Amidst Growing Wildfire Concerns the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy Continues Support for Wildland Training and Education

Photo: One of the class posters

On March 16, The Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (AWIMA) begins its 23rd season in Prescott. The week-long academy offers all levels of educational classes for wildland firefighters and incident management training ahead of the wildfire season.

January’s wildfires in California spotlighted the importance of trained wildfire and incident management personnel. Due to that, interest in this year’s academy spiked. With increasing enrollment, AWIMA staff added additional classes to meet the demand. Students can choose from more than 45 classes ranging from Basic Wildland Firefighting, Firing Operations, Wildfire Behavior to Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) training. More than 100 wildland fire and incident management professionals from Arizona and around the country help teach critical curricula and share their experiences with students.

“I am proud to serve as this year’s Incident Commander for the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy,” Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Division Chief Lathe Evans said. “This is an invaluable experience for newcomers and even seasoned firefighters and command staff. We welcome hundreds of students each year to Prescott to help strengthen their skills, advance their careers and build lifelong relationships with others in the wildland firefighting community.”

AWIMA is proud to partner with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) again this year to host the students, staff, and the 30-member AWIMA Incident Management Team (IMT) overseeing the academy and its daily operations.

“For 23 years, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been honored to partner with the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy. As the challenges posed by wildfires and natural disasters evolve, the education, training and collaboration provided by the Academy have never been more critical. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the students, instructors, and the countless staff, volunteers, and vendors who make this program successful. Embry-Riddle values this enduring partnership and remains committed to supporting this vital mission for our community,” ERAU Prescott Campus Chancellor Dr. Ken Witcher said.

The Academy was founded in 2003 the year after the devastating Rodeo-Chediski fire, and at the time, the largest fire in Arizona’s history. The Academy was built on the framework of support to improve firefighter training and capabilities and to develop a more cooperative approach to wildland firefighting. Over the years, AWIMA has become nationally recognized as a premier institution in quality and innovative wildland fire and all-hazard incident management training. The Academy attracts students and professionals from across the nation for the week-long event. Since 2003, AWIMA has awarded more than 15,000 completion certificates to students.

The Academy staff and IMT want to thank its generous donors who continue to make the Academy possible including, Arizona Public Service, Yavapai County, Captain CrossFit, State Farm Insurance, 310 Dust Control, and Tactical Fire Rentals.

Academy registration remains open through March 10, 2025. Please contact AWIMA Public Information Office pio@azwima.org or visit www.azwildfireacademy.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at @AZWildfireAcademy and subscribe to the AZWildfireAcademy YouTube channel.