Ocean State Today

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is offering a training course aimed at enhancing the state's response to wildfires. The entry-level course, part of DEM's Forest Fire Program, will equip participants with skills in handling wildland fires. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, but no prior firefighting experience is required.

The urgency for such training comes as climate change leads to warmer and drier conditions, resulting in more frequent wildfires. In 2024, Rhode Island experienced 75 wildfires during a historic fall fire season. DEM responded by treating 130 acres of state property with prescribed fire and conducting brush clearing projects to mitigate wildfire risks.

The upcoming five-day S-130-S-190 course will take place from June 9 to June 13 at the George Washington Management Area office in Chepachet. Designed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), the course combines classroom instruction with field-based training and includes live fire exercises. Participants will earn a Firefighter Type 2 skill designation upon completion.

Before attending, applicants must complete online courses on wildland fire behavior and incident management systems. Certificates from these courses should be sent to Ben Arnold at ben.arnold@dem.ri.gov.

Ben Arnold, Principal Fire Control Officer and Training Officer at DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment, emphasized the collaboration between DEM and local fire departments: “We rely on municipal fire departments to fight wildfires and fire departments rely on us in the same way."

Priority for enrollment is given to local firefighters and DEM employees, with registration open until February 28. Questions can be directed to Ben Arnold or Allan Waterman via email.

For further details about DEM programs, visit their website or follow them on social media platforms.