LANCASTER, Calif. — Fourteen Antelope Valley College Wildland Fire Academy students returned from a 16-day wildfire assignment in Montana, where they gained hands-on experience while supporting wildfire suppression efforts.
The AVC Marauders Fire Crew was dispatched July 14 and returned July 31 after working in the Lolo National Forest. The crew responded to two wildfires alongside federal, state and local firefighting resources.
The deployment included 14 current AVC Wildland Fire Academy students and three academy alumni serving in supervisory positions.
During the assignment, crew members performed fireline construction, mop-up operations, patrol, hazard mitigation and secured containment lines in challenging terrain and changing fire conditions.
For student firefighter Demonte Williams, the assignment was his first experience working on a wildfire.
“My first fire taught me the importance of teamwork, staying calm under pressure, and trusting the training I received during the Wildland Academy,” Williams said. “It gave me confidence and showed me what it truly means to serve others and be part of something bigger than myself.”
The Marauders Fire Crew consists of students in AVC's Wildland Firefighter Program, where they receive National Wildfire Coordinating Group training and practical experience designed to prepare them for careers in wildland firefighting.
Student firefighter Henry Delgado said the academy helped prepare him for the realities of the Montana assignment.
“The Wildland Academy at AVC prepared us for what to expect on the fire,” Delgado said. “It taught us how to work safely, look out for each other, and have the knowledge we needed before we got there.”
Delgado said the experience also brought the crew closer together as they worked long hours in the mountains.
“We got to bond as a crew and became like a family,” Delgado said. “We made a lot of great memories and met amazing people that I know I'll always consider family.”
For student firefighter Jalen Joesph, working alongside experienced fire personnel helped reinforce his plans for the future.
“The crew leads and supervisors made me realize that I want to continue fighting fire as a career and keep growing in this job,” Joesph said. “It was a great experience that taught me a lot, and it's something I'll never forget.”
Lori Gilroy, director of the AVC Wildland Firefighter Program, said assignments like the Montana deployment give students an opportunity to put their classroom and academy training into practice.
“This assignment provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to serve the public while gaining hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in the classroom,” Gilroy said. “Our crew demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and teamwork throughout the deployment. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment they displayed while representing Antelope Valley College.”
The AVC Marauders Fire Crew partners with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to provide field experience that can help prepare students for employment in the wildland fire service. Graduates have continued into careers with agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, state agencies and municipal fire departments throughout the western United States.
The crew's safe return marks the completion of another field assignment for the Wildland Firefighter Program, giving students firsthand experience they can carry into future careers in wildland firefighting.
