The Niobrara Valley Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) will take place April 9-22, 2023, at the Niobrara Valley Preserve near Johnstown, NE. The objective of the training is to conduct a series of prescribed fires and training in the Niobrara river valley to provide participants with learning opportunities and hands-on experience. This training is designed to integrate a diverse group of fire practitioners, including private landowners, volunteer fire departments, university students, municipal, state, federal, and contract firefighters, and other natural resource managers, scientists, and researchers. Prior prescribed fire experience is not required. Participants with no experience will receive one-on-one coaching. For participants with NWCG taskbooks, trainee positions most applicable to the Niobrara Valley TREX include Prescribed Fire Crewmember, FFT2, FEMO, FFT1, FIRB, ENGB, & RXB2.
The training is organized as an incident, using the Incident Command System following a Type 3 structure. Participants will serve in qualified and trainee firefighting positions on a burn team. They will assist with preparing, scouting, briefing, igniting, holding, mop-up, and patrol on numerous prescribed fires in the area. We will also complete pre- and post-fire monitoring, train with various equipment, practice fireline leadership skills, and learn about local fire ecology and management. Additional training will include burn planning and considerations for burn unit layouts.
Requirements:
There is no minimum number of days required for attendance. Facilitated instruction and live fire will occur throughout the event as the weather allows. Participants working on NWCG positions must be current with refresher course/pack tests and arrive with initiated taskbooks.
Participants must have personal or employer-provided medical insurance.
Participants should come prepared for both live fire field exercises and classroom instruction.
Participants must bring fireline-approved boots (all-leather work boots, 8 inches tall, with non-slip soles and no steel toe).
All meals, ground transportation, and lodging will be provided during the training. Participants are responsible for their travel to and from the Niobrara Valley Preserve. There is no registration fee for this training.
To apply, please complete the registration form and submit it to Amanda Hefner at amanda.hefner@tnc.org no later than February 15, 2023. She can also be reached at (402) 722-4440 if you have any questions or want to discuss other trainee positions.
Training is sponsored by:
