Reno High School expands wildfire training program

Students learning how to use fire extinguishers. (Rneaw/Shutterstock).

By Good Info News Wire

January 21, 2025

BLM wildland firefighters and partners expand a Reno high school’s CTE program, offering hands-on fire science education to prepare future firefighters.

A groundbreaking fire science education program in Reno, Nevada, is blazing new trails in preparing the next generation of wildland firefighters. What started as a pilot program with just sixteen students has now expanded nearly threefold, offering hands-on firefighting training to high school students as young as ninth grade.

Innovative fire science program expands in Reno high school

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has launched the second year of its Fire Science Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Reno’s Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT) high school. The program, which combines classroom learning with practical firefighting skills training, has grown from 47 classes to 141, now serving 46 students across grades 9-12.

This unique partnership between BLM Nevada, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD), and the University of Nevada-Reno’s Living with Fire program offers students a comprehensive firefighting education over four years. The curriculum is divided into two segments: structural firefighting taught by TMFPD in the first semester, followed by wildland firefighting instruction from BLM professionals.

Creating pathways to firefighting careers

State Fire Management Officer Brock Uhlig emphasizes the program’s timeliness: “As the threat of wildfire increases every year, so does the increased demand for trained wildland firefighters. Our goal is to ignite a passion in students for protecting Nevada communities and public lands through wildland fire management.”

Students receive training in essential areas such as:

Wildland fire behavior
Incident management
Initial attack procedures
Use of professional firefighting equipment
Field operations in challenging terrain

The program provides direct interaction with experienced professionals, including engine captains, meteorologists, and fire prevention specialists. BLM Training Instructor Jen Diamond, who leads the CTE program, notes, “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.”

Students completing the program in spring 2026 will be eligible to join BLM wildland fire crews upon turning 18, creating a direct pathway to professional firefighting careers.