Photo credit Amanda Schwengel
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Last month’s Marshall fire in Boulder County started small. Within a few hours, however, the rapidly moving blaze had raged across 6,000 acres. Around 1,000 homes and 100 businesses were destroyed. With wildland fires sparking more often, year-round and ever closer to urban and suburban neighborhoods, firefighter training is changing too. MSU Denver’s Fire and Emergency Response Administration bachelor’s program is one of few in the country to be officially recognized by the National Fire Academy. The program addresses disaster planning, incident command and navigating the National Incident Management System, which enables agencies to work together during major emergencies. Jacob Stephens, who graduated from the program last year and will graduate from the Denver Fire Academy this week, is fully aware of the challenges he’ll face in his new role at the Denver Fire Department.“Wildland fires pose a significant hazard for many of our city’s suburban neighbors, where abundant open spaces and greenbelt land surround population centers,” Stephens said. “But DFD has a long history of supporting fellow firefighters and helping surrounding areas in any way possible. And as a rookie, I’m elated to become a part of that tradition.”