The Bureau of Land Management are heading into a Reno high school for a second year, in hopes of cultivating the next generation of firefighters.
Wildland firefighters from the BLM started the second year of the Fire Science Career and Technical Education (CTE) program earlier this week at the Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology High School.
The CTE program is the first high school-level program of its kind in Washoe County.
According to officials, the program combines curriculum-based classroom lessons with hands-on, skills-based training - aiming to give students foundational knowledge and skills vital to wildland firefighting.
Multiple organizations, including BLM Nevada, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Living with Fire at the University of Nevada, Reno, got together to start the pilot of the program last year.
The first semester of the program focuses on structural fires, followed up by a second semester that looks at wildland firefighting.
Last year, the program started with 16 students between grades 10-12; this year, due to demand, the program has increased to cater to 46 students and also extends to grade 9.
It has also been expanded from a three-year to a four-year program.
"I've truly enjoyed being part of these students' development and watching them grow, both in skill and maturity. It’s incredibly rewarding to help shape the next generation of wildland firefighters and see their passion for protecting our communities and landscapes take root," said Jen Diamond, BLM Nevada Training Instructor and CTE program lead.
Learn more about the program at the BLM's website.
