June 2,
2015—LUFKIN, Texas—Natural disasters are frequent in Texas. To collaboratively
meet the demands of responding to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and flood
events, all-hazard response incident management training is needed—training
that emergency responders will receive at the East Texas Interagency Wildfire
and Incident Management Academy.Approximately
195 local, state and federal emergency responders from seven states will
converge at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas to
learn about wildland firefighting, dozer operations, Incident Command System,
tactical decision-making and interagency business management.
“Interagency
training and the ability for multiple agencies to work together is a critical
component for effective emergency management,” Pete Goetzinger, regional fire
management officer for USDA Forest Service said.
The academy is
administered by Texas A&M Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and National Park Service as part of a multi-agency effort
that encourages interagency collaboration to effectively manage large-scale
disasters.
“Academy
students will receive tactical and classroom training on wildfire suppression
and emergency management using the Incident Command System, which can be
applied to all large-scale emergency events, such as the recent flooding and
tornado outbreaks in Texas,” TFS Incident Commander, Ray McDonald said.
The academy
curriculum is based on standardized national training developed by the National
Wildfire Coordinating Group consisting of the Incident Command System, wildland
firefighting and emergency operations training.
Training funds can
be reimbursed to the students and representative agencies through a grant program
administered by TFS.
Classes are
currently in session and continue through Friday, June 5 at Angelina College,
3500 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904.
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Editor’s note: Various courses have
designated field days during which students are working outside with equipment,
rather than in the classroom. Media interested in covering field exercises
should call one of the public information officers listed below to schedule a visit
and inquire about protective gear to wear in the field. Photos can be found on
our Flickr
album.
Media
involvement is encouraged for field day operations scheduled on the following
dates:
Thursday, June
4: Wildland fire chainsaw session off-site at the TFS office in Hudson, Texas
Friday, June 5:
Basic wildland firefighter training at Angelina
College.
Texas A&M Forest
Service Contacts:
Jan Amen,
Public Information Officer
936-546-1004, jamen@tfs.tamu.edu
Michael Tiller, Public
Information Officer
936-404-4783, mtiller@tfs.tamu.edu