Local firefighters seek wildland certification

While many area firefighters are volunteering to battle wildfires across Colorado and the West, a group of El Paso County-area firefighters spent Saturday acquiring necessary skills for the job.

At Pinello Ranch in El Paso County, 20 firefighters from seven departments trained for six hours.

It was their first field training specific to wildfires, said Capt. Jesse Gianino, of the Security Fire Department.

“It’s a requirement for state and national certification to be assigned to any wildfire,” he said. “They’re learning how different a wildfire is from a structure fire, and to adjust their tactics accordingly.”

The firefighters practiced digging fire lines and how to cover themselves for protection if a fire doubles back on them.

Meredith Cullar, a firefighter at the Air Force Academy, said she likes the challenge.

“I know I’m not an expert yet, but I feel like I did well,” she said. “But my heart was pounding.”

The firefighters have already completed required classroom work. The final step to finish certification is to wear a 45-pound pack while walking 3 miles in 45 minutes. The pack simulates the weight of gear a wildland firefighter wears.

Certification helps departments provide firefighters to major fires without decreasing their overall skill levels in their jurisdictions.