High School
Recommended classes for aspiring wildland firefighters include mathematics, physics, chemistry, and physical education classes. English and speech courses are also recommended because firefighters need to be able to communicate effectively with team members, write reports (if they are supervisors or managers), and educate the public about fire protection and careers in the field.
Postsecondary Education
You do not need a college degree to work as a wildland firefighter. Some people enter the field after receiving on-the-job training that educates them about fire behavior fundamentals, incident command, prevention and suppression techniques, the use of firefighting equipment and gear, safety issues, and other topics.
Some firefighters train for the field by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fire science or a specialized degree in wildland firefighting. Students in these programs take classes such as History and Ecology of Wildfires, Engine and Dozer Training, Wildfire Fitness Prep, Wildland Firefighting and Prevention Techniques, and Geographic Positioning Systems and Map Use. They also obtain hands-on experience fighting forest fires or conducting prescribed burns. The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress offers a list of accredited degree programs at its Web site, https://ifsac.org.
Some wildland firefighters train via informal or formal apprenticeship programs. They earn while they learn, and their pay gradually increases as they obtain more experience.
Certification
Certificate programs in fire science, wildland firefighting, and related fields are provided by colleges and universities, professional associations, and private organizations. For example, Lake Superior College in Minnesota offers a wildland firefighting certificate to students who complete the following classes: Fire Fighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Operations, Wildland Firefighting, Wildland Portable Pumps and Water Use, and Wildland Fire Chain Saws.
Earning a certificate is an excellent to “try out” an area of study without making a large financial investment that is required to earn a degree. Additionally, some wildland firefighters earn certificates in specialty areas to improve their knowledge base and skills—which makes them more attractive to employers.
Other Education or Training
Throughout their careers, wildland firefighters continue to learn about new tools and equipment, as well as evolving fire prevention and firefighting techniques. They obtain this training through their employers, technical colleges, private training providers, and professional associations.
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