Your interest in the outdoors and intense physical activity could lead to a rewarding career protecting life, property and natural resources from wildfires. Gain the skills you need to use planned, controlled fire as a tool in wildlife management, forestry or endangered species management. You’ll learn about the ignition and suppression of wildland and prescribed fire, along with the safe operation of equipment. You’ll also get plenty of hands-on experience in live fire situations. Your training will cover ecosystem-based management, emergency response, hazardous materials, structural and wildland fire practices. You’ll be part of an elite and uniquely qualified group of wildland firefighters.

COURSE LIST

Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

Technical Studies (43 Credits)

Course Title

Course
Number

Credits

Instructional
Hours

Outside Effort
Hours**

Prior Learning
Credit Eligibility
Options

Plant Identification

10-057-140

1Credit

36

18

36 hours in class and estimate 18 hours outside of class. Provides a basic study of the trees, grasses, herbs and aquatics of Wisconsin. The class focuses on the principal species of seven major plant communities: forest, bog, agriculture, prairie, marsh, shrub and beach.

Exploring Natural Resources

10-057-183

3Credit

90

72

90 hours in class and estimate 72 hours outside of class. Provides basic study of natural resources, focusing on their abundance, importance, and conservation. The physical biological variables of the environment will be studied in field and classroom settings. Career development will be incorporated to expose students to job-related activities for the following core areas: wildlife and fisheries, forestry, surveying, outdoor recreation, soils, and water quality and wastewater management.

Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180

10-058-160

2Credit

45

77

45 hours in class and estimate 77 hours outside of class. Prepares new firefighters in basic firefighting skills and behavior factors that will aid them in the safe and effective control of wildland fires.

S-219 Firing Operations

10-058-164

1Credit

27

27

27 hours in class and estimate 27 hours outside of class. Planning, execution, safety, coordination and evaluation of an ignition operation on a wildland or prescribed fire.

Prereq: Wildland Fire Intro S-130/190/180 (10058160) OR not pursuing a degree

Fitness Qualification Prep 1

10-058-173

1Credit

18

36

18 hours in class and estimate 36 hours outside of class. Introduces the student to the requirements for the 1.5 mile run, 3 mile pack test and step test which are required by wildland fire hiring agencies.

S133/S211/S131 Safety/Pumps/FF1

10-058-186

2Credit

36

72

36 hours in class and estimate 72 hours outside of class. Combines three NWCG classes. S-133 is a fire safety course. S-131 is Firefighter Type 1 training. Sometimes called Squad Boss, these are the entry-level supervisors in wildland firefighting. S-211 consists of three skill areas including supply, delivery and application of water.

Prereq: 10058160 Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180 OR not pursing a degree

Wildfire Equipment Operation

10-058-188

2Credit

72

36

72 hours in class and estimate 36 hours outside of class. Operation of heavy equipment of hand tools used in wildland fire.

Hazmat Awareness & Operations

10-503-103

2Credit

36

72

36 hours in class and estimate 72 hours outside of class. Identify the classification hazardous materials, determine the nature and extent of the problem, and protect first responders, nearby persons, and the environment from the effects of the release.

Emergency Medical Responder with Healthcare Provider CPR

10-531-105

2Credit

76

38

76 hours in class and estimate 38 hours outside of class. Teaches and evaluates the knowledge/skills needed to respond to medical or trauma situations. It includes AED, Combitube, EpiPen, Spinal Immobilization, CPR and skills needed to assist the ambulance crew. This course meets Wisconsin and National licensure guidelines. Students receive an AHA Healthcare CPR card and FVTC Emergency Medical Responder certificate.

Ecology

10-057-109

2Credit

36

72

36 hours in class and estimate 72 hours outside of class. Examines the relationships and interrelationships of living organisms in their environment. Students study natural selection and speciation, environmental conditions, populations and competition, succession, energy flow and biogeochemical cycles, and the diversity of ecosystems.

Coreq: Written Communication (10801195) or English Composition 1 (10801136)

Natural Resources Common Topics

10-057-143

2Credit

72

36

72 hours in class and estimate 36 hours outside of class. Introduces U.S. public land surveys, topographic maps, orienteering principles and mapping. Other topics include the polar planimeter, dot grid, abney levels and clinometers, basic aerial photo uses, and chainsaw use and maintenance.

Coreq: Math for Common Topics 10804117 OR College Mathematics 10804107

S212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws

10-058-162

1Credit

36

18

36 hours in class and estimate 18 hours outside of class. Provides introduction to the function, maintenance and use of internal combustion engine-powered chainsaws and their tactical wildland fire application.

Prereq: Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180 (10057160 or 10057160) and Emergency Medical Responder (10531104) or First Responder (10531105) or current certification in basic First Aid and CPR or not pursuing a degree

Fire Experience

10-058-179

3Credit

108

54

108 hours in class and estimate 54 hours outside of class. Allows students to gain valuable fire experience for the resume. While not guaranteed, students may be paid for some forest fire suppression duty.

Prereq: Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180 (10058160) OR not pursuing a degree

Fire Prep

10-058-182

1Credit

36

18

36 hours in class and estimate 18 hours outside of class. Prepares the student for fire season. Topics include writing burn plans, burn site checks, equipment inventory, organization and maintenance.

