In December, Plumas Charter School and firefighters from the Plumas National Forest, Greenville Station teamed up to offer a Basic 32 Firefighter training course to students. The training was led by Engine Captain 322, Roman Rodriguez and hosted by PCS’ Indian Valley Academy in Taylorsville. The team trained 18 high school students and two community members during the hands-on, in-person course. Three of those students traveled from PCS’ Quincy site to take part.

A Basic 32 Course is made up of three classes. The first is S-130: Firefighter Training, a field course that includes safety orientation, firefighter preparedness, tools and equipment, firing devices, use of water, suppression, securing the control line, use of maps, scouting, hazardous materials and standards for survival. The second course is S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior. In this class, students learn to identify the factors affecting the start and spread of wildland fire, fire behavior, fire weather and the three sides of the fire triangle. The third and final class is L-180: Human Factors on the Fireline. This course establishes an awareness of human performance issues that relates to the individual, including situational awareness, communication, decision making, risk management and teamwork skills. 

This was Rodriguez's second time teaching 11th- and 12th-grade students from PCS and he said that he looks forward to teaching the next groups in coming years. “The students were very respectful and engaged in the course, they asked questions and participated in all of the field exercises. Teaching students that want to learn is nice as an instructor.” 

The course is designed to prepare wildland firefighters for their first assignment but the class isn’t only beneficial for fire professionals. Some of the participants took the class for a job opportunity, while others said that they wanted to learn and understand how fires are put out and the different tactics to use. “I feel being educated in fire in a fire-prone area is important for the community. The more the community knows and understands about fire, the better they can prepare for when a fire does come into their area,” said Rodriguez.

The entirety of this course was completed in-person, but students also have the option to take it hybrid style; part of the course online and part in-person. Community members and other students that wish to complete the Basic 32 Fire Course have several options. The wildland fire learning portal offers a free online course where students create an account, register for the three classes and take them at their own pace. For those interested in in-person options; Lassen Community College and Feather River College also offer Basic 32 classes at a cost.

This training was funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

By Rachel Goings, Public Relations Specialist  [email protected]