The Delaware Forest Service is gearing up for its annual wildfire training program in 2025, offering Delaware residents the opportunity to join the Delaware Wildland Fire crew and travel on fire assignments across the country. Participants are required to attend an initial, no-cost training, which includes three prerequisite online courses followed by in-person classes held over two weekends in January and February. The training culminates in a field day at Blackbird State Forest in late March or early April, where participants also take a physical fitness test.
According to Sam Topper, Wildland Fire Supervisor for the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the program not only prepares individuals to fight forest fires but also allows them to travel and experience different fuel types, forests, and states across the country. Unlike firefighters in western regions who are committed to a specific forest or region, Delaware crew members have the opportunity to work in various locations nationwide.
In recent years, the Delaware Wildland Fire crew has traveled to Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, and spent an entire summer fighting a fire at Yosemite National Park in 2023. Registration for the 2025 training program is open until January 13, offering a unique opportunity for Delawareans to get involved in wildfire response efforts and gain valuable experience in the field.
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Photo credit www.delawarepublic.org
