TRAINING

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING BASICS

As of June 2023, there have been close to 100 Decatur Islanders who have completed the Wildland Firefighting Basics course led by our professional instructors, Jordan Pollock and Kyle Dodd.  

This four hour course is designed to give the initial attack firefighter a broad overview of numerous firefighting areas one may encounter on a local wildland fire incident. It is taught to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards and includes ICS, Safety, Fireline Hazards, Sizeup, Communication, Apparatus Placement, Fuels, Topography, Fire Behavior and Weather review, Hoselays, Handline Construction and Mopup. Through a blended approach of online learning and practical skills, participants receive a wide variety of education providing for a safe and effective response to local wildfire incidents.

Additional follow-up courses include skills of truck operation, driving safety, water fill, and dispatch. Enhanced courses will be scheduled in 2023 for those who have completed basic training. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Jordan D. Pollack

Mr. Pollack joined the fire service in 1980, working his way upward in the service to training o cer and now fire chief since 1998. A fire service instructor since 1983, Jordan coordinates a cadre of instructors delivering fire and medical courses around the Pacific Northwest. As one of the premiere wildland firefighting training cadres, they work with numerous fire departments throughout the spring each year. Since his start in 1978 on the Olympic National Forest, Jordan has worked for both the US Forest Service and National Park Service on hand crews, engines, and helicopters most summer fire seasons. His last years on the west’s major fires were spent working as an engine strike team or task force leader for the US Forest Service. He serves as fire chief of the Breitenbush Fire Department in the mountains of central Oregon, and is a regional representative for Firefighters Crossing Borders in Mexico.

Kyle Dodd

Mr. Dodd is a lieutenant with San Juan Island Fire Department and EMT with San Juan EMS. His ‘day job’ working as the environmental safety manager for San Juan County gives him both the people and management skills necessary to be an excellent responder. Mr. Dodd currently serves as the Incident Commander for the San Juan County Covid Response Incident Management Team. Kyle has been a key member of our outer island training team since 2017, bringing a wealth of knowledge, skills, and abilities - including his excellent sense of humor.