2027 Course Descriptions

This introductory course is designed to train entry-level firefighters. The student will gain an understanding of the basic incident management organization, firefighting techniques, suppression equipment, safety, strategy/tactics, along with basic fire behavior. Field exercises will be performed for valuable hands-on training. This course is designed for entry-level firefighters.

Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory completion of L-180

This course is designed to be interactive in nature. It contains several tactical decision games designed to facilitate learning the objectives and class discussion. Topics include fireline reference materials, communications, and tactical decision-making.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).

This course is designed to meet the training needs of the incident commander type 4 (ICT4). It is presented in a discussion/exercise format. The six instructional units include Foundation Skills; Intelligence Gathering and Documentation; Size Up the Incident; Develop a Plan of Action; Post-fire Activities; Evaluating Incident Objectives and Manage the Incident. Evaluation of the student is by unit tests and performance based evaluations.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as any single resource boss; satisfactory completion of pre-course work.

This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills to design, setup, operate, troubleshoot, and shut down portable water delivery systems. The focus is on portable pumps – it does not address water delivery for engines. Topics covered include: portable water delivery systems; equipment; roles and responsibilities; and system design and hydraulics. There is also a field exercise where students will apply what they learned in the classroom.

Prerequisite(s): None

This is an instructor-led course intended to be presented at the local level. Instructional units include firefighter safety in the interface, managing human factors in the interface, pre-incident planning, size-up and initial strategy, structure triage, structure protection overview, tactics in the interface, tactical operations and resource use in the interface, action assessment, plan update, and after action review.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).

Wildland Fire Agencies: Required for Initial Attack Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) and Strike Team Leader (tractor/plow, dozer, engine, or crew)

Structural Fire Departments: Engine operators, chief officers, and company officers responsible for structure protection in suburban/urban interface areas that may be threatened by wildland fire.

The course introduces the roles and responsibilities of a Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), and outlines duties of other personnel who may engage in firing operations. The course discusses and illustrates common firing devices and techniques. Although comprehensive in nature, the course work is not a substitute for the dynamic fire environment. The course provides students with important information regarding general tasks required to be successful. Any opportunity to show students a real ignition or demonstrate the use of an actual firing device will assist in transferring these new concepts and skills to the job. There is an optional field day outlined in the course, it is the discretion of the delivery unit to include the field day; however, if logistically feasible it is suggested by NWCG that a field day be conducted.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as a Firefighter Type II (FFT2).

This is a classroom course designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of duties associated with the single resource boss position from initial dispatch through demobilization to the home unit. Topics include operational leadership, preparation and mobilization, assignment preparation, risk management, entrapment avoidance, safety and tactics, offline duties, demobilization, and post incident responsibilities.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); successful completion of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S- 290); satisfactory completion of pre-course work.

This is a skill course designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of the duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB). Topics include: engine and crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire size-up considerations, tactics, and wildland/urban interface.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); satisfactory completion of Crew Boss (Single Resource) (S-230).

This is a skill course designed to meet the training needs of a Heavy Equipment Boss, Single Resource (HEQB) on an incident as outlined in the NIMS: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, and the position task book developed for the position. Primary considerations are tactical use and safety precautions required to establish and maintain an effective dozer operation. A field exercise is required as part of the course.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); satisfactory completion of pre-course work.

This course covers aircraft types and capabilities, aviation management and safety for flying in and working with agency aircraft, tactical and logistical uses of aircraft, and requirements for helicopter take-off and landing areas. Note: The regulations, procedures and policies addressed in this course are primarily those governing federal agency and ICS operations. State, county, or other political subdivisions using this course will need to consult their agency having jurisdiction with respect to regulations, procedures and policies.

Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory completion of pre-course work.

This is a classroom-based skills course designed to prepare the prospective fireline supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations. It is the second course in a series that collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills. 

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior; satisfactory completion of pre-selection assessment and pre-course work.

This training course is designed as a self-assessment opportunity for individuals preparing to step into a leadership role. The course combines one day of classroom instruction followed by a second day in the field with students working through a series of problem solving events in small teams (Field Leadership Assessment Course). Topics include leadership values and principles, transition challenges for new leaders, situational leadership, team cohesion factors, ethical decision-making, and after action review techniques. Some course delivery may be arduous in nature.

Prerequisite(s): Experience on incident assignments in operations or support functions; successful completion of L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service; satisfactory completion of pre-course work.

This course is designed to meet the training requirements outlined in NIMS: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1 and the position task books developed for the positions of Task Force Leader and Strike Team Leader. Most examples and exercises in this package are specific to wildland fire suppression, although some all-hazards exercises are included.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as any single resource boss; satisfactory completion of pre-selection assessment and pre-course work.

