U.S. Forestry Service helps train Alabama college students in wildland firefighting

The U.S. Forest Service has teamed up with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help train the next generation of wildland firefighters.

As stated in a news release, Florida A&M University, Southern University in Louisiana, Tuskegee University in Alabama, and Alabama A&M University have joined together to create the 1890 Land Grant Institution Wildland Fire Consortium.

Students get hands-on training with firefighting tools like drip torches and chainsaws, and have assisted in some wildfires and prescribed burns.

“I am learning so many skills and techniques about fire that I will be able to use one day in my future career,” said Bradley Massey, Alabama A&M University forestry student and fire consortium participant. “Our instructors make this experience impactful with their years’ worth of knowledge and service.”