May 8, 2017 Lufkin – Nearly 150 emergency responders will attend the 20th Annual East Texas Wildfire and Incident Management Academy this month to improve their knowledge and skills for combating wildfires and managing the complex, large scale disasters that often occur in Texas.
The East Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is held each year in Lufkin as a joint effort by emergency response agencies in the state of Texas to provide training to all levels of firefighters and incident managers. Courses are available to both paid and volunteer fire departments, as well as federal and state agencies, with an emphasis on entry level and intermediate training in wildfire suppression.
“The training academy offers National Wildfire Coordination Group courses designed to meet standards recognized in every state and by all local, state and federal wildfire agencies. It allows emergency responders to gain valuable knowledge of safe and effective wildland firefighting in and around our communities,” said Andy McCrady, a Public Information Officer with Texas A&M Forest Service. “This event also attracts incident management personal from around the state to learn how to better utilize the Incident Command System, which nearly all agencies use to manage large scale disasters and events.”
Currently, 141 students are set to attend one or more of the 17 classes, each ranging from one to five days. Students from six states, including Texas, will be able to learn from instructors from Texas A&M Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other state and local cooperators.
The tuition cost to attend the academy is $55 to $275 depending on the course. Grant reimbursement is available to qualifying volunteer fire departments through Texas A&M Forest Service. Applications for these grants must be received prior to the start of the academy, with payment made before attending classes.
The East Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy will take place May 16 – 25 at Angelina College in Lufkin. Students can check-in at room 107 of the Science and Math building. Meals and lodging are off campus and not included in the cost of academy courses.
For more information and to register, go to the Texas Interagency Coordination Center website at http://ticc.tamu.edu/Training/training.htm or contact the Academy Registrar at 979-458-7330.
