by Wayne Wynick, Assistant District Forester, Moshannon State Forest District

2008 marks a milestone in a unique training program preparing Pennsylvania Wildland Firefighters for assignment to out-of-state wildfires. Twenty five years ago, 60 adventurous trainees arrived at Denton Hill State Park, Potter County, to learn what it takes to go to other locations and deal with the types of wildfires that exist there.

Prior to 1983, our focus was to deal with our own fires in Pennsylvania and not be too concerned with what happened “out West.” The increasing demand for trained firefighters to respond to wildfires in other parts of the country changed that view. A decision was made by state Bureau of Forestry to provide the type quality firefighter that was being requested.

These 60 volunteers were our beginning.

One has only to watch the evening news to realize other parts of our country have wildfires on an entirely different scale than found in Pennsylvania. Different fuel types, weather conditions and terrain “out there” allow fires to grow into community-threatening monsters that require great effort to control. Most recently, there have been destructive ones seen in Florida.

The recognition of the need for advanced training for our firefighters to participate in these “fire wars” led to the establishment of a program revolving around a camp experience similar to what they would deal with on one of these out-of-state assignments.

Over the years a detailed regimen of training evolved: firefighters arrive at the training site; sign in; receive instructions for the upcoming weekend; attend classes in pump or chain saw operation, wildfire behavior, or, perhaps, duties of specific positions such as Squad Boss or Crew Boss.

First-time trainees are required to take a basic course orienting them to conditions they will find on their assignments, as well as how to function as a crew member under the Incident Command System—determining just how each wildfire is fought.

Each firefighter functions as a part of a “crew” for the duration of the weekend, just as if they were on a large fire out West. They sleep in tents, march as a group to classes and meals, and carry bag-lunches to their field training. This intensive training produces firefighters that have been well-received on assignments throughout the country.

Over the years Pennsylvania has provided both crews and “single resources” to wildfires in every state west of the Mississippi and a number of states in the East. The bulk of these assignments have involved firefighters traveling as part of a 20-person crew.

While there is a waiting list of volunteers to go to Hawaii on an assignment, so far no one has lucked out on that one. We did have a few folks travel to Alaska to assist on wildfires in that remote state.

The “single resources” that are provided come from a growing list of firefighters who have qualified for specialty positions within the Incident Command System. These all require additional training as well as a certain number of out-of-state assignments before becoming qualified.

Almost everyone must have come up through crew assignments in order to reach supervisory positions that include: Strike Team Leader, Division Supervisor, Crew Representative, Receiving & Distribution Unit Leader, Planning Section Chief, Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, Helibase Manager and a number of others.

These people receive an individual assignment and report to an incident to provide expertise in their specific area.

Pennsylvania firefighters are respected for their abilities wherever they are assigned. Over the years, we have seen our people regularly receive high reviews for their training, attitude and knowledge.

We have seen our crews specifically requested for line assignments once the Operations staff realizes they have arrived in a camp. This is a high compliment for a firefighter to receive. Our continuing training is designed to maintain these high standards and everyone who goes out on an assignment is evaluated and, if necessary, given suggestions for improvement.

This pool of highly qualified people was the foundation for establishment of three Type 3 Incident Management Teams in 2006. Self-sufficient incident management teams with key Incident Command System positions already filled, when they arrive on an incident they are prepared to manage it in a very short period of time.

Deployments have been primarily for wildfires, but one team operated on a search during November of 2007. The Specialized Crew training and many out-of-state assignments provided the experience that these teams rely upon when the need arises.

For 2008, over 300 staff and trainees will gather at Camp Karoondinha, Boy Scouts of America, near Glen Iron, Union County. Early arrivals report Thursday, May 29, for some of the longer classes. The remainder will be in place by Friday evening.

As in the past, training is designed to introduce new firefighters to the program and provide advanced training for those needing to polish their abilities. Training includes classroom work as well as hands-on instruction permitting students to apply their new skills.

All will be provided as if the students were assigned to an actual wildfire. Staffing will include an Incident Commander, as well as a full compliment of necessary positions dictated by the Incident Command System.

By late Sunday morning, June 1, the tired, but well trained, firefighters will be released to return home in anticipation of call-outs for crews to travel West for “the big one” later this summer.

Anyone interested in the Specialized Crew Training Program is encouraged to contact the nearest Forest District Office for additional information. For telephone numbers, visit the Forest Fire Protection webpage.

5/23/2008