In early May, over a dozen agencies came together for a four-day, hands-on training designed to sharpen wildfire response and interagency coordination ahead of fire season.
Each day began with a command staff briefing outlining goals and objectives, followed by live-fire training exercises. Crews engaged in a variety of scenarios, including direct fire attack, hand crew operations, air-to-ground communication, and working alongside heavy equipment.
Firefighters had the opportunity to train in roles they don’t normally fill— whether it was driving engines, coordinating with helicopters, or stepping into leadership positions. This provided valuable experience for those preparing for promotional opportunities and allowed others to strengthen their skills in new or developing roles.
Heavy equipment operators focused on isolating spot fires and building containment lines. Engine companies practiced hose line work and aggressive fire attack. Hand crews simulated full incident response—from team assembly to tactical engagement.
This academy also emphasized preparation, operations, and post-incident reviews. After each day, crews participated in after-action reviews to reflect on what went well and identify areas for improvement.
A huge thanks to all the cooperating agencies who participated and made this training a success.