Delaware News

“Wildfire: Delaware Style” Video Now on YouTube

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Thursday, December 6, 2012



DOVER – How do you fight a raging wildfire without water in rough terrain? That’s one of the daunting challenges that members of Delaware’s wildland firefighting crew must meet when they travel on out-of-state assignments.  For a look at what these firefighters face, “Wildfire: Delaware Style” is a 13-minute video produced by the Delaware Forest Service (DFS) which is now available for viewing on the agency’s YouTube channel, DelawareForests. The movie covers the basics of wildland firefighting, the important role of the “fire triangle,” and the essential strategies, personnel, and equipment needed to contain potentially dangerous blazes that can threaten life and property. The video’s debut on YouTube is also part of the DFS’ ongoing effort to recruit motivated and qualified individuals to join its successful wildland fire program.

Ever since it was established in 1927, wildfire prevention and suppression has been a core part of the Delaware Forest Service’s mission. In 2012, the DFS dispatched two separate 20-person crews on two-week assignments to fight wildfires in Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. In order to maintain proper levels of staffing and readiness for future fires, the DFS is actively seeking new recruits to serve on its wildland fire crew. Interested applicants should meet the following requirements:

  • Over 18 years of age: must reach the age requirement by the summer of 2013
  • Physically fit: complete a “work capacity test” by carrying a 45-pound pack over a three-mile course in less than 45 minutes
  • Willing to travel: out-of-state assignments involve at least 14 days away from home or work
For those interested in becoming a wildland firefighter, the DFS holds an annual series of training classes at the Delaware State Fire School. Applicants who successfully complete the coursework, pass a physical fitness test, and attend the DFS’ one-day “Fire Camp” in the spring can become certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and be eligible to participate on out-of-state crews.

Training classes will be held in two sessions over the course of two separate weekends in January, 2013:

Session I: Saturday, January 5 and Sunday, January 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m each day.
Session II:  Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m each day.

The cost of each session is $50 (lunch is included) and registrants must attend both sessions. The registration deadline is December 21. Those affiliated with a volunteer fire company can sign up on the State Fire School website:


Those who are new to firefighting must contact the Delaware Forest Service to obtain clearance to register for classes. Contact: Henry Poole at (302) 698-4548 or by email at henry.poole@delaware.gov.
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“Wildfire: Delaware Style” Video Now on YouTube

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Thursday, December 6, 2012



DOVER – How do you fight a raging wildfire without water in rough terrain? That’s one of the daunting challenges that members of Delaware’s wildland firefighting crew must meet when they travel on out-of-state assignments.  For a look at what these firefighters face, “Wildfire: Delaware Style” is a 13-minute video produced by the Delaware Forest Service (DFS) which is now available for viewing on the agency’s YouTube channel, DelawareForests. The movie covers the basics of wildland firefighting, the important role of the “fire triangle,” and the essential strategies, personnel, and equipment needed to contain potentially dangerous blazes that can threaten life and property. The video’s debut on YouTube is also part of the DFS’ ongoing effort to recruit motivated and qualified individuals to join its successful wildland fire program.

Ever since it was established in 1927, wildfire prevention and suppression has been a core part of the Delaware Forest Service’s mission. In 2012, the DFS dispatched two separate 20-person crews on two-week assignments to fight wildfires in Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. In order to maintain proper levels of staffing and readiness for future fires, the DFS is actively seeking new recruits to serve on its wildland fire crew. Interested applicants should meet the following requirements:

  • Over 18 years of age: must reach the age requirement by the summer of 2013
  • Physically fit: complete a “work capacity test” by carrying a 45-pound pack over a three-mile course in less than 45 minutes
  • Willing to travel: out-of-state assignments involve at least 14 days away from home or work
For those interested in becoming a wildland firefighter, the DFS holds an annual series of training classes at the Delaware State Fire School. Applicants who successfully complete the coursework, pass a physical fitness test, and attend the DFS’ one-day “Fire Camp” in the spring can become certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and be eligible to participate on out-of-state crews.

Training classes will be held in two sessions over the course of two separate weekends in January, 2013:

Session I: Saturday, January 5 and Sunday, January 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m each day.
Session II:  Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m each day.

The cost of each session is $50 (lunch is included) and registrants must attend both sessions. The registration deadline is December 21. Those affiliated with a volunteer fire company can sign up on the State Fire School website:


Those who are new to firefighting must contact the Delaware Forest Service to obtain clearance to register for classes. Contact: Henry Poole at (302) 698-4548 or by email at henry.poole@delaware.gov.
image_printPrint

Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.