Southwest Fire Use Training Academy (FUTA) Welcome Page for FUTA
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The Southwest Fire Use Training Academy (FUTA) is an interagency fuels program that 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.