Safety Equipment for Forest Fire Management

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The forest fire management course in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is a valuable course for forestry, wildlife, and natural resources students. Over the last year, class enrollment has doubled, creating a need for additional equipment and technology.

To maintain the course and allow for expansion, we need fire suits, radios and chest harnesses, backpack pumps, water bags, and drip torches. Drones are also very useful for fire management and would enhance training.

Although the course is not required for any degree program, more students register for the class than any other non-restricted elective course in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

More equipment will allow us to keep up with demand and new equipment will improve safety and enhance the learning experience for all students.

Prescribed fire is critical to land and habitat management in the region. Wildlife benefits from prescribed fire in the form of improved habitat. Society benefits from prescribed fire in the reduction of hazardous fuels and the reduction of insects in the forest, such as ticks. We know potential employers see prescribed fire experience as a benefit.

The suits and additional equipment could also be used for outreach and research projects. For example, this past spring Alabama Extension hosted a fire workshop for women landowners. The equipment would have been used as part of workshop demonstrations. 

We would also like to organize a student firefighting unit, which could help landowners if there’s a wildlfire in this area.  

Help us keep our students safe as they learn to manage and conserve natural resources.