Rio Hondo Wildland Academy

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Rio Hondo Community College currently offers three fire academies per calendar year in their aggressive Fire Technology program, including their Type-II Wildland Hand Crew Class. Through the Fire Technology program, students can receive certification through the California State Fire Marshal's Office in Fire Officer, Chief Officer and specialty courses. Rio Hondo also has a Fire Crew, formally known as "Crew 77", which deploys for 14-day rotations.

Rio Hondo Wildland Firefighter Training Academy students participated in a brush clearance in Duarte, California, this year two to three times a week throughout their course, assisting the city with "fuel" removal before wildfire season began.  In addition to helping with fire prevention, this exercise was also a part of the students' physical conditioning program.

"One of the foundations of our academy is our physical conditioning program," says retired Captain John Bennett with the Rio Hondo College Wildland Fire Academy. "The cadets are put through a very vigorous running, calisthenics, weight training-type program a couple days per week."

Getting students into shape for the half marathon that is held at the end of the semester, the Pride Run, is one of the goals of the Academy. Bennett explained that the Pride Run is a way of building discipline and teamwork, through the students' conditioning.

Cadet Mikael Gartner says, "The academy teaches leadership, integrity, attention to detail, being on time with certain assignments and tasks, and working as a team. There are multiple facets that the academy provides and teaches us."

Not only do students have to maintain their physical conditioning in this program, but they must also succeed at their academic requirements. According to retired Captain John Bennett, some of their classes include Fire Behavior, Aviation Safety and Human Dynamics, all of which they are tested upon and go towards college credit. Students are also required to complete a book report and term paper at the end of the semester.

Students are trained according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Standards, according to Cadet Gartner. "We are given the information and then we come to the field and apply it in real scenarios."

Bennett remarked that over 150 graduates have received jobs with various agencies and many students use the Rio Hondo Wildland Firefighter Training Academy as a "giant springboard to move on with their firefighter career." For example, Cadet Mikael Gartner assisted in Haiti after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake. He claimed that he would definitely like to become a firefighter, probably within an Urban Search and Rescue Division.

Cadet Zabi Polard also wants to be in the fire service and claims he really enjoys the wildland training he receives within the Academy. "Some of them get bit by the wildland bug and want to do this more than cities because many city fire departments, about 85% of their calls are medical," said Bennett.

Of the 67 students who started the class, 42 graduated from the academy and all graduates received jobs for the 2010 wildland fire season. Most of them are Roadrunners, which are seasonal wildland firefighters in the Angeles National Forest; however, some students have gone on to positions in other counties, or with a hotshot crew.

For more information about about the Rio Hondo Wildland Firefighter Training Academy visit www.FireCrew77.com.

Contributors to this story:
Barbara Brooks - Reporter
Ann Zevely - Camera/Editor
Renee Marquart - Text



Author:Barbara Brooks - Video, Renée Marquart - Text