Colorado Firecamp, Inc.

Background Statement

Colorado Firecamp provides training for wildland firefighters, structural firefighters, and chainsaw operators. This allows our students to complete training requirements for vocational certification. Since its creation in 2004 Colorado Firecamp has trained over 9,000 students from all 50 states and 7 foreign countries including: Venezuela, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Portugal.

Colorado Firecamp provides classroom instruction and field training required for "red card" certification of wildland firefighters, using curricula and materials developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Our school fosters a learning community by employing committed and qualified instructors, who deliver approved National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) curricula. It provides training that meets, or exceeds, standards for wildland fire training contained in the "Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications," PMS 310-1 and the "Standards for Course Delivery," PMS 901-10. Instructors are current & former federal, state, and local firefighters and/or sawyers.

Colorado Firecamp also participates in local wildland fire planning and hazard mitigation activities. This engagement educates the local community on strategies to reduce wildfire hazard and improve forest health. Future planned activities include conducting homeowner chainsaw safety training to encourage implementation of defensible space projects on private lands. Colorado Firecamp participates on the Forest Health Council sponsored by Envision Chaffee County, as well as the associated Chaffee Chips wildfire mitigation, Chaffee Treats forest health projects, and Maysville/North Fork Firewise Community.

Firecamp is also affiliated with the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) Veterans Fire Corps program. This program helps provide employment and training opportunities to current era veterans interested in natural resource management and wildland fire careers. Many returning vets have difficulty transitioning directly from the battlefield back into society. As they are accustomed to working in teams under high-stress situations, firefighting is an excellent career fit. Colorado Firecamp is a GI Bill-approved school, allowing military veterans to use their Post-9/11 Educational Benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs to pay for training. Colorado Firecamp is also an eligible training provider under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, allowing students to obtain job-related training approved by the majority of Colorado regional workforce centers.