Fire School Pilot Program

The Fire School Pilot Program was developed to help meet demand for fire safety contractors in Sonoma County and surrounding regions while improving economic vitality for underserved populations. This program is focused on fire fuels management and home hardening, which are both essential techniques to reducing fire risk. 

This nine week experiential learning program provides career training for underserved youth by working with partners to provide educational activities in the field and the classroom. The basics of fire ecology, tool use, planning, permitting and fuels reduction methods are taught as well as participation in a Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 Certification course or similar training.

The program also focuses on protecting critical water infrastructure, salmonid habitat, and homes in the Lake Sonoma and Dry Creek watersheds by managing fire fuels.

Partnering with UCCE Sonoma County the Fire Fuels Pilot Program is testing and fine tuning a new web-based geospatial tool that helps landowners identify, estimate costs for, and prioritize fuels reduction projects.

The Fire Fuels Pilot Program meets an essential need within the community while simultaneously reducing barriers for disadvantaged youth to follow fire-related career pathways. The program makes higher education more financially feasible by compensating for hands-on educational hours while providing access to free housing/camping as well as tools, PPE, transportation and social services. While building resumes and a network of professional references trainees are introduced to the many facets of fire careers.

Circuit Rider intends to build on the Fire School by expanding the curriculum, duration and reach of the program while continuing to partner with organizations to provide this necessary community service.