The 27th annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy begins at the Camp Swift National Guard Facility in Bastrop, Texas, this week. The academy will take place Oct. 7-20, 2025.
Each year, federal, state, local and private firefighters travel from across the state and nation to attend the academy to continue their education and earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group training qualifications.
This academy is one of two Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academies, which aim to enhance wildland firefighters’ knowledge, utilizing National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards, while promoting safe and cost-effective operations.
“We are proud to uphold a tradition of quality training that provides every participant with an excellent learning experience,” said Chelsea Fikes, Texas A&M Forest Service Academy Coordinator. “The true strength of this academy lies in our superior staff and instructors, whose professionalism and dedication ensure that firefighters leave here better prepared, more confident and ready to serve their communities.”
Thirty-three courses ranging from basic through advanced are available this year for firefighters and incident managers. Courses include a broad range of subjects, including basic and advanced wildland firefighting, helicopter and air operations, chain saw use, prescribed fire, engine operations, heavy equipment and emotional and psychological well-being.
The academy operates using the Incident Command System, which is a standardized approach to the command, control and coordination of emergency response and planned events. The Incident Command System emphasizes the ability for responders, no matter which organization or state they are from, to be trained similarly and able to use similar terminology—both foundational elements of this academy.
Training tuition assistance is available to eligible departments through Texas A&M Forest Service under the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.
Academy partners include the Texas Army National Guard, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Federal Bureau of Prisons and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.
The 22nd annual Wildland Firefighter Memorial Service, held during the academy, will be held Oct. 13. This service honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty while fighting wildfires.
Additional academy information is available on the Texas Interagency Coordination Center website.
Editor’s note:
Members of the media are invited to attend a media day to visit field classes on the morning of Oct. 10 and the memorial on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. To attend either event, please make prior arrangements with Public Information Officer Kari Hines.
Photos:
Photos from previous academies: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000lOj5pAk6AgU/G0000hP9aezjjdpk/20241014-Capital-Area-Interagency-Wildfire-and-Incident-Management-Academy
Photos for the 2025 academy will be periodically uploaded to this folder: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00006IDBqXaBYyI/G0000QXn0BD3fbNM/20251007-27th-annual-Capital-Area-Interagency-Wildfire-Incident-Management-Academy
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forestry Service
