FIRE 249 Wildland Firefighting

• FIRE 249: Wildland Firefighting is offered every Winter quarter at EvCC and is a rigorous, engaging, intensive but compact course. No prerequisites are required to take this course.
• This 2.5-elective credit course can be taken alone or applied toward requirements for the Fire Science AAS-T degree or the AAS-DTA general degree.
• Students who successfully complete the course obtain a National Wildfire Coordinating Group certificate, which allows the student 2 years to work as a wildland firefighter and requires annual recertification while working. This certificate meets requirements for:
  • The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
  • NFPA 1051 standards
  • USDA and US Forest Service S130/S190 national standards
  • Those already affiliated with a fire department are also issued Red Card certification.

Submit your applications early—in Fall or early Winter, even before you complete this certification course. Deployments for Wildland Firefighting are usually 3–6 months in length and there is often overtime available. Newly certified wildland firefighters will need to commit for the full season (May through September or October) for the more competitive regions such as the Northwest where Everett is located or Puget Sound where Seattle is located, but shorter commitments (~3 months in the summer) may be available at more remote or less competitive areas. This is a fantastic way to gain experience, enjoy the outdoors and maybe some travel, and to make some money. Here is a starting list of agencies at which to seek wildland firefighting jobs:

• Washington State Department of Natural Resources
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Idaho Department of Lands
• Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
• US Forest Service
• Department of the Interior, including:
  — Bureau of Land Management
  — Indian Affairs Division of Willand Fire Management
  — National Park Service
  — US Fish & Wildlife

• Course dates Winter Quarter 2026 (hybrid course format):
  • Mon Jan 5: Course website opens, assignments begin including online Step 1 FEMA registration assignment
  • Fri Jan 9, 6:00pm–10:00pm: Online livestreamed lecture Introduction Orientation, Expectations
  • Fri Jan 23, 6:00pm–10:00pm: Online livestreamed lecture Techniques, Procedures, Preparation for Live Fire Lab/Drill
  • Fri Feb 6, 8:00am–6:00pm: Live Fire Lab/Drill at Snohomish County Fire District #26 in Gold Bar/Sky Valley, WA
  • Further scheduling and logistical details will be shared with course registrants after the course beings.
• Registration deadline: TBD but check this page - the instructor may also accept late registrations!
• No-show Policy: Students who have not participated in the online portion of the course by Wed Jan 7 will be dropped in order to allow students from the wait list to register.
• Cancellation/withdrawal deadline is adjusted for short course: Tue Jan 6 (for 100% refund)

• There are no prerequisites to this course and there is no additional application
• To register, you must be a current EvCC student and complete all enrollment steps; begin your enrollment online for free in only a few minutes: everettcc.edu/getstarted
• Drill/live fire labs are held at Sky Valley Fire Snohomish County Fire District #26, Gold Bar (Fire Station #54 - 42013 SR 2, Gold Bar WA, 98251)
• Tuition: 2.5 credits + related college fees and $100 lab fee
• This course is eligible for the EvCC Tuition Payment Plan, federal financial aid, and workforce funding
• Textbook/manual is online and equipment and facility rental will be provided to students during class and are included in lab fees

EvCC is dedicated to our students' success!
New to EvCC? First time in college or it's been awhile? Prepare yourself by connecting with our many support services!

• Food Pantry student food bank
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