Through its partners and its local units, GFC provides wildfire prevention tools, information and support. Specialized firefighter training services and resources are provided to city, county and other municipal fire departments and state agencies.

Wildland firefighters work in natural environments, such as forests, preventing and fighting fires, and performing rescue and aid services.

Wildland Firefighter Training is for:

  • Fire Department personnel – must be a Georgia Certified Firefighter, or for the volunteer firefighter, a minimum of Basic Firefighter Module One with live fire
  • State Agency personnel – must be affiliated with a NWCG member agency such as the GFC, or Federal wildland fire agencies through direct membership or agreement
  • Cooperator personnel – must be affiliated with GFC under their employer’s cooperative wildfire agreement
  • All students must be 18 years of age to participate in this training.

How Do I Receive Training

Wildland Firefighter Training is now available online through the NWCG website and through the FEMA Independent Study Program. This allows trainees to take the pre-work through distance learning, and then attend a two-day Field Exercise for final accreditation.

Certification for Wildland Firefighter Training is issued by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” for wildland fire certification in the state of Georgia, in the form of a training completion certificate. Red cards will not be issued for national qualifications, as this training provided by the GFC is for state qualification only.

Register for courses required for Firefighter Type 2 Qualification Requirements & Field Exercise

The Georgia Forestry Commission is the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” for wildland fire certification in the state of Georgia. Trainees completing all aspects of this course receive a training completion certificate. The Commission desires to provide high quality wildland fire training to our cooperators and partnered. Part of our strategies to meet this objective is to provide qualified instructors which will foster trainee participation. Experience in wildland fire training has shown that having one qualified instructor per 3-5 trainees is highly desirable, and ensures the trainees receive close and personal instruction, which allows for instructor and trainee interactions, more “hands on” practical instruction, and will enhance the overall training experience. The Georgia Forestry Commission ensures qualified instructors are available, and provides the funding at no cost to cooperators to deliver this valued training opportunity. This cost includes the GFC instructor’s salary and travel expenses during the time they are obligated for these training assignments.

Because of the commitment the Georgia Forestry Commission makes to provide instructors, it is inefficient and wastes valuable resources when registered trainees fail to attend the scheduled training sessions as scheduled, and in which they are registered for. For that reason, a fee may be required for each registered trainee that does NOT attend the entire training session. The amount of the training will be $50 per student/trainee. The Cooperator will not be billed/invoiced until the training is completed, and only for registered trainees that fail to attend the entire training session. In the event a registered student/trainee does not attend, the operator (individual, fire department, or other entity) will be invoiced by the Georgia Forestry Commission following our accounts payable processes for each registered student not in attendance.

Contact the Course Coordinator for the selected date if you have additional questions.

What to Wear for Field Exercise Training

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Trainees will not be able to participate in a field exercise without the REQUIRED Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Protective Footwear.

There are seven (7) basic items that every wildland firefighter trainee must possess when reporting to a hosted field exercise day.

  1. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Hardhat (not Fireman’s Helmet)
  2. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Goggles/Eye Protection
  3. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Fire Shirt
  4. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Leather Fire Gloves
  5. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Fire Shelter
  6. NFPA 1977 SPEC. Fire Pants or NFPA 1977 SPEC. Yellow “Overpant” or Jean or “BDU” Style (big enough to be used as an “overpant”).
  7. Fireline Boots – must meet at least all of the following requirements:
    • Eight-inch minimum boot height
    • All leather uppers (No synthetic collars or panels)
    • Lace-up (no zippers)
    • Defined heel
    • Oil resistant soles
    • Rating of Good or Better on sole heat resistance
    • Non-slip sole – NO steel toe

Any other items such as gear packs, radio packs, etc. are entirely optional and not required.

Course Descriptions

The pre-work consists of on-line training that is to be completed by each individual prior to attending the 2-day field day. The pre-work is completed through the GFC’s online learning portal, with links to the NWCG and FEMA learning portals. You MUST bring your certificates on the morning of the first of class. Failure to have your certificates on hand will result in you not being able to participate in the classroom or field day exercises. The required courses and links are as follows:

S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

This course, developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), provides instruction in the primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. S-190 is typically taught in conjunction with or prior to Firefighter Training, S-130. The material is broken into three online modules (1 to 3 hours each).

S-130 Firefighter Training

This course, developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), addresses the foundational skills universal to all wildland firefighters. The material is broken into twelve on-line modules (1 to 3 hours each) and a mandatory, instructor-led field day exercise. Each online module explains the concepts and skills that will be performed and evaluated on the field day exercise. Module twelve contains optional knowledge areas (pump operations, map and compass, fire investigation and cultural resources) that are very useful concepts but not required due to time constraints.

L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service:

The L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, the online course exposes students to human performance concepts as part of basic wildland firefighter training.

I-110c: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS

ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

I-700.B: An Introduction to the National Management System

This course provides an overview of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community – all levels of government, non-governmental organizations (NGO, and the private sector – work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.

Each course will provide you with more details pertaining to the course and receiving the certificate of completion.