Created in 1998 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Southwest Fire Use Training Academy is a national interagency fuels program that uniquely blends classroom and field experience on forests and rangelands throughout the United States.
MISSON STATEMENT
The mission of the Southwest Fire Use Training Academy is to maintain an interagency center of excellence for leadership in wildland fire use and prescribed fire, emphasizing training based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) "Wildland Training and Prescribed Fire Qualifications System, (PMS 310-1), January 2000" and experience based on an immediate connection with the classroom. FUTA exposes trainees to the full spectrum of interagency programs and fuel types, honing their skills and experience in a focused, accelerated course to prepare them for leadership in future fuels programs.
SW-FUTA SYMBOL
The Bear Paw has been selected as the symbol for the Southwest Fire Use Training Academy. Representing power and leadership, this is a sign of fearlessness and healing. With this training, you are moving further into a position of leadership. Fearlessness of fire is a necessity; fear leads to panic and an unwise decision process. Our goal is respect for fire and the power it has. Healing the land with prescribed fire is our mission. The sign of lightning within the Bear Paw is a sign of natural ignition and the new acceptance of managing naturally ignited fires.FUTA is accepting applications for the Fall Session, which runs from Sunday, October 3, through Thursday, November 20.
MORE INFORMATION
The Southwest Fire Use Training Academy (FUTA) program uniquely blends classroom and field experience on forests and rangelands throughout the United States. During the 7-week Academy several courses within the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's prescribed fire curriculum are offered including; RX310- Introduction to Fire Effects and RX300- Prescribed Fire Burn Boss. Knowledge and skills acquired from formal training are immediately applied in the field where students have the opportunity to develop their skills and experience in prescribed fire implementation, prescribed fire burn plan development, and fuels monitoring. The Academy's focus is developing wise fire use practitioners by exposing the student, at an accelerated level, to different interagency prescribed fire programs and fuel types.
CURRICULUM
Individualized development plans are created for each student and dictate the type of training offered each session. Each student experiences about a "50/50" split between practical experience and classroom training.
Core curricula offered include the following NWCG courses: S-244, Field Observer (Spring Academy)," RX-300, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, and RX-310, Introduction to Fire Effects. See the "Training" link on the home page for core curriculum offered during the Academy.
Supplemental workshops are offered to develop leadership skills in prescribed fire operations and knowledge in fuels management includes: TDGS/STEX - Tactical Decision Games, BEHAVE Plus workshop, and the Upper Frijoles Staff Walk. Several two-day workshops may be offered including: Introduction to NEPA , 40 Fuel Models, and/or the Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Reference Guide.
PROJECTS
The purpose of FUTA is to provide land management agencies the opportunity to develop and enhance employee skills in the implementation of fuels treatment projects on a landscape scale.
Training is accomplished by providing participants with an intensive core curriculum of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Use courses along with an informal curriculum to acquire both computer and practical skills. Integrated throughout this course work are field assignments to improve acquired skills. Trainees are also required to assist on numerous prescribed burns to complete tasks leading to prescribed fire qualifications, assist in the development of prescribed fire burn plans, and complete fuels monitoring.
The success of this interagency training effort is enhanced by providing students the opportunity to plan, prepare, and implement prescribed fire in a variety of fuel types under different environmental conditions and complexities. Agencies throughout the United States can assist by providing opportunities for FUTA modules to complete all phases of prescribed fire management.
FUTA participants are being funded through a variety of interagency sources. FUTA modules and/or individual participants are available to assist with all base salary, overtime, and travel costs covered by the Academy. Those candidates not in a targeted training position on your project can function in other areas to assist with completion of the project. FUTA modules are fully equipped with vehicles and equipment to complete assigned projects. A variety of specialized equipment can be provided by modules coming to your project. Modules are led by field coordinators who handle logistics for the participants.
The continued success of this program depends on projects from the Southwest and throughout the United States. If your unit is interested in receiving additional support for a prescribed burn project, or need assistance in developing a burn plan, or fuels monitoring and can provide training opportunities for Academy participants, please go to the "Forms" link on the Home page. There is no deadline for submission of your request for FUTA modules.
LOGISTICS
Considerable travel time is expected for participants in the Academy, with different facilities and locations used for training and prescribed fire projects. The Training Academy is headquartered at the Columbia Building, in Albuquerque, NM, where each session begins and ends. When not implementing projects on weekends, trainees have some flexibility for travel.
Students are led by a Field Coordinator during the field portion of the Academy. Modules will vary in size based on training needs of students. The Prescribed Fire Operations Specialist is responsible for scheduling field assignments. The Lead Coordinator is responsible for overall program management of the Academy.
WHEN
The fall Academy is generally held from late September through mid November. The spring Academy is held from late February through mid April.
SPONSORS
Sponsors include US Forest Service; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Bureau of Land Management; the National Park Service; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Southwestern Region of the Forest Service hosts the Academy.
INTERESTED IN APPLYING?
Qualification standards for FUTA: Single Resource Boss and Completion of "S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations."
Check out the Southwest Course Schedule
Fill out the Student Application Form (download available below)
INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE
- Student Application
- Red Card
- Fitness Certification
FUTA Logistics can be found on the Southwest Logistics page.
INTERESTED IN APPLYING AS A FIELD COORDINATOR?
- Qualification standards for Field Coordinator: graduate of the FUTA program and qualified as a Firing Boss (FIRB).
- Field Coordinator Form (download available below)
MAIL/FAX COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO :
Travis Dotson
Southwest Fire Use Training Academy
2205 Columbia, SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Fax: (505)-842-3130
FIELD PROJECT PROPOSALS
Do you have proposals for field projects that could use FUTA assistance? The success of this interagency training effort is enhanced by providing students the opportunity to plan, prepare, and implement prescribed fire in a variety of fuel types throughout the United States. The Academy provides transportation and some equipment to complete projects. Use the Project Request Form and e-mail or fax field project requests to:
Travis Dotson, Lead Coordinator
Southwest Fire Use Training Academy
2205 Columbia, SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
O: (505)-842-3455
C: (505)-228-8298
F: (505)-842-3130
