; Fire Control Technician (Phase I)

The Fire Control Technician (FCT) program is a 31–60 day intensive, hands-on apprenticeship designed for transitioning Service Members seeking entry into the wildfire mitigation and private fire defense industry.Participants train in real-world field environments supporting wildfire mitigation, suppression system deployment, and operational readiness activities in California’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).This short-duration program focuses on foundational technical skills required to support Fire Defense Experts during both pre-season mitigation operations and in-season Red Flag and wildfire deployments.Training areas include:• QTAC pump system familiarization and deployment• Portable wagon pump drafting from pools and static water sources• Ground-based long-term fire retardant (LTR) application support• Wildland hand tool use and maintenance (Type 6 equipment sets)• Property preparation and defensible space implementation• Equipment staging, inspection, and readiness standards• Operational safety and ICS-aligned field conductThis program provides structured exposure to the operational tempo and expectations of private wildfire defense organizations.

The Fire Control Technician (FCT) apprentice supports wildfire mitigation and fire defense operations under supervision of senior personnel.Primary Duties:• Assist with installation and setup of portable fire suppression equipment• Deploy pumps, hoses, fittings, and drafting components• Support long-term fire retardant ground applications• Conduct vegetation mitigation and site preparation work• Maintain tools, pumps, and field equipment to readiness standards• Participate in Red Flag patrol operations when authorized• Support logistics and operational staging during wildfire incidentsFCT apprentices are expected to demonstrate discipline, safety awareness, physical capability, and professional conduct consistent with emergency operations environments.Successful completion may lead to consideration for continued training in the Fire Defense Expert (FDE) program.