PTA hosted a five-day combined agency wildland fire training seminar in preparation for upcoming dry season on Hawaiʻi Island. Combined training prepares federal and county agencies for future wildland fires.
Nearly 50 students from the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, Hawaiʻi State Crash Unit, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and PTA converged at PTA for classroom work and instruction followed by hands-on training for newer recruits and seasoned first responders.
The first responders participated in two days of Basic Wildland Firefighters class, one day of Advanced Wildland Firefighter Class and two days of rugged hands on skills utilizing trucks, varied water sources and different chainsaws.
The Hawaiʻi Fire Department’s 50th and 51st Recruit Classes attended interagency seminars. This represent the first time that recruit classes gained a National Wildland Coordination Group or NWCG training and certifications. The training syllabus and agenda received high praise from unit leadership representing all the students, and as a result, future recruit classes will be able to attend the same training course. Instructors from HFD and PTA also gained unique experience by teaching the NWCG curriculum.
Photo credit: PTA