Wildlife Mgmt - Nongame and Hunted Species

10-057-128

3Credit

72

90

72 hours in class and estimate 90 hours outside of class. Introduces wildlife ecology and management. The course focuses on habitat restoration and maintenance, deer management, wildlife damage control, ecological concepts and population dynamics.

Prereq: Exploring Natural Resources (10057104 or 10057183); Ecology (10057109); NR Common Topics (10057143); Written Communication (10801195); Math for Common Topics (10804117)

Forestry 1

10-057-132

3Credit

72

90

72 hours in class and estimate 90 hours outside of class. Covers tree and shrub identification (dendrology), forest mapping, stand inventory, basic forest ecology, silvicultural practices and timber types. This course prepares students to perform more specific job-related tasks in Forestry 2.

Prereq: Exploring Natural Resources (10057104 or 10057183); Ecology (10057109); NR Common Topics (10057143); Written Communication (10801195); Math for Common Topics (10804117)

History of Wildfire

10-058-171

3Credit

54

108

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class. Examines the role of wildland fire and firefighting throughout history to the present.

Firefighting Principles

10-503-141

3Credit

108

72

108 hours in class and estimate 72 hours outside of class. Describes basic fire behavior, techniques used to control structural and related fire emergencies, and life safety practices. Students perform all practical evolutions necessary to control and extinguish fires and otherwise meet all requirements for Firefighter I certification with the State of Wisconsin.

Forestry 2

10-057-133

3Credit

72

90

72 hours in class and estimate 90 hours outside of class. A continuation of Forestry 1 with studies of aerial photography applications, logging operations, lumber scaling and grading, fire weather and fire suppression, tree planting and seeding operations, forest diseases and insects of the lake states. It culminates with field trips to natural resource agencies to view the practices and principles learned during class.

Prereq: Forestry 1 (10057132)

S290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior

10-058-163

1Credit

36

18

36 hours in class and estimate 18 hours outside of class. Designed to prepare the prospective supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations.

Prereq: Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180 (10058160) OR not pursuing a degree

Prescribed Fire

10-058-181

1Credit

72

0

72 hours in class and estimate 0 hours outside of class. Consists of student participation in prescribed fire application for management and fuel reduction objectives. Emphasis will be on safety, ignition patterns and holding crews.

Prereq: Wildfire Intro S130/S190/L180 (10058160) OR not pursuing a degree

S134 & RT130 Annual Refresher

10-058-185

1Credit

18

36

18 hours in class and estimate 36 hours outside of class. Compiles two NWCG classes. S-134 is a safety course focusing on personal firefighter safety. RT-130 is the annual fire line safety refresher training required for all firefighters. Topics differ by year based on industry recommendations and identified training needs. Includes annual shelter deployment practice for all participants.

Prereq: Wildland Fire Intro S-310/190/180 (10058160) OR not pursuing a degree

General Studies (19 Credits)

Course Title

Course
Number

Credits

Instructional
Hours

Outside Effort
Hours**

Prior Learning
Credit Eligibility
Options

Written Communication

10-801-195

3Credit

54

108

[Experience](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Teaches the writing process which includes prewriting, drafting and revising. Through writing assignments, students analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Class sessions and assignments involve giving oral presentations and using computers.

Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 250+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 18+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 10831103 OR Not pursuing a degree

College Mathematics

10-804-107

3Credit

54

108

[Test](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Designed to review and develop fundamental concepts of mathematics in the areas of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, measurement and data. Special emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning, making connections, and using calculators.

Prereq: Arith – HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL 65+, Next Gen 263+, ACT Math 18+ OR Arith Prep 10834109 OR Not pursuing a degree

Oral/Interpersonal Comm

10-801-196

3Credit

54

108

[Experience](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Focuses on developing various communication skills including speaking and listening. Students practice intrapersonal/interpersonal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentations, group activities and written projects.

Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree

Economics

10-809-195

3Credit

54

108

[Test](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Provides a foundation of economic concepts and institutions so that students can apply economic thinking to their own decisions as consumers, employees and citizens in a market-oriented economic system. Topics include supply and demand, employment, prices and production, fiscal policy, monetary policy, market structures, and international trade and finance.

Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree

General Biology

10-806-114

4Credit

90

126

[Test](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

90 hours in class and estimate 126 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Introduces general biological concepts and principles. Emphasis is on cell structure and function, genetics, evolution and taxonomical relationships. Consideration is also given to diversity among the various kingdoms. This course emphasizes an environmental perspective and is suitable for students in Natural Resources, Early Childhood Education, Laboratory Science, Forensic Science and others interested in environmental biology.

Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree

Intro to Psychology

10-809-198

3Credit

54

108

[Test](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

54 hours in class and estimate 108 hours outside of class.

[Credit for Prior Learning Options Available](https://www.fvtc.edu/programs/Credit-For-Prior-Learning/Prior-Learning-Credit-Options)

Focuses on the theoretical foundation of human functioning and looks at learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors and social influences. Students consider the complexities of human relationships in personal, social and vocational settings.

Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree