New firefighters attending the 2024 initial training: Register Here

Returning firefighters attending RT-130/Fire Camp (March 9, 2024): Register Here

 

Wildfire Classes

The Delaware Forest Service is always looking for motivated recruits to enroll in wildfire training classes. There is no cost for training and no previous experience is necessary. Candidates must be over 18 years of age, willing to learn, physically fit, and able to travel for at least two weeks at a time, usually in the summer months.

Completion of all classes is required for prospective wildland firefighters to achieve “red card” certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

This year, all required training classes for rookie firefighters will be offered in-person, including Field Day for S-130 (March 9, 2024). New firefighters must complete all five required classes.

Required courses are listed below, with links to NWCG and FEMA websites, as well as the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).*

* Users may need to set up both a FEMA ID and WFLP account if they have not previously registered.

Prerequisite Courses *

* Students must first complete all three prerequisite courses, and they must bring the certificates to class.

• L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (course link)
• ICS-100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System (course link)
• IS-700 – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (course link)

Core Classes (course registration link)

• S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (in-person)
• S-130: Firefighter Training (in-person)

All completed course certificates must be submitted or brought to class by March 9, 2024 to:

Sam Topper
Delaware Forest Service
2320 S. DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
sam.topper@delaware.gov

Fire Camp

As part of completing the Core Classes, students must also attend “Fire Camp” for a one-day hands-on seminar. Fire camp registration is included in S-130/S-190 registration.

Returning firefighters attending Fire Camp must complete an online registration form before attending. Register here: RT-130 registration.

Students must also complete an arduous “work capacity test” or “pack test” – carrying a 45-pound pack over a three-mile course in 45 minutes or less – to receive their NWCG “red card” and participate on out-of-state fire assignments. This work capacity test will be offered at the Fire Camp.

 

Are you interested in participating in an adventure of a lifetime? Would you like to help protect human lives, property and precious natural resources during a national crisis? Do you have the mental fortitude, physical stamina and work flexibility to spend at least two weeks or more on a fire line far from home?

Every year, millions of acres of forests, marshes, and grasslands across the United States are ravaged by wildfire. But thanks to a training program sponsored by the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Delaware State Fire School, citizens from across the First State can qualify to serve on national fire crews. Since 1996, the Delaware Forest Service has trained more than 600 volunteer firefighters, and now every fire season deploys 20-person crews for out-of-state wildfire assignments.

The program is growing and in need of additional firefighters who are interested in assisting the national effort to control and contain devastating wildfires. Delaware used to send only one crew a year, but now can send multiple crews. In 2021, Delaware’s crew battled the Harris Mountain Fire in Montana and sent engine crews to Colorado, California, and Washington State.

 

Visit the “FAQ” page for answers about the wildfire program:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have what it takes to join the Wildfire Crew?

Download the Wildland Fire Program Brochure

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must complete required training courses
• Must pass a work-capacity pack test
• Be willing to travel for at least two weeks
• Commitment to serving the public
• Ability to work well with others
• Must have a clean criminal record

In The News

2023

• Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Southern California (July 31, 2023)

2021

• Delaware wildfire crew battles blazes in the West (August 4, 2021)
• Delaware engine crew fighting Colorado wildfire (June 28, 2021)

2020

• Delaware crew wraps up successful assignment in Arizona and California (Sept. 17, 2020)
• Delaware Sends wildfire crew to New Mexico (August 28, 2020)

2019:

• Delaware sends Type 6 engine to North Carolina (October 7, 2019)

2018:

• Delaware wildfire crew on Idaho’s Copper Mountain Fire (August 13, 2018)
• Delaware crew heads west to help fight Colorado wildfires (July 4, 2018)

2017:

• Smyrna and Clayton men return from battling western forest fires (Aug. 3, 2017)
• Delaware volunteers help contain western wildfires (July 11, 2017)

2016:

• Delaware sends another crew to battle western wildfires (Aug. 26, 2016)
• Delaware wildfire crew to return on Friday (Aug. 10, 2016)
• Delaware Forest Service sends help to Colorado (July 25, 2016)

2015:

• Delaware’s wildland fire crew tackle wildfires in California (Aug. 5, 2015)
• Delaware crew lends its efforts to California wildfires battle (Aug. 13, 2015)
• Delaware wildfire crew fights blaze in California (Aug. 4, 2015)

2014:

• Delaware Forest Service seeks motivated recruits for wildfire training (Dec. 16, 2014)
• Delaware sends second wildfire crew to western United States (Aug. 12, 2014)
• Delaware crew heads to the Northwest as wildfire season heats up (July 19, 2014)

 

2013:

• Delaware sending wildfire crew to Utah in response to large fires in West (Aug 9, 2013)
• Delaware sends 20-person crew to battle wildfire near North Pole, Alaska (Jul 5, 2013)
• Sixty firefighters get hands-on wildfire training at Fire Camp (Apr 23, 2013)

 

2012:

• Wildfire: Delaware Style” Video Now on YouTube (Dec 6, 2012)
• DDA Forest Service seeks recruits for wildland fire training (Nov 29, 2012)