Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Healthy Forest Alliance Awarded Contract to Provide Fire Practitioner Training to Resource Conservation District Staff via RCD Workforce Development Grant Funded by CAL FIRE and Administered by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
Truckee California – Healthy Forest Alliance, a nonprofit organization committed to forest health and wildfire mitigation, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a contract to provide specialized fire practitioner training to staff from Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) across California. The training will be supported by the RCD Workforce Development Grant, funded by CAL FIRE and administered by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD).
As part of the grant, Healthy Forest Alliance will deliver a comprehensive suite of wildfire-related courses designed to equip RCD staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective fire practitioners and leaders in wildfire prevention and management. The courses offered will include:
- S-130 Firefighter Type 2: Introduction to basic firefighting techniques and safety.
- S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws: Training in the safe operation of chainsaws in wildland fire environments.
- S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior: Understanding fire behavior and its impact on firefighting tactics.
- L-280 Followership to Leadership: Developing leadership skills and understanding the dynamics of leadership in fire response situations.
- S-131 Firefighter Type 1: Advanced firefighting tactics for experienced personnel.
- S-219 Firing Operations: Techniques for safely using fire as a tool for fire management and prescribed burning.
- S-230 Crew Boss: Leadership and management training for overseeing wildland firefighting crews.
- Additional Fire Courses: Several other essential fire-related courses to further enhance the capacity of RCD staff to respond effectively to wildfire events.
These courses are designed to provide RCD staff with a broad and practical skillset, enabling them to play a key role in wildfire mitigation efforts and to effectively implement fire management practices, including prescribed fire, in their communities.
“CAL FIRE’s continued investment in workforce development is critical in building a resilient and capable wildfire management workforce,” said Richard Carvalho, Training Officer of Healthy Forest Alliance. “We are excited to partner with CARCD to deliver this essential training, ensuring that Resource Conservation District staff are well-prepared to respond to the growing threat of wildfires and play a leadership role in their local communities.”
The RCD Workforce Development Grant program was established to help strengthen the capacity of Resource Conservation Districts by providing essential wildfire-related training to their staff, which is vital as California continues to face increasingly frequent and intense fire seasons. Healthy Forest Alliance’s training program will help RCD staff gain the technical expertise needed to effectively plan and implement fire mitigation strategies, including prescribed burns, to reduce hazardous fuel loads and promote healthy landscapes.
About Healthy Forest Alliance
Healthy Forest Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fire-adapted landscapes and advancing ecosystem restoration through science-based forest management practices. The organization focuses on wildfire prevention, prescribed fire, and forest health, and collaborates with government agencies, landowners, and communities to reduce fire risks and restore the health of California’s forests.
About the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD)
The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) is a nonprofit organization that provides support to the state’s 100+ Resource Conservation Districts. ACRCD advocates for the sustainable stewardship of California’s natural resources, offering technical assistance, policy advocacy, and funding opportunities for RCDs to enhance the ecological health of the state’s landscapes.
About CAL FIRE
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is the state’s fire protection and resource management agency. CAL FIRE plays a key role in protecting California’s residents, communities, and environment from wildfires, as well as providing wildfire training and resources to local agencies.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Tanner Low
Public Information Officer
Healthy Forest Alliance
Phone: 888-336-1389
Email: