Degree & Certificates

PROGRAM CODE: CC.FSWILDLAND

The Wildland Fire Science program provides training that can lead to seasonal employment in wildland firefighting or to the first step to a career in the forest industry or park service. There are many career tracks in the field of wildland firefighting and forestry. It’s exciting work that requires fundamental survival, safety and firefighting training and skills. It is also important to be physically fit, work well in a team environment, and respond quickly and efficiently to instruction/commands.

Clackamas Community College is a certified training site recognized by the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG), the Oregon Department of Forestry, and National Forest Service. Program instructors are National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certified and offer 15-30 years of wildland firefighting experience. Many of the courses carry NWCG certification as well as college credit.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• demonstrate the basic knowledge of wildland fire behavior;

• recognize situations where safety may be at risk and take appropriate actions to insure personal safety;

• apply the fundamental skills necessary to work as a wildland firefighter at the Firefighter 2 level, working as a member of a hand crew or engine crew;

• demonstrate an understanding of basic forest management.

CAREERS

The certificate can lead to careers as a wildland firefighter, forest and conservation technician, forest fire inspector or investigator, forest fire prevention specialist, independent firefighting contractor or employment in the timber industry.

PROGRAM CODE: CC.FIREFOREST

The Wildland Fire Forestry program provides training in forestry and conservation skills needed for technicians in this field of work. Intended for students who would like to pursue a variety of careers in the outdoors. Students are introduced to the functions, basic tools and processes to manage forestland in Oregon.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• summarize use of Silviculture and regeneration practices;

• demonstrate how to identify trees and shrubs commonly found in Oregon;

• discuss the basics of forest road development;

• demonstrate the basics of forest measurement tools;

• explain the basics of marketing timber;

• identify logging systems;

• cite Oregon forest harvest laws.

PROGRAM CODE: CC.FIREFIGHT1

This program will provide students the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to prepare them for entry-level jobs in the wildland firefighting industry. The courses will be offered over three terms so students will be ready for employment late spring.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to function as a Wildland Firefighter at the Firefighter 2 level;

• recognize situations and take corrective actions when personal safety may be at risk;

• apply the basic skills to operate portable pumps, read and understand fire maps, compass and GPS.

CAREERS

Wildland fire fighter, Hot Shots, firefighting managers or supervisors, prevention workers, forest fire inspectors, forest worker.

PROGRAM CODE: CC.WILDSURVIVAL

The Wilderness Survival & Leadership program is designed for those students who would like to pursue a variety of careers in the outdoors. Students will understand leadership, survival and rescue in the wilderness. The certificate is part of the Wildland Fire Science certificate.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• demonstrate appropriate search and rescue methods including evacuation techniques,

• demonstrate first aid and CPR skills used in the field,

• discuss the basics of land navigation and Northwest weather prediction,

• articulate the knowledge areas required for an understanding of wilderness preparedness.

CAREERS

This program prepares students for employment in parks and recreation, guide services, search and rescue, state and federal agencies, private organizations, forestry jobs and wildland firefighting. The certificate gives students the necessary skills to lead and/or participate in any program in a wide variety of settings that require leadership and competency in the outback regions of the Northwest.