Aims
Community College
Wildland Fire Program
Welcome
Thank you for considering the Aims Community College Wildland Fire Program. The Wildland Fire Program consists of a certificate program called Wildland Core Training and an A.A.S. Degree in Wildland Firefighting. The classes that make up the Wildland Core Certificate offer students basic training for wildland firefighting and will be offered in an academy format followed by a p o s s i b l e internship with a local agency during spring or summer semester. Please refer to the online schedule for the location and times of each class. Several classes for the certificate will have field days at off-site locations. All the courses for the program will be instructed by local wildland firefighters.
Wildland Core Training Certificate Wildland Fire Academy)
Course Number
Course Title Credits Semester Offered FSW 110 Wildland Basic Training
(Includes the following NWCG Certifications)
14 Fall & Spring S-190 Intro to Wildland Behavior
S-130 Firefighting Training S-131 Firefighter Type I I-100 Intro to ICS
L-180 Human Factors on the Fire Line S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use S-212 Wildfire Chain Saws
S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management S-270 Basic Air Operations
S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior I-200/IS-200/Q-436 Basic ICS
L-280 Followership/Leadership
Electives 7
FST 280 Internship .5 - 12 Spring & Summer GIS 101 Introduction to GIS 3 Varies
GIS 131 GPS for Global info systems 3 Varies GIS 209 ArcView spatial analyst 3 Varies
How to Get Started
1. Meet with a Fire Science Advisor (Located at PSI room 107) to discuss wildland firefighting and the requirements needed to apply for a volunteer or career firefighter position. A Fire Science advisor can also discuss the certificate and degree opportunities available through the college that can assist with you with accomplishing your goal of becoming a wildland firefighter.
2. Apply to Aims Community College. www.aims.edu
3. Complete the Accuplacer Assessment Test.
Do I have to take the Accuplacer placement test?
According to the Statewide Remedial Education Policy, all degree/certificate seeking students must assess in mathematics, English and reading. If you have completed one of the following, no additional assessment is required:
• Scored a 19 or higher on the ACT Mathematics section, an 18 or higher on the ACT English.
• Scored a 440 or higher on the SAT Verbal for English and a 460 or higher on the SAT Mathematics
• Scored 85 or higher on the Accuplacer Elementary Algebra test, a 95 or higher on the Accuplacer Sentence Skills test and an 80 or higher on the Reading
Comprehension Test.
• Successfully completed (C or higher/Satisfactory completion) a college-level mathematics and college level writing course
4. Register for the required classes and complete the items on the checklist at the end of this packet before the first day of class.
Contact Information
Garrett Timm
Coordinator, Fire Science Technology 970-339-6694
Important Reminders
1. There will be a Dress Code for all classroom days and field days, mandatory uniforms will be an Aims Wildland Long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt, Brown pants, black belt, and some type of hiking boot (duty boots or wildland boots). All uniforms are available at Aims Bookstore.
Gear will be required for the field days and internship. Instructors will go over the gear that will be required at the beginning of the program (Boots, gloves, ear & eye protection). Approximate cost of the gear is $150. Students are recommended to wait until the instructor reviews the required equipment before purchasing.
2. Students must bring a copy of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR
card or Red Cross equivalent card to the first day of class. Please contact the CPR Coordinator
regarding dates & times of CPR classes – 970-339-6685.
3. Students need to plan to stay later than the scheduled times on field days to assist with cleanup and work detail. Also, please plan to bring your lunch and plenty of water when the academy is scheduled for a field day.
4. Participation is required in performing skills that involve strenuous physical activity in order to successfully complete the Wildland Fire Program. All applicants enrolling in the Wildland Fire Program are encouraged to start a physical fitness routine involving aerobic and anaerobic exercises in preparation for the field training. Reference the WILDLAND Preparation Guide posted on the Aims Wildland Program tab for details on how to physically prepare for this program. A pack test will be administered at the beginning of the semester.
5. Students requesting accommodations must contact the Disability Access Center before the first day of class. For further information call 970-339-6388 or email at [email protected].
6. Attendance is required for all class sessions of the Academy unless extenuating circumstances arise and/or prior approval is arranged through the Academy Coordinator.
7. The academy has high academic standards. Students not meeting the standards set forth in the syllabus will be withdrawn from the class. In order to be successful in the Wildland Fire Program, the average student will need to spend 6-10 hours outside of the scheduled classroom hours practicing skills and preparing for the written exams.
8. Refunds will not be issued to students that withdraw from the Wildland Fire classes for failing to meet the academic requirements if the withdrawal is after the add/drop date (15% of the total class time).
Wildland Fire Academy Approximate Costs
Tuition Cost current as of: Fall 2014
Item In-District Cost* Out-of-District Cost** WUE*** Out-of-State Cost**** First Semester Tuition for FSW 110 (14 credits) $1,000 $1,600 $2,300 $6,000
Wildland Field gear $250 $250 $250 $250
Uniform $55 $55 $55 $55
Books $60 $60 $60 $60
Subtotal $1,365 $1,965 $2,665 $6,365
Internship
FST 280 (7 credits) $560 $830 $1,200 $3,000
Total Cost for First & Semester & Internship for Wildland Core Certificate
$1,925 $2,795 $3,865 $9,365
Cost to complete the remaining classes for the Wildland AAS Degree (39 Credits)
$3,000 $4,500 $6,600 $17,000
*In-District classification for tuition purposes is for students who have been Colorado residents for a minimum of one year and who live in the Aims tax district.
**Out-of-District classification for tuition purposes is for students who have been Colorado residents for a minimum of one year and who live outside the Aims tax district.
***WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange – Individuals living in certain western states may qualify for WUE tuition rates. Contact the registrar’s office for details (970-339-6404).
****Out-of-State classification for tuition purposes is for students who have not been Colorado residents for a minimum of one year.
Fire Academy Checklist
Register for the Academy before the first day of class. Registration information enclosed. CPR Certification before the first day of class. Bring a copy of the certification to the first day
of class. (Professional Level) Contact the CPR Coordinator at 970-339-6685 for class information.
Assessment Tests or the equivalent must be completed before registering. Please make arrangements with the assessment center at 970-339-6448.
Purchase uniforms indicated on the attached list before the first day of class. The uniforms are available at the Aims Bookstore – Call 970-339-6296 or 970-339-6576 for information on when the equipment will be available to purchase.
Appropriate dress for the first day of class includes: Aims Wildland Fire Academy long sleeve shirt Green or Brown wildland pants
