During the Academy, this is where you will find a list of events occurring throughout the week. Some events may only last for a few hours while others are multiple days.
Check back as we get closer to the 2024 Academy as dates and times may change.
AZ Wildfire Academy S-130/190 Graduation & Closing Ceremony
Today, we will have a graduation ceremony at 1pm that can be viewed on the Academy YouTube channel. Join us during the LIVE broadcast at www.youtube.com/@azwima or watch later if you cannot make it during the real-time event.
Join us as we welcome our new Wildland Firefighters into our community and fire family. This course is a requirement for anyone involved in wildfire. This course is made up of people who will fill many roles besides a firefighter. Students graduating include non-operation positions for Incident Management Teams such as finance, public information, logistics, planning, and medical.
Day 6: You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.
We all knew that this day would come as it is the LAST day for AWIMA 2024 with 20 courses wrapping up. While we are sad for it to be over, we reflect on the lessons learned, friendships made, and the opportunities we have moving forward. As you return home and continue with your career (or start a new one) continue to ask questions and learn from those around you. Make sure to give the time and energy you would expect to receive to your fellow coworkers. Be patient, be kind, stay humble and NEVER stop learning.
Don’t forget to join us for one final morning briefing.. It will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Instructors will play morning briefing each day in the classroom but you can also attend in person.
Evening at the Granite Mountain IHC Learning and Tribute Center
Join us for an evening at the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center. The center is located at:
Prescott Gateway Mall
3250 Gateway Boulevard
Prescott, Arizona 86303
(Dillard's end of the mall)
The mission of the center is to establish and operate a wildland fire learning center that honors the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew (GMIHC) by telling their story, displaying and housing artifacts/memorabilia, and educating visitors about wildland fire, firefighting, and prevention.
Red Robin Fundraiser
🍔🐦 We've partnered with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers to raise funds that will support AWIMA and future scholarships. On Wednesday, March 13th, show/mention this flyer when you stop in or follow the instructions when ordering online. If you are attending #AZWIMA2024, make plans to have dinner at Red Robin before or after you visit the Open House at the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center located nearby.
***Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy will receive 20% of fundraiser sales* during this fundraiser. Participate on Mar 13, 2024 during the scheduled fundraiser time by showing the flyer below to your server at this Red Robin location, or by ordering online at redrobin.com or on the Red Robin mobile app. For online and mobile app orders you must add the fundraiser to your cart before you check out for the sales to count towards the fundraiser.
Day 5: Hump Day
We have 24 courses today along with a couple events. Check out the photo contest info as it’s the last morning for submissions. Join us tonight for the Granite Mountain Open house and stop by Red Robin to support our fundraiser. More information on each event can be found under the events tab.
Don’t forget, 1st day students should attend in person. It will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Instructors may live stream the briefing in their classroom starting on Day 2 of class. Morning briefing is mandatory for all those attending the academy.
Tribute Night
Every year, we join together for Tribute Night. Due to COVID-19, we have been unable to gather for the past two years. We are currently planning to return to our in-person dinner event. If you haven’t attended in the past, expect a night of honor and tradition as we remember the fallen from the past year with a Honor Guard ceremony and includes pipes and drums. We will also announce the Southwest Wildland Firefighter of the Year and our very own Herb McElwee award. Throughout the evening, there are raffle prizes and an auction to raise money in support of our scholarship fund and other organizations that we partner with.
In 2022, we produced a video in place of our in-person event. Watch the 2022 Tribute Night video by visiting our YouTube channel. We were excited to be back in-person last year for 2023 and look forward to seeing everyone tonight.
Day 4: Day of Remembrance
We’re halfway through the 2023 academy with 32 courses today and over 800 people on campus. We hope you make room in your schedule this evening to join us for our time honored tradition, Tribute Night. Please see the Tribute Night even for more info.
Morning briefing will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Instructors may live stream the briefing in their classroom starting on Day 2 of class. Morning briefing is mandatory for all those attending the academy.
Vendor Night
Have you checked out the Vendor area located in lower hangar? Here’s your chance and it won’t make you late for class. Join us in the Lower Hangar (Student Center) at ERAU on Monday, March 11th 4:30 – 6 pm as our vendors host an evening for our students, instructors, and IMT to stop by and see what they have to offer. Over a dozen vendors have booths set up where you can check out some of the latest equipment and maybe make a purchase or two. Vendors are set up for the duration of the academy and you can stop by at any time during a class break, lunch time, or after class has ended.
Vendors for 2024 TBD:
Day 3: You won’t find a case of the “Mondays” here
Normally, people tend to dread when Monday comes around, but not this week. It’s day 3 of AWIMA 2024 and we have 34 courses filled with over 800 people on campus. It’s going to be a busy day but we hope that everyone learns something new and continues to expand their network within this premier learning environment.
Morning briefing will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Instructors may live stream the briefing in their classroom starting on Day 2 of class. Morning briefing is mandatory for all those attending the academy.
Day 2: Sunday Funday
It’s a great day to join us in one of the 27 courses taking place today. If it’s your first day, don’t forget to attend morning briefing according to the directions provided in a pre-academy email.
Morning briefing will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Instructors may live stream the briefing in their classroom starting on Day 2 of class. Morning briefing is mandatory for all those attending the academy.
Day 1: First day of School
Today is the first day of the Academy for 2023! We will have 22 courses starting today and will have quite a few people on campus. Each day starts with morning briefing at 7:15 am. Morning briefing will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@azwima. Keep an eye out for communication with the expectation for attending. Instructors will play briefing each day in the classroom and students may go straight to class. Morning briefing is mandatory for all those attending the academy.
We can’t wait to see everyone for another year of learning and networking.
2024 Photo Contest
Send us your photos! Enter this year’s photo contest by submitting photos that you have taken during the 2023 Wildfire Season. Any photos submitted must be the sole property of the person making the submission and ensures that these photos are not subject to copyright issues. All submissions must be in by noon on Wednesday and a voting process will take place that afternoon by the members of the Incident Management Team, Academy staff and Academy Board Members.
Rules
Submissions are only accepted from those attending the 2024 Academy. This includes students, instructors, and IMT members.
Up to 3 photos may be submitted per person
Submit photos to pio@azwima.org with your name, phone number and description of photo(s)
Submission period is open Saturday, March 9th at 7am through Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 at noon. Photos received outside of this time period will not be considered
Winner will be announced at morning briefing on Thursday, March 14th
By participating in this contest, you are granting AWIMA permission to publish the photo in any publication as they see fit