Lane Workforce Partnership

Local high school students got a firsthand look at careers in wildland firefighting during “Fire School” last week. Students participated in hands-on training activities that introduced them to real-world Wildland Fire Management skills, including safely extinguishing fires, practicing emergency medical response, building fire lines in the forest behind campus, and learning what it takes to work as part of a wildfire response team.

The experience gave students the opportunity to explore high-demand career pathways in public safety, forestry, and natural resources while learning directly from industry professionals and emergency response partners. Events like Fire School help connect classroom learning to meaningful career opportunities and give students valuable exposure to teamwork, leadership, and emergency preparedness skills.

Special thanks to Lane Education Service District, Lane Community College, Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Dust Busters Plus LLC, Willamette Ignition Network, Row River Rural Fire Protection District, South Willamette Prescribed Burn Association, and Dayton Fire District for helping create this unique hands-on learning experience for local students.