaborating on required basic wildland fire training was a natural fit."

"We are already looking forward to additional follow-up opportunities to add training in prescribed fire, which is a critical management tool for both Sewanee and AEDC."
This most recent wildland fire training marks the second year the class has been taught at Sewanee.

-AEDC-