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and communicate the relationships between basic fire regimes and fire effects, the effects of fire treatments on fire effects, and to manipulate fire treatments to achieve desired fire effects. In an effort to maintain the currency and relevancy of the course materials for RX-310, Introduction to Fire Effects the instructional design has been modified to allow instructors to develop materials based on current information, changing technologies, and the needs of the students.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); successful completion of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S- 290); Working knowledge of fire behavior; understanding of basic ecological principles; satisfactory completion of pre-course work. 

This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and maintain a wildland fire engine during pre-suppression, suppression, and post fire operations.  This course has field exercises where students will apply hands on for mechanical, pumping, and operating wildland engines.

Prerequisite(s): None

This course provides students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to safely operate heavy equipment during wildfire assignments in Texas. Topics include equipment inspection and maintenance, operator safety, transportation and mobilization, communication and hand signals, fire behavior considerations, fireline construction, direct and indirect attack, mop-up operations, and working safely around ground personnel and other resources. Field exercises provide students with hands-on experience operating heavy equipment in simulated wildfire conditions consistent with Texas response operations.

Prerequisite(s): Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).

This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and maintain a tactical water tender during incident, WUI, tandem / single tender use, and shuttle operations.  This course has field exercises in conjunction with BEAST where students will apply hands training.

Prerequisite(s): None

This course provides instruction in basic through advanced wildland engine operations and fireline tactics. Students will learn safe and effective engine use, crew coordination, mobile attack, progressive hose lays, structure protection, water management, and tactical decision-making during wildland and wildland–urban interface incidents. This is not a substitute for ENOP.

Prerequisite(s): None

This course is instructed through VFIS of Texas. This course was developed to provide training for departments who use/have UTVs in their fleet.  Important topics addressed include: safe vehicle operations and vehicle operator information, details on the need for refresher training, recommendations on protective gear, preplanning, basic safety and vehicle and skill maintenance. Students will have hands-on trailering (loading and unloading safety), vehicle inspections, basic riding techniques with experience gained through accelerating/braking and general maneuverability drills.

Prerequisite(s): None

This course introduces students to basic land-navigation skills and the use of field maps during Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) incidents. Topics include reading topographic and incident maps, identifying map symbols and terrain features, interpreting latitude and longitude and other coordinate formats, and using a compass and Global Positioning System (GPS) device. Students will also learn how to use field maps to locate incidents, identify access routes and operational areas, communicate locations, and support tactical decision-making during wildland fire assignments.

Prerequisite(s): None

This course introduces law enforcement officers to their roles and responsibilities during wildfire incidents. Topics include wildfire behavior and hazards, responder safety, Incident Command System integration, evacuations, traffic and access control, scene security, public interactions, and coordination with fire and emergency-management personnel.

Prerequisite(s): Certified Peace Officers

This course provides training and resources for personnel who are preparing to perform the duties of a Situation Unit Leader (SITL) within an Incident Management Team structure. The course focuses on the responsibilities of the Situation Unit Leader, including collecting, analyzing, and displaying incident information to support situational awareness and operational decision-making.

Topics include incident intelligence gathering, situation status reporting, incident mapping, displaying operational information, preparing situation products, and coordinating information within the Planning Section. Students will participate in practical exercises designed to apply Situation Unit Leader concepts in an incident management environment.

This course is designed for emergency responders, fire service personnel, emergency management professionals, and others who may serve in a Planning Section role during complex incidents.

Prerequisite(s): Must be a member of the State All-Hazards IMT and/or TIFMAS with a current MOU, have documentable experience as a supervisor in Fire, EMS, Rescue.

This course prepares TIFMAS and State of Texas IMT members to serve as an All-Hazards Group Supervisor on disasters and incidents affecting the State. Topics include mobilization procedures, supervisory responsibilities, resource accountability, convoy and travel coordination, safety, communications, documentation, logistical support, operational briefings, personnel management, and coordination with the TDEM Regional Leadership or incident management organization. The course follows the deployment process from initial notification and assembly through assignment, crew rotations, demobilization, and return to the home jurisdiction. This course is mandatory for those who wish to serve as an All-Hazard Group Supervisor.

Note: This is an All-Hazard IMT position with Task Book

Prerequisites: Must be a member of the State All-Hazards IMT and/or TIFMAS with a current MOU, have documentable experience as a supervisor in Fire, EMS, Rescue.

Preferred: Company Officer or higher, OR one of the following- ICT4, OSC, STEN, or TFLD