1/20/2009

1/20/2009

Last week our team (as well as the other 2 fire management teams) completed the S130 & S190 classes to become certified as Type 2 Wild land Firefighters. After a week of struggling through classes that didn’t exactly mesh with my learning style I found some excellent study buddies (Ben and Noel) and passes the finals with flying colors.

Monday, after the Martin Luther Kind Day Marade the teams packed up and drove to our respective forests.

My team arrived safely at Woodland Park, Colorado, where the Forest Service office is located. We were then escorted to our lodge in Lake George. Our new home is amazing!! Not only is there a well equipped kitchen (tons of pots and pans, a myriad of cabinets, and multiple freezers), but we also have four bedrooms (Ayla and I have our own, no boys allowed space) and a common area complete with a TV and satellite cable. In our basement is a second bathroom, a laundry room, and no lie: a weight room. Our home was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) back during the days of the New Deal. The CCC was the precursor for the NCCC, and one of our goals/ tasks for the rest of our term of service is to contact old CCC members and conduct interviews and collect and compile their histories.

Then, Tuesday , in addition to getting more fire gear (winter boots, firefighter jackets, tools, etc.) we started S212, the Wild land fire chain saw class. After 2 days of classroom work, tomorrow we are going to fire up the chain saws and cut stuff down!!