Entry Level Firefighter Training Builds Strong Foundation
Incident: Az Wildfire and Incident Mg MT Academy Wildfire
Released: 3/12/2012
The S-130/190 Basic Firefighter Training class is the foundation on which all wildland firefighters build as they progress through their careers. This year there are 84 students in four classes. Chief Chris Jessop, Randy Chevalier and Dennis Stern have taught this introductory course for the past five years. Chris and Randy work for Showlow Fire and Dennis is with Lakeside Fire Department. Chief Jessop is excited to work with all these budding firefighters. "This is an eager group, they are quick to absorb the material...like sponges."
This class brings together a diverse population of students. Mary Dalton is the Assistant Chief for the Central Yavapai Fire District, and is enjoying the instruction."S-130/190 are the building blocks of a wildland firefighting career." Ben Johns is another student taking the entry level class. Ben hopes to work for the Forest Service someday and is excited to learn and get certified so he can pay his way through college.
