AVC Wildland Fire Program
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Announcement:  New Schedule 

  • Antelope Valley College Wildland Academy has changed their schedule: 
  • New schedule: Spring semester 2025 - Monday / Wednesday 9-hour days  

What is Wildland Fire Academy?

The Wildland Fire Academy is designed to prepare applicants to operate safely and adapt quickly as entry level wildland fire fighters. It is imperative that applicants arrive prepared to be challenged both mentally and physically. The academy cadre utilize real world physical training as well as classroom instruction to achieve certification through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and specialized training through many of our Subject Matter Experts (SME). Certificates and training that will be received during the academy are (but not limited to):

  • Basic Wildland Fire Orientation (S-110)
  • Basic Wildland Fire Training (S-130)
  •  Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)
  •  Followership to Leadership L-280
  • CPR/AED & First Aid
  • Basic ICS for Initial Response (FEMA IS-200
  • Portable pumps (S-211)
  • An Introduction to the NIMS (FEMA IS-700)
  • Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Awareness
  • Introduction to the ICS (FEMA IS-100)
 

Top performing students may be given the opportunity to join the Antelope Valley College, Type-II Wildland Fire Hand Crew sponsored by the Inyo National Forest.  
Aspiring wildland fire protection professionals with interest in the outdoors and intense physical activity should consider pursuing an associate of science degree in Wildland Fire with Antelope Valley College. This degree can prepare the student for a multitude of career paths such as...
Wildland Firefighter Smokejumper Helitack Firefighter... and more! We have Alumni currently working nationwide with private, local, state and federal fire agencies such as the US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management, (BLM), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), City of Los Angeles Fire Department and Grayback Forestry.

For more information contact: lori.gilroy@avc.edu

 

 

Class Descriptions

FTW 121 *WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER 4 units 5 hours weekly [3.5 lecture, 1.5 lab]

Prepares the student for entry level employment on a wildland fire crew. Meets the basic training requirements for the U.S. Forest Service firefighter qualification system, through National Wildfire re Coordinating Group (NWCG) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) basic firefighter training courses. These NWCG courses include S-130, S-180, L-180, FEMA IS100.b and IS-700.a. This course is intended for students who wish to pursue a career with a wildland fire suppression agency or for a specialty with a municipal fire control agency. (CSU, AVC) (R unlimited*) * Course repeatability allowed for mandated training as stated in Title 5, Sections 55763(c) and 58161(c).

FTW 224 *WILDLAND FIRE CONTROL 3 units 3 hours weekly Corequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in FTW 121.

This course provides the student with the skills and knowledge to size up a wildland/urban interface fire incident, evaluate the potential situation, order and deploy the necessary resources, and apply safe and effective strategy and tactics to minimize the threat to life and loss of property. (AVC)

FTW 221 *WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY AND SURVIVAL 3 units 3 hours weekly

This course is intended for students who are planning to pursue a career with a wildland fire. The course places emphasis on avoiding situations and conditions which have resulted in fire shelter deployments, injuries, fatalities for wildland firefighters and the methods to avoid this type of situation and to survive should they become entrapped. (CSU, AVC)

FTW 124 *WILDFIRE CHAIN SAWS 1.5 units 2 hours weekly [1.25 hours lecture. .75 lab] Limitation on enrollment:

The course requires arduous physical exertion, lifting of 40 lbs or more pounds, and walk in irregular terrain. Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in FTW 121. Provides the knowledge needed to become a wildfire power saw operator. Covers safety considerations, techniques of saw operation, maintenance and repairs. Wildfire power saws (S-212) is identified training in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Suppression Curriculum. Intended for students to pursue a career with a wildland fire management agency or for a specialty with a municipal fire control agency. (CSU, AVC)

FTEC 285 NWCG WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY 11 units 18 hours weekly, 8.5 weekly hours lecture,9.5 weekly hours lab Limitation on Enrollment:   Contact lori.gilroy@avc.edu      ( FTW 285 course ID will be updated 2025)


Requires passing a physical, arduous physical exertion, lifting of 40 lbs or more pounds, walk in irregular terrain, and pass the Work Capacity Test, Arduous level (WCT/Pack Test). The Wildland Firefighter Academy is designed to give students the basic necessary skills and knowledge in Wildland Firefighting to obtain an entry-level temporary position as a wildland firefighter. Emphasis is placed on the field use of tools and equipment, physical training, leadership, as well as classroom academics. Upon completion of this course a certificate will be awarded by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). (CSU, AVC) course IS NOT intended to cover the Basic Wildland Firefighter skills training. (CSU, AVC)

FTW 122 *WILDLAND PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION 3 units 3 hours weekly

Presents information necessary to understand roles and functions of the Wildland Fire Information Officer, Wildland Fire Prevention Officer, and Wildland Fire Investigation Officer. Meets the basic training requirements for the U.S. Forest Service firefighter qualification system, through National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These NWCG courses include S-203, FI-110, and P-101. Intended for students to pursue a career with a wildland fire protection agency. (CSU, AVC)

FTW 123 *WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONS 3 units 3 hours weekly

Presents the command structure and operational process for ground and air operations in control of wildland fires. Introduces the fire suppression oriented student to the needs and timing for logistical, finance and planning assistance on wildland fires. Intended for students to pursue a career with a wildland fire suppression agency or for a specialty within a municipal fi re control agency. (CSU, AVC)

FTW 224 *WILDLAND FIRE CONTROL 3 units 3 hours weekly Corequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in FTW 121.

This course provides the student with the skills and knowledge to size up a wildland/urban interface fire incident, evaluate the potential situation, order and deploy the necessary resources, and apply safe and effective strategy and tactics to minimize the threat to life and loss of property. (AVC)

FTW 222 *WILDLAND FIRE BEHAVIOR 3 units 3 hours weekly Corequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in FTW 121.

This course is intended for students that have completed a basic wildland firefighter training course and desires a greater understanding of wildland fi re behavior. This provides information necessary for a greater understanding of wildland fire behavior and fire behavior calculations. The effects of fuels, topography, and weather are discussed. Curricula is based off of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-290. Intended for students to pursue a career with a wildland fire suppression agency or for a specialty within a municipal fire control agency. (C-ID: FIRE 241 X) (CSU, AVC)

FTW 223 *WILDLAND ENGINE FIREFIGHTER 4 units 5 hours weekly Corequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in FTW 121.

****If you attend the Wildland Fire Academy FTEC 285 - Having trouble enrolling please contact lori.gilroy@avc.edu 

This course prepares the student for employment on a wildland fire engine. Includes engine operations, hose lays, and related skills. Intended for students to pursue a career with a wildland fire management agency or for a specialty with a municipal fire control agency. This course IS NOT intended to cover the Basic Wildland Firefighter skills training. (CSU, AVC)

Presentation Presentation

Wildland Firefighting

Prepare for Summer 2025

Presentation
How do I get into the academy?

  

Wildland Firefighter Academy Dates: February 3, 2025 - May 29, 2025

Antelope Valley College Lancaster Campus • DL 110
 

To be a candidate, you must be a high school graduate or have a GED, and you must be 18 years old before Feb 3, 2025.  To attend the Wildland Firefighter Academy, complete the steps below:

Step 1 - Watch Information Presentation - Presentation

Step 2 - Complete interest form -   Interest form

Step 3 - Instructor will send - via email - application and Physical form

Step 4 - Complete application - Submit hard copy to Lori Gilroy 

Step 5 - Complete Physical - Submit hard copy to Lori Gilroy 

Step 6 - Attend information meeting: Discovery Lab  DL-110

September 20, 2025 @ 4:00 pm

October 18, 2025 @ 4:00 pm

November 20, 2025 @ 2:30 pm

You must attend at least 1 information meeting.

 

Updates regarding this will be posted to this page.


What are possible jobs in this field?

The fire technology field offers you many employment options, including a job as a forestry technician, wildland firefighter, hot shot crew member, helitack crew member, fire prevention technician, industrial fire brigade, health and safety inspector or Type II hand crew member